New Front Page... Share your thoughts here...

[Christine & Shelby]

As per Adina's request.... here is a place for us to discuss our thoughts on the new front page.  I am still navigating and trying to see how I like it... I will say though - that I miss having the slide show up top!

[Adina P]

There is no way to view all latest activity since last look. I wish there was but there is not that option now.

[F, Calla & Luca]

That would be a great feature.

[Dr. Judith P. LaVorgna]

Hey Adina, I love the photo's of the Doods on the right, but I think running the chats and blogs together along the left side make for almost too much print...or maybe separate the blogs from the chats if you know what I mean. I think I would have a changing photo of a Doodle featured every three or so days, and put a link to recent video's. Well, birthdays, I've never been a birthday fan (sorry kids) on any site so I'd put them somewhere else if possible to not have so much text running along that left column. I like change, for me it's always a struggle balancing the photo and the word...I'm almost thinking my impression is words, lots of words visually. Maybe putting a doodle photo between the activity in the forums and the blogs would handle that separation on the left hand side. The front page is sooo important because it is the heart and soul of what's "inside", I just don't envy you tackling a new one...and yet I fully get making changes. I think I'd offer that there are visually too many topics on the new front page and I'd rework them with some photo's, especially along the left side. Keep trackin' girl, that's what it's all about. Then spend some time listening and charting the answers. You'll do it well. Wish I had those skills.

[Adina P]

I'm not sure what you mean by "chats" -- are you referring to the list of newest discussion topics? They are not on the same side as blogs.

[Dr. Judith P. LaVorgna]

Thought I was seeing comments made to the blogs along with those forum topics on the left...I've been in a computer daze here since last Friday so my eyes are beginning to run everything together. Even things that may not be there!!!! Thought I saw the word "blog" turning up in what I thought were the "chat or forum responses". Discount me, I will love whatever you decide is best for the group and easiest to deal with from your end. When we were setting up the Messenger I thought I would need institutionalization at some point! May still. And I wasn't doing the setting up, just responding to the webmaster's questions of the setting up.You techies are unbelievable. Funny thing, I'm always moving the furniture around and confusing the Doodles here. On a computer..can't do it, click something and it's lost forever. I think my e-box this morning had over 96 comments from DK'ers...yours must be wild!

[Dan, Judi, & Timbow]

I LOVE the slideshow in the front page too! :)

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

I have always enjoyed the slide show. I think you probably get less of a response when the subject for the week gets too specific, i.e. Black Doodles, F1, etc. With subjects like that you will really cut down the response. I do like the video part but do you have to go through You Tube to post them? I don't do You Tube. I have videos but I just upload them to my page rather than link them to You Tube. I also agree that you don't need to have every little thing posted such as "...are now friends" or "...left a comment for ...". That all takes up "prime space" and it would be put to better use with discussions, postings and blogs. Like F.Parker said, "they don't stay on the page long enough". I agree. I do like the change though. It just needs to be fine tuned.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

You don't need to use YouTube at all to post videos here on DK.

[Adina P]

We only do limited things like "Black" "White" "Red" doodles on occasion. I know those will have smaller responses, but overall...even for popular themes the responses are significantly lower than they were initially -- even at half the membership. As far as youtube...that just happens to be how the particular featured video was uploaded to Doodle Kisses. It is not required.

[Wendy and Eddie]

I haven't contributed as much lately b/c the quality of photos submitted has really improved! It's spurred me on to taking new pictures this summer. :-)

I want to add my THANKS for all your work!! I love this site!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

One reason that you might be getting fewer responses for slide shows could be because you are now asking for ONE picture only and you used to ask for one or TWO. It could also be because many of the older (like me) but new members are really stretching it to maneuver around and don't yet get tagging etc. I know you have tutorials but I think they aren't as prominently placed as they might be - you need to think remedial here. So it takes a while for newer members to figure out how to upload pictures and when they do - where do they go??? And tagging - huh?

[Belinda Stevens]

As far as moving my cheese I am pretty cool with change. I think it's needed to keep it fresh and up to date. With that said I personally miss the slideshow. I do know from experience what a pain they are.... but I do look forward to a new one every week. I love the video now where it is. And I like the bigger pictures and the fewer amount of new members section.