I have been thinking of changing my template for some time..You know how it feels when your hair gets too long and you badly want to chop off the extra locks..But having had the old one for so long, am not sure which way to change. My family was saying the blue is too dark a background and not easy to print the recipes and so forth..
But this new template feels like too much hair has been cut off.
So please give me feedback on which one was more appealing to you as a reader. Those of u who already voted for the old one,I have ur comments in mind..
C'mon , take a minute and leave a comment.
Update 3/8/07
Phew! I felt bombarded by the comments requesting my old template back. It was great to make all my lurking non commenting readers leave a comment. :)Thanks!!Alright, I give in. Till I figure the correct color combination, I will keep the layout the same. One of the comments(Mathy) asked me to go with the "KISS" philosophy, which I was unaware of and my better half explained it to me as "keeping it sweet and simple". So though I still want to change the background color, for now, let me get back to posting instead of tinkering with the template.
You'll still keep the malabar coast picture, naa?
ReplyDeleteI like the new appearance of your blog shaheen. The previous one had some dark background.
ReplyDeleteHi Shaheen! I thins template look way too busy. I'm not sure what to focus on since everything kind of stands out at the same time. i preferedthe previous design better. If colour is a problem, how about just going with a white background instead of blue with the earler design.
ReplyDeleteBut I surely think this 3-column is not doing justice to your wonderful photographs. Hope that helps! :)
hi shaheen
ReplyDeletei am an avid reader from middle east of your blog and like it too much. feels like taking a quick vacation to kerala.
i liked earlier appearance of your blog. but it doesnt matter as long as the content is the same
pja
Shaheen,
ReplyDeleteThe old one was good. After days,it might feel this also good,wait..
Your old one was classic, Mallugirl! The new one - am not able to focus, too many elements on it. Though your old one was dark, it wasn't like the black templates where text is difficult to read. And what happened to your links list? It was a handy thing to have.
ReplyDeleteHi Shaheen,
ReplyDeleteI agree with Meena when she says it is currently looking too busy. I also opted against the the 3 column for that reason. But you had that in your previous layout so why not simply keep that and change the color scheme. With the new blogger you can do that very easily.
Shaheen this template is not good,the main material seems to have been pushed to a corner,i prefer your previous template.
ReplyDeleteSalam Shaheen,
ReplyDeleteThis one is clumsy...as I feel..I liked your old one...that navy blue background...that was nice...and this one...feels weird for me to search anything...for a moment when I visited this one today...I felt like Iam in a wrong place...and took my hands off the mouse..and wondered where to do what...may be i shud spend sometime and search...but not all visitors wud do right? they wud check for sth with easy navigation...normally for right handed...right column navigation feels easier.
Shaheen,
ReplyDeleteThe old was was definately a bit darker & this one has a bit less appeal, maybe u should try a different template.
No matter the template I love ur recipes...Thanks,
old one with a lighter background.
ReplyDeletethe navy blue was difficult to read, but the layout was better. those malabar coast pictures were great. keep them.
i do like the look of new template shaheen but i feel 3 frames here r making it look little crowded. colourwise its very plesent to eyes and my senses. white background makes ur lovely pics stand out and make statement.
ReplyDeletehow about old one with lighter background colour?
Hi Shaheen! I think the old one was good.. This template looks too crowded n clumsy.. n as someone said earlier its not at all doing justice to ur wonderful photographs.. but no matter the appearance i just love ur recipes n ur way of presenting it.. Grt job!!!
ReplyDeleteI know what you're talking about, a new template takes some getting used to. I do like the new template, I was wondering is there a way to move the sidebars to the right side of content instead of the left because as a page loads your eyes tend to focus on that side first.
ReplyDeleteShaheen, first time I saw ur new look after the makeover, i felt I got into a very crowded bus, i dint know where to focuss. But that could be partly coz i was soo used to seeing ur old plage but somehow I prefer that one, may be you could change that blue colour alone.
ReplyDelete:)
Shn
Hi Shaheen,
ReplyDeleteI liked the old template too !! Or rather I like three column templates with the center column having the main content. Here the content seems to be pushed into either corner. The color scheme looks good, so if you can move your posts to the center column and play around with the widths of the columns to make the center one wider to suit your photos it would be great. And yaa...I liked your previous header !!
Hey cool template there..But I have a suggestion. I personally like the post/content to be at the center. When i scroll down the right 2 columns get over very soon..but th epost can go on for pages sometimes :)
ReplyDeleteI am viewing in Fiorefox. Dont know hoe it looks in IE
Well Shaheen, everytime when we change the template, we feel it is odd because we were used to it. I feel the main bar should be in between two bars. Somehow the main bar is lost and the sidebars are taking most of the space.
ReplyDeleteI am also working on a template, so will be changing mine soon.
Shaheen if you could move the middle column all the way to the end and keep the postings in the middle this will look less busy. Have to search for the actual post on this one.
ReplyDeleteHmm.. Thanks a lot for the inputs.
ReplyDeletei think i am getting a better picture of what to do.. most of u agree with the central post layout..i agree, this looks busy and the post is sidelined.
so i will revert to that, but with lighter colors. now blogger is saying my old template is not formed porperly so won't let me paste it back. still bear with me while i make the changes..
I really liked your previous template! Maybe the blue color was a little dark but somehow it worked better than this one. Hope this input helps
ReplyDeleteShaheen
ReplyDeleteLiked your prev template though the blue was a bit dark but since you are from Kerala that blue gave me the feeling of water around you
i liked the previous one shaheen.I find it hard to focus on the main column.Feel like too many things going on.Check out this website shaheen..
ReplyDeletehttp://hackosphere.blogspot.com/3006/09/3-column-templates-for-blogger-beta_01.html
this has the original blogger beta templates as 3 column template.you an always change background color to anything that makes your pic.s perfect.
mmhhmm...
ReplyDeleteI like the colors. but 2 column template would have been better. it's better to keep the background light. had trouble with that in your older template. but the dark background make the pictures look wonderful. (not that the pics would have stood on their own. ;) ).
go with the KISS policy Mallugirl.
my two cents.
-Mathy
I liked the old template better...but it could be because I got used to it and it brough familiar pictures of home-cooked comfort foods to mind.....I'm sorry if this is not what you wanted to hear :(
ReplyDeleteHi Shaheen
ReplyDeleteHave been visiting your blog for the last few months, but never left a comment. You have a wonderful blog with great recipes and pictures. I like the old appearance of your blog, but I think this color looks good, coz its bright and readable. Is it possible to keep the old appearance with this new color.
Mamta
I think I did prefer the old one. I didn't mind the dark color, but if some people did maybe that style with a lighter color would be nice. I love the header of the old one.
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteIam a reader of your blogs though I normally dont leave any comments, but then when I saw this question on the blog look and feel, just wanted to leave a message...
I preferred the earlier one better, it had more reading space and was all so neatly arranged with all those pictures, this one looks like it has more of links and less recipes ( though i know it is the same content, but it gives you that feeling ..you know). if people have issues with the color, you could make it lighter.. but that layout had more warmth:-)i feel..anyways whatever you chose, i 'll keep visiting again, that's sure:-)
Warm Regards,Swathy.
I liked ur cooking style and way of presentation.Can you put the post coloum in the middle or left side of ur blog.that will be more catching,also u increase the width of first coloum so that ur picture will fit completely inside.
ReplyDeleteHi Shaheen,
ReplyDeleteThe previous look was more you! In fact, that was my first thought when ki passed on your blog's id.
I feel the focus is lost - the recipes defenitely needs centerstage! Some life is lost in the gray too!
Anyways, good going. Keep it up!
Asha
You have a lot of good feedback Shaheen, but I want to add one more vote for a less crowded look. I loved your old template, even the dark background - it showcased your photos very well. As others have suggested, if you really want a change you could just make a few minor changes to the old template. Either way, your recipes rock!
ReplyDeleteJay
this one is nice too provided u put content in the middle and have the sidebars flanking it :)
ReplyDeleteI am too used with the old template. I prefer the earlier appearence....
ReplyDeletePriya
Shaheen,I liked your old template better.This one looks crowded to the eye,as others have suggested.
ReplyDeleteWant a frank opinion? It looks a lil like Bombay local train, a tad crowded. I liked the earlier blue colour more than grey. And the Malabar coast pic.:)
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletehey shaheen...
ReplyDeletei really liked the old template...when i think of shaheen/malluspice, the face that alwys comes in mind is the old template...i agreed the background was too dark..but u can always change the color to a lighter one. as others have suggested ,This new template looks crowded.
Hey Shaheen, Old is Gold. I like the previous one better. Sorry if my opinion is rude :) This one looks more crowder and probably because i am so used to your previous template i know "where" to look for "what".
ReplyDeleteIrrespective of how your template looks like, your blog is one of my favourite. :) So keep up the Good work.
Btw, you hubby's comment on spotting me at Shoprite was funny. Never know, we might meet somewhere very soon.
All i can say is Old is Gold
ReplyDeletehehehe, you ask opinions, you get a lot of them! hehehehe!
ReplyDeleteAh..!!
ReplyDeleteThe oldie...!! I like it!!!
As sandeepa said, the dark blue color and the kerala anecdotes on your posts were like synonmns...none without the other..I feel good again...!!
Hi Shaheen, allow me to chime in late -- the classic blue template is lovely (and I missed it)! :)
ReplyDeleteI bet you can't wait to get away from the computer and back into the kitchen now ;)
KISS also stands for
ReplyDeleteKeep it Simple Stupid!
BTW it doesnt apply to u at all..i like any template u will use as long as ur recipes are still available
Anu
maybe u can add on a link with print version. i know u hav decided to keep the old one, good!!
ReplyDeleteki
Phew..good to see this back
ReplyDeleteTHANX A BILLION SHAHEEN...for the encouragement you have given me sooooooooo promptly.When I told my sister(a reg visitor of your blog) abt leaving a comment to you,she told me YOU ARE TOO BUSY TO RESPOND..You have the credit of being the first one to leave a comment on my blog.Thanx again..
ReplyDeleteMy sister feels the prvious template of yours was much better..but doent matter as long as the contents don't change!Thanx again for being so humble to have said"I will look forward to your recipes as well".
The current template is unique, your identity, an embodiment of what you represent – Malabar Spices!!! Unless someone takes color printouts, I don’t see any reason why the dark background would be a problem. If you do feel the need to change, lighten just the background color, probably sky blue? Myself, not much of a cook, visit your pages mainly to see the beautiful pictures of mouthwatering dishes!!!
ReplyDeletealong with my regular others, I would like to especially thank my new writers..for finally leaving a comment.. see I don't bite, u can write in anytime..:)
ReplyDeletePja,Aruna,Chinnu, Swathi,NAgs,HM, Jay, Priya and the other anons..Thanks!