New web site feedback

[Jon]

Hi,

That's what I use. I guess it's a matter of taste, then. The font size of the menu on the left is larger than the testimonials, and a bit larger than the sans serif font in the body. If you don't see that, please send me a screen snap. Thanks.

Jon
Sonny Software

[neuromama]

I like the colors. The logo on the top right is a little pixelated. Also, could you add a menu item that directs to the outline of changes in each version? I've seen the page before but I always have a hard time finding it.

[neuromama]

Oops, I found that you already have version changes under "What's New"....although you seem to reply pretty quickly...did you just do that for me in the last 60 seconds?

[Jon]

Hi,

No, I'm not that quick!

The what's new page has always been there. As for the icon, I've done the best I can on that, but if anyone would like to help converting the larger old icon to the smaller and differently colored one, I'd appreciate it.

I expect the site to go live tomorrow, BTW.

Jon
Sonny Software

[hrashid]

Jon,

Just a last couple of quick comments:

1. On the left column of the start page, can you set off the navigation a little bit more? Perhaps a line under the navigation, before the testimonials? Or adjust the left margin of the line "What our users are saying about Bookends," so it's flush with the edge? I think the latter option might be better as it allows the words to fit on two lines instead of three.

2. Between the yellow line and the main body there seems to be some grey gradient. The gradient is dithered on my screen (MacBook, screen set to millions), and looks odd.

Regards,
Hussein

[Jon]

Hi,

I don't see a gradient in Safari above the body of the text. Can you send me a screen snap of what you see?

Thanks,

Jon
Sonny Software

[aechallu]

I like the redesign.

One suggestion: there are two things that I think are appealing of BE that are not well represented in the front page:

1) BE does Chicago Manual of Style pretty well. Why don't demonstrate that capability casually in one of the screenshots? It could be in the bibliography screenshot (at the end); you could show a split view of a footnote and the bibliography. Or maybe in the first screenshot, instead of setting the bottom pane to show the PDF, you can show the citation (that's the way I typically use it anyway). In any case, the flexibility of the citation formats should be highlighted in the front page, I think.

2) BE works well with several word processors. The last screenshot (the bibliography in word) could well be a bibliography in Word, Mellel, Pages, etc. Certainly this is something that becomes evident when you click on the screenshot, but I think that it's better to highlight it in the front page.

My two cents...

[Eckius]

New website looks very bright and clean. May I ask with which application it was made?

[Jon]

Hi,

I used RapidWeaver, and mixed in some of my own code.

Jon
Sonny Software

[suavito]

The new webpage is a big step into the right direction. In my opinion the old one didn't do your great software any justice.

I will have to explore it further but I found one thing I would recommend to change: The header should not contain any text, it should be all graphics. Not only you could choose a more personal font and not one of the web standard fonts. But more important people who increase the font size for readability – like me – will not find the header text smeared into the logo.

Sincerely, your mostly quiet i. e. satisfied customer

suavito

[Jon]

Hi,

Thanks for the feedback. Good point about text in the banner. I'm busy coding for the next Bookends update, but I'll be tweaking the site as I have time and that's something I'll try to improve.

Jon
Sonny Software

[ozean]

Have you thought about making the width of the main column fluid? I like non-static layouts and the content you put into your main column should adept itself quite well to using a flexible width…

(However, not everyone is a fan of these layout and you should implement some measures to prevent the text from becoming to spread out. I would keep the width of the sidebar static in any case.)

[Jon]

Hi ozean,

I tried a variable width, but frankly I didn't like the distortions I saw when the window was widened too much. I thought the layout I have now leant itself to a fixed width.

Jon
Sonny Software

[ozean]

I thought the layout I have now leant itself to a fixed width.

No problem – especially if you tried it and it did not convince you!

[Darren McDonald]

Hi Jon

Just wanted to let you know you have done a wonderful job with the redesign of your website. From all the comments you have gotten it is obvious that you have a loyal and caring following for Bookends.

Actually, I was going to email you and suggest you spruce up the website. It was a while since I last visited the site and was pleasantly surprised. As one post said, you needed a website that did justice to your great software!

About Bookends itself, since I have now invested a lot of time in reading the manual and learning how to use it, I am discovering just how powerful and spot on the software is. Of course there are always room for improvements, for instance, how about sprucing up the UI? It would be just ice candy, but it is the type of ice candy that could communicate to folks who visit your website that Bookends is well ahead in the league.

And to a very different topic, I have been searching endlessly for a software package for the Mac that works along the lines of IdeaMason http://www.ideamason.com/ which is a software package for Windows. I worked with the programmers to have it function with Japanese before I switched to the Mac. The program works along the logic and manner in which I prepare and write my own academic papers. Although I have tried to convince the folks at IdeaMason to do a Mac version, it is not on their list of projects any time soon. So, I was wondering if you or anyone else have any suggestions for what is available in the Mac world? Maybe Bookends is moving in this direction too? I am in the midst of doing my analysis for my PhD and need to prepare for a lot of writing ahead. Any suggestions would be happily received!!

Cheers!

Darren McDonald
Tokyo