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Website Improvements and the Binding Museum

Bookmark and Share            By Lou

Whew, I thought I was going to get another binding into the museum today and do a blog post about that, but busy busy. Instead, got a bunch of small details taken care of in website design. I’ll do the binding this afternoon and post when it’s ready. It’s one of the original Dynafit models from way back.

As many of you know but is good to occasionally point out, WildSnow consists of a blog with thousands of posts, but also a full-on conventional website that organizes more than 200 pages of our extensive articles, binding reviews, historical writings and more. I’ve been working on-and-off to get the website a bit more pleasant looking as well as centered on the screen like the blog, so switching back and forth isn’t quite as harsh. Finished up much of that this morning — but a website this big never ceases to require edits, updates, etc.

Also changed the arrangement of our blog categories list to your right. It used to be down lower on the page, with archives at the top. Seems like the categories are more useful, while the archives are more just a brag to show people how much blogging you do. Bragging is fun, but giving you useful information is what we’re here for, so I’ll keep tweaking the menu bars till the more used stuff is near the top.

Speaking of which, I put the news scroller above everything as it’s updated almost daily. We like the scroller because it allows more items without a long static list pushing thing down lower on the page. Nonetheless, it still seems a bit gimmicky to me. What do you guys think?

Posted by Lou on June 26, 2007 | Filed Under Backcountry Skiing 

previous post: Hot Glisse of Global Warming – Backcountry Skiing News Roundup
next post: First Production Dynafit Binding (AKA Low Tech)

Comments

14 Responses to “Website Improvements and the Binding Museum”

  1. steve romeo June 26th, 2007 2:03 pm

    Hey Lou!

    IMHO….gimmicky…looks like an ad!

    Steve

  2. Lou June 26th, 2007 2:17 pm

    Randomeo, I’m thinking the same thing… someone else suggested I make the links look less basic and perhaps it would fit in better. Or I could just do five static links that kept changing as I updated… Anyone else?

  3. Scott June 26th, 2007 2:52 pm

    Lou,

    I like the new look, as for the news scroller, I think it is fine. I visit here enough, as do others, and realize this is site that doesn’t trick me into viewing advertisements.
    The only improvement I would like to see is a spot-on accurate snowfall forecast by mountain chain for the upcoming winter so I can plan my trips better:)
    Scott

  4. Toby June 26th, 2007 2:58 pm

    I like the news portion just fine except slow down the scroll

  5. jeff June 26th, 2007 3:05 pm

    Sorry to say I am not a fan of the scroller. At least slow it down but I would vote for just a changing list. About the blog categories, is there a list of ski reviews? It seems there are tons of boot and binding reviews but none for the sticks. I have to say though I have wild snow as one if my home pages. As I have recently moved from CO to Portland, OR it is nice to feel connected to mountains I so dearly miss. Thanks.

  6. Tom G June 26th, 2007 3:16 pm

    I think the scroll is OK but it’s too fast. Also the blank space at the end of the scroll is a waste, a line dviding the start from the end would be better. And if the scroll background was grey rather than white I don’t think it would look so much like an ad.

  7. RobinB June 26th, 2007 6:45 pm

    I like it actually, but agree, slow it down…

  8. Mark June 27th, 2007 8:05 am

    Scroller is good, but too slow. Just kidding; it is a bit fast.

  9. Lou June 27th, 2007 9:11 am

    Thanks for the feedback folks. I’m looking at other scroller solutions, hope to change this week. Lot’s of stuff out there but it’s mostly junk.

  10. kevin June 27th, 2007 9:11 am

    It gets better and better. What, no seperate blog category for ski reviews?

  11. Sky June 27th, 2007 12:36 pm

    I don’t like the scroller – the movement to the side distracts my eye from the content that I’m trying to read. How about a drop-down menu, or a very conspicuous link to a page devoted to news items?

  12. Anna Boone October 15th, 2009 12:10 pm

    Lou,
    Could you please point me in the right direction? I am just starting up a website devoted to our RV backcountry and resort skiing trip this winter across western north america and would like to create a blog with advertisements in a similar format to yours – I like the way they are neatly organized down the sides and easy to see, yet don’t interfere with your website clarity. How did you set that up?

    Thanks for any help you can provide!
    Anna Boone

  13. Lou October 15th, 2009 1:26 pm

    Hi Anna, I put a lot of thought and effort (and work) into the design, and have noticed others following along, sometimes pretty much copying it. Flattering. I’ll email you and see if I can help you out.

  14. Lou February 11th, 2010 7:38 am

    Binding museum had a bunch of broken links due to website changes. Fixed now.
    http://www.wildsnow.com/backcountry-skiing-history/binding-museum/

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Welcome to Louis (Lou) Dawson's backcountry skiing information and opinion website. Lou's passion for the past forty years has been alpinism, climbing, mountaineering and skiing -- along with all manner of outdoor recreation. He has authored numerous books and articles about backcountry skiing and is well known as the first person to ski down all 54 of Colorado's 14,000-foot peaks, otherwise known as the Fourteeners! Books and free back country information here, and tons of Randonnee rando telemark info.

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