Comments on: Message for volunteers for opinions on the new blog http://madeiraislanddirect.com/blog/2009/05/message-for-volunteers-for-opinions-on-the-new-blog/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=message-for-volunteers-for-opinions-on-the-new-blog the latest official & unofficial news & reviews from Madeira Sat, 11 Feb 2012 08:43:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Der http://madeiraislanddirect.com/blog/2009/05/message-for-volunteers-for-opinions-on-the-new-blog/#comment-3532 Der Wed, 13 May 2009 21:50:24 +0000 http://madeiraislanddirect.com/blog/?p=186#comment-3532 Thanks Don, a few changes needed, like getting rid of that META menu, and adding some adverts ... but it is not as simple as it seems as it involves changing style sheets! got all the blog imports done now though, so that is good news. Thanks Don, a few changes needed, like getting rid of that META menu, and adding some adverts … but it is not as simple as it seems as it involves changing style sheets! got all the blog imports done now though, so that is good news.

]]> By: Don Amaro http://madeiraislanddirect.com/blog/2009/05/message-for-volunteers-for-opinions-on-the-new-blog/#comment-3531 Don Amaro Wed, 13 May 2009 20:34:47 +0000 http://madeiraislanddirect.com/blog/?p=186#comment-3531 I myself find the current design good as it is. I would not change much. The layout is simple .... which is a pre for successful web publishing and SEO. Give it time and you will see the effect it will have. If you search with Google for the sentence "opinions on the new blog" (include the quotes) .... you will see that this blog is on the top position. I myself find the current design good as it is. I would not change much. The layout is simple …. which is a pre for successful web publishing and SEO.
Give it time and you will see the effect it will have.

If you search with Google for the sentence “opinions on the new blog” (include the quotes) …. you will see that this blog is on the top position.

]]> By: Der http://madeiraislanddirect.com/blog/2009/05/message-for-volunteers-for-opinions-on-the-new-blog/#comment-644 Der Wed, 13 May 2009 16:04:06 +0000 http://madeiraislanddirect.com/blog/?p=186#comment-644 working on the old blog imports at present Martin. As far as the design goes, lots of technical probs and dificulties, but what you see now is probably what we will go with, with a couple of additions / changes. More mods later though working on the old blog imports at present Martin. As far as the design goes, lots of technical probs and dificulties, but what you see now is probably what we will go with, with a couple of additions / changes. More mods later though

]]> By: MARTIN http://madeiraislanddirect.com/blog/2009/05/message-for-volunteers-for-opinions-on-the-new-blog/#comment-643 MARTIN Wed, 13 May 2009 14:01:28 +0000 http://madeiraislanddirect.com/blog/?p=186#comment-643 How is the new blog design progressing? How is the new blog design progressing?

]]> By: Der http://madeiraislanddirect.com/blog/2009/05/message-for-volunteers-for-opinions-on-the-new-blog/#comment-67 Der Mon, 11 May 2009 07:22:36 +0000 http://madeiraislanddirect.com/blog/?p=186#comment-67 Thanks Martin. Our sponsor is not happy with it as it is, so must wait for mods. Re advertising, yes there will be I hope. Without funding I can't keep it going. Sorry! Thanks Martin. Our sponsor is not happy with it as it is, so must wait for mods.

Re advertising, yes there will be I hope. Without funding I can’t keep it going. Sorry!

]]> By: martin http://madeiraislanddirect.com/blog/2009/05/message-for-volunteers-for-opinions-on-the-new-blog/#comment-65 martin Sun, 10 May 2009 17:35:49 +0000 http://madeiraislanddirect.com/blog/?p=186#comment-65 Der. This new blog is very good as it is and even more sooper with the mods already described. Go with it as as. extras when essential? Will there be more advertising? Der.
This new blog is very good as it is and even more sooper with the mods already described.

Go with it as as.

extras when essential?

Will there be more advertising?

]]> By: Der http://madeiraislanddirect.com/blog/2009/05/message-for-volunteers-for-opinions-on-the-new-blog/#comment-63 Der Sun, 10 May 2009 09:02:25 +0000 http://madeiraislanddirect.com/blog/?p=186#comment-63 I wouldn't argue with these points and suggestions, but without regular contributions we might just end up with empty spaces. When this blog goes live, I will ask for suggestions for new features, and see what we come up with. It is quite easy to add a new category, but it is then another daily workload for me, so I would want to be sure that anything new will be well used. I wouldn’t argue with these points and suggestions, but without regular contributions we might just end up with empty spaces.

When this blog goes live, I will ask for suggestions for new features, and see what we come up with. It is quite easy to add a new category, but it is then another daily workload for me, so I would want to be sure that anything new will be well used.

]]> By: martin http://madeiraislanddirect.com/blog/2009/05/message-for-volunteers-for-opinions-on-the-new-blog/#comment-61 martin Sun, 10 May 2009 08:22:31 +0000 http://madeiraislanddirect.com/blog/?p=186#comment-61 I'm ordinary and I like the idea of 'did u know?' section. Special offers appeal. When and if we live madeira and are getting to grips with the madeiran way of life, this sort of thing would be be good. Terrified of an ex-pat community living seperately to madeirans. Although same nationalities or same language speakers have a lot in common and crave just sometimes for a jolly good chin wag in a familiar language. The 'meet up 'idea could be policed by the 'meet up point' being in a section of a public place. Say, for example ,every wednesday outside Se cathedral at 10 am for a 'Meet and Greet' .(american term). Coffee and cakes nearby. Must be good. Could be the same sort of thing in other towns around madeira. What do you think? Silly Idea? I’m ordinary and I like the idea of ‘did u know?’ section.
Special offers appeal.
When and if we live madeira and are getting to grips with the madeiran way of life, this sort of thing would be be good.
Terrified of an ex-pat community living seperately to madeirans.
Although same nationalities or same language speakers have a lot in common and crave just sometimes for a jolly good chin wag in a familiar language.

The ‘meet up ‘idea could be policed by the ‘meet up point’ being in a section of a public place.
Say, for example ,every wednesday outside Se cathedral at 10 am for a ‘Meet and Greet’ .(american term).

Coffee and cakes nearby. Must be good.
Could be the same sort of thing in other towns around madeira.
What do you think?

Silly Idea?

]]> By: Don Amaro http://madeiraislanddirect.com/blog/2009/05/message-for-volunteers-for-opinions-on-the-new-blog/#comment-58 Don Amaro Sat, 09 May 2009 20:26:55 +0000 http://madeiraislanddirect.com/blog/?p=186#comment-58 I completely agree with the anonymous author. I completely agree with the anonymous author.

]]> By: Der http://madeiraislanddirect.com/blog/2009/05/message-for-volunteers-for-opinions-on-the-new-blog/#comment-56 Der Sat, 09 May 2009 13:00:32 +0000 http://madeiraislanddirect.com/blog/?p=186#comment-56 The key aspect of your blog from my viewpoint is content rather than format – what makes this blog so readable is that the content is relevant and your add-on comments bring some personalisation. The amount of narrative is also important – currently it’s just about right for me – any more would make it seem a bit daunting and therefore less likely to be read I don’t really mind what the format is – the simpler the better – so as not to get in the way of reading your articles The photos help to break up the copy and also provide an easy guide to a change of day Perhaps one aspect to think about is can your blog be used to help those ex-pats who want to communicate with other ex-pats – maybe a dedicated page for this type of communication whilst at the same time ensuring privacy for those who wish it eg using a nickname. Maybe it could be themed “Did You Know” – and could help to pass on day-to-day tips – such as Pingo have a special offer on toasters this week. Or even help people to meet up if they want to (not sure about the security issues of trying to do this). Being new to Madeira, I’m not sure if there is an ex-pat community of “ordinary” (don’t know how to define this) people. Hope this is of use Best regards – and thanks again for maintaining your blog – much appreciated I received this comment by email, so I have no identified the author - thanks for submitting it. Der The key aspect of your blog from my viewpoint is content rather than format – what makes this blog so readable is that the content is relevant and your add-on comments bring some personalisation. The amount of narrative is also important – currently it’s just about right for me – any more would make it seem a bit daunting and therefore less likely to be read

I don’t really mind what the format is – the simpler the better – so as not to get in the way of reading your articles

The photos help to break up the copy and also provide an easy guide to a change of day

Perhaps one aspect to think about is can your blog be used to help those ex-pats who want to communicate with other ex-pats – maybe a dedicated page for this type of communication whilst at the same time ensuring privacy for those who wish it eg using a nickname. Maybe it could be themed “Did You Know” – and could help to pass on day-to-day tips – such as Pingo have a special offer on toasters this week. Or even help people to meet up if they want to (not sure about the security issues of trying to do this). Being new to Madeira, I’m not sure if there is an ex-pat community of “ordinary” (don’t know how to define this) people.

Hope this is of use

Best regards – and thanks again for maintaining your blog – much appreciated

I received this comment by email, so I have no identified the author – thanks for submitting it. Der

]]> By: Don Amaro http://madeiraislanddirect.com/blog/2009/05/message-for-volunteers-for-opinions-on-the-new-blog/#comment-54 Don Amaro Fri, 08 May 2009 23:21:12 +0000 http://madeiraislanddirect.com/blog/?p=186#comment-54 Looking good Der .... as I said before. To answer a question of Tobi concerning keeping track on the comments using RSS Feed reader .... just use the following link: http://madeiraislanddirect.com/blog/?feed=comments-rss2 Via this feed you can keep track on the comments (via the feed). RSS Feeds is a solution that I already use for more than a year and ... it is for me the best way to keep up to date on what I want to know and interested in .... in one place (one page). For a simple explanation of what RSS is ... check the following video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0klgLsSxGsU My favorite RSS reader is http://www.bloglines.com/ Looking good Der …. as I said before.
To answer a question of Tobi concerning keeping track on the comments using RSS Feed reader …. just use the following link:
http://madeiraislanddirect.com/blog/?feed=comments-rss2

Via this feed you can keep track on the comments (via the feed).

RSS Feeds is a solution that I already use for more than a year and … it is for me the best way to keep up to date on what I want to know and interested in …. in one place (one page).

For a simple explanation of what RSS is … check the following video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0klgLsSxGsU

My favorite RSS reader is http://www.bloglines.com/

]]> By: Der http://madeiraislanddirect.com/blog/2009/05/message-for-volunteers-for-opinions-on-the-new-blog/#comment-52 Der Fri, 08 May 2009 19:22:35 +0000 http://madeiraislanddirect.com/blog/?p=186#comment-52 Hi Jim, thanks for the feedback, glad you liked it and found it easy. There is a 'Just For Fun' category, and trivia could go there, but there are so few people respond when I have done similar things I don't know if it would take off. I haven't used it yet, that's why it doesn't show. The blog isn't for english people, it is for english speakers and has readers all over the world, so any trivia would really need to be Madeira related, at least most of the time. That might make it a bit trickier for you with the Qs? I did know the four teams, shame York City dropped out! Hi Jim, thanks for the feedback, glad you liked it and found it easy.

There is a ‘Just For Fun’ category, and trivia could go there, but there are so few people respond when I have done similar things I don’t know if it would take off. I haven’t used it yet, that’s why it doesn’t show.

The blog isn’t for english people, it is for english speakers and has readers all over the world, so any trivia would really need to be Madeira related, at least most of the time. That might make it a bit trickier for you with the Qs?

I did know the four teams, shame York City dropped out!

]]> By: Jim http://madeiraislanddirect.com/blog/2009/05/message-for-volunteers-for-opinions-on-the-new-blog/#comment-51 Jim Fri, 08 May 2009 18:05:56 +0000 http://madeiraislanddirect.com/blog/?p=186#comment-51 Hi Der Well done – your blog looks and feels so much better – no real criticisms at all – easy to read and the structure is also simple to use – excellent job. Some of the new facilities are also good – I particularly like the connection to the bus sites (I bought a timetable last year and am never sure if it is still relevant). What do you think of having a Trivia Question each day – with the answer on the following day? I will gladly(?) volunteer to submit the questions for the first 6 months - or longer if it works. It may help to add a bit of variety to your blog. Example Name 4 teams out of the 92 in England (Premiership, Championship and Divisions 1-2), who start with the same letter that they end with.... This one has a sporting theme but doesn’t have to be – the source will be mainly via the internet. If you like the idea, I could supply 1 month’s worth at a time with a float of an additional month. This would be on a Word document so that it would be relatively simple to copy and paste. I’m afraid that I can’t commit to do any more than that (especially anything on a daily basis or anything technical!!!). If you don’t like the idea – no problem – just an attempt to help out with the daily content. Regards Jim PS Liverpool, Aston Villa, Charlton Athletic, Northampton Town Hi Der

Well done – your blog looks and feels so much better – no real criticisms at all – easy to read and the structure is also simple to use – excellent job.

Some of the new facilities are also good – I particularly like the connection to the bus sites (I bought a timetable last year and am never sure if it is still relevant).

What do you think of having a Trivia Question each day – with the answer on the following day? I will gladly(?) volunteer to submit the questions for the first 6 months – or longer if it works. It may help to add a bit of variety to your blog.

Example
Name 4 teams out of the 92 in England (Premiership, Championship and Divisions 1-2), who start with the same letter that they end with….

This one has a sporting theme but doesn’t have to be – the source will be mainly via the internet.

If you like the idea, I could supply 1 month’s worth at a time with a float of an additional month. This would be on a Word document so that it would be relatively simple to copy and paste. I’m afraid that I can’t commit to do any more than that (especially anything on a daily basis or anything technical!!!). If you don’t like the idea – no problem – just an attempt to help out with the daily content.

Regards

Jim

PS Liverpool, Aston Villa, Charlton Athletic, Northampton Town

]]> By: Der http://madeiraislanddirect.com/blog/2009/05/message-for-volunteers-for-opinions-on-the-new-blog/#comment-49 Der Thu, 07 May 2009 21:00:05 +0000 http://madeiraislanddirect.com/blog/?p=186#comment-49 Just type in any number of search terms Martin, and then press enter. So if you remember an old story you want to find, type in your keywords ... for example UNCLE BERTIE BACKHANDERS and you will be swamped with old blogs that contain all those words (I just tried it and it does actually bring up something in fact) Just type in any number of search terms Martin, and then press enter. So if you remember an old story you want to find, type in your keywords … for example UNCLE BERTIE BACKHANDERS and you will be swamped with old blogs that contain all those words (I just tried it and it does actually bring up something in fact)

]]> By: martin http://madeiraislanddirect.com/blog/2009/05/message-for-volunteers-for-opinions-on-the-new-blog/#comment-48 martin Thu, 07 May 2009 20:27:52 +0000 http://madeiraislanddirect.com/blog/?p=186#comment-48 I agree Tobi, it does work well having the 2 colours. What is intended via the SEARCH box? Do you type in 'Hotel' for example and a list is presented? I agree Tobi, it does work well having the 2 colours.

What is intended via the SEARCH box?

Do you type in ‘Hotel’ for example and a list is presented?

]]> By: Tobi http://madeiraislanddirect.com/blog/2009/05/message-for-volunteers-for-opinions-on-the-new-blog/#comment-47 Tobi Thu, 07 May 2009 19:42:23 +0000 http://madeiraislanddirect.com/blog/?p=186#comment-47 Der im just looking at the blog using Google Chrome, and it looks much better than with ie8. Love the way the comments are separated by the two colours Der im just looking at the blog using Google Chrome, and it looks much better than with ie8.
Love the way the comments are separated by the two colours

]]> By: Helen http://madeiraislanddirect.com/blog/2009/05/message-for-volunteers-for-opinions-on-the-new-blog/#comment-46 Helen Thu, 07 May 2009 18:13:56 +0000 http://madeiraislanddirect.com/blog/?p=186#comment-46 I think the font needs to be slightly larger but your onto that already. All links working quickly. Really like the site, very impressive, well done to you!(once a teacher always a teacher) My favourite bit is the link to readers chat and questions. As I don't live in Madeira but visit regularly I don't often comment on the news but quite often I have questions I would like answered or opinions on things related to Madeira and I usually try to find these things elsewhere. travel and transport link I like as it is. Also, I think it is better with just the 1 comment box under the news stories. Comment box easy to use as well. I think the font needs to be slightly larger but your onto that already. All links working quickly. Really like the site, very impressive, well done to you!(once a teacher always a teacher) My favourite bit is the link to readers chat and questions. As I don’t live in Madeira but visit regularly I don’t often comment on the news but quite often I have questions I would like answered or opinions on things related to Madeira and I usually try to find these things elsewhere. travel and transport link I like as it is. Also, I think it is better with just the 1 comment box under the news stories. Comment box easy to use as well.

]]> By: Jon http://madeiraislanddirect.com/blog/2009/05/message-for-volunteers-for-opinions-on-the-new-blog/#comment-45 Jon Thu, 07 May 2009 16:54:15 +0000 http://madeiraislanddirect.com/blog/?p=186#comment-45 Excellent links to Weather forecast, island bus routes and of course, B&B! Subsequent " Auto fill" on comment fields a bonus. Although I had to "double look" to find where to click on to add comments/reply (probadly just me) - is this new format safe from spam etc without the text code? Coming on nicely sir..... Excellent links to Weather forecast, island bus routes and of course, B&B!
Subsequent ” Auto fill” on comment fields a bonus. Although I had to “double look” to find where to click on to add comments/reply (probadly just me) – is this new format safe from spam etc without the text code?
Coming on nicely sir…..

]]> By: Der http://madeiraislanddirect.com/blog/2009/05/message-for-volunteers-for-opinions-on-the-new-blog/#comment-43 Der Thu, 07 May 2009 15:32:18 +0000 http://madeiraislanddirect.com/blog/?p=186#comment-43 There is a section Brett, top left hand corner 'Entertainment & Events' Trouble is I don't know what is going on except for the main festivals and what I pick up from the newspapers, and I have asked before for people to let me know with practically zero results. Village events depend on funding, so they do not happen every year, so even an events calendar isn't worth much. There is a section Brett, top left hand corner ‘Entertainment & Events’

Trouble is I don’t know what is going on except for the main festivals and what I pick up from the newspapers, and I have asked before for people to let me know with practically zero results.

Village events depend on funding, so they do not happen every year, so even an events calendar isn’t worth much.

]]> By: Brett http://madeiraislanddirect.com/blog/2009/05/message-for-volunteers-for-opinions-on-the-new-blog/#comment-42 Brett Thu, 07 May 2009 14:21:25 +0000 http://madeiraislanddirect.com/blog/?p=186#comment-42 What about having a 'wot's on' section ttying to include local village events. What about having a ‘wot’s on’ section ttying to include local village events.

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