Welcome to our still classic new look!
Just about three years ago jlcollinsnh.com underwent its first redesign and the sweeping changes you have become used to were ushered in.
There were lots of reasons for this but the tipping point was when Sean over at Renewable Wealth, in the nicest possible way, said
“…your current design makes my eyes bleed.”
Hard to hear, but true at the time.
With that critique ringing in my ears, the goal became a design of “stark elegance” and, not meaning to sound immodest, I think we hit the mark. At least no one has again complained of their eyes bleeding.
The further good news is that we got most of the functional things right that time as well and so, if the new changes you see today don’t strike you as all that dramatic, well they are not meant to be.
Indeed, our goal for this new version was to maintain a similar look and feel of the old version but updated to work functionally better across more devices. If we’ve hit our mark:
- Site should work much better on both mobile phones and tablets
- With some typography improvements you should find the site easier to read
- Some pages (especially the home page) should load much faster
You’ll also notice the main navigation has been cleaned up a bit. There are now fewer buttons across the top and one has been added.
New:
Books shows some of the recent reads I’ve enjoyed, plus a few past favorites as they occur to me. This is something I’ve included at the end of recent posts and it has gotten a nice reception. Plus it’s fun for me to occasionally look back and remember.
Gone:
Make My Day, which simply outlived its usefulness.
UraniumC a link to my other, long neglected blog. If and when I turn my attention to it again I’ll let you know but for now it doesn’t need to be here. However it does still have that eye-bleeding design if you want to check it out.
As Seen On, has moved to the bottom of the Right Hand Column Sidebar where it can showcase some cool logos.
Speaking of the Right Hand Column Sidebar and working our way down…
At the top, first in line, is an invitation to subscribe. Because, well, I want you to! That way when I put up a new post you’ll hear about it. And, since I don’t do that all that often, I can promise not to overload your inbox.
Search function
This works surprisingly well and I use it all the time myself. Mostly in answering your questions in the comments when I know I’ve said something about it and can’t remember where. Something getting more common in my dotage.
Important Resources
Like my Reading List, this is something I have been adding to the end of posts recently and that has gotten a good response.
These are the few companies that I routinely recommend and, except for Vanguard, they are affiliate partners. That means if you chose to link to them from this blog and then accept their product or service, the blog earns a commission.
Please note that, while I have selected these carefully, even they are not necessarily right for everybody in every circumstance. Note that in each case you’ll find a link to my post about them. In it you’ll find my unvarnished opinion.
Support jlcollinsnh
Gratifyingly, this blog has grown substantially over the now 5 years it has been around. But the cloud in that silver lining is that the cost of operating it has grown as well. This is why I now have the affiliate partners mentioned above. But the truth is there are very few companies, products and services I am willing to recommend and I will never feature any just for the money.
The other source of revenue is the Google Adsense banner ad you see at the top of each page. While effective, I have no control over the ads that show up there and the truth is sometimes they make me cringe. You, of course, recognize them for what they are. But I’d still rather see them gone.
So this Buy at Amazon button is an experiment. The beauty is that if you use it to go to Amazon this blog earns a commission on whatever you buy and the prices to you are the same.
So if you are going to shop Amazon anyway, and you want a cost-free way to support the blog, please go to them thru me. Of course, you don’t want to shop there or buy stuff just to support the blog. But I didn’t need to tell you that, did I?
Recent – Favorites – Comments
As before, here you’ll find a quick reference to some of the posts around here (most recent and favorites), but now in a cleaner easier to use format. Plus it will show you the posts with the latest comments.
Categories…
…organizes the various posts by topic for your browsing pleasure.
Archives…
…does the same by year and month
Blogroll…
…features a very few of my personal favorites.
As Seen On…
…replaces the button that used to be on the top and the link takes you to a list of podcasts, articles, videos and interviews where I have been honored to be featured.
Finally, in the main section of the Home Page, you’ll now see at a glance brief introductions to recent posts. Before each entire post was presented, making a quick overview for recent history impossible. Plus it just looks cooler!
None of this could have happened without the hard work, creativity, patience and perseverance of my newest personal hero, Lucas. If that name sounds familiar, you likely remember him as the savior who rescued the blog last Spring when its growing readership had it crashing repeatedly and the hosting service threatening to shut it down altogether.
After months of frustration and dead ends, Lucas arrived on the scene riding a snow-white charger (I recall it as yesterday!), slew the various dragons and evil knights and brought peace and tranquility to my kingdom. Oh, and we kicked that pesky host to the curb.
I was hoping, in turn, to bring him fame and business with a nice mention and link here. But, alas, like many great and noble champions, he is a shy and retiring sort already with more work than he can handle.
Still, if your need is great and your heart is pure, let me know and maybe I can persuade him to accept an introduction.
Enjoy the new format and should you encounter any issues let us know in the comments. Please be sure to include what device and browser you are using as this will be very helpful.
The comments are also the place to heap your praise upon the new design.
On an unrelated note:
Personal Capital special Valentine’s Day promotion:
Go to the link above and you’ll see a narrow banner about this across the top.
Any new user who signs up between Friday, Feb 5th and Valentine’s Day Feb 14th is eligible to win a free trip for two to Hawaii. That’s right. A free trip to Hawaii! The prize is $2000 for roundtrip airfare and $1000 for accommodations. Any new user is eligible, so long as you link an investment account. It doesn’t matter how much money you have — you just need to sign up and link.
Signing up and using their service is free.
Even so, you don’t want to do this just to enter a contest. That’s not the jlcollinsnh way! 🙂 But if you are thinking of giving them a try anyway, now is a good time. Good luck!
And a note on Art:
I love using original art in my posts. If you are an artist and would like to see your work featured here, let me know. Anytime I use one of your pieces you’ll get a credit and a link to your own site.
I look forward to seeing your stuff!
