Even good things require tweaking
I suppose it's time. Occasionally, even the things you like, the things with which you are comfortable require gentle manipulation in the hope that they improve or facilitate easier use.
Such is the case with The B2 Journal. After receiving suggestions on enhancing the readability of the home page and providing links to alternative news sources, the requests were weighed and found to be justifiable.
You have probably noticed that the font type, size, and color you see here on the home page is more readable. You may also have noticed that the old horizontal menu across the top of the page has been replaced by a simplified, easy-to-read left-hand column menu that follows you whenever you jump to another page (No more being stuck on a sub-page with no handy link, always in view, to get you where you want to go).
However, please be patient because The B2J is comprised of more than 50 file folders and more than 500 large text and graphics files, plus literally thousands of internal links to archive documents and images. It takes time to hand-modify the XHTML code and CSS styles that will allow all of the text and graphic selections found from the navigation menu to function. They will be usable very soon, and oh yeah -- the check is in the mail!
Compassionate B2 feels your pain
Yes, easier reading -- B2 is indeed all about the love and wants nothing more in life than to alleviate your suffering. But there are several other modifications that, it is hoped, will reduce page loading time, assist in finding archive articles, and provide for your penchant to spontaneously select hyperlinks of interest or opinion on current events. These changes include:
Faster loading. Less code, fewer graphics, more CSS. You may have already noticed without leaving the home page.
Font type, size, and color. Discussed above.
Left-hand navigation menu. Discussed above.
Right-hand column. Provides links to a few opinions on topical subjects and current events, offered by those with whom B2 agrees, who possess magnificent writing talent, or who routinely display intellectual brilliance (even the lefties). These links will be updated as time permits and news warrants. This also allows B2 to post links that directly reflect the sentiment of the B2J without the pressure to write when not in the mood or devoid of time.
And before you comment, of course they're biased links ... you get the other side from the mainstream Drive-by Media print and electronic news -- independently documented to be 90 percent liberal.
Archive. The tedious and hard-to-maintain multi-page contents listings have been replaced with a single page that lists, by descending date, links to and synopses of every B2J archive article. Simple -- wax on, wax off.
Please note that the left-hand menu archive link is active, but only the 2008 and 2007 articles have had their code and styles updated -- the 2006 and 2005 articles will be available a batch at a time as they are modified.
Archive articles. Now coded the same as the home page. Will be set up for printer-friendliness -- just hit print and you get the article without the menu, header, and footer.
Slideshows, Imagery. Now all will be found from a single reference page, just like the archive -- less code, no graphics, more CSS. The photo galleries will be simple affairs, easier to use and faster loading. However, nothing can be done to speed up the loading time of the PowerPoint presentations -- there still be monsters here for you anachronistic dial-up users.
Right-minded links. Against all common sense and better judgment, a links page will be provided to those sites and authors frequented, enjoyed, and trusted by B2. Good for you and your inquiring minds, bad for B2 and his link validation maintenance time.
And again, their biased toward conservatism -- It's B2's site after all. I'm sure you socialists have absolutely no trouble finding what you need in the 30 billion radical Left links you can find on the Web.
Blog and real-time active comments section. Ain't gonna happen. That sort of crap is for people in the media business or those with no real lives. I think I just threw up in my mouth. You have a comment or bitch? Use the link and send B2 an email -- he'll reply as he always does -- but only to those who can spell, have enough common sense and self-respect to use spell check, or are marginally literate.
As always, comments from leftist radicals containing intellect-refuting profanity, elitist liberal condescension, and/or incriminating displays of ignorant vulgarity are welcome.
Your opinion matters
Aside from a few other minor tweaks, that's about it. Although the site is not as aesthetically pleasing or symmetrically balanced as the last version, it is tighter, much more functional, and easier to read -- after all the B2J must be considerate toward all those aging, weakening Baby Boomer eyes.
If you would like to see anything added to the site or have suggestions for additional changes, now is the time to submit them for consideration. After the site reconstruction is completed, it probably won't be happening.
Meanwhile, check back often as old links and content will be refurbished a little more each day, and new content will be added.