Setting up a liberal site for arts and need some feedback...

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

Too depressing? Easy or hard to find your way around? (note: many pages are way under construction).

Anyway, feedback would really be appreciated. Thanks!

http://www.leftandrightfight.com/index.html

[calimary]

1. Only read the poems, but they're most thought-provoking.

I appreciate this. AND the visuals. Especially like the image of the "w" sinking.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

2. Thanks...

There will be a lot more graphics and hopefully other writers there before too long. There will be a collection of graphics with thumbnails and hopefully large enough files for desktop wallpapers...

Anyway, it's still awork in progress.

:toast:

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

3. LOL.... It really sux being behind a thread about bagged spinach...

Really, I have to laugh about it and feel I need to do a lot more work!

:toast:

[calimary]

22. Spinach or not,

It's still an interesting site. Perhaps you could solicit video? How about Ava's? Be a decidedly LIBERAL "youtube"?

You gonna have commentary?

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

4. Puh-Leeeeze! Any kind of feedback would be appreciated! Good or bad!

Or suggestions as to what you would like to see or read!

:yourock: :yourock: :woohoo: :woohoo:

[Land Shark]

5. looks professional, seems fine. 'spose the key is the rest of the art

you hang on the walls. Good luck!

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

7. Thanks... I have some, but I'm really hoping that many of the DU

photoshoppers might like to show off their wares at the sight as well.

Plus, I'd love to post DUer's prose and poetry as well...

Kind of a repository of Liberal thought...

[The Straight Story]

8. I have quite a few poems

not political ones though :)

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

10. Send some to me via the links on the page if you'd like!

Not everything there is ging to be overtly political. I'd love to see them.

[The Straight Story]

13. submitted (nt)

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

15. Thanks! I got them. I love the Teddy Bear poem...

I read that the other night as well as the Halloween poem... PM me as to atribution you would like.

(I'm crashing in a little while, so don't think I'm ignoring you if I don't reply b4 tomorrow evening).

[The Straight Story]

6. I like it so far

Good color scheme, nice images and flow.

Maybe put a blurb on first page about what the site is there for (like, 'A haven for the liberal artist', etc and so on).

Maybe a page of links as well to sites relating.

Keep folks updated on the main page (like your breaking about the big dog) about new additions, maybe even toss in your own little blog on it (people go back to sites more frequently when there is ever changing content).

At any rate, I do like it, keep us up to date (maybe a mailing list would be good as well).

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

9. Thanks... Good points and I think I'll take your advice...

I do have a page set aside to links in which I'll put DU at the top. And I like the mailing list idea especially. I hadn't thought about that.

Plus the blog... that might be fun as well.

[Annces]

26. It has a nice look

Like the poster said above, a little intro blurb to tell what you are aiming for and what the site is about would be helpful.

[EFerrari]

11. What do you mean by "trying to avoid a possibility"?

The site is beautiful and the font needs to be a wee bit larger because it's hard to read.

Colors are great, though. And the photos are too. :)

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

12. Heh... I guess. the inevitable if the warmongers stay in power...

Thanks on the font sizes... Everyone uses different resolutions... What do you use? (That will help me adjust the size without going too large and preview it on my own monitor).

:hi:

[EFerrari]

14. For now, I'm on a powerbook and have no clue about res.

I haven't changed any of the settings, lol, because I can't FIND them.

:)

I think you site is a GREAT idea! I'm going to send in poetry, my friend.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

16. Great! I'm looking forward to it!

Just include what sort of attribution you want.

:toast:

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

34. Still Waiting!

LOL! :hi:

[EFerrari]

17. We should all find a way to support Tom's site.

If you think about it, we ARE the group that produces the majority of the fine arts.

This is our strength, our way to make a difference.

'Way to go, Tom, giving us a venue!

:woohoo: :woohoo: :yourock: :woohoo: :woohoo: :yourock: :woohoo: :woohoo:

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

18. I'm going to fly this on my own dime as long as I can

If the donations thingie doesn't work well, I'll probably go with some google ads like DU and so many others. I hope the work we post will inspire enough folks to help defray the few expenses involved.

If it gets popular and profitable, I'll be working out a system to share with the contributors.

:toast:

[EFerrari]

19. You know what might work? If you post a weekly update thread.

There's so much going on, a thread would really help us all focus up.

God, do you know how many DUers can contribute to your site, Tom? lol

Let's make it work!

:toast:

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

20. I'm hoping to update it daily once I get it all set up...

(which will take a couple of weeks most likely... I have a job that pays me money that takes precidence)... But I'll throw posts up about it here as often as practical.

I'm thinking of a bestof video page as well from Google, YouTube and Crooks & Liars. as well.

[EFerrari]

21. People LOVE "best ofs". You can't go wrong there.

There's so much information to take in, having an editor that can offer a summary with links to the original is great idea.

I wish you all the best on this project. :)

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

27. Thanks! Now to stay disciplined enough to hit it every afternoon...

:hi:

[EFerrari]

32. Imnsho, every day is too hard. Once a week would be plenty to

keep building your audience and wouldn't tie you down so much.

You go, Tom!

:)

[calimary]

23. Yeah, a weekly update thread would draw attention to developments

and new things you're bringing in. People have to develop a habit. Tace puts out my column straight away after I write one - like maybe once a week, but people have to get used to seeing/knowing about it. So do a little self-promotion. It'll help introduce yourself to more people. A heads-up is always appreciated. Besides, some of us can use a regular reminder.

[EFerrari]

24. Right on. I really appreciate my updates from TrueMajority

the HuffPo, Amnesty, etc. I NEED them to help me sort out new info because there is always so much going on.

[DIKB]

25. I clicked on the Prose section

and read the first one.

It brought tears to my eyes.

I'll certainly refer this to other people.

[marions ghost]

28. excellent concept

this is a good start. I second the idea others mentioned about including selected video clips and some blogging. Keep the quality of writing and visuals high. So far it's not too depressing, although you probably do want to consider the negative to positive ratio a bit, in future. Fighters need encouragement & hope as much as they need hard reality.

Also agree with others here who suggested more clarification about the purpose, mission, etc. at top of the home page. Am confused about the title and I think others may be too. What's your reason for calling it that? You might want to explain that to visitors.

All best for success with this--keep us updated while you are refining things. Get those pages under construction up asap. I will certainly read and perhaps submit something. Go for it, Tom. :)

[babydollhead]

29. I just sent you some glass mosaic photos

I really like what you're doing! hearty. Thank you!

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

30. Thanks... Still at work here and will get to see them this evening.

Look forward to seeing them, they sound intriguing.

[EFerrari]

31. Kick

[havocmom]

33. .

Be back when not so tired

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

35. New stuff up now!