Less green, more serifs, bigger text. I thought it was time for a change, if for no other reason than to symbolize the rebirth of the site. Let me know what you think, particularly if you find the new layout difficult to use.
I switched to a three-column layout primarily so I could incorporate advertising in the left column. My plan is to put together a sponsorship arrangement similar in form (if not traffic figures) to what Gruber does over at Daring Fireball. I’m looking for ads that actually provide you with useful information while generating enough revenue for me to run the site. The first time around MLS was a labor of love, and it still is. But this time I want it to be a labor of love that doesn’t steal from my bank account.
So poke around the newly renovated MLS, and let me know what you think.
p.s. – About the logo: That’s a pic of a kea, a tenacious, clever alpine parrot found in New Zealand. I figure it’s an apt mascot.
5 Comments
Congratulations on your new design! I love the simplicity of the new layout, looks terrific.
I am entering law school in August and found the “old” MLS about 2 months ago. Back then I was a PC user just toying with the idea of switching over. MLS gave me the extra push and I purchased my new 13″Macbook yesterday. Today I was trying out my new machine and discovered that MLS has been updated! I can’t tell you how excited I am that this great website is back online.
Thanks for the feedback, Roberto and Walter. If you ever have questions, suggestions or ideas for content, just drop me a note.
The layout looks nice – very clean & uncluttered. I have a love/hate relationship with serif typestyles… Coming off a letterpress, there’s nothing prettier. But pixel screen resolutions don’t do them justice in typical font sizes. Have you seen Helvetica (the documentary film)? Breathtaking.
I’ll read this site in any font though. Thanks for keeping it going Erik. I’m not a lawyer or law student, but I always learn something from the Setups pages. Don’t ever stop.
Oh, and don’t be shy about adding a PayPal link for straight donations. It’d be easier to give you $$$ than to find something I need to buy.
John,
Thanks for the nice comment about MLS. I may take your advice and set up a PayPal link.
I did see Helvetica. Loved it. What an awesome film. Did you know the guy who made it has a new film out, this time about the design of objects? As for your thoughts on serif fonts, one day perhaps we’ll get the combination of type kerning and screen resolution that will make serif fonts work as well on screen as they do in print. In the mean time, I’ll keep working with this layout as time permits, with the goal of gradually refinement.