As of today, I have been boring a minute percentage of gamers stiff for approximately two years now. (I pray that you saw what I did there because that took me all morning to come up with.) My favorite way to celebrate blogiversaries is by treating myself to a website redesign. This year it was a joint effort led by the very talented Halcylon. He did the gorgeous graphic work and I jumped head first into the coding. I worked very hard to keep the navigation and core layout the same so it would still feel like the Hawty McBloggy you know and {love, hate, feel indifferent about}, just wearing a cute new outfit. As always, feedback is appreciated as I am confident I missed some of the smaller details. Fine-tuning will continue to take place until everything is just so. Thanks for the past two years, and don’t stop praying that I’ll quit one day. Because it will happen, just not any time soon. Much love.
A very special thank you to Halcylon for the hard work, exhaustive effort, and late nights that were put into this. And I’m not even talking about the redesign. Bow chicka bow wow! Thanks Hal. Everything is appreciated way more than you know.
Posted by nyhitman0401 on May 18, 2009 at 10:55 am
I Really do love the new site! (Great job Halcylon!) But… I shall miss the old Hawty McBloggy *Sheds a Tear* I think im gonna cry!!! *Sobs*
Posted by bs angel on May 18, 2009 at 2:11 pm
I will miss it too!
Posted by Rhamsey on May 18, 2009 at 10:58 am
lucky Halcylon, and to both of you, i love the new look.
Posted by Custopootimus on May 18, 2009 at 11:23 am
Oh! He’s the guy who made all those cool wall papers at halo3screenshots.com.
I said this in my last comment but the “Notify me of follow-up comments via email.” check box text is black on a black background so you can’t read it.
Posted by bs angel on May 18, 2009 at 11:30 am
Where is that box typically located Custopootimus? I can’t even find it right now, which I guess makes sense, lol …
Posted by Rhamsey on May 18, 2009 at 11:47 am
its under the submit comment button.
Posted by COL0NEL SANDERS on May 18, 2009 at 11:25 am
You couldn’t have picked a better person for the job.
Awesome work, Hal.
:)
Posted by bs angel on May 18, 2009 at 2:12 pm
I thought that said you “could” have at first. LOL!
Posted by Kato on May 18, 2009 at 11:30 am
Happy Redesign Day!
Looks good. The sidebar in particular is easier to read.
Only glaring thing I can see is that the “Respond to this post” text and such is black on gray.
Posted by bs angel on May 18, 2009 at 12:00 pm
I’m stumped by that one for some reason. I need a coding break so I’ll work on it later. :)
Posted by Firestream on May 18, 2009 at 11:35 am
Tremendously awesome redesign! Great work by both of you.
Posted by bs angel on May 18, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Thanks Firestream!
Posted by Queen 0f Blades on May 18, 2009 at 11:48 am
It’s good so far. My own tiny little gripe is that maybe, the “Respond to this post” text with the name and email stuff is maybe just a little too dark against the dark gray background. But since I normally don’t look at that, it doesn’t really bother me.
Otherwise, all good in the ‘hood.
Posted by Queen 0f Blades on May 18, 2009 at 11:50 am
Nevermind, forget I said anything, just realized it was redundant.
Posted by bs angel on May 18, 2009 at 11:53 am
No worries! Reminders are good. :)
Posted by Zwooosh on May 18, 2009 at 11:51 am
Nooo you can’t quit :O (even if its not very soon :P)
And lets get another 2 years! :P
Posted by bs angel on May 18, 2009 at 11:15 pm
You got it!
Posted by HellCat on May 18, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Nice work guys though i found the old site more light and easy to navigate. But i will grow into it I’m sure. Congrats on 2 years!
P.S. Don’t even think of quitting or i’ll make you blog cos we need the daily bloggyness
Posted by Mr Meyagi on May 18, 2009 at 12:24 pm
just a little tidbit…its kinda hard to read the black text IE the “respond to this post” line
Posted by Leeumm on May 18, 2009 at 12:49 pm
I think it looks fantastic. Nice job angel, and Halcylon.
As with everyone else, the only flaw I see is how the text around the comment box is black. It makes it nearly impossible to read. But as you’re already aware of this, I can’t see anything else wrong.
Again, nice work, I love the new look. And Happy Blogiversary!
Posted by bs angel on May 18, 2009 at 11:16 pm
I changed the color around the comment box. Feedback, as always, is welcome and appreciated.
And thank you for the blogiversary wishes Leeumm!
Posted by soulofaqua on May 18, 2009 at 12:50 pm
At the top of the page we have a beautiful pink controller with the name…. “cBloggy” Now on your MSN avatar I understood this partially as it lacked the vertical space. Here however you don’t. Also by cutting off the top part of the iconic Xbox 360 controller…. you’re left with saggy breasts. Then there is the Black letters on anthracite for ‘Respond to this post’ ‘Name (required)’ ‘Mail (will not be published) (required)’ ‘Website’ and ‘Notify me of follow-up comments via email.’ all surrounding the comment box. As well as that ‘Respond to this post’ in my opinion stands too close to the ‘Name’ box. The new avatars are ugly enough to boot(imho) whilst the old ones would fit just fine. Last but not least. The contrast between the Anthracite and the white of the comment box is difficult on the eyes. Other than that though I much enjoy the side bar, the navigation bar, the clean reflective grey bar and the texture of the background.
To Halcylon, if you hate me now blame my teacher. She taught me to be this criticising.
Posted by bs angel on May 18, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Feedback noted. Thanks soa. :)
Posted by soulofaqua on May 18, 2009 at 1:08 pm
No problem mommy ^-^
p.s. I now giggle everytime seeing the controller at the top >w<
Posted by the Light Show on May 18, 2009 at 12:50 pm
hate all of it. hate you. hate Halcylon. hate all of you who love it. go to hell. banish me. i don’t care. i’d rather not come here anymore now because of this stupid theme. i hope your computer monitor blows up and sprays your face with shards of glass and you go blind. f*ck your life. go play with your little master chief action figures (which im sure needs a thorough washing) while you dream of his cod piece on your face.
Posted by Mr Meyagi on May 18, 2009 at 12:57 pm
…..o….m….g
Posted by the Light Show on May 18, 2009 at 1:04 pm
it was more like ZOMFG when i clicked on what was once, a half-way decent blog and got this. now i don’t think i ever need to click it again.
Posted by soulofaqua on May 18, 2009 at 1:07 pm
It’s called Web 2.0 it will haunt your dreams anyway so deal with it.
Posted by bs angel on May 18, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Your comments are neither humorous nor appreciated tls.
Posted by the Light Show on May 18, 2009 at 1:40 pm
http://hawtymcbloggy.com/2009/05/18/eight-reasons-why-every-girl-should-date-a-gamer/#comment-67691
;-P
Posted by bs angel on May 18, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Oh fine, I forgive you. Maybe …
Posted by the Light Show on May 18, 2009 at 2:14 pm
too far maybe? yeah, i tend to do that… everyone was just so positive, i had to counter everyone’s comments with one massively negative comment… somebody had to do it. =D
Posted by bs angel on May 18, 2009 at 2:15 pm
The doucebag randoms are going to be mad you took their job from them!
Posted by the Light Show on May 18, 2009 at 2:19 pm
oh mybad… sorry random douche bags! FIRST ASSHOLEISH COMMENT! ha! take that you… yeah…
Posted by xLAS3RP01NT3Rx on May 18, 2009 at 3:27 pm
…
you see, sarcasm is broken on teh internetz.
It.. just.. won’t.. work.
Evar.
I use sarcasm all the time in real life, but on the internet….
mostly just rather eccentric/stupid stuff.
Oh and btw, I agree.
(c wut I did thar?)
Posted by SonofMacPhisto on May 19, 2009 at 10:40 am
My mother, God Rest Her Soul, always said The Douchebag Random you know is better then the Douchebag Random you don’t. Mmmmhmmm. *sound of creaking rocking chair as SoMP puffs his pipe* Mmmmhmm, ain’t that the truth?
Posted by Mizzy on May 18, 2009 at 1:39 pm
It’s a nice touch of pink to the site, and I love the new “splat” date. The comments at the top of each post makes it a little dizzying to navigate, but c’est la vie.
Posted by bs angel on May 18, 2009 at 2:11 pm
I agree. I didn’t even realize the comments were at the top of the post until this morning, and I’ve been working on this for a while now! I’m going to look into if I can change the placement.
Posted by bs angel on May 18, 2009 at 4:05 pm
I moved the comments to float on the top right of each post. What do you think of the placement now? …
EDIT: Oh shoot, it’s broke on IE. Back to the ol’ drawing board. :)
Posted by Das Kalk on May 18, 2009 at 9:06 pm
IE is the bane of any web developer’s existence…. at least mine…
Posted by bs angel on May 18, 2009 at 11:17 pm
So this time I moved the comments to a separate line from the category and tag information and also made the text a bit more prominent. Better? Worse?
Posted by Mizzy on May 19, 2009 at 5:53 am
It’s better 8D
Posted by bs angel on May 19, 2009 at 12:18 pm
Phew! That’s the best I could do as the spacing differences between Firefox and IE ruined the floating right idea. :)
Posted by Mike on May 18, 2009 at 1:56 pm
I really like the font for the side bar graphics – and everything looks really slick, nice job. =) I know how much effort goes into this kind of work. Congrats.
Posted by soulofaqua on May 18, 2009 at 2:08 pm
I noticed another point of critique This blog is two years old right? So there are posts from several years. Yet your splatter only lists day and month. One would have to check the first comment to know what year an blog post was made.
Posted by bs angel on May 18, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Hhhmmm, interesting observation. I’ll mess with the size of the text and adding the year and see how it looks. :)
Posted by Das Kalk on May 18, 2009 at 2:40 pm
DAMN GURL! that new skirt suits you :)
Happy anniversary, and here’s to many more years of shenanigans!
Posted by bs angel on May 19, 2009 at 12:18 pm
:gleefully spins in a circle:
Posted by john010117 on May 18, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Wow, nice redesign! Congrats on your blog anniversary, and hopefully it’ll last forever. :D
And Hal, consider you self to be lucky. VERY lucky.
Posted by bobs99 on May 18, 2009 at 3:21 pm
hey, like the new design, however it doesnt display well in IE6, the fact i should upgrade aside, just letting you know :P
Posted by bs angel on May 18, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Interesting, I didn’t think to check it in IE6. I do Firefox and IE checks, but I believe I’m running IE7. Now quit commenting and go upgrade! :)
Posted by NartFOpc on May 18, 2009 at 3:56 pm
To celebrate the occasion I’m also wearing a cute new outfit.
Posted by the Light Show on May 18, 2009 at 5:05 pm
o_O um… robots don’t wear clothes
Posted by bs angel on May 18, 2009 at 9:31 pm
Pics or it didn’t happen.
Posted by SonofMacPhisto on May 19, 2009 at 10:41 am
Something about a guitar and a shower?
Posted by bs angel on May 19, 2009 at 12:19 pm
You can haz pics. Of SoMP!
Posted by LAZR Blade 14 on May 18, 2009 at 4:01 pm
“Cheers.”
-The Spy
Posted by GeneralCupcakes on May 18, 2009 at 5:06 pm
The first thing i thought when i saw the redesign was “O Em Gee Purddy!”
Posted by Stryder on May 18, 2009 at 8:49 pm
I love the new site. Here is to another two years.
Posted by BigCountry1369 on May 18, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Two thumbs up for the HMB “cute new outfit”…..I would even traipse the notion that “sexy” could be added to that description.
Great work Halcylon!!
-BC
Posted by HALO3syourdaddy on May 18, 2009 at 10:39 pm
I ruv the new look ^_^.
Nice job both of you! Halcylon never ceases to amaze.
Posted by Don A K Bab on May 19, 2009 at 1:00 am
Ahh, it’s like putting on a brand new pair of pants. You miss the familiarity of your sweaty old ones but come to accept to fresh, slightly starchy way the new ones cradle your sack.
Good work bs and Hal.
Posted by bs angel on May 19, 2009 at 12:20 pm
I prefer a gentle cradling of my sack but that’s just me.
Posted by Crazy A 64 on May 19, 2009 at 1:50 am
A cookie for you and your chums Miss, a cookie for you…
Posted by silvercube on May 19, 2009 at 2:59 am
pink cake icing : )
Nice design! ^_^
Happy belated 2 year bloggiversary!
Posted by JLay on May 19, 2009 at 8:38 am
Keep up the good work with the site tweaks! It continues to look better with each passing day. Color changes make things easier to read in the Comments section.
I have noticed that the picture doesn’t always render on the main blog page next to the article. Also the background color on the My Twitter quick link section doesn’t appear white until I mouse over it.
Looking forward to the return of the Hawty McBloggy top page picture (LOL at the saggy bewbs comment) and the upcoming new look sexiness once the bugs are worked out.
Posted by bs angel on May 19, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Thanks for the feedback! I’m glad you like the color change around the comments. I’m digging how it brightens up the page. The other things you mention are weird, … I’ll keep an eye out for those. :)
Posted by BTSculptor on May 19, 2009 at 8:42 am
Nice! You left off the clan links, though – that’s how I found 8BB, TTL, etc…
Posted by bs angel on May 19, 2009 at 12:22 pm
:adds adding community links to the list: :)
Posted by Fezzer on May 19, 2009 at 10:41 am
Very nice. I like it a lot.
Happy anniversary. :)
Posted by SonofMacPhisto on May 19, 2009 at 10:48 am
I like the new look! My computer at work screws with the formatting. Haven’t looked at it on my home computer yet, but I look forward to the day.
I also think I started a rumor that my mother is dead. For the record, she’s fine. A little crazy like her boy, but ok in the end.
Posted by DethPwn on May 20, 2009 at 12:41 pm
I’ve been here for a while know, and I can’t begin to list the many childish giggles and Coxian rants I’ve shared with my fellow Hawtites. I’ve learned so much about gaming and all that comes with it, and have made a few friends along the way. Hawty McBloggy has been the highlight of my day for a long time, and will hopefully remain here to brighten my life for years to come. Happy Blogiversary, bs.
Posted by bs angel on May 20, 2009 at 3:23 pm
Thanks DethPwn. I’m glad you enjoy your time here. :)
Posted by DethPwn on May 20, 2009 at 12:49 pm
BTW, is it wrong that I get that ’80s music reference?
Posted by Cayote on June 20, 2009 at 2:52 am
And Twitter! This is freaking beautiful bs!