Welcome to the new Dave's Garden, version 2.0 :)

I was posting to a forum with an attatched picture, hit send and tthe world changed and I don't know where my msg and photo went ... Poof!

I liked the old logo much better, it is an inviting personal feeling drawing.
BUT it would be okay if you could put the original one on the right hand side where Ulrich said in it's original size. Not all squinched up small.

The new logo looks a bit unoriginal in concept and I missed the symbolism of the colors.
I can learn to look for the home, member page, etc buttons at the top. That does seem convenient. Also having all the choices at the bottom of the page is convenient.
One last thing is it me or is the type skinnier?

Awesome change...I like the look and especially like ability to move around faster.

I simply didn't visit some of the "tabs" much before because (probably I'm lazy) but I didn't like dinking around looking for them. I really like the new tab format.

Personally, I think the "homey" feel on the site went out the window about 50,000 members ago.

This is definitely a step in the right direction. I truly use the site as a resource more than anything, but like to see what's going on when I have the time.

Again, nice (and much needed) changes.

Thanks Dave (and all of your little helper elves)

The original logo has become THE trademark and would not do any harm if kept in addition to all the fine new stuff. I'm encouraged to see that at least four other perceptive folks share my view so far.

Edited to give thanks for the tremendous amount of work y'all have done to come up with a really decent FAQ system. That takes care of that: http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/448954/

This message was edited Aug 10, 2004 6:11 PM

Agree all, but think it is a bit more comedic and commercial than "homey" which is okay, but project that visitors may not feel "so much at home" as waiting for a place to do some shopping.

Just my 2 cents again Dave and Company and am still thinking what it needs to be just a bit more "unique". than your average commercial sites.

Daave and Team, I echo the kudos above. Tabs are great. Donna

Dave, I know you have put a lot of time into the new look and I do like it. I've never been to a web site before that has asked me what I thought. I guess I feel that it is your site and your decision but appreciate your asking for input. So far the only thing I have noticed, and it isn't a big deal, is that when pictures are enlarged, I have to scroll to see them because the top banner is much wider that it was before, if I remember right. See, I'm so used to this now I don't really remember what it was like this morning. LOL! Great job.

Goodness sakes Dave...take a few hours off to clean house & what the heck do I find -but a whole new look to my favorite place...:) Very Nice job!

Great changes...love the tabs and the colors! Sorry but I have to tell ya,too, that the top logo is not special enough for a Dave's Garden logo.. .perhaps you could use a rotating photo of some of the best plant or garden photos from the members here at DG's...something like the random pics that have been moved way to the bottom .I would love to see something that would catch the eye and look a little more adult,too??
MsC

I LOVE the new look! The bright colors are so much more appealing than plain white of before. The "watch thread" link at the bottom is fabulous. And the tabs! LOADS easier. Yep, much more professional all the way around.

Just a thought that may be a happy medium between the new look and the old logo ~ how about "updating" the old logo by making the colors brighter and use it in place of the new (cute!) bloom? Maybe make the vine's leaves the same dark green as the petal of the new bloom that's next to the light blue one? And make the blooms the same as the dark blue petal or one of the reds, maybe with a bright yellow throat like the center of the new bloom? That way, you keep the old logo that is rather distinctive and classy, but it's updated and new?

Regardless of whether you use the old logo again or not, I really like this new look all the way around. *Thumbs up!*

Like the new look BTW Dave there is a new radio station in Atlanta 92.9 DAVE F.M. did you do that to?

MsCritter... You can change the location of the Random Photo on your home page. Click on Preferences on the top, then Home Tab on the left. I set mine to show the Random Photos and Birthdays up top where I'm sure to see them, and set a couple things I never use to be disabled.

Note to everyone: The Logo is NOT set in stone yet, and Dave is looking at many others and working with a Designer. This one was to represent the colors through the gardening season. (And I don't much like it... personal preference... but I have no better suggestion.)

Wow, it's interesting hearing people not liking the new logo. I can see where the cartoonish comment comes from so maybe Dave can find a happy medium. He has said that logo is not completly final. Maybe part of the reason for the launch today is for input before finalizing. I definitely like the brighter colors though. To me, all the white before was kinda blah. To tell you the truth, I was never that crazy about the old logo either - just did not care for the colors or placement. Of course I am a newer member so it is not quite as sentimental.

I love the tabs too, and here's a suggestion, how about opening the Plantsdatabase, Garden Watchdog and Bookworm in separate windows?

And also, could I get the journal search box back on my journal page? It's is showing up on the forums pages........

Sue, there are search boxes on every tab except the home tab (major confusion over exactly WHAT you'd want it to search thru...)

There is a seach tab on the journals, but it needs to include a search for your own journal as well as others' journals. I think it's on Dave's to-do list ;o)

I love it!!!! The graphics and everything are great. the blue sky is wonderful!!!!

the logo is great also but i see some dont care for it. how about a comprimise and have one on each side. or swap for each forum from one to the other.


the new look is great and its time for a new look.

I like the new site design - no complaints so far! Dave, I am quite impressed with how quickly you were able to implement users' requests - and actually get it right! I bet you have never worked in a corporate IT department or you would realize the way things are "supposed" to be done requires a lengthy approval process involving multiple levels of approval, paperwork, internal billing, and screwing things up at least twice. ;-)

How about if we have a "logo contest" where those with creative skills (not me :-) can submit their designs. Then Dave and the "executive commitee" can narrow the field down to a few choices and put the finalists up for vote by all subscribers.

Tabs are great. It really looks nice too.All the hard work is appreciated.
Meems

I like it, all of it.
Dave and beta testers, get some rest. I know you have to have been working around the clock for weeks and weeks. All of you are to be commended for a job well done.

Dave, wonderful job, I thank you for making navigation easier here.

Just one comment, if I may. The Vines somehow, someway, represented enternity, renewal and resurrection to me, a constancy of peace, friendship and family, maybe just subliminal, but powerful all the same. When I think of my home at DG, I think of those vines hugging and holding me here. Like the caduceus, it has represented a distinct symbol, one of integrity and strength. Anyone can have the multi-colored daisy, Dave's has unity of spirit, please don't change!

Dave,
The new site design looks GREAT! I love the tabs at the top.

Only snag I've hit so far is in using my trade tracker...for some reason when I added new trades tonight, it wouldn't add the person's name??

Beth

Hi Dave.....I'm late tonight getting on and I was so suprised when I got here. Everything looks great and I love it! It even looks brighter! LOL Thanks....and job well done!

Are you going to keep the old logo somewhere or create a new one that I can snitch for my e-mails?


EDIT
Forget it ,, I got it , hehehe ;-P

This message was edited Aug 11, 2004 12:06 AM

Its a good change, page is very attractive now.

Thanks so much Darius! I got it and fixed !
Now I can see everyones Birthday and the random pics.. :>)

I've had a little time now to get used to the screen color changes and I love the color changes on the tabs, the other thing I really love is the wider posts columns! Sooo much easier to read!
Thanks Dave !
MsC

This message was edited Aug 11, 2004 12:42 AM

Satisfied so great colors looking good Dave.... also thank you for emailed me to let me know. :o) It really nice!

I like the change in general. Well done, Dave and the team! I came to know when I opened my e-mail and immediately rushed to see the new look on another window!

May be, the familiar old vine logo could be used where a few threads are archived? The present colour-flower logo looks a bit 'uncreative' to me. May be a better one is coming around? Some sentiments for the old vine logo... so much used to it because it was there since beginning.

Isn't it great that we're mostly focused on the logo change at this point after playing around with all the enhancements we've stumbled upon in the past half-day or so? *grin*

The way I see it is this:

(a.) Dave listened to our comments from the past and thoughtfully considered them, along with those presented in the Beta version, to make further changes
(b.) The Beta testers did a fabulous job in their valuable roles (and as volunteers, no less!)
(c.) And when launched, version 2.0 of 'our' DG meets and even exceeds our expectations!

I'm impressed! Once again, well done!

Donna/TuttiFrutti

Scooterbug, let us in on where you " got it , hehehe ;-P "

MUCH BETTER!!!!!!

It's wonderful!!!!
Pati

I love the layout. Easy to navigate and easy to understand. A much needed improvement. Version 2.0 is the result of Dave's hard work....and also Terry, and the beta testers. They deserve our heartfelt thanks. I wasn't a tester, but when the beta forum was created, I followed along and watched the progress. I just haven't been on the computer enough lately to justify being a tester, so I lurked and learned.

I haven't found any bugs yet, and have used the PDB also. Everything flows together in one seamless site....just as it should. I like that one does not feel that they are leaving DG to access the other parts.

The only thing that could use work in my opinion, is already being addressed. Dave says the logo isn't done yet. The choice they made, is the best one of several choices in my opinion, but it has a bit of a 'clip art' feel about it. It's bright, clean and cheery, but it needs heart. I like the colors and the essential design, but the daisy needs tweaking. Maybe a vine, as someone else suggested.
Presentation is everything when trying to attract folks to whatever you are doing.

Whatever is decided upon, will no doubt, be successful. It's like trying to get used to a new car, or a re-modeled kitchen. Everything looks kinda strange at first, but then as you get familiar with it's workings....you wonder how you ever managed with the old one.

Kudos to everyone who had a part in this. I love it already.

Funny thing how people put in thier two cents worth. My husband is very resistant to change and I hardly care at all.
I wonder if we looked up people's birthdates we would see a trend toward the Cancerians not liking their home changed around.

Ulrich,
................R click on the flower
I added it to animations in my Incredimail but you can put it anywhere you wish ;-P

This message was edited Aug 11, 2004 9:09 AM

The thing that hits me about the 'commercial' feel is the '.com' after 'Dave's Garden'. I know this is your company and all, but it makes the site feel like a company. *shrug*

As far as the logo...I think the new colors are wonderful! I do agree that the daisy is too clip arty. I think you could keep it bright and primary and colorful, but make the logo look more hand drawn. I know personally I can see a little crooked house up on that green hill with flowers bustin' out of a picket fence with little garden signs on it perhaps with reference to some of our favorite threads. Like a garden sign that says 'Hem Head Bed' or 'DG Donations' or 'Brug Alley' or 'RU Left-Behinds' ...you get the idea...

Ditto w/angie on the .com

I have to disagree with the comment on the .com. I think it's needed so people that stumble onto the site don't mistake it for someone's personal garden. I stumbled into it over a year ago but did not even become a member until March, partially because I was not completely sure it was a community open to anyone. With the .com it is less an ownership - "this garden is Dave's and Dave's only". The .com reminds you it is on the World Wide Web - a public domain - and open to all.

Angie, I love your logo idea! Sounds really cute.

I like the new look.
Thanks for all the time & hard work you put in getting this together.
CK-christmascactus

I like everything about the new look, I'm a newbie though.

I can see how some would see it as "cartoony, childish" , gardening is my fun time to play in the dirt & mud like a kid though, so its perfect IMO =)

Theres also a lot of things to consider (mentioned in other threads) How will it print in black&white? How will it work on Tshirts?, embroidery? I love the new bookmark icon!
This logo or a slightly modified logo is perfect for the above!

Theres a garden related logo that I've always loved, makes me want to crawl inside it :)
Upper left here... http://www.soilsoup.com

Thats the most inviting & friendliest looking garden image I've ever seen!
Maybe its the smiley sun? =) beautiful gradient colors too.

just my 2 pesos

cheers

I was more than happy with the old Dave's Garden.......but the NEW format is really, really an improvement! So very attractive and easy to use! Thank you Dave and Staff!

Love it! Love the tabs! Can't wait to have time to check it all out!!!!!

Dave, I think that the format is wonderful, and the layout is just great, but the header and logo seems just a little unprofessional looking. Here are a few things my geeky brother and I came up with: http://uberbooks.com/dg/

-Paul-