A couple weeks ago we posted about
getting back to our roots as a blogging community.
Today we've taken our first step in that direction: we've consolidated our entire "featured" section into a new and improved "
Top Blogs" page.
What does it take to be a "Top Blog"? It involves a lot of data - including comments, views, recommendations, and other bits of information. But in general,
"Top Blogs" shows the list of posts that are currently generating the most interest and discussion on Xanga.
How is it different from the old "Featured Weblogs" page?The biggest difference is that the new page gets updated much more frequently - the new Top Blogs page is updated
every 10 minutes instead of the old every 6 hours.
What about featured photos and videos?For the time being, you can still find them
here and
here. But we've learned that we don't really need separate sections to show off great photos and videos - Top Blogs is where you'll already find some of the best.
Don't get us wrong, photos and videos are a hugely important part of blogging. But on Xanga, people tend to put their best photos and videos
inside their blog entries.
What's up with the new design?The design of the Top Blogs page isn't radically different from our frontpage - we've just tried to make it less cluttered and, again, more focused on blogging. Check out the new navigation, for example:
Does it do an OK job conveying that Xanga is a Blogging Community? Or are we being too subtle
?
In any event, we wanted to try any new designs on a secondary page like "Top Blogs" before mapping it onto bigger pages like our frontpage. So please let us know what you think!
And now that we've officially taken our first steps back toward "Xanga: The Blogging Community," we'd love to hear if you think we're on the right path!
Comments (144)
yay!
neat
Is there an explanation for why the private posts of both wherever_we_go and my own site are suddenly "protected" rather than private?
I had to delete my protected list.
The top subjects when I went to look were boobs, oral sex, and farting. I think that about sums it up.
this is awesome! it's like a breath of fresh air - a lot cleaner and spacious.
@moniet - well, it's clear TheTheologian has a good handle on what people like to discuss
You are listening and incorporating that into the improvements! You are the best!
feeling cool
Xanga, The Weblog Community.
good job. =]
@fullmetalbunny - we're looking into the issue right now... could you please message me to let me know when you think it might've happened and any other details you might have? Thanks!
spiffy!
@chrischoi - the juxtaposition of your comment and moniet's is a little unfortunate, ha
@fullmetalbunny - @marc - I had the same problem yesterday. Afternoon? Evening? Can't remember exactly when... Seeing as these privacy settings are a big deal (the biggest deal, IMHO), I'd like to be updated about xanga's response / results.
@chrischoi - @marc - ROFL!!
I think this is significant progress....Great Job!
Looking forward to this - should be really great. Thanks guys for working hard and improving the already best blogging community out here on the intarwebz.
Another Top Job
x
very cool :)
interestimg, hopefully this will help ppl find good stuff, not just popluar users
The size of the font for "the blogging community" seems a bit too... modest.
But I'm being picky. Great work - I'm sure you folks will continue to evolve and improve Xanga. Thank you.
There is way too much Theo'sCafe on the Top Blogs page. Furthers my fear that this system only rewards those who are already on top.
@fullmetalbunny - oh THAT's what that was about...