Entry #4 (2010-03-31)
A few minutes ago I received my first online comment about the design I developed for the new Poker1.com. It wasn’t pretty.
I discussed the reasons for this gray-scale design in my first blog entry, which you can read by clicking here. (It will open in a new window or tab, so you won’t lose your place.)
I’d like to know what you think of the design.
Unfortunately, the comment was added to “Contact us,” where few people will see it. We can’t have that! Here it is…
arrrrg the new design of poker1 is terrible. the color, or lack thereof, is annoying. i know you said you like it because you’re strange but it’s not all about you. we’re the ones who have to look at it. sure the content needs to be the main attraction but you’ve gone too far. you will have to change it to color eventually when you either get enough complaints or not enough return visitors.
Going greyscale is old fashioned, it’s old hat, it’s been done by photographer or e-zine type websites circa 1990’s, it now looks old and naff.
I responded:
Hi, Dean –
Thanks for your opinion. I was afraid some visitors would feel that way. I’ve gotten positive feedback from others, so who knows?
One thing I don’t agree with is the “old fashioned” part. I can understand your “terrible” and “annoying” descriptions, though. My intention was that it be the opposite of annoying. Maybe that isn’t happening.
If you post this comment below my first blog entry (which talks about the design), people are more likely to see it.
Straight Flushes,
Mike Caro
On the other hand, maybe I am old-fashioned, despite thinking of myself as cutting edge. That’s because I had to look up the word “naff,” using Google. It cites en.wiktionary.org: Considered to be poor taste; Bad; tasteless; Something that is poorly thought out, doesn’t really work, or is otherwise not very good; Heterosexual.
That pretty much sums up my life. — MC
(You can comment below.)
The content is amazing. I’ll take it any way it comes thank you. Keeping it simple keeps me from using up too much of my limited mobile data which works well for me. Good visibility of black on white means i can save my eyes from strain as I keep reading often a dozen or so articles at a time.
So again.. Works for me.
Thanks for all the great resources you’ve made available.
Hi Mike –
I was just reading another article, and once again the thought arose of how enjoyable it is to read on your site, without the ridiculously garish and gaudy advertising on the vast majority of websites… and then the link to this entry came up in the random selections. So I thought I’d just take this chance to say I’m very glad you haven’t changed it!
My closest two poker friends are now beginning to really appreciate your writings, for which I’m glad. :)
Straight flushes,
Jake
Mike,
I agree with Tess0491 above. I would much rather be at a website that doesn’t have a bunch of stuff blinking at me all the time so I can actually read what I came here to read. I think the design and color scheme are great. Sometimes, there’s just too much “loud” in daily life. And this is the only poker education site that I know of that isn’t way too loud. I hope that once you get more advertising and link sharing graphics, you’ll stick to having a peaceful place for us to come, learn, and share. Thanks for all of your hard work! (Oh, and thanks for sharing the definition of naff, because I wasn’t going to look it up myself.)
Sheryl
I like the good old black and white. I’m older than dirt and wear eyeglasses made from the bottoms of Coke bottles. Most of the colored sites are unreadable, there is no contrast between Red and Light Red. They might look cool and rad, however if you can’t read the print, that’s all they are, cool and rad.
Personally, I don’t mind the design. It’s easy on the eyes. What’s most important is quality relative content and you have an abundance of that!
Your content blocks are light and your print is black. It makes it easy to read.
Hi, Jim —
Thanks for making your first comment and joining our Poker1 family.
You and I think alike about the P1 design — which you might find a bit frightening if you ever got inside my head.
Happy poker adventures.
Straight Flushes,
Mike Caro
I like the greyscale – but then, I’m an old fart, too.
Subconsciously, or consciously, (only you will know) I’d have to say this site is going to appeal to “old farts”, young or old. What I mean by that is that your mixture of history, philosophy, practicality, all flavored a bit with sage, is going to appeal more to people who’d attend a school like Kenyon College than MIT. The “liberal arts” type who ascribes to Plato’s credo “The unexamined life is not worth living.”
The post above that quoted Plutarch brought this to light for me. I wonder if there’s any other poker site/blog where you could find Plutarch and Plato quoted?
For actual reading I think the greyscale works better. Plus, if the content is quality then all the glitz isn’t needed.
Hi, Justin —
Thanks for leaving your first comment.
I hope your adventures at Poker1 lead you to the conclusion the “the content is quality.”
Straight Flushes,
Mike Caro
MC, I like the visual layout and color (or lack there of).
Many websites with their bright colors, flashing banners and trying to cram too much into one space reminds me of being in any casino in the US. Flashing lights and any other distractions to assist you in parting with your money.
Poker1.com gives me a feel of getting down to business…the business of poker, full of content and lacking in fluff.
I am anxious to see it when completed.
Hi, Ed —
I appreciate the feedback.
Thanks for making your first comment and joining our Poker1 family.
Straight Flushes,
Mike Caro
Dean! get with the times, bro’ … it’s all about grey-scale these days. Social networking sites most fave skins? Black/grey/gray and off-white. With some ebony thrown in and a few silver highlights. (of course, helps if you have a stray vampire in the mix with a single red blood drop or a nubile 14-year-old-looking cartoon chick with unaccountably large…eyes.) Anime all the way, Dude!
As for myself – I’m so sick of slick – could we just have this: sense – logic – encouragement – insight – dare I say it….perhaps a whisper….{{{community?}}}
I have been desperate for sanity in poker, I almost gave up.
Good Art seems ancient to its contemporaries, and modern – to their descendants. — Plutarch
Hi, Thomas —
I see that you’re going for the classic literature while you’re struggling to adapt to the gray-scale. Nice quote. Thanks.
By the way, I appreciate the complement regarding my article about not discussing strategy at the table, which you left under another blog entry today.
Straight Flushes,
Mike Caro
Dear Mike,the first time i saw you playing an event on tv about 20 years ago or so,i can`t remember which one it was,i became an instant fan(you were totally in your mad genius persona,it was mesmerizing to watch)I have tried to follow your endeavors over the years and truly consider your insight into the world of probabilities,and the science and strategy involved in all aspects of game theory to to be some of if not the most insightful ever documented and shared with the public.I was thrilled to receive an email from you announcing the relaunch of POKER1,i have been on the list for years ,i knew you would not desert us.I think though in my heart that we will see you at some final tables in big events yet to come,alot of people would love to see that i`m sure.Anyway i just tried the sight today and i love it as i consider it`s content to be outstanding,i don`t really have an opinion about the graphics,it is not an issue with me and i certainly see your reasoning behind it.I am just really glad to see your site back up and running and will be a regular visitor,i also look forward to the Braintrust being back in action and giving us its cosmic insight into all future events,until then Mike we are glad your site is back and we all look forward to seeing more of you out here in cyberspace and beyond.
From one part time recluse to another
All the best and may the wind be at your back.
Hi, James —
Thanks for the encouragement and welcome to our new Poker1 family.
Glad to see there are still people who remained on my e-mail list with the same addresses, after I neglected for so many years to send anything out.
Straight Flushes,
Mike Caro
That sounds wonderful, a beautiful lake, land, woods, mountains, fresh air, nice people, I am sure you are happy there and besides you can always play on line.
Thanks for the reply,
Rick Ivens
PS
Have you read the Shepard of the hills?
Mike,
I found the gray scale relaxing but I am an old guy too.
I don’t know you personally but have read and viewed your stuff for years back when every thing was even money so I feel like I know you. I am very interested in Your Table Rock Lake address?
I fell in love with the lake and Branson area years ago and wanted to move there. A great realtor named Rex Grady showed me a house he owned on Indidan Point, right on the lake and I wanted it but couldn’t get my business sold back east and ya da ya da, never made it there. How can I learn more about your involvement there? (like it is some of my business) Is there poker there because if so, I’ll be there soon.
Thanks,
Rick
PS
Your latest tweat is profound
Hi, Rick —
Thanks for your kind words and for visiting the new Poker1.
I’m here in the Ozarks to practice solitude on my hermitage. I always say that in a teasing way, but it’s kind of true. I have 41 acres of forest on the lake, with walking and golf-cart (if you’re daring) paths running through for miles. I’m sure 41 acres sounds scary large to those of us who lived in Los Angeles, but it’s puny compared to the size of farms a few miles from here.
There is no public poker and few private games. I’ve never played in this area. Tunica, St. Louis, or Kansas City are four-to-five-hour drives. You’d be within a few hours of major Indian cardrooms in casinos in Oklahoma.
I only fly or drive out of here when someone insists. My last major appearance was at the WSOP last year, where I did six seminars for Harrah’s with Doyle Brunson.
I’m happy here. But eventually, I’ll decide to play poker again — and I might go on tour. Not sure.
Don’t come here for the poker.
Straight Flushes,
Mike Caro
I really like the Poker1 design.
Refreshing.
I see Dean’s point, but I disagree.
I think Poker1 is like a library designed so you can study and read quietly away from all the shouting and distractions. That’s how this design seems to me.
And I like black and white photography, too.
Hi, Tess —
I hadn’t thought about the Poker1 look and feel that way, but it pretty much sums up the reason I designed P1 like this.
We could be alone in our opinion, though.
Straight Flushes,
Mike Caro