GofaDM has been inflicted on the universe for almost five years now. Throughout its entire existence, the décor has been an unchanging feature – a rock of unwanted stability in these troubled times. The TARDIS (and indeed its driver) has been through at least three changes of desktop in the same period and were it a leasehold property I would probably have been legally required to repaint by now. Added to which, the use of a theme called Twenty Ten in 2015 is starting to look artfully retro.
So, as you will see I have had some men in – but now the paint is dry, the masking tape peeled off and I am ready to unveil the mildly exciting new look to the world.
Ta da!
OK, I’ll admit that the only man involved was me and I merely(!) had to select a new theme from those offered by the folk at WordPress. Much as I love you dear readers, I was not willing to pay for a theme or for the ability to customise my own – so this is very much an off-the-peg item (rather than made-to-measure), so you may find it a little tight in places at first (I’m sure it will ride up with wear). Nonetheless, I still had to labour for many, weary hours to make a suitable choice which would be sufficient to bear the burden of this blog. It needed to combine a not unattractive font, large enough to be intelligible to our older readers (and the author), with an acceptable colour scheme and layout.
As well as the new desktop, a whole new “page”, to use the approved parlance, has been added: The Library.
I trust the new look meets with some small measure of your approbation. You can, of course, comment in the usual way. I may, likewise, continue to ignore you. I have never claimed GofaDM was a democracy and its somewhat autarkic tendencies are likely to continue.
Thank you for seeking feedback on the redecorating, and for your assurance that any comments will be ignored. it is the new choice of font with which I have a problem. And I speak as one of your older readers (well I am older than you anyway). Although attractive to some, the new font is almost invisible on a mobile phone display. Too fine and too pale. Form over function, as they say. Also it makes the content look bland and dull, from a distance, which is not an attractive feature. I think that a bolder, blacker typeface would fare better in this digital age.
Thank you for your feedback, it has been passed to the appropriate department for processing.
Oddly, I had never considered the mobile experience. I think I had always imagined GofaDM being consumed at a desk (or similar formal location) and that readers would favour evening wear (or at their most casual, black tie). While I cannot condone such actions, I know one couple who print it out to enhance their reading pleasure. I suppose, in this modern era, I should have anticipated that a few readers would have their valet bring their tablet to them on a silver tray allowing them to consume it in more relaxed style, perhaps accompanied by a suitable libation.
I must admit that I am rather fond of the new, clean lines of the current theme – but this may prove to be a passing infatuation, so your wish may be granted one day.