Everyone needs a new hairstyle once in a while, and Free-Range Kids was getting to that point, metaphorically. (Its founder is getting to that point non-metaphorically.) So welcome to the new format of the site.
You’ll find new features that I hope you’ll like, including a bigger tab bar, where it is now simple to find the crime stats that show that times ARE different today — they’re safer than when most of us were growing up — and the Free-Range Bill of Rights. It is also simpler now to see several recent stories at a glance. I envied that layout on other sites and am happy to have it now too.
Also here is the piece de resistance, Find a Free-Range Friend, up there in the tab bar, too, and about which I’ll write more soon. But first let me thank the two incredible people who worked on its first inception as well as the one you see here: Jonathan Meyers and Eileen Mullin Β — both of them Free-Range Parents, by the way. The program is up and running but I’m waiting for a few more people to join before I make a more formal (that is: bigger) announcement. If you try it out, send feedback about any glitches or, of course, glee.
Meantime, let me thank Eileen Mullin for being my web guru from the very start. I am so grateful. – L.
Sometimes, you just need to change your style.
28 Comments
“(Its founder is getting to that point non-metaphorically.) ”
As long as it isn’t a mohawk…. π
The new format looks great! But … I already know I’m going to miss the most recent tweets on the right side; I often used those to jump to an article you referenced. Yes, I know I can use my Twitter feed, that that was really convenient.
@Beth..Ditto that.
I love the redesign, but I too will miss the most recent tweets on the sidebar. I don’t always have time to check twitter. I registered on freerangefriend but right now I’m the only one in my area. But that’s ok, I tend to be an early adopter.
I also like how much better it looks on mobile.
I like the look. I don’t use Twitter, so I wouldn’t have noticed that change. The rest of it is clear and easy to navigate. And am sure your hair looks great, too.
Very smart π
Love it!
Most of the time when a site gets facelifted, it also stops being easy to read and use. But not this time! This is actually improved!! Still simple and readable which is the most important part.
Hmm…had to have a go to see if a picture comes up beside my name. Hoping not!Γ°ΕΈΛβ . But looks good Lenore. …
Let’s see if I get an avatar…..
Yep. I think it depends on what sites/services you have an avatar on already. That’s mine from Disqus, I think.
An I like the new look as well. I miss the Twitter feed — I’m not on Twitter and don’t feel the need. But I realize I’m the minority.
I like the crime stats page. I have found that showing that data to people makes them think and often changes their minds.
As long as it doesn’t turn into those horrid slideshows and pop up ads!
Like it! π
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Cool New You!
The “find a free-range friend” registration page does not allow anyone living outside the United States of America to register.
This might be a bit odd situation but I’d like to be able to look for FR friends in two location. No, not shared custody or something like that! We currently live in northern NY but spend a large amount of time with my parents in south jersey and will be back there to stay in about a year and a half. So both would be helpful. Should I have two accounts under the same name?
Just wondering if a picture pops up. Nice layout Lenore.
Another thing I’d like (first one was a little list of links to the recent posts) is threads in the comment section.
And I miss the blue in the header π Now it would go nice with your blouse!
The new site looks great!
My kids are now basically teens, but it would still be great to connect with like-minded folks in the SF Bay area. However, one of my kids does not adhere to the binary model of gender identity, so I can’t really register em for the FFRF program. Anyway you could create a way to accommodate that?
I had been meaning to suggest that Lenore update the photo of herself used on the banner but didn’t want to sound insulting to someone for whom I have such respect. Being such a celeb, I knew she had to have a professionally done photo. Much better!
In your previous photo I liked the spectacle frames. Ah, just a memory now.
I love your blog. The mobile site looks great. The regular front page looks like it was designed to look good on a tablet. I don’t really understand why the web is being remade for the 10% of web traffic that comes from tablets. I liked being able to read stuff from the front page…
Lenore,
I love the new look and wish you all the success.