Can I get your thoughts on this ?

[gavilan1010]

Ok so im making a blog network, and I want your take on themes

what do you think about this for the home page (portal)
http://themes.wordpress.net/testrun/?wptheme=392

and this for the Official Blogs like "tech.domain.com" "politics.domain.com" "blog.domain.com" (but I will change the color, so the tech one is green, the politics one is red, and the blog one is grey, get me ?)
http://themes.wordpress.net/testrun/?wptheme=702

and here are some of the other themes I will use for the other hosted blogs

http://themes.wordpress.net/testrun/?wptheme=1159
http://themes.wordpress.net/testrun/?wptheme=1155

and my fave, one I will use for "gavilan.domain.com"
http://themes.wordpress.net/testrun/?wptheme=668

among other themes

please let me know, I really want to know about the homepage and official blog skins please, im in a hurry

[klitzy]

the politics one is red

Red politics were like...so last year ;)

[bman]

I can't see any of them.

[gavilan1010]

Red politics were like...so last year ;)

LOL


I can't see any of them.

what you mean? they just take a long time to load

And please, any thoughts on the themes, how they look? think their cool? ect...

[klitzy]

And please, any thoughts on the themes, how they look? think their cool? ect...

Pretty basic, I don't personally like the last one. The one that looks like the page is ripped but the other are alright. Like I said, basic but its not really about the design to a certain extent I don't think at least when I read a blog I like it to be easy on the eyes but I'm looking more at the content.

[samureye]

What sort of site are you doing and how serious is this endeavor? Looking for writers?

[samureye]

I think the theme is totally dependent on the type of content you are doing. If you insist on using pre-made templates, you should have them customized to some extent.

[gavilan1010]

BTW yes I am looking for writers so when the site is up ill make a thread, bad thing is I will not pay (duh) most people want compensation, and I sont plan on putting ads

and the content is generalized, after I get some popularity I will announce that people can register a blog with us then I will install more themes, after I get the site completely up and more content I will give the link :D

and if someone is interested in being a writer please e-mail me

gavilan1010@gmail.com ASAP!

Any type of content

[phatlip12]

BTW yes I am looking for writers so when the site is up ill make a thread, bad thing is I will not pay (duh) most people want compensation, and I sont plan on putting ads

and the content is generalized, after I get some popularity I will announce that people can register a blog with us then I will install more themes, after I get the site completely up and more content I will give the link :D

and if someone is interested in being a writer please e-mail me

gavilan1010@gmail.com ASAP!

Any type of content

If you are serious about this I would suggest you doing your own web design or pay somebody to do it for you. Sorry, but Im not going to take you all that serious if your using a template that you found on the net for a professional site such as the one you are describing.

You also need to bring something to the table to make people want to join your blogging network. If there is no benefit then why join?

[gavilan1010]

@ phatlip12

I dont plan to pay people to blog for me or with me o n my network, does anyone join blogger or wordpress because they pay? my goal is to be a small network with very popular official blogs I will run with some friends ( like tech.domain.com ect...) and host blogs of people that arent to tech savy to know how to install themes, plug ins, ect... so I can install it for them.

I dont plan on having ads cause they suck, they dont bring in any money and they look ugly, and no one likes them.

so my focus is not on getting lots of blogs, its having good official ones, popular.

get me?

[phatlip12]

@ phatlip12

I dont plan to pay people to blog for me or with me o n my network, does anyone join blogger or wordpress because they pay? my goal is to be a small network with very popular official blogs I will run with some friends ( like tech.domain.com ect...) and host blogs of people that arent to tech savy to know how to install themes, plug ins, ect... so I can install it for them.

I dont plan on having ads cause they suck, they dont bring in any money and they look ugly, and no one likes them.

so my focus is not on getting lots of blogs, its having good official ones, popular.

get me?

The thing is, Blogger and Wordpress are NOT blogging networks, they are platforms. A blogging network is Weblogs, INC. If I was a blogger (I was one for a while I might add) I would want to know the benefits of joining your network. If there are no benefits then why would I want to put my blog on your network?

Also, saying that ads don't pay is a very false statement. How do you think companies like Google stay in business?

[gavilan1010]

Its not like "ads dont pay" its just that, the little man, me, doesnt benefit much from ads, and like ive said before, Im not really worrying about if people join my blog network, just have popular blogs that I run and the homepage, THEN I will let people make their blogs in my network with the "satisfaction" that they don that to worry about getting into search engines, worry about hosting, domains, ect... because I got that covered.

Im just trying to make a small network, with blogs in a wide variety of subjects, no personal blogs, nothing like that

I got the inspiration from http://www.qj.net/

I already have 14 people driving me crazy with e-mails saying they want to make their blog there, im just having problems with hosting.

its not a matter of people wanting to host their blogs there, its just my network and other peolpe and friends help me run it, thats all.

BTW fatlip, what do you think about the themes, im not paying a company to make me one >_<

all I want is a blog network like wired or something, all though ill never get as popular as them.

[samureye]

Okay, here's the thing; as it is, you don't seem too keen on what you should do. I have had much involvement with blogs, I know what works and what doesn't. Ads work, it's all about strategy, the type of ads and how they are implemented. As it is I am not very confident in you and what you are doing. Do not take this as an insult, take this as advice. How do you expect to get people to want to write for you that aren't some bored 14 year olds when you are saying things like you will never get as big as Wired. Positive thinking. Also, having a custom template is the most basic thing really.

Take the time and plan what exactly you want to do, what sites are being made, how many people you intend to have writing, how you are going to find writers, etc. Start with one blog and gauge it from there, then move on from there, that is the best way for you to go since you will learn. I am very much looking for an outlet to write, albeit something not strict and expecting quotas every week. That's why I left/was booted from www.gamernode.com but as of now I am really interested to get back into writing.

And that site you want to be like is ugly, but has an interesting concept.

[klitzy]

And that site you want to be like is ugly, but has an interesting concept.

Alright guys...Samureye and I agree on something

*Klitzy pops open the champagne and offers a toast, the police hurry over and arrest him for he is too young*

[phatlip12]

Its not like "ads dont pay" its just that, the little man, me, doesnt benefit much from ads, and like ive said before, Im not really worrying about if people join my blog network, just have popular blogs that I run and the homepage, THEN I will let people make their blogs in my network with the "satisfaction" that they don that to worry about getting into search engines, worry about hosting, domains, ect... because I got that covered.

Im just trying to make a small network, with blogs in a wide variety of subjects, no personal blogs, nothing like that

I got the inspiration from http://www.qj.net/

I already have 14 people driving me crazy with e-mails saying they want to make their blog there, im just having problems with hosting.

its not a matter of people wanting to host their blogs there, its just my network and other peolpe and friends help me run it, thats all.

BTW fatlip, what do you think about the themes, im not paying a company to make me one >_<

all I want is a blog network like wired or something, all though ill never get as popular as them.

If this is something that you are just looking at doing for fun with some buddies then I think you are on the right track. If you want to turn this into something bigger such as your own little company/ make money then you are going about this in the wrong way.

So is this more for fun or are you thinking about turning this into an online company? Once I know this I will be able to give you some better feedback. :)

[phatlip12]

Feedback on the themes you posted:

Our of all the themes you posted these two are my favorite:

http://themes.wordpress.net/testrun/?wptheme=1159
I really like this theme. I like how they laid out the sites utilities to the right. I would probably do some editing when it comes to colors used though

http://themes.wordpress.net/testrun/?wptheme=392
I like the two column layout. Again, not a fan of the colors.