We Get It: You Hate the Orange
June 27, 2008 by Deb
Filed under Freelance Writing
We’re aware of the problems with the orange font, and as mentioned numerous times yesterday, we’re working to correct the problem. The designers are aware of the issue and will fix it. Please stop sending nastygrams to Jodee as there’s nothing she can do to fix the situation. We’re aware, we’re working on it and we appreciate your patience.
Thanks -
Deb
Are you serious? People were sending nasty grams?!
Aww… c’mon!! This is one of the best places on the Web and it’s just a simple design issue.
I’ll be happy when the color changes, but have no fear… Like the California Gov, “I’ll be back.”
@ Victoria…Yup, we’re serious.
Awwww! Don’t make Jodee mad, people! She brings our leads and is fabulous besides!
I’m sorry that you’re getting nasty grams over something so small. I wish people would learn to pick and choose their battles, as it was clearly stated that you guys were working on the issues. I think it’s very sad that Deb had to write such a post. This would be the same kind of stuff I was talking about the other day with sending snarky emails to clients they believe don’t pay enough. It’s unprofessional and pointless.
Have a great day anyway, Jodee!
It’s so sweet of people to be so hateful. /sarcasm
Honestly, I think most of the feedback has been encouraging. When I throw up something new, I want to know the bugs and issues, but to be hateful about it is rude. Where have you people put your manners? I swear they’re becoming a lost treasure.
Nice work Deb and Jodee! I like the overall look and have a feeling that once you tweak it, it’s going to wonderful.
I would also ask for larger fonts. When one is at a computer all day, small fonts (it’s small to me) are very hard on the eyes. Not sure the font size you’re using now, but an increase to 12 pt or even 11 (figure this is 10 or less) would be much easier. Maybe type could be darker (black or bold, this seems to be a brown), contrast would be easier.
I’m not a designer, just know what I find easier to read. Thanks for your consideration, and for the site.
@ tjwriter: Yes, most of the feedback has been positive and we really do want to know if there is something that needs to be changed or dealt with. Just be nice about it. I don’t think that’s too much to ask.
I like the new look. I noticed it when I was commenting on a post few days ago. It seems changes were happening while I was typing since I received an error message. When I refreshed, I was greeted with a new design. At first, I thought I had somehow left a comment on the wrong website!
I didn’t like it as much as the first, but now I love it. 
A shame that people have to be nasty when pointing out things they don’t like.
Um, hello nasty gram folks–this is a free site! Constructive criticism is something a reader provides as a courtesy. But what right do you have to be ugly about it when you use the wonderful resources here at no cost whatsoever to you (unless you choose to donate, which you should)? Good job guys, and thanks! Sorry for the bad sentence structure;)
Yikes, nastrygrams over a colour… what are we, five?
I think it borders on the ridiculous to send nasty notes to people who provide a free service. Especially about site design. There’s a simple solution – don’t come to the site if you don’t like how it looks.
It’s the same with sending snarky emails to employers who you think underpay. Virtually all the job listings state the rate up front. If you think the rate is too low – don’t apply for the gig. Seems you’re wasting a lot of your writing talent spewing bitterness around the web.
I’ve had a pet theory for a while now that people automatically dislike the color orange. I used to work for a catalog clothing company and orange was universally the color that first went on sale, was last to sell out, etc. There was a project a while back where people would paint condemned buildings orange and the orange ones were more likely to get demolished.
It’s kinda sad, because it’s actually a really nice color for a *lot* of things…I think it’s really a biological wiring thing, but I haven’t got any scientific basis for that, just a hunch.
@ Grace – I think us Austinites would blow that theory of yours out of the water! LOL. We bleed orange here, which is why I’m loving the color. But, I concede that it may be hard for some folks to read.
Just a thought to add about the colour orange. A few years ago I was at a discussion and the quetion was, what food colour is the most popular? My guess was wrong but the answer at that time was…..yep, you guessed it orange!
The things that upset people never cease to amaze me. I like the orange, but I’ll be fine with whatever you choose. I’m here for the information and community, not the font colors. : )
I think the new design is fantastic; and although the orange is a bit hard to read, it’s not so bad as to warrant a nastygram. I honestly didn’t mind it too much.
I agree with Amanda Nicole.What are we, five? I love the new design! I did notice it was a tad bit hard to see the orange font but blamed on my tired eyes at the time.
I’d never say anything rude or nasty about anything though. Why would we? Just a simple “the orange font is hard on my eyes… could you consider using a color that’s easier to read?” would have been bringing up the issue in a kind way. Here’s to kindness!
Great job, Deb and Jodee. Keep it up!
*smiles*
Michele
@Phil – If you hold down the “Ctrl” key on you computer and spin the little scrolling wheel on your mouse, the font will increase and decrease accordingly. I hope this helps.
As far as the designs go, I liked the old site design and I like the new one. I’m not too picky. Regardless of how this site looks, it’s the reason why I was able to leave my job in February in freelance full time. So, for that, I am more than grateful and couldn’t care less about aesthetics. The bottom line is that its helped me carve out a living online.
I agree wholeheartedly with Bob! There are far more ways to be productive as a writer than sending nasty e-mails and comments to colleagues and prospective employers.
Thanks paul
With the posting for snack blogers, I thought this one was about Orange bloggers.
Back to reality and so should the nastys.
Personally, I think the new design looks pretty awesome.
Can I just say that I think “nastygram” is the funniest word ever? I love you guys.
It isn’t /that/ hard to read, not enough for a nastygram. I mean, c’mon, even high school drama queens would have passed that over.
How about a darker brown for a color? The designers probably already thought of that, though.
Jodee, sorry to hear that people have been so childish to you. Most of us could care less if you wrote in electric-puke green, you’re doing us a great service. (Um, but no electric puke, pleeeez?)
I’m sorry some people have sent you masty emails, Jodee. My goodness, it’s not that difficult to say something nice. You work hard to bring us job leads, to help us. The idea of getting even one nasty email is just shows someone else is having a bad day, but they shouldn’t put it off on you or anyone else!
Unbelievable! The site looks fabulous, and the brightness of the orange font is such a minor thing. I am appalled that anyone would send nastygrams to you over it.
The orange can just be darkened up a tad and it should be fine. If you never change it, it will bother my eyes, but I will not stop coming here over it, nor will I stop thanking and appreciating you for your hard work and generosity. I can live with a little eye-bother in order to get all the great information and leads you provide on a daily basis.
You both do so much for us here – and FREE! I think we who are the recipients of your time, talent, and generosity can afford to be more tolerant of any imperfections – which are few and far between.
Hi everyone, even though I am a new poster I have been reading and benefiting a great deal from this site.
I wasn’t going to say anything because I thought the site was finished, but since you guys are working on the orange (I don’t particularly mind orange).
I have a helpful suggestion; maybe your programmers could somehow fix the code so your links will open in a new window. That way you aren’t sending people away from your site.
Best,
Rainy
@ Julie F: Dang! I was going to suggest a greeny-pukey theme but I guess now I can’t!
@ Cindy and Dani: There will always be people who are inconsiderate. That is just the way of the world. It’s easier to complain when we don’t like something than to go out of our way to say something positive, I guess.
Yes, we already knew about the link color. Yes, we had it scheduled for change. No, changes don’t happen overnight and no, perfection out of the gate shouldn’t be anyone’s expectation. Feedback is nice, but the owners of this site aren’t the blogosphere. Chill, people. We were gathering all points to see which are most common and do one run of tweaks.
Why I feel I have to justify this to a community is beyond me, but I am doing so out of respect for Deb and Jodee.
Jodee, my apologies that you had to experience that. Deb, my apologies to you as well. I also apologize to the two designers who worked on this blog, because they shouldn’t have to read that people are upset to the point of sending nasty emails to blog owners.
This goes nicely with our post of today that basically said, “Release your new theme. Your community will be patient while you polish the final touches.” Thank you to those who ARE being patient.
To those who aren’t… No comment.
@ James: I appreciate what you said and thank you but you and your staff are not responsible for the nasty stuff. The people who typed it and pressed “Enter” are. I love the new design and I understand that changes can take time, even if some others didn’t get that memo.
Hugs to Deb, Jodee, James and the two developers.
Some people can be such twits, eh?
I liked the orange; I thought it was very easy to read.
I’m very sorry to hear that people were nasty about this. You guys do an amazing job at providing a free service. Who in their right mind could complain about that?
The orange is fixed. Thoughts?
@ James: I think it looks much better. Thank you!
I like it!
I think the brown — appropriately coffee color! — looks great. It’s got just the right amount of contrast.
I, too, am sorry to hear that Jodee and Deb have had to deal with so many negative comments. The new site looks great, and I know from personal experience how incredibly difficult it can be to calibrate colors so they look nice on all kinds of monitors. You did a great job in making changes so quickly. Thanks to all of you for the incredible amount of work you do for us!
Lisa
The replacement color for the orange font is absolutely perfect! The site looks so beautiful! Everyone involved just did such a fantastic job!
Thank you so very much for working so hard to make this site so amazing, for giving us the opportunity to give feedback, and for listening to us – constructive or whiny, kind or nasty, and adjusting the font color.
You are wonderful, and greatly appreciated.
You’re welcome. On behalf of our team, thank you.
James and Harrison, I think it looks beautiful. (I even thought it looked beautiful with the orange.) You took my vision of what i wanted this blog to be and made it come to life. You were patient, kind and helpful and I won’t hesitate to recommend your service to others. Thanks for taking such good care of this place.
I want to thank everyone who gives their all to provide us with a great, informative and helpful site. I am amazed that people can act so childishly! (I had a different word in mind but I’ll restrain myself) Sounds like they need to get a hobby (or a therapist).
I think I can accurately say that the majority of your visitors are beyond pleased with this site–no matter what colors are used.
Thanks for all you do.
The new site looks REALLY good everyone!
@ Jodee and Deb I started adding a “C” to my name because I noticed another Laura…I am starting to get confused. LOL
@ James I think it is sad that it needs to be explained web site changes cannot happen instantly. While some changes can be made throughout the day, most changes need to be done when the majority of visitors are not visiting; um…common sense states if the site is being worked on and something goes wrong, you may not get to see the site at all, chill and be patient…SO AGREE!
While I think MOST have been very considerate, poor Deb and Jodee are always going to have those they cannot please; just part of customer service. But, I like many others LOVE these two ladies (oh that sounds so stalkish…oh well)and because of wonderful service they provide, I would visit no matter what design was used.
I think everything looks great, and if I am correct, the font is darker now; unless I am totally losing all my marbles instead of just a few.
While larger font may be easier, it isn’t always a good choice with some designs. I do not have bad eyes, but I am sure in another 10 years I may be wanting that size 15 font…LOL.
James- I hate the brown. hate, hate hate. Nastyg nastygrams all over!!
(I hope it’s obvious I am being sarcastic!)
I think the whole theme is great, it really speaks to coffee (and tea) drinking freelancers who need that in the morning perk. Since I check this blog first thing in the morning with my first cuppajoe, it’s cool to think of all those sharing it with me!
Just a note: If you use Firefox, like I do (really the only one you should be using heheh) I went ahead and changed my font settings to see how the site would show up with ‘my settings’.
So far so good. The site still looks awesome and my font size hasn’t altered the way I see the page, except the fonts being larger..
I am using Verdana font at size 18; you would be surprised, it isn’t that big, just right. Just go to Tools>Options>Content and you will see the font options there. Again, this is for Firefox, no IE. HTH
If you are using Firefox on a Mac, you can adjust the size of the type by going to View and clicking on Text Size. The menu there includes Increase/Decrease Text Size.
Agghh! New-ness. It’s 6:00 am and my coffee maker is still running. Why won’t freelancewritinggigs load? Oh, it is. New design. Ok, no problem. Just breathe.
Garth: “We fear change.”
First let me say that I appreciate this website and I like the new design. (As Charlie Babbitt from Rainman would say, “it’s sparkly.”)
One bit of feedback that I think would be most beneficial to the site’s visitors: if the links would change color once we’ve clicked on them (a different color for the “a:visited” attribute), that would help us know a few minutes later that we’ve already clicked it.