The PORTAL Magazine

[Palmer]

Another thing I'd like to mention is the design. I don't want to lay in on your graphic designer here and I am fully aware that this is conditioned by one's personal taste - and it would be totally ok with me if it stays the way it is - but I prefer a clearer layout. Less 'kitsch', more functionality; if you know what I mean. I think that a more mature layout would underscore the seriousness of this project.

Also: What I think would be useful, although it would be of no use to me, is a concerts section where you schedulate (yeah, new neologism by me) promising concerts/gigs in Canada (or North America in general) or review those you have been to. I know, there's already an article about the Central Music Festival but there are probably much more out there that listing all of them would blast the format of a scrollable e-zine.

Oh, and the font size you use on you blog is too flashy. Sometimes less is more.

Gee Iota,
was there anythng you liked? :wink::laugh:

Just so I am clear, are you talking the layout of the magazine itself? If so, then I am not sure how much more "cleaner" it can be, honestly. It is designed to be MORE then just your "basic" blog format e-zine. The whole purpose of this format is to give you the feeling like you are actually flipping through a newstand magazine. While taking full advantage of the multi-media availability the digital world provides, using embedded MP3 samples, allowing the reader to HEAR as well as SEE. I understand to many, this format is different to many digital magazines, but that is what makes The PORTAL unique. As to maturity of the layout, again, to my mind, it's a classy, graphically pleasing publication. Of course I welcome any and all feedback, but I am not sure how one could make it cleaner and more functional.

If you are talking about the website design, again my instruction to my web designer was the same, clean, bold and easy to navigate. Nothing ticks me off more then when I go to a music site, and I am blinded by a MESS of links and banners and I get a headache trying to find anything! I feel he gave me exactly what I wanted; a clean site, easy to navitage, as well as bold and unique in design (just like the magazine).

The concert schedule idea, is rather difficult within the magazine itself, as this will not be published weekly or even monthly. Our plan is to publish bi-monthly, so you see how scheduling for concerts would be difficult, as timing is of issue. My plan is to utilize the news section and the blog for that. With posting CD and concert reviews in the blog, and links to concert listings in the news. Again, I want to say, this site is just in its infancy, with the basics there, but much more to add.

As to font size on the blog. Too flashy? I had thought the font style (and size) was pretty basic, but again .. perhaps I am off.