Layout of main page

The main page of the site has been redone. Let us know if you experience any difficulties in browsing. The Arts and crafts section has been reorganized too. The rest of the site has not been changed and no changes were made to your gallery pages. And, this is a work in progress...

Thank you.

Comments

jkmrao's picture

Very beautiful layout. Pleasing looks. Congratulations for the efforts.
Where is the "view more" button for the new kOlam section? At the moment all the kOlams can not be viewed as thumbnails.

Regards! - mOhana

Lata's picture

Thank you mOhanaji.

We don't have a view more button for now, but the functionality of that is taken care of when you browse through the bigger images of the recent kolams. You'll find that thumb images of the recent kolams appear on the top right side of the bigger image of any recent kolams. We just have to keep browsing through either the kolam above it (more recent), or the one below it (older ones). We will see how this works for a few days, and if it doesn't function well, we'll change that. Smile

indira sundar's picture

Dear Lata,
Layout romba romba nanna eruku. Very nice Layout.......

-Indira

jkmrao's picture

What you said is true latAjI. However, it is quite painstaking as one can go back only three kolams at a time. Suppose one is away for a few days and during that time more than thirty kOlams have been uploaded. This is quite normal for many people. Basically one has to go back at least a dozen times whereas with a view more button two clicks will be enough.

Regards! - mOhana

nithyaashok's picture

Madam, the opening page/layout is very nice. I have a doubt how to see the recent kolams?

Lata's picture

Thank you Indra, Sudha and Nithya.
Regarding the recent kolams, please read my comment at the bottom of this page. Smile

Vinci's picture

Surprise to see a new layout... Great work.. Thanks for your efforts.. I second Mohanaji's last comment.. It was easy to view all the recent kolams in a single page, now I find difficult in navigating to the recent section.. Hope you will consider our request.. Though I'm not a contributor, an admirer in this site, Hope my words get into the suggestion box..

lakshmiraghu's picture

Beautiful layout Lata.It looks grand & colour full ,good luck for the efforts.

sudhabalakrishnan's picture

Hi lata, the layout is very very nice. Here are few problems i noticed.

when we log in we are not able to access the main home page. if we want to know the recent position we will veiw it in the track but there is no option to go back to the home page and also we are not able to see the recent kolam comments, recent cafe comments and regarding the members who are online as it was in the old layout home page. the home/user account button should be repeated in all the pages we browse.

please check it out.

jkmrao's picture

sudhAjI, On every page you have the "kOlam" logo at the top left hand side. That is the "Home". If you press it, you go to the home page. By the side of this, you have the other items like Rangoli, My account, etc. that take you to the required page. The current users are shown at the bottom in the home page. Now that you mention it, this is really not required, in my opinion. Nobody else, apart from the site owners, need to know that I am on the site when I am browsing. I sometimes feel I can not be private while I am browsing the site. Also, it does not mean that you are really there if your name is there. One can open the page in a new tab and keep it there and go there once in a while.

Regards! - mOhana

sudhabalakrishnan's picture

sir, i feel if the current users are shown we will be able to get familirised with the names of the ikolam members for example if an unknown member logs in we will be able to see their name. I think this should considered which is helpful for all the other ikolam members as well. we will get to know the unknown persons name by doing this. your suggestions please.

regards
sudha

Lata's picture

Just a quick answer; we take everyone's suggestion seriously, but, whether we're able to act on it quicker or later, is a different issue. Smile

jkmrao's picture

I agree with latAjI. It is true that all suggestions are read and considered. At one time I suggested that blogs also must be highlighted on the front page. In the present front page, they are also shown along with other items. Thank you latAji! It is always a constant turnaround in this type of endeavour. The users think that their interests are paramount. The publishers' interest is to see how the site and its contents can be presented so that they have a maximum impact in terms of readability, visibility, and also other considerations like the number of visitors, space occupied and band width consumed, etc. In this apparent struggle, even if all the suggestions are considered, some will have to be given less weight and the members have to live with it. But this must not deter people from presenting their honest opinions irrespective of how strange and outlandish they may appear.

Regards! - mOhana

Rajusree's picture

New layout really looks grand and colorful. Good work.

judelined's picture

What is this??? I have not logged in since the Saturday and suddenly I thought I clicked the wrong website, because everything looked so different.. Took me a few seconds to realise that ikolam had a makeover (and a lovely one too).. Now it will take me some time to familiar myself with the whole page and give you my views Lata.. Anyway congrats for the new look - ikolam looks like a lovely new Marghazi Rangoli in time for the month of kolams Smile

alameluranganath's picture

how can we edit our earlier comments which we put. kindly put an option to edit the same in the new beautiful look of ikolam

lakshmiraghu's picture

Lata,if i am logged in also it shows me welcome guest...and it is showing that i am not logged in ,and i am not able to see the recent comments also.please help me.

Lata's picture

Lakshmi, we have our logs setup in such a way that any type of error experienced by our long time users and new people are flashed where we (me and Mani) could see clearly. And, to our surprise, our machine is so well oiled, that we have not gotten a single "troubled" user (since the layout change). Please check your computer and settings, because I checked your account's trackings, and I see no errors. Smile

brindhanagesh's picture

Hi everyone,
ikolam looks great in its new layout. But i find a difficulty in viewing the recent kolams when i am signed in. I don't find any link for it. If i go to Home page automatically i am getting signed out. I could find the recent kolams and comments in the Home page only. But the kolams can only viewed as thumbnails. After a long break i am visiting ikolam from Kolkata. It is really happy to see our ikolam family.

rajamma_2's picture

Lata, I feel as trhough I have shifted to a new house.Where is what.... getting confused a little. But the new home looks very nice. let me get familiarise then pass my comments.
rajamma

rajamma_2's picture

Lata, I am also not getting the recent kolams i.e on the top right of the bigger imageof any recent kolam.
rajamma

Lata's picture

The link for the vertical list of recent kolams on right corner of bigger images is fixed now.

admin's picture

I just logged in, I'll check and respond as I read more. I have noticed that, sometimes, switching back and forth between multiple accounts in ikolam causes the "signout" (an old problem).

Brindha, I had emailed you couple of times but hadn't received any response from you yet. This was regarding wrapping up the last step from our end to the contest winner. So, please check your emails and respond. Thanks.

judelined's picture

I am actually visiting ikolam after 4 days and I am able to see only 9 new kolams on the home page. Going by your instructions to JKM - yes, I am able to see thumb images of recent kolams on the top right side when I open one kolam - but after I post my comment that section disappeares - I have to go back to home page and click on another kolam to see it again. I too feel it would be nice to see a whole page of recent kolams (like before), because many a time I am not able to log in for a few days and it becomes difficult going back and forth to see the old kolams that I had missed looking at while I was away. This is the first problem I am facing Lata.. Once I get familiar with the other parts of the page I will let you know what I feel.

judelined's picture

Ok I am sort of comfortable navigating my way into the old kolams the way you said Lata.. There seems to be lots more to explore Smile

viji_j86's picture

wow
I am loging in after some days. notice the new change. very well Lata. new layout new look. very well.
keep it up
viji

Lata's picture

Brinda, Lakshmi, Padmashree, thank you, glad you liked the layout.

A quick update; in my experience, our site sometimes signs me out when I'm switching between two different browsers at the same time when I'm logged in (e-g between versions of Internet Exlorer and Firefox). This also tends to happen when the same browser is used to login with two different user names. But, this is an old issue, something that could be avoided by using a single browser, with one user name. The next time it signs you off, could you also tell us the browser that you'd used and describe the sequence of events that led to it. It'll help us test things out with the same scenarios and possibly provide a solution.

Rajam (sounds a bit strange to address you like this, but since you insisted) Smile I got your point, would definitely think about providing a workaround. There is space. Smile

Alamelu, I'm sorry you're not able to edit. Members used to have the option of editing/deleting their replies a long time ago, in ikolam, for a short duration, but not anymore. I had to remove the option as some members started abusing the option, by deleting their previous comments according to their convenience. My own comments and answers to their queries started looking senseless when being read without the appropriate comment left prior to my replies. When something like that happens, I hesitate. Smile

Sudha and Mohanaji, both of your preferences would be considered. Please give us a few more days. Smile

Judy, glad you like the makeover. You have a point; I'm afraid there is no other option for the time being, but, we would work on exploring for a workaround, only thing is because of a hectic few weeks ahead of us, we are not able to say when the workaround would be in place. We have been juggling many deadlines lately. Kindly grant me the gift of time, in the name of Christmas, my friend! Smile

Viji madam, I'm glad you visited us, it's been a while. Lovely cards in cafe, hope you don't mind if I use them for our arts/crafts section too. Did you check it out?

Last but not least, we welcome more inputs, mainly about the problems you face. Thank you all.

jkmrao's picture

Thanks latAjI. Please take your own time. This is holiday time. Please try to enjoy it with your family and friends. In fact, everyone must enjoy the time. Even if one doesn't buy anything, one must go around the malls and enjoy the crowds if one likes it. For those who visit the site after a while, to view the old rangOlis, there is an easy way. As the Inspector says at the end in the movie Casablanca "round up the usual suspects", visit the galleries of the usual suspects. You would have covered nearly 80% of the new entries.

Regards! - mOhana

sudhabalakrishnan's picture

Lata , you can take your own time, it is easy to comment but the hidden effort is unknown, i can understand your position, Be coool and keep well and also enjoy your holidays as well.

I really appreciate your efforts for the newlook of ikolam, well keep it up.

judelined's picture

Lata (my friend too, hehe) I am not such a monster to rush you into anything during holidays - that too Christmas Blum 3 We always know that you will take care of whatever needs to be done in the welfare of the site - so relax and take your time - I am having fun exploring though Smile

sudhabalakrishnan's picture

Dear lata, While creating a new topic when we fill up the subject, tags, and the Body is it possible to provide the changing fonts that is BOLD AND ITALICISED. THIS IS JUST A SUGGESTION FROM ME. ANY NEW ENTRY CAN BE GIVEN THIS OPTION.

THANKS ,

SUDHA

jayamohan's picture

Lata, It is almost a month since I entered our site due to some personal reasons. It was like Kauravas entering the Pandavas palace, stepping in slowly and cautiously! Let me go thro' all the changes and others comments first and then give mine, if any!

Rajusree's picture

Lata i submitted a kolam some 6 days back i think. Did u receive it? because, when i submitted the rangoli it did not show that. Please let me know.

Lata's picture

Judy, no, nobody is rushing me to do anything, but, we go through the typical "could've, would've and should've " phase as an after effect Smile

Sudha, I'll keep your suggestion in mind.

Jaya madam, I'm glad you visited, please do find suggestions to give, when ever you are ready.

Padmashree, I think the upload didn't work. Please try again.

madhuharini's picture

Lata,the new layout is different, but the problems faced i agree with others. To view all the recent kolams and the comments is difficult.Hope the problems solved soon.

jayashree_v's picture

Hi Ma'am, this is not regarding the layout...coz it is wonderful...have no complaints about it...i had uploaded two kolams (one on the 19th and one on the 20th) but neither of them have been uploaded as yet i guess...coz i can see uploads of later dates on the new/recent kolams link...so could you please look into it...i understand with the Holiday season around the corner...you would be really busy...but i wouldn't have mentioned this if i had not seen rangolis posted later than me on the recent kolams list...Thank you

admin's picture

We usually could take upto two weeks. Please read here:
http://ikolam.com/gallery

rajamma_2's picture

Lata, I am not able to upload even a single rangoli. It says maximum reached... but I have not uploaded anything in the waiting
rajamma

sudhabalakrishnan's picture

Hi lata, This is regarding the kolams i uploaded, I think you may be having 7 to 8 kolams, This chamki kolam was somewhere in the middle. Could you please let me know what is the status. Sorry i am bothering you too much in the holidays, even if it gets uploaded late that is after new year also no problem from my side.

thanks and regards.

admin's picture

Sudha, at the moment I'm stuck with very poor net access from my hotel, and I am not able to do much Sad

I was glad to be able to publish a few rangolis an hr ago. And, I'll get to the querries later on. thanks.

sudhabalakrishnan's picture

No props lata, take your own time. Enjoy your holidays.

rajamma_2's picture

Lata, enjoy your holidays.
Just wondering why I am not able to upload anything.Nothing is in my Q.
rajamma

Rajusree's picture

Lata, sorry to bother u on ur holiday. I'm just letting u know that i'm not able to upload any rangoli. Take ur own time and let me know when i can upload the rangoli. Thanks a lot lata for ur patience.

toindhu's picture

lataji iam not able to upload any pictures. please do the needful.

sudhabalakrishnan's picture

To, LATA AND ALL iKOLAM MEMBERS ( Mohanaji, Rajammaji,lakshmi,Brindha maam, Nithya, Saraswathi maan, Judy, Vinci, anirudh, deepa ram, subhasini, rajushree,Premaraghu, Pushpa maam and pavan ) and also all the new members for the ikolam.

LET THIS NEW YEAR BRING GOOD WISHES, GOOD PROSPERITY AND GOOD SUCCESSFUL WAY ALL THE YEAR THROUGH.

i loOK FORWARD FROM ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE IKOLAM THAT THEY DRAW

I - IMMENSE JOY K - KOLAMS WHICH IS O - OUTSTANDING, L - LOVELY, A - ATTRACTIVE, AWESOME AND M - MARVELLOUS.

AND LET THIS NEW YEAR 2010 BRING Fresh Air.... Fresh Idea.... Fresh Talent.... Fresh Energy.... I wish U to have a ..... Sweetest Sunday, Marvellous Monday, Tasty Tuesday, Wonderful Wednesday, Thankful Thursday, Friendly Friday, Successful Saturday. Have a great Year. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010

LET THE NAME AND FAME OF IKOLAM REACH NOOK AND CORNER OF THE WORLD.

BYE,

SUDHA

nithyaashok's picture

Sudha Mam, thank you very much,

Wishing you and your family, a happy and prosperious new year 2010.

anirudh's picture

sudhaji, thank you soo much, and wish you & all ikolam members a very happy new year.

lataji, the new layout is looking very good, with the nice light colored background image. Can we have an option to edit our own comments? it will help us to correct typo errors and add more....holidays are comming to end, but still Happy Holidays Smile

sudhabalakrishnan's picture

Lata, I have posted kovai kolam meet without your permission to know how many ikolam members are there in kovai. If people are interested and i also like your opinion and with your permission i will go ahead. i hope i am not troubling you in this matter. It is just a wish or a suggestion. Not immediately but after 2-3 months.

Enjoy your holidays, bye

sudha

alameluranganath's picture

lata

i have posted lots of my kolams i dnt c them in the site. kindly put them.

alameluranganath's picture

i want to tell admin kolam that if we go to some cafe page or some thing else we can c in the page home where we can go back by clicking the home in the same page. kindly put home page link in all the pages.

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