I was on this site literally last week and it had Lorem Ipsum type text all over it. Though there was no actual content I was fairly impressed with their use and execution of Wordpress. Totally on the right track there, and ten million times ahead of say, TheRoot.com.
Some of the ads look to be skipping down the wrong column though, so I assumed they weren't exactly ready yet. I am sure their still working on some things. I'll keep an eye on it.
Dede @ Clutch
· 1 year ago
You know...I actually liked it! I love the recommendation feature, because lots of people don't comment and it gives the user a chance to have a say on the content without commenting and it allows the publisher to see what's working and what's not. I found the content fresh too. I liked the David Allen Grier story and a couple others.
As with any new site, they are most likely trying to find their way in the space and figuring out what works from them. I am sure they will tighten things over the next couple weeks. It's seems that this could be a soft launch since some of the features are not available yet.
I totally get what they are doing. I would describe it as a news, entertainment and commentary site (lifestyle website). As Liz said I will keep an eye on them.
We have to remember not everyone is a expert or seasoned online pro and might be learning things as they go (as I did) -- so I think they are off to a good start in a very long race.
Jade
· 1 year ago
@Liz Eek@ the Lorem Ipsum. I liked their use of wordpress and their theme a lot too. I will also be keeping an eye on it. I think it has a lot of potential, it's just not there yet.
@Dede, thanks for your input, it is always appreciated. I hope that they tighten stuff up.
For anyone else out there planning on launching a wordpress based site, there is a maintenance mode plugin out there:
It lets you edit your site and use it etc when logged in as an admin and keeps it hidden from the public as you work out the tweeks. You never know who is going to access your site once it is live so you want to have the most impact when you launch.
Markus
· 1 year ago
I would have suggested a simpler template for a site working on building content. This current design is for sites with a lot of content, and it leaves little room for error. A simple about us page wouldn't hurt either.
One thing's for sure, with a name like BlackPower.com, they better bring it!! GL
thanks for the maintenance mode plugin tip. Honestly. you don't dictate what your "community" turns into. You have to be flexible...at least for "corporate" blogs.
My personal blog however is a benevolent dictatorship.
Thanks for the rollout tips. I'm definitely using them.
Still working on a few other features. Check out www.hotghettomess.com, I finished design and development on that a couple of weeks ago, also on WP.
Jade
· 1 year ago
@Johnathan
Thanks for the update! The about page is amazing. I love it!!
blackweb20
· 1 year ago
Johnathan you design skills are on point! ;) Love the about us page, it is very comprehensive and informative.
Lisa
· 1 year ago
Wow! that site was hot. Its about time someone did "black" news with some edge. Im so tired of Ebony/Jet news or hip hop gossip. It seems that black news magazines are either generic, street or overly ideological. Im curious about the first post where you complained that we didnt know what perspective the news was coming from. Why would we need a perspective? We all bring our own perspectives and then agree or disagree. I think we should always be presented with a variety of perspectives. Left VS Right is getting very tired. i wish them well.
Anthony Farrior
· 1 year ago
The Combination of Jade's firm but fair review and Johnathon's quick fix turnaround shows we are ready to widen our stance in the online business space. Very clean lines and great use of widgets...Do you have a card or portfolio site? :)
Johnathan
· 1 year ago
@Anthony - Jade's review was fair and honestly, gave me a wake up call on the impact a poor launch can have.
Considering this site was started by Jam Donaldson, an attorney from Washington D.C., the creator of Hotghettomess.com and the "We Got To Do Better" television series on BET, as well as the blog, "Conversate Is Not A Word," I'm thinking this site could be a nod in the right direction. Sure, right now we've got what we think are loads of black or urban oriented news sites, but I think there's a clever hook and angle on this one. I especially love the viral video that kind of breaks the notions of what the site could be about, in terms of monolithic blackness:
What's more interesting though is that she's starting this site with Urban Communications, yeah the ones who recently purchased NiggaSpace and have OurSpace.
OK...I'm confused...the right way to launch is one thing but then...BlackPower.com (intelligent Black news and commentary) aligned with HotGhettoMess.com?! From last I checked (today) HotGhettoMess.com itself appears to be going down the Hot Ghetto Mess lane! Pics of a brotha' lovingly holding his infant child positioned next to a stark mini-penis!!!...T,D&A all over the front page...it looked more like Hot Ghetto Porn!...so not understanding how this is a "nod in the right direction"...unless this was a facetious remark. Visiting HGM I wanted to be entertained, and have a laugh, but left feeling a bit sick...I guess I'm just a fuddy duddy...as this can be seen a la “Jackass”…but haven’t we already had our fill with BET...but I digress…Uh…just please...leave the baby's out of the pics...even tho they're supposedly featured in a positive light under the “Player” heading…or whatever…or at least keep them off the pages with all the ASSets.
Re Jonathan's quick fix...not quite sure that his melanin is part of the " 'we' are ready to widen our stance in the online business space." Not to take away from Jonathan's skills or his downness with the peeps...just sayin'. Tho it's fine to have whites and others down with the Black Cause, too often a veiled face is presented if it's in their best business interests.
On the flip: Big ups on the design of BlackPower.com. Found the video, info, and design quite interesting and will visit again.
Toby "UrbanTech" Morning
· 1 year ago
Built on Mozilla huh, I guess no one at the company is actually a developer because they might be breaking the licensing terms of Mozilla/Firefox by not exposing the source code of Black Bird to the community.
Wil Bradley
· 11 months ago
Its about the rush to be on the web. Many businesses do this. The barriers to entry of launching a website are minimal, especially if you already have money.
It doesn't matter that it's a website, you still gotta plan for success.
All Comments
Some of the ads look to be skipping down the wrong column though, so I assumed they weren't exactly ready yet. I am sure their still working on some things. I'll keep an eye on it.
As with any new site, they are most likely trying to find their way in the space and figuring out what works from them. I am sure they will tighten things over the next couple weeks. It's seems that this could be a soft launch since some of the features are not available yet.
I totally get what they are doing. I would describe it as a news, entertainment and commentary site (lifestyle website). As Liz said I will keep an eye on them.
We have to remember not everyone is a expert or seasoned online pro and might be learning things as they go (as I did) -- so I think they are off to a good start in a very long race.
@Dede, thanks for your input, it is always appreciated. I hope that they tighten stuff up.
For anyone else out there planning on launching a wordpress based site, there is a maintenance mode plugin out there:
http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/maintenance...
It lets you edit your site and use it etc when logged in as an admin and keeps it hidden from the public as you work out the tweeks. You never know who is going to access your site once it is live so you want to have the most impact when you launch.
One thing's for sure, with a name like BlackPower.com, they better bring it!! GL
That maintenance mode with help as I transition from our blog to http://www.AroundHarlem.com
"community" turns into. You have to be flexible...at least for "corporate" blogs.
My personal blog however is a benevolent dictatorship.
Thanks for the rollout tips. I'm definitely using them.
Still working on a few other features. Check out www.hotghettomess.com, I finished design and development on that a couple of weeks ago, also on WP.
Thanks for the update! The about page is amazing. I love it!!
You can check out more of my work at http://www.johnathanandersendesign.com/
Check out the Capabilities section for description of services :)
Quick List of previous projects:
XXLmag.com (though not the current design)
King-mag.com
Rides-mag.com
Slamonline.com
Highbridnation.com
Jamati.com
hotghettomess.com
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/SUmpN7U-aB0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/SUmpN7U-aB0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
What's more interesting though is that she's starting this site with Urban Communications, yeah the ones who recently purchased NiggaSpace and have OurSpace.
And to Johnathan, I peeped your credentials http://www.johnathanandersendesign.com, and you're no laughing matter.
Re Jonathan's quick fix...not quite sure that his melanin is part of the " 'we' are ready to widen our stance in the online business space." Not to take away from Jonathan's skills or his downness with the peeps...just sayin'. Tho it's fine to have whites and others down with the Black Cause, too often a veiled face is presented if it's in their best business interests.
On the flip: Big ups on the design of BlackPower.com. Found the video, info, and design quite interesting and will visit again.
It doesn't matter that it's a website, you still gotta plan for success.
WB
http://nsyndx.wordpress.com