Yep, I'm fiddling with the banner

I dunno; after more than a decade of the same basic banner, I wanted to see if I could do any better, despite the fact that I have no graphics sense whatsoever. Don't be surprised if the banner changes! The image comes from a photo I took of a gull flying over Dorchester Bay, with Back Bay in the background.

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Yeah...

By Bruce (not verified) | Thu, 03/23/2006 - 5:53pm

That banner could use a facelift. I like the clean look so far of what you've got up now.

ya know...

By amusings | Thu, 03/23/2006 - 6:01pm

you COULD open it up to the general population to make banners FOR the site. Give the specifications (height/width) and guidelines for what you'd like to see.

peter wood, an oft featured writer here, has a great script for rotating banners on his site. I bet you could scarf it, get about 30 nice banners from the rest of us, and we can squeal like happy little piggies when we see our work appear at the top of your screen.

just something to think about.
cg (http://www.amusings.net/clg)

ooo I like this idea!

By LaDivina | Thu, 03/23/2006 - 10:04pm

Look, I'm squealing already! LOL

Cool idea

By adamg | Thu, 03/23/2006 - 11:40pm

How about a banner contest? I'd have to come up with a prize, of course (since, to be completely honest here, I do make money off my Web sites; granted, not this one yet, but I'm working on that).

What I'm trying for, in keeping with the whole "Universal Hub" in-joke, is something that a local would get right away as being fundamentally Boston, but not something a tourist would instantly recognize (yes, I've become a Boston snob, but UH isn't really aimed at tourists). So the Paul Revere statue and the Zakim and Public Garden bridges are out, as is the classic shot-from-Memorial-Drive skyline.

An idea . . .

By Josh (not verified) | Fri, 03/24/2006 - 12:47pm

. . . I don't have a good picture for this, but I'm sure someone does: Why not a shot of a lawn chair sitting on asphalt near piled-up snow (i.e., saving a spot, Southie style). It's definitely quintessential to Boston an environs, and none of my out-of-town friends and relatives have ever heard of the practice.

Thanks!

By adamg | Thu, 03/23/2006 - 11:54pm

For some perspective, here's what Boston Online looked like in 1998. Skyline tracing gonna eat me!

Citgo sign

By SjM (not verified) | Thu, 03/23/2006 - 7:33pm

Please put Citgo sign back where it belongs. Thank you.

For Citgo-sign lovers and bird haters

By adamg | Thu, 03/23/2006 - 11:42pm

Here's another banner I've been playing with, in shrunken screen-grab format:

Big Honking Triangle

Citgo beta banner looks great!

By SjM (not verified) | Fri, 03/24/2006 - 8:14am

relief: Citgo's back!

Ooooo. Art shot. I like

By Amy (not verified) | Fri, 03/24/2006 - 10:27am

Ooooo. Art shot. I like this one.

No Citgo, please!

By jason (not verified) | Fri, 03/24/2006 - 11:49am

Whatever you do, please don't make Citgo the central focus of the banner. I know this is probably just because I didn't grow up in Boston, but that sign bugs the hell out of me. As a landmark, I understand it: It's big and bright and everyone knows where it is. As a symbol of Boston, I don't get it at all; it's a freakin' advertisement for an oil company.

re: Citgo sign as advertisement

By SjM (not verified) | Sat, 03/25/2006 - 3:27am

I see your 'Citgo sign as advertisement' point. However, there was a time when Citgo wanted to remove the sign and the uproar from the citizens of Boston forced them to keep it up... oil company = 0, the people = 1.

I like that one a lot :-)

By Kristine Munroe (not verified) | Fri, 03/24/2006 - 12:19pm

I like that one a lot :-)

Me likey

By John K (not verified) | Thu, 03/23/2006 - 8:31pm

It seems relaxed and fresh. Peaceful. Although, a bit bare.

What, no brick? Then how Boston can it be?

Just another brick in the wall

By adamg | Thu, 03/23/2006 - 11:48pm

You mean something like this? :-)

Bricks away!

I'd opt for cobblestones

By Bruce (not verified) | Fri, 03/24/2006 - 10:33am

I'd opt for cobblestones over brick. Bricks are far too generic. And the left-field light pole with (or without) the Coke bottle would be a nice touch (IMO).

Thumbs up

By Jdaley (not verified) | Thu, 03/23/2006 - 9:18pm

I like it

I may be biased since I hate birds...

By eeka | Thu, 03/23/2006 - 11:13pm

AAAAAAARRRRRRGGGGHHHH! THAT THING'S ATTACKING OUR CITY. RUN FOR SHELTER.

http://1smootshort.blogspot.com

Also

By Hooks (not verified) | Fri, 03/24/2006 - 3:29pm

The Condo Company logo underneath makes it look like the bird is taking a crap. Feed that thing some alka-seltzer.

If you really want to go local...

By timlav | Fri, 03/24/2006 - 3:43pm

How about a picture of that statue from beautiful Newstead Montegrade?

YESSSS!!!

By Phlip | Fri, 03/24/2006 - 8:59pm

I'd participate in a banner contest. Bring it on. :P

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