We’re launching our new website next week!

Back in July, we shared a preview of the new site design. After considering your comments and feedback, as well as invaluable input from our editorial board, we’ve finalized it and we’re rolling it out at the end of next week!

As you may recall, we’re seeking to accomplish several things with the new site. First, we wanted to transfer the site from the homegrown code that David Alpert used to build the current site to a content management system that more people can access. Second, we wanted to make the backend easier to use for the more than 140 contributors who used it to submit posts this year. Third, we wanted to create different ways to read the content on our page, not just in reverse chronological order.

Our designer and site builder, Derek Hogue, has done a great job translating these goals, guided by your recommendations, into a new site. Here’s a sneak peek. The photos are just screen shots, so you won’t be able to interact with the site just yet.

Take a look at our new homepage

The homepage will present posts in reverse chronological order, but will also feature popular stories, recent comments and upcoming events. We’ve also decided to give daily Breakfast Links a new format. Instead of flowing through the post slots, Breakfast Links will permanently live in a bar just below the most recent posts and trending posts side bar. Please note, we’re still making some last minute tweaks to the homepage, but this captures the general look and feel.

Comments will allow threaded replies

Readers had a lot to say about ways to improve comments when we asked for your input back in April, and more recently, through our reader survey.

You generally wanted a platform that would allow threaded comments, but did not want us to use Disqus. So, we splurged and designed a custom commenting system that is responsive to the feedback we heard from readers and commenters. We think the tool that Derek designed fits the bill.

Posts will have a new look, but keep their old format

The structure of the posts hasn’t changed much. We added more ways to share posts on social media, and also included suggestions for similar posts. Readers seemed to generally like the clean design of the current site and we wanted to translate that to the new site.

Here’s the launch timeline

We’ll transition from the current site to the new site next weekend!

Starting on Friday, December 9th, we’ll freeze the soon-to-be vintage site. That means when you go to ggwash.org, you’ll still see the old site, but you won’t be able to interact with it. For example, commenters won’t be able to leave comments and editors won’t be able to make edits to live posts. Don’t worry, we won’t publish any new posts that day, so you won’t be missing out!

Over the weekend, Derek will sync the old site and the new site, and switch the DNS for ggwash.org. That will trigger a slow roll out of the new site. Some of you may see the new site bright and early on Saturday morning. Others may not see it until later in the day on Sunday. The rollout will be complete by Monday morning, December 12th.

We expect some growing pains

Inevitably, the first week with the new site will reveal some glitches. Just like readers will be getting used to consuming information from GGWash in a new format, contributors and editors will be getting used to a new backend of the site.

In a normal week, GGWash publishes Breakfast Links and at four posts per day. During the first week after the launch, we’re going to aim to publish Breakfast Links and three posts per day. If you don’t see Breakfast Links at the usual time in the morning, don’t panic! We didn’t cut this feature. We just probably ran into a glitch and are working our butts off to get it fixed.

You can help

GGWash values open, participatory processes. You, readers, will play a big part in the transition to the new site. Here’s what you can do to help:

• Be patient. We expect there will be some hiccups and want you to be prepared for them, too. Staff will be working really hard to minimize them. Frustrated, angry comments won’t help things, but words of encouragement might!
• Report any bugs. If you see any bugs, glitches, or really annoying things you come across, email newsite@ggwash.org. We’ll triage the issues you report to the developer and get them resolved as quickly as possible.
• Don’t stop reading! The face of GGWash is changing, but our content is not. Our articles and Breakfast Links come from volunteers among you, our community, and the site is only valuable if you enjoy reading it.

Share your questions or comments below.