Welcome to the NEW Gate 21!
June 29th, 2009 | 
Author: Yes, Gate 21 is “Moving on Up“…
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Gate 21 Version 2.0
It was a chore, it took far longer than it should have, and—in terms of substance—it amounts little more than putting lipstick on the pig, but here it is. After weeks of gnashing my teeth at CSS and html which refused to do what I wanted it to do, I am pleased to announce the debut of the new and improved Gate 21. For those of you have been around these parts before, you can see that things look a bit different.
After nearly two years of the same basic layout, I decided it was time to do a little remodeling here at the Gate. One thing led to another and “a little remodeling” turned into me completely redesigning the Gate from the top to the bottom. Yes, though it was a faithful servant, I have sacked the old iLeather theme that was the mainstay here are the Gate for so long. In its place is the new completely custom look which took me far longer to pull together and design than I ever dreamed was possible.
Everything is new again (that doesn’t mean, however, that it is actually any better though … sigh.).
There are still some kinks to be worked out here and there and there are a few new content areas I hope to roll out in the coming days, but—for the most part—the project that has eaten up nearly every second of my time over the past few weeks is finally done. Hopefully, both of you out there that regularly visit will like it. If not, well, that’s what the comments box is for—I welcome any and all criticism.
At any rate, just to give everyone the 50-cent tour. The main changes are … well … everything. The highlights, however, include:
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New page and category bars at the top which feature fancy-schmancy drop-down menus. Hopefully, that will make it easier for everyone to find what they are looking for.
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Gus, our trusty mascot here at the Gate, underwent some major plastic surgery and—all things considered—looks a bit better as a result.
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No, the rather massive blogroll that has been a staple here at the Gate did not disappear, it simply moved down to the footer to help make things a little cleaner and less cluttered. Everything is organized by subject and the whole list (at least in theory) will now expand and collapse at a click.
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The typography is new as well, hopefully improving readability.
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I added a little more “visual direction” to the header so that people who have never been to Neyland Stadium might actually be able to figure out that the name “Gate 21” actually refers to the Real Gate 21 and have some idea of what it looks like
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Oh yeah, and following the lead of the Blackjack General (a/k/a “Lane Kiffin”), I decided to adopt a darker overall look with more black—especially in the background.
At any rate, I hope that these changes improve the experience here at the Gate. I hope these changes make it look a little nicer. I hope the whole site doesn’t crash and burn as I finish up converting all of the old content around here over to make it play nice with the new design. Either way, please feel free to let me know if you like it, hate it, or could care less. If there is something that isn’t working properly, is hard to read, or simply annoying, feel free to let me know that too. Though Gate 21 version 2.0 is now here for the entire world to see, it is still a work in progress, so any feedback is appreciated.
At any rate, here it is in all of its radiant glory—the new Gate 21.
I do sincerely hope you like it…
– So it goes….gif "Welcome to the NEW Gate 21!")
About the Author: "Lawvol" -- I'm just a guy living in North Carolina who has an unnatural fascination with the color orange. Just because I'm a Tennessee alum and die-hard Volunteer fan doesn't mean that I can't poke a little fun at the Big Orange and anybody else for that matter.
Feel free to complain all you want. >> Read more from this author
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Posted in Audio, Gate 21 Graphics, Site News | 
Tags: Blackjack General, Construction, Design, Excuses, Gate 21, Gate 21 Graphics, HTML, Jeffersons, Lane Kiffin, Lipstick on the Pig, Movin on Up, Neyland Stadium, Remodeling, SEC, Site News
11 Responses to “Welcome to the NEW Gate 21!”
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- @allthingsvols Yes, I know about that all too well. It was fun, but the show must go on. Besides, I am super excited about going to VN.
- Gate 21 Post: A Changing of the Guard… - As I mentioned the other day, any of you that have regularly read Gate 21 ... http://ow.ly/16vnT0
- lawvol A Changing of the Guard%26hellip; http://bit.ly/bHW8gW - The Gate is officially closed
- Gate 21 Post: Changes Afoot - For those of you who are regular readers around here, you have doubtless noticed that... http://ow.ly/16tvjB
- Gate 21 Post: HLL: Lane Kiffin Leaves USC For Dream Job At GameStop http://ow.ly/16ppcv
- lawvol HLL: Lane Kiffin Leaves USC For Dream Job At GameStop http://bit.ly/5rSc79
- Gate 21 Post: HLL: “Leave You Like Kiffin” - Video: Leave You Like Kiffin The Newest from SwiperBoy: HT / via... http://ow.ly/16mOL2
- Gate 21 Post: HLL: Tennessee to Hire Derek Dooley - GVX: Tennessee hiring Derek Dooley “Multiple media sources are ... http://ow.ly/16lFJg
- Gate 21 Post: HLL: Cutcliffe to Stay at Duke - David Cutcliffe will be staying at Duke HT / via: Scout.com Not ... http://ow.ly/16lFJf
- I am thrilled to welcome Coach... http://is.gd/6lCGO
- I am thrilled to welcome Coach #Dooley to the #Tennessee family. We're all behind you. Go #Vols !
- @wshelton2 BTW thanks for having me on last night. Enjoyed it.
- RT @wshelton2: "Be mad at Kiffin. Disagree with Hamilton if you want. But support Dooley." +1
- RT@wesrucker:"I'll say this much for Derek Dooley. He wanted the job and is very excited about it. #Vols fans should appreciate that." AGREE
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Really great job, Lawvol. I love the new layout, it is much less busy and much more welcoming. Congratulations on making improvements that actually… well, improved the place.
I particularly like the “headlines, links and lies” and want to rip that off you.
Thanks for the kinds words, glad you like it.
As for the “Headlines, Links + Lies,” maybe I need to consider franchising. Hmmmm…
This place looks absolutely fantastic!
Lovin’ the new digs, man. Like Tru said, it is a definite improvement. Lots to check out.
“Pious Friends and Drunken Companions” … pure gold, that.
In the interest of full disclosure to the world, it is worth mentioning that Hooper, in fact, was somewhat instrumental in the process of overhauling the Gate. He was my guinea pig who got to see all the semi-completed and half-baked ideas as I worked on developing this new look.
His input was invaluable. (Although I still think that pink and green would have looked pretty cool, no matter what he says…)
and it needs to be known I did nothing of creating this sleek new Gate, outside of getting to see it before the viewing public…
and I have the privilege of being a writer here as well. so kudos to lawvol and a public thanks as well!
Yes, but think of the colorblind people!
It was already the best looking site on the entire Web, and now it’s just unbelievable. I’m speechless. One of my favorite daily stops just got infinitely better. You’re a wizard with this stuff, bro.
So, about that 3sib upgrade we haven’t discussed …
: )
Wow. Looks great, Law. Besides all the orange, that is.
Great stuff! I have been waiting to get over here and check it out for a couple days. Excellent job.
It looks great and actually loads faster than the old layout.
Lawvol,
This is awesome. You know I have always been a fan of the faded out background picture. Gate 21 is a definate staple for Tennesse Fans, I love your witt and writing abilities, the way you incorporate humor into all your stories…I cant wait for Football time in Tennessee.
Voljunkie