Trying To Find My Ragamuffin Soul
So John and I have gone round and round trying to find… “Me” in my blog.
The truth is, I’m a blogger.
I do lots of other things.
But on here.
I’m a blogger.
I see lot’s of people with new designs, and they are so, so, cooperate looking.
I know this is a stretch.
But it is more me than the last.
But it might be it. Or not.
Take the poll. We have thick skin.
But if you take the poll you have to answer my question at the end.
Loading ...Here is a link to John’s explanation…
RAIN IT DOWN
I read your blog because of the creativity and honesty.
I like it, other than it feels rather crowded over here on the left hand side of the page. I realize that it means covering over your picture, but I'd still stretch it out a little more. Just my two cents worth anyways!
This looks pretty cool, but seems busy to me. I kinda thought we were moving away from busy web design and moving toward a cleaner look. Then again, that might be considered "corporate".
I like simplicity with great content. Ultimately, the content is what's important. Most people that visit this blog, know what we're in for, so we will tolerate whatever it "looks" like.
Same goes for my other regularly visited blogs and web sites. ESPN.com could go crazy busy and gaudy and I'd still go there for sports info.
Hands down….it's your content for me. I don't care about your design!! However, I like the current look.
I come back becasue of the encouragement i receive through your site. I love the community here, I love to read your thoughts and those of other readers… most of all i love the authenticity here. You call a spade a spade and that's rare in today's "we need to keep people happy" world. I live on the otherside of the world from you yet I consider you to be a mentor and friend even though we've never met.
That's why I keep coming back
Ed
Hard to read, lots of white text on a white background, including in this text box. Even though I was talking about in the content areas. Also, it looks like the twitter feed up top is out of whack in Safari 4.
Why do I come back every day? Why have you moved to the top of my RSS list? The combination of creativity and authenticity as you walk out a path following our Lord brings a perspective into my life that I appreciate. I don't know you at all, but we're brothers, and you are one of the most honest, most artistic ones I am acquainted with.
And this version of the blog looks better than the previous one. The one before that was pretty good too, but I would put this one at the top of those three.
Can't wait to hear your CD and get one of our worship leaders to do some of your stuff at our church.
The pure creativity of Carlos brings me back to this site.
Annointing + Creativity = God ideas. This site is full of them.
This site inspires me. So i come back…
>dc
Love the content and dialogue that is brought to the table daily. Whether it be a funny picture, a story about your kids, or a challenging question. Good stuff.
I think the best part is the honesty that is brought and that you actually believe that you are a ragamuffin and not a poser who acts like he is sinful but knows that he is sinful.
I also keep reading because I have nothing else to do, I am unemployed.
BTW, not digging the new layout. Hard to read everything. Like the idea though.
Ditto on everything said here… Carlos you are so creative and bring a funny slant to everyday things. I like the concept of this new layout. The white text is a bit hard to read in spots. But overall, I like it..
This place challenges me, inspires me and at times convicts me. Most importantly though it encourages me to keep on being me.
A Couple of comments on the design. Seems closer to you than the last one I think. Text is very hard to read and I can’t for whatever reason see what I am typing in this little box because the text is white.
As for why I come back here? I come for the authenticity of the posts. I come for the creativity and out of the box thinking. I come for inspiration. I come for words that resonate with me and challenge me. I come back because it was the first example I found of someone who was real and truly transparent on their blog – INCLUDING the broken parts along with the good. Keep being you and the design will only complement it.
You are authentic! Real. That’s what the world is thirsting for. The church needs more of it!
i like the concept, but it's too dark. the background picture (in theory) works for your blog, i think.
the previous one was too "corporate" IMO.
I agree..
You know I was pretty vocal about your last design…that one felt super corporate to me compared to your previous one. This one feels more like you to me. The only thing is that it’s hard to read the text and right now the comment box is white and so is the type, so literally, I can’t see what the font I’m typing. But I’m a gangster so I can hang like dat. Anyway, aside from a small legibility issues, I like this one wayyyy better.
As for your question, I barely stop by anymore just because I’m sort of out of the blogosphere these days…been thinking about making a bit of a comeback. Sorry for any typos! Peace, I’m out!
Simply: content and knowing who you are. The design is a bit busy. Love the pic of you and the kids…but perhaps with the rest of the pic faded out would be easier to read/navigate.
you're getting closer, Los.
CAN'T READ THE TEXT CARLOS!!!! –
Seriously, trying to read the text on this new background is giving me a headache. If you are going to be a blogger then reading text is sort of high on the priority list!
Cheers,
Zack
I refuse to click "hate" because it doesn't accurately describe how I feel about the new format — but Zack is onto something. The background is too light to work with the white/black text colors.
I couldn't agree more.
It's all about your content man. great stuff. text hard to read, but all else perfect. white behind the black text might work… i think sidebar is great way u have it. bg pic is perfect. much better than last theme. right direction for sure.
I like the concept, but maybe drop a white fade on the left side and make the text black. Way too hard to read. Also there seems to be a bug that is causing the text in the comment box to be white. I had to open textedit to type this cause it was white on white. [using Safari Version 4.0.3 (6531.9) on Mac OS X 10.6.1, if that info helps]
Looks like you were working on this as I wrote it. As far as content, I love it all. The words that challenges us, the cool new thing you ran across, service programming, working with creatives – it's all good.
I guess its mostly your honesty. The fact that you have an audience as big as you do and still find time to encourage a nobody like me, and have the nerve to be so truthful and not apologize for it. I think a long time ago, I saw something in you I saw in myself. I don't see that in everyone, in fact I wish I saw it in more people, I've read a ton of blogs, but I only sub to about 15 now. I pray for you and your family every day. I don't "know" you but I care about you and Heather and the kids. Go figure. God can intertwine people with 000's and 111's. Your my brother from another mother, even if we haven't met… yet. Blessings
Definitely all about the content. I like the look of this ok, but it's too hard to read.
I'm sure I'm like lots of people here — only so much time in the day. I come here because it's valuable to me — you have something to say that's meaningful, and you've created a community here.
The design is almost there; keep tweaking!
I personally disliked all the past “looks”, I didn’t think they were you, and they were also hard to read a bit, just too much going on… They weren’t bad at all, portrayed your site well. It was too, “business” type, and not as inspirational as it could be. This new desire is inspirational and artistic. Thats what I look for… But what brings me back to your blog is that you are real, and you are bringing the reality of life and Christ to your viewers and the world. It is just incredible to be able to be apart of someones life, feel a connection, and learn from your experiences in life. Also, your family is the best part of your site. The closeness of your family, and the originality you bring to your family, how you have raised your kids, and the love you have for your wife, is what really makes the difference.
I like the new design A LOT better than the ones before. It is more simplified and portrays you more than what you are doing, and that is what should be seen: it is about who you are. I’d say what you need to do is, in the text space, make it a plain black background so we can read everything clearly, and have the photo you have up now on the right side… Maybe even some cool looking “scratches” across the black background, or rough edges… but you don’t want to do too much…
Love it otherwise
Simplicity is key. Simplicity is what will spark the best parts of your blog, and will show the viewer what you want them to see…
Peace,
Stephen
I see what you're trying to do, but the visual on this is difficult.
1- Reading the comments is difficult
2- Your advertisers will like it
That's all I notice.I came to this post from twitter, but it took me at least a minute to get into the post- and a I really wanted to read this post!
Bottom line- it distracts me from the content. If you're going for that, great. if not, shoot again Tex.
~NickShoe
I read on google reader, so it's definitely your content that keeps me coming back. I love the example you set of combining your family life, your church life, and your artistic life with such honesty and integrity. I keep coming back because you challenge me to do the same.
I think I get where you're trying to go with this look. I loved the last one, but I do get what you mean by "corporate." (If you decide not to use it, can I have the theme? Never hurts to ask.) Needs at least a translucent background and padding behind the text though.
I've been researching where websites are going, at least as far as "Christian culture" is concerned, for most of this summer. There is a very definite look emerging, and this new design certainly falls within those lines. I'm not sure what to call it, but we'll call it "sleek with grit."
As much as we all like to push back from "Christian culture," I don't know that it's all that bad of a thing in this case. You blog primarily to Christians (the people, not the culture, thankfully). In the same way you can know a tv show just cause it has that particular look, thanks to the colorist, your site has a particular look thanks to John.
I hope this helps. At least make the site readable. Whatever you decide about this design, there's worse things than looking at your beautiful family every time I visit.
I read your blog because it's just…authentic. Raw and real, it's not about the branding and buzz words and blahblahblah. Stories about your family and church community and heart and job(s), and you manage to stay real and personal through mostly all of it.
I like the new design overall…maybe clean it up a little bit. It's hard to read some of the text and seems a little busy.
I can't say I'm a strict reader. Nor do I care what the site looks like. (I subscribe via GoogleReader, so I don't come here often.) What I can say though is that you are honest. Life happens and you know it, and you write about it. Whether the topic be about the church, about your wife and kids, or about your shortcomings, you are honest. There are moments in life when a word that most people have deemed as "a curse word" (and you would surely be judged by some Christians saying you are going to hell for saying it) is the only word that describes the seriousness and reality of the situation. Its refreshing to see Christians being real and not hiding behind a "now that Jesus is in my life, things are peachy" wall. Keep being transparently honest and real.
Like the new design – looks particularly good on my iPhone! What brings me here everyday? Your honesty and the fact you are keep'n it real. You challenge and inspire – thanks for sharing your life with us.
This design is cool, except way hard to read.
I read ragga because I love your mix of talking about God, children, church, love and struggles with all of the above.
It's the words that really matter but I do like the new design. I don't subscribe to blogs because of the design, I subscribe because the content is something that enriches my life and/or encourages me.
I read your blog because I know you're the same person in real life as you are on here. No one wants to read crap that isn't real.
And I love your family…and if I'm honest, I really love Losiah. If he shows up "missing" one day, you'll know where to look first.
I like your content however this new design makes it difficult to view.
The ads seem to have more focus now than the content.
Much of the text is hard to view against a black and white image.
While I like the photos, they can also take a while to load on slower machines/internet connections.
I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!! <3
I think it's nice. But for some reason the picture in the background is cut off at Seanna's nose and I keep trying to scroll down. It seems a bit difficult to read. But I know once you tweak it however you will it will be amazing!
I like the new look, a lot. It's cozy. You probably don't like that word, but ok. The text of the comments is just a bit hard to read.
I come here because of your honest stories, about yourself, your life, your family, church etc.
I read your blog because you challenge things we take for granted, you celebrate family and fatherhood, and you’re an interesting guy with a heart that yearns for God. This is a place of grace, creativity, family, laughter, music that still leaves open space for questions. That’s good stuff. (why is the text white? I had to copy and paste into here to see what I was typing)
Like it. Hard to read. Had to use WordPad and then past into comment box to see what I was typing. The design isn’t why I read though (like so many have said). It is what you have to say that brings me back. .
I'm primarily an RSS reader but I enjoy your pics/humor.
P.S. The links to your ads don't work (can't click through).
I come back to your site because of how you don’t hold back when it comes to telling your story. call it authenticity. I like the site design, but I don’t like that the text I am typing now is white and I will have to highlight it to see if I spelled everything correctly. Using Chrome to view right now.
I like your site because I too am a Worship Leader at my Church and you offer some great wisdom into that realm, but also your a father, but not just any father, a father of an adopted Asian child, and again like myself. On another note i like your creativity, it inspires me. I do like the new look on the site, Actually i Love it compared to the other one. To me it seems more "You". Who am i to say who you are though, i guess like you said less corporate… but to me more creative. I think you may need like a matte under the words in the blog though… it's difficult to read in some places.
Anytime you have pictures, I'm all for that, but the text is really too hard for these old eyes to see.
I come back because I like your open, raw, emotional posts, the funny stuff, the serious stuff and everything else in between.
comments are black, cant read….
Pictures of Heather.
uh -uh… not a fan of this one…
It's the content and authentic look at a life seeking to be Christ-centric
I like the concept, it's just pretty tough to read. It definitely fits the type of stuff you talk about more than John's last design, but I have to admit that I really liked that last one.
I'm totally right there with you in trying to find me in my blog. I worked on mine all day yesterday and finally got something I was satisfied with.
I love what you're going for – the clear and transparent over the top of your picture – this is how you blog/live. I love that Seanna is peeking over the bottom of the page and I believe that's a Lil' Los mohawk.
The text is hard to read (the comment text – the post text is okay) and it feels like its all floating, like it needs a little something to ground it. The gray bullets seem too sterile and corporate for you. I like the black and white picture, have you tried a sepia or sepia-like tone? (Don't change it though, if it takes away from the effect of the picture.)
Why do I come back? Because you write your life. I totally feel like I could walk up to you if I was ever in the ATL, and just hang out. You write about your wife, your marriage, your kids – both good and bad things, your hopes, your dreams, and how God is moving you through all of it. Also the good community in the comments – you reply to people, you offer to pray for us on the other side of the screen, you genuinely care about the ragamuffins. Thank you.
Okay, I've gotta go now, or we'll be late taking kids to school. Thanks for blogging, Carlos. Blessings.
The comments are little hard to read. Maybe if the text was white it would be better. I read the blog because you write about things that I am interested in, not because you have sweet looking page.
Honestly, I read your blog (and Whitaker Woman's blog) b/c I love how you "do" the whole family thing. That and your updates shoot straight to my Google Reader
No really, I enjoy the authenticity you and your lady present. It's not something a lot of people in this world do. At least not in my little world.
real life. real struggle. less boxed solutions. your kids are just like mine.
It is a little hard to read! Don't love it completely yet…but i do think it is more you than the last design
For me content is king!! That's why I come back and you have built a community that i am now part of!!
I like your site as it reminds me i'm not the only person desiring to serve The Lord without all the traditional church baggage people expect from a church leader (none of which the Lord is looking for).
I come here because you're real, I love your heart, and I love to see pics of la familia. They are beautiful. Comments are hard to read, but then I'm probably your oldest reader.
use a different picture.
This is a surprisingly hard question to answer.
I guess I come here because you are honest, creative, and help me get closer to Christ.
I think that a lot of readability issues may go away if the comment text was white instead of black.
I read for the content, for the heart, for the challenges, and the fun.
Not a fan of this one. It's too busy for my tastes and the comments are really hard to read, at minimum they need white text if you keep the dark background. That said I'll keep reading no matter your decision.
I like the design, but it is difficult to read anything now. Nice personal touch though.
I agree, it's a little hard to read, otherwise cool. What keeps me coming back? All sides of being a Christ Follower. The good, bad, and the ugly. So many Christians tell how good their life is all the time. That's it. I like to know my struggles are others too. Feeling validated, I suppose.
It's the indepth truth, honesty, vulnerablity and realness. I don't care much about the design. I do love seeing your family though.
I like the new design. The white text can at times be unclear against the background but all in all it is very cool
(for some reason I can’t see what I am typing in this box, it is there (I can see it if I select the text) but I can’t see it as I type it.
I come back all the time because I am a dad, Like you I love Jesus and my Family, they make me who I am, and it is great to know that there are other guys out there who are not afraid to express this, and in expressing it are more of a man for it.
It has been said already by just about every comment on here…it is your content, dude. Generally, I read most of your stuff in Google Reader, so I rarely visit the site. I love the personal touch, but it seems kind of busy and a bit hard to read in certain spots.
I read it because you are genuine and I love your honesty! You blog about things that are real and that I can relate to my own life.
Yep, content all the way…
And I kinda like this. It is a bit hard to read, and the twitter bird + twubs logo, etc look a bit out of place…but, ultimately, it's about what you've written
Aside from the text color issues, which can fixed quickly, I liked the previous look better. I liked the boldness of the titles and comment counts and the clean looks. I don’t gather your personality from your design, but from the content. I come here because you’re an expert in your area, and you do a good job of engaging your readership.
What brings me back is diff from what brought me. Started hanging out here for the funny, the creative, the honesty.
I keep coming back for those, but less so. More for the sense of community that has developed. I see names and faces that I feel I know now. And I see them other places too, my place, and theirs.
It's kinda like RMS is the corner pub for worshipers and creatives and pastor types across the land.
I come back to see what's happening in your noggin and to get stretched by it a little.
Re the site design: like the design, but harder to read.
BTW, @human3rror's "crafting imperfection" that was a nice nod to you and @whittakerwoman. And he's right, the pic is awesome.
I came accross your site through YOUR WIFE. I linked to her through another Pastor's wife site. I LOVED/LOVE HER (WW) BLOG. 1st impression – She's transparent and lives her life outloud. (who is this girl) read more, her husbands in ministry, so is mine (who – where – doing what), she has bad to the bone family night ideas (share sista share)….. so I kept coming back…. THEN…I found yours. WHAT!?!?! Dang 2 for 1 click
Why come to yours…… b/c of who you are, what you do, how ya'll connect. You both live outloud – are'nt afraid to share trade secrets – giving outsiders a great view in 
You spark ingenuity in me by your blog post, your million & 1 tweets, your FB messages 
You encourage me to take ministry – literally to another level within our circle. Everyone's circle is different – you expand our bounds. THANKS – be real, stay humble, praying for ya'll from ATX.
I like the new look because of the realness of the pics but I do think it is hard to read on the eyes.
As a pastor's wife I struggle with the same things and am learning to let the real me show through. I have expectations from many and those expectations are NOT the same from each person. I can never fit into what people would want me to be. It is impossible. Instead I need to be like Jesus.
Why do I keep coming back? Because you are genuine and you don't mind showing it. You struggle and tell the world. We need to be real.
It's a little more difficult to read these comments with the dark grey background…wish it was lighter to make reading a bit easier
Is today April 1st by any chance?
I love the concept of having the blog be about you, after all, it is YOUR blog. I also love, love, love the photo. But it's a little hard to read, and the scrolling content over a photo just reminds me too much of MySpace. (no slam intended!:) Although, I will say, your last one was pretty "corporate" looking. What if you were to edit the photo so that you have a transparent dark gray behind the content? Or what if you had a mosaic, collage type side column with various pics of you and your fam? Something to keep it simple without being too busy? Love the blog, no matter what! Keep rocking it!
I def. read because of the way you make me think. Its not just spouting off the same old stuff its deep questions that make me reconsider what I've always believed. Its entertaining, its fun, its deep, its real. Thanks.
I love the new design. The picture almost looks like you are being drawn into the website. Kinda like you draw us into the conversation…
I like the design concept, but it’s nearly impossible to read.
I come here because I enjoy the conversation. Your posts always seem to get people talking.
I come back for the content and your outlook and honesty. However, today I'm finding it nearly impossible to read either white or black text on this background. You did ask…
I come here for the honesty and the creativity. I appreciate the angle that Carlos brings to ministry and I am blessed in how he incorporates his family into his blogs. I need that in my life.
As for the blog. I really love the concept behind the picture. It is a beautiful picture of support and reminds me how blessed we are to have that encouragement from our family in doing what we do. I love the idea. BUT, I am not in love with the layout. I don't desire to read down the blog always seeing Carlos' face…or in my screen, Carlos' face and a portion of Heather's chest…needless-to-say, I zoomed in so that portion was cropped out. Sorry heather.
I really like the previous blogs better. I loved the pic of the Whittaker family on the top of the blog and then as you scrolled down, it became more about the blog than visually seeing the family.
I visit this blog everyday or whenever it's updated, so I really don't mind whatever changes you make because I come here for content.
My only beef is that you make the left "blog" pane more readable. It blends in with the background and is difficult to make out the words. If you, Carlos, are really a "blogger" than make this blog more about the "content" and more for the "blog reader". Just my $.02.
Being a designer I love the originality. Too many blogs all look the same. The reason i visit this place online is not cause of the design – it is most def the content. Los says a lot of things that we are all thinking. Also I think the blog part of it needs a bit more background…
Love. Love. Love that fact that you are featuring your family so prominently – family is what it is all about.
Love the content.
Don't like the new design.
Saw the poll results. You've got a tough call to make!
I love reading your blog because your real… I think this one is way better than the last. The last one was very sterile, I like this one alot!
I really like the simplicity of the last design with the white background. I come here to read and connect with you. Even though we have never met in person the last blog design seemed rather "you". This is a cool picture of you and your family but this design is harder to navigate. It's hard to read the comments because they're black on a grey background.
Ultimately it doesn't really matter what it looks like, I come because your ramblings are thought provoking. I like the community and the discussions that take place here. I'll come here no matter what the design looks like. But from a usability standpoint and in the spirit of "less clutter" and "creating space" in our lives. (which is Biblical by the way) I beg you to bring back your most recent white background theme. This is just difficult to navigate.
Much love Los!
I read via Google Reader but I like where you're going with this design. It's way hard to read though, and I can't see all of your fam. in the pic.
I find it almost impossible to read anything in this new format … is it just me or are others experiencing this too?
Love the photo love the layout, plain and simple – the content is difficult to read. Images really pop but the text blends.
I keep coming back because you challenge me, almost daily. You kick away the comfortable and stip away the facade and make ke face who I really am.
i think this design better fits the personality of this blog. maybe you could have a slightly more corporate look for the more business-oriented parts of your site.
When I first opened your blog today, my first thought was, "good, he's got some pictures of the family up." I missed your family on the other design… The picture is cut off on the right though and I just see Seanna, Losiah, you, and Heather's breast!
I come to your blog because you make me laugh and because I feel like you and your family are living life as full as you can and living an adventure with God. I can totally relate to the craziness you go through as my husband is a creative dreamer and we're always trying to balance his dreams with putting our family first… Also, you're very authentic. So, it's about the content, not how your blog looks for sure.
It's really hard to read, but I love the picture.
The biggest part of this site that makes me think "corporate" is the ads. Don't get me wrong; I don't care if they're there. But the mere fact that they are plastered right in the middle of the most prime page real estate screams corporate to me. I hope they generate a good bit of cash for you but I don't think they are going to help your cause to provide an un-corporate experience.
What brings me back? I'd have to say that it's the constant paradox. I love that you'll try anything even if it flops and isn't really "best practice" (like launching a new site that — ahem — doesn't follow a few key design principles). I love that you put yourself out there, knowing that many will ridicule you for it. I love that you question the very things you are so intimately involved in rather than blindly assuming you are always right (questioning things like mega churches and online communities). But mostly, I love seeing your personal growth in certain areas over time (I can't remember the last time you posted something criticizing or making fun of others) and your continual pursuit of God. I don't really know you at all but it's fun to watch you transform from a distance. This might sound awkward but your site makes me wish I had a friend like you.
you speak THE truth, you promote families…..and families of diversity, and you make me laugh. If that's not enough soul, then i don't know what is.
Praise the Lord, brother you keep doing what you are doing. It is groundbreaking and certainly has been an inspiration to me. It is encouraging, truth based and innovative. And, finally I believe it comes from the throne room of God. May God continue to bless you in your endeavors
Looking great! Suggestion: Move the RAGAMUFFIN SOUL logo over to the right. It looks to dark where it is at.
MUCH better!
Hey man. I read because you inspire me. I'm young in the ministry so to see someone that's authentic is huge. Again I've learned a ton from ya man. And while it threw me off when I came to your blog, the more I write this I'm realizing that at the end of the day its about what you say on it and not necessarily what it looks like. You get this all the time but Thanks bro. May God continue blessing you and the fam.
Los, I’ve been a regular visitor since your initial blog back early 2006 I beleive – since your first podcast anyway. I return often because your honest and I can relate to many things you share about.
But the recent design changes (the last 18 months in particular) have thrown me. The best skin you had was a white background with a simple header with 2 columns on the right. That was great, content was king etc…
This one looks less corporate than the last one, but its tricky to read. Bottom line, you need to earn a living even more than you need to to retain readership numbers. So do what aids readership, as long as it helps you earn a living first and foremost.
And thanks for the honesty.
(by the way, I can’t read what I was typing – it comes out as white text – so I had to type this elsewhere and copy paste).
you are real.
you spam my twitter.
i missed you during your blogatical.
I like the new design a lot, is Heather ok with just her boob representing her?
I am a humor junkie. I love to laugh and I also love to be inspired and challenged, I get all that here…that's why I come back.
Dig it! Dig it hard!
I dig the pictures. I love heavy imagery. I would center the column and perhaps use an opaque background where it scrolls.
I come for content hands down, but this makes it harder to read. My eye doesn't distinguish between posts as well when there isn't good whitespace.
I visit your blog for your stories. The honesty and authenticity punch me in the stomach almost every time. But the "look" almost has to reflect your creativity because that's a BIG part of who God created you to be. As long as you don't put auto music playing, I'll come by every day!
What if it was black behind the content and fades into the picture on the right. It would keep it less busy looking and easier to read, but still not too corporate-y.
Love the feel of the new site but a little hard to read and navigate. I keep coming back here for fresh and challenging perspective.