What's Next for DC Like a Local?

Some of my loyal readers might have noticed a few changes in the layout of DC Like a Local in the last day or so. This is both planned, in that I've been toying around with a new layout and format for some time, and totally inadvertent, in that I failed to properly back up my original layout. But after a few moments of panic last night when I thought I had deleted the whole frigging thing, I realized that this is a good thing. I should take advantage of this a reformat DC Like a Local.

Many months ago, I was musing over this predicament with a friend of mine: how to combine the knowledge I take for granted with the need so many of our visitors have for that same information? After many coffee and beer fueled sessions, he gave me the best advice I've received so far in running a blog: just start the damned thing. Basically, the longer you mess around worrying about the format, the more you will find reasons to delay. David being such a fan of start-up guru Paul Graham, I can't help but notice the similarities between his advice and Graham's "Launch Fast" and "Let Your Idea Evolve" ideas. As David, and Graham, pointed out, the act of launching itself helps drive the product you end up with.

All that's fine, but now that I'm half a year and over a hundred posts into this little project, it's time to refine what I'm trying to do here. I don't really like how DC Like a Local is laid out, and my inadvertant dumping of half the sidebars last night is a sign from the internet gods to get off my rear and do it. This is where I'd like you folks to help out. I'm going to list some items I think need changing, improving, and so on, and I hope you'll let me know if you agree, disagree, or, better yet, have your own ideas.

1. The text column is too narrow
2. Need a "jump" after the first paragraph or two
3. The background design is way too busy and distracting
4. Need a search function
5. Organize content into a series of pull down menus (museums, monuments, dining, etc.)

These are just the top five things that bug me. Don't let it limit you. As I said, please let me know things that bother you guys. I'd also appreciate it if you send me blogs, websites, etc where you find the format user-friendly, and perhaps let me know what you find useful about them.

Feel free to leave it in the comments, or e-mail me directly at tim.krepp@dclikealocal.com.