A New Personality for Bits O' NewMedia
June 18th, 2008 in Mirificam Press News
by: Matthew Griffin
I've made brief mention of coming changes to Bits O' NewMedia in the last couple of months. But it's time to make good on my threats. Over the weekend, I will not only be unveiling a new design but a new name for Bits O' NewMedia. Bits O' New Media will now be Mirificam Press. This week's 5 for Friday list will be the last article posted on the old Bits O' NewMedia. If you're currently reading Bits O' NewMedia by RSS or email subscription, there's no need to take action. The RSS address will remain the same. Also, any bookmarked pages will automatically redirect to the new site.
I started writing Bits O' NewMedia as a Tumblog in the Spring of 2007. For about six months, I was just posting links and short observations. But eventually, my posts started getting longer and more detailed. In November of 2007 I launched the first full-fledged version of Bits O' NewMedia and moved it over to my own server. That new launch marked the beginning of rapid change for Bits O' NewMedia. I've learned so much writing and researching articles for Bits O' NewMedia that I feel it's clothes have become outdated. It sounds weird saying that after only eight months, but it's true.
As soon as the new blog is launched, I'll be posting an article dissecting the new design and explaining the layout and graphical decisions I made. In terms of content, you can expect the same topics and tutorials you always have. I will, however, be putting more focus on Christian worldview and design resources on mainstay pages of the new site. I get a lot of requests for these and I'd like to make Mirificam Press a place where Christian designers can study their craft from a biblical worldview.
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Comments
Posted By: aliotsy on 06/18/08
This sounds fantastic. I really enjoyed your series on the Christian worldview applied to web design, and I look forward to following your site as it takes this new direction.
Posted By: on 06/18/08
Thanks, Aliotsy.
Posted By: Jason Cochran on 06/18/08
Matt, we have known each other for a very long time and it is very cool for me to see how far you have come in your life, career and understanding of the world. Your posts are always very well thought out and easy to read and understand. You have a natural gift for being able to teach very difficult to understand subjects. It shows that you always put a lot of thought and preparation into everything that you do. Melding philosophy into everyday life is not an easy feat to accomplish. With most people it is either one or the other. Many people will benefit from your ability to combine divine inspiration with your natural abilities. I congratulate you on your achievement and I look forward to seeing what comes from your new venture.
Posted By: on 06/18/08
Thanks, Jason. That means a lot coming from you.
Posted By: Steven Snell on 06/19/08
Matt, The new logo looks great, looking forward to seeing the new site.
Posted By: Ville Väisänen on 06/19/08
Cool thing that you're evolving your site. I'm certainly not a christian though, but I'm still going to read your blog, because I like your style of writing and your ethics.
Posted By: Ian Shea on 06/19/08
I've really enjoyed your blog so far and you have some very great articles. It is, however, unfortunate that you're going to be integrating your religious beliefs into your site. I don't think there is any difference between a Christian, Hindu, Islamic or Buddhist designer. It's a shame that you feel you need to single out and target a particular group of people when you could be offering your great resources, knowledge and inspiration to all, without the taint of your personal beliefs. I'm sorry but you've lost a reader here.
Posted By: on 06/19/08
Thanks Ville and Steven. Ian, I'm sorry that you feel that way. But I will continue to offer great resources to all. As you can see from the tagline on Bits O' NewMedia, I've always presented content from a Christian worldview. I think the false assumption you are making is that someone can design from a completely neutral philosophical position. That's just not possible. I would just prefer to be honest about my presuppositions.
Posted By: Louis Lazaris on 06/20/08
Matt, I'll be interested to see the new design. I only recently started reading your blog, so to me it's quite new and the current name & design are fresh and inspiring from my perspective. And regarding the comments by Ian, and your response: I'm actually a web developer and one of Jehovah's Witnesses -- so my religious beliefs, though similar in terms of Christianity in general, are quite different from yours doctrinally speaking (email me if you're up for some friendly debate :o). But to be honest, when I first started reading your articles, I didn't sense any sort of religious overtones. I think your posts are informative to all, regardless of religious background, and I don't think the "reformed" view you hold is all that prevalent in the writing. I think it's somewhat incidental, really. Thanks, and I'm looking forward to the new design and layout.
Posted By: Matthew Grffin on 06/20/08
Thanks, Louis. I do my best to take a holistic approach to web design and present information that's pertinent. As for the debate, interestingly enough I've already had an extensive email debate with another Jehovah's Witness web designer. You guys are persistent. But the more I study, the more I lean toward orthodoxy.
Posted By: David Alvarez on 06/23/08
Your a Big Inspiration to people like myself....my God continue to use you bro...God Bless you and your family...
Posted By: Chad on 06/25/08
diggin the new look and direction! captcha is a party foul, though. no security question or akismet protection?
Posted By: Chad on 06/25/08
Oh yea, and I think a Theology category would be interesting. Not sure if that's something you'd feel mixing with your design interest. As I have become more interested in theology, I'm about to pick up a copy of "Bondage of the Will" by Martin Luther.