JAMM v. 2.0: The Relaunch!

Posted by: dgoldring on Jun 25 2008

 

 

Happy Birthday, JAMM!! Yup, on June 25, 2006 (exactly two years ago), Patrick Jordan kicked off this site with a late night look at what he why he just had to start his own site.  Now, just in time for our second birthday, we are rededicating and relaunching the site.  As you can see, we have a whole new look, and a whole new focus. 

When I took over Just Another Mobile Monday earlier this month, I spent quite a bit of time thinking about what I wanted this site to be.  Until now, it had been a whole lot of Windows Mobile, with a smattering of other devices and operating systems.  That just did not seem like the right balance to me.  I mean, I know that is how the site got where it is, today.  In But, as Patrick and I discussed on numerous occasions, the name of the site is Just Another Mobile Monday, not Just Another Windows Mobile Monday.  And so, I determined to make concerted effort to strike a better balance on the site between all of the mobile operating systems.   Sure, we will still cover Windows Mobile, but my hope is that before long, it will be just one of numerous operating systems you will find here.  Much to my surprise, much of the team here was just as excited as I was to expand the scope of the site.  Then again, Lauren has a Palm Centro and is eager to do more Palm software and hardware reviews; Thomas, Brandon, and Dan all have iPhones, so they will be bringing expanded coverage in that are.  But that still leaves Blackberry and Symbian, and we could really use some help in those area.  We are also actively seeking Blackberry and Symbian users to help further expand our coverage here on JAMM.

But mobility is a lot more than just mobile computers, PDAs, and phones.  You can expect to find coverage of cameras, video cameras, portable media players, heck even the occasional universal remote if I have my druthers.  Another area in which we are planning some expanded coverage are the Cloud applications.  You know, those virtual applications which exist (or mostly exist) online.  Watch for a regular monthly series highlighting these applications coming soon.

In addition to our new focus, we also have a brand new theme.  And I have to say, when I asked Brandon to help out with the look of the site, I really had no idea where we were going to end up.  But I think you will agree that he has done a fabulous job.  JAMM has had a number of different looks since its inception in June 2006, and I think this is the best one yet.

The first thing you will notice is that it is a very light theme, which allows the sidebars to provide you with valuable information, without being obtrusive.  Longtime readers will also recognize the blue header as a throwback to the original JAMM theme.  I think this blue and white color scheme captures exactly the philosophy I hope to bring to the site:  expansion, without forgetting our roots.  This site is still the same JAMM it has always been, complete with our irreverent, sometimes humorous take on mobility, but updated.  To copy a phrase, we are stronger, faster, better than ever before.

While you are over there looking at the new theme, check out the fantastic job Brandon did on the sidebars.  A lot of sites these days are moving toward tabs in the sidebars, but I think the job Brandon did with the stacking tabs, which keeps with the clean look of the site, is amazing. 

Along with that are our new and improved advertising spaces.  I don’t normally mention advertising, but I will do it this once.  Every ad you see (at least for now) is an affiliate link.  That means if you are thinking about buying some accessories, you may want to check our affiliate ads.  Get the gear you need, and give JAMM a hand at the same time (OK, that is probably the last time you will hear me mention it).

Back to the sidebars, I also wanted to mention our new logo, which was designed by the fantastic folks over at Talon Communications Group.   Like the theme, I think this logo impressively captures the essence of JAMM.  And you will also notice that along with the new logo, we also have a new tag line.  No more are we simply providing Mobile News, Views, and Reviews.  Our new mission is to provide you all with a practical look at mobile life (thanks to Lauren and TJ for the brainstorm on that one.)

One thing you may have noticed here is how many people were involved in creating the new look and vision of the site (and I did not name nearly everyone who was involved).  JAMM has always been a team effort.  And I have to tell you how impressed and proud I am of the team here at JAMM.  Not only is the current team the best JAMM has ever seen (save for the absence of Patrick, who will be sorely missed), but it is one of the best I have found on the Internet.  I feel that with the combined contributions of this team, JAMM can truly rise to all new levels, and I hope you all will stick around and join us for what should prove to be an eventful ride.  If you want to learn more about our team, just head on over to the About Page.

OK.  Well, enough about us.  Did I mention that it is our birthday?  And like any good birthday (not to mention a relaunch), we have some giveaways coming throughout the next week.  So,stay tuned for details on some fantastic contests coming in the next couple of days.

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