New wordcurrents theme revisited

So I was noticing that two of my stats collectors were showing zero visitors to wordcurrents, even though readers were still commenting on items and Google stats was showing a continuing readership. As an experiment, I went back to my old theme*, and right away, my blog stats all started working again. So I guess there is something about the theme that does not allow stats from most stats engines, including WordPress stats itself.

So now, although I have a new visual direction for wordcurrents, it appears that I cannot use it without losing statistics, my main feedback, since most people do not comment.

One other thing: I am using HTML redirect code on my root home page so that anyone surfing to riverwriter.ca will be directed automatically and almost immediately to wordcurrents.

*theme: a program that controls the blog's appearance. That includes page and background colour, frame outlines, number and size of columns, fonts, consistent graphics.

Blog problems and twists and turns

The new look at wordcurrents has come with more than one price:

1. My usage tracking services are not working, even though they indicate they are: according to two stats services, I have had no visitors since I made the intital change, even though I have had comments on the blog's new look.
2. Although I like the appearance of the blog, I prefer a three-column layout (which the new beta versions of the theme have, without the same colour choice). So I believe I will give the beta version a shot when I have worked out the wrinkles. (see below)
   
3. I have had to downsize the wallpaper to decrease loading times. The wallpaper loses something with the smaller file sizes.
   

This is a view of what the beta version looks like. The background wallpaper is also available on the current site; just click the buttons in the header to change wallpapers. The wallpaper in this screen capture is a photo I took of snow in the flaming bush beside our garage.

wordcurrents' new look

Here is a screen capture of one version of what my blog now looks like. I am using Vistered Little 1.6 by Nik Iliadis, a theme that allows me to upload backgrounds that the reader can select using the little swatches (in this shot, there are 29) at the top of the screen. Cookies keep each reader's choice so that the reader's view stays consistent no matter what I or other readers choose.



It also means that text is displayed against a black background, as I have always thought text should be. We see light, not dark.

I have provided a sticky post for reader comments. The blog is at wordcurrents