Large update on Karate The Japanese Way

[Mark Groenewold]

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

 

You are cordially invited to see what updates and additions, breaking news and revisions have been made at http://www.karatethejapaneseway.com

 

For those unfamiliar with this relatively new website (2 years old and counting), the content is prepared by myself, a long-time ex-patriate resident in Japan. I have been doing karate during my 8 year plus stay as well. This site has been created and tended with the beginner to karate in mind, as well as instructors and senior folk who wonder what karate is really like in Japan.

 

Anyway, enough preamble from me. Come on over, take a look around, and let me know how it looks, how I did, what needs to be changed, what needs to be added.

 

Many thanks,

 

Mark Groenewold

 

Kanazawa, Japan

[Guest]

The content is great, although the large images and scrolling often cause people to lose interest. In my opinion, a web page should be like a resume. Offer the reader enough information to get you in the door, then give them the whole story. As far as us Americans go, we have a short attention span. If you bring us to a page that is one lengthy block of words that we need to scroll several pages to finish, then we might be discouraged to even begin reading it. Perhaps offering a brief synopsis, a few sentences for each link to category or article would provide a better experience. Then again, if you aren't interested in these sort of people reading your page, then that's fine too. I don't spend too much time fawning over the appearance of a page. I'm a content person.

[Killer Miller]

Hey Mark,

 

I really like your site. I feel that I should know you, but I don't. Of course, I've been out of it for a few years too...

 

Happy to have ya. Osu.

 

- Killer Miller -

[Mark Groenewold]

The content is great, although the large images and scrolling often cause people to lose interest. In my opinion, a web page should be like a resume. Offer the reader enough information to get you in the door, then give them the whole story. As far as us Americans go, we have a short attention span. If you bring us to a page that is one lengthy block of words that we need to scroll several pages to finish, then we might be discouraged to even begin reading it. Perhaps offering a brief synopsis, a few sentences for each link to category or article would provide a better experience. Then again, if you aren't interested in these sort of people reading your page, then that's fine too. I don't spend too much time fawning over the appearance of a page. I'm a content person.

 

Hello smr,

 

Thanks for the feedback!

 

The reason that the pages are set up the way that they are is that we wanted to have, as much as possible a "magazine" feel to the site. Yes, some pages are long, particularly the Letters page, but others are a little more balanced in terms of images and text.

 

I realize that some people have a short attention span, but that is not necessarily the target audience I am looking for. I am interested in people who enjoy reading, enjoy following descriptions or arguments, and who want to submerse themselves a little in the text. But I hope that there is a little something there for everyone. We try to update regularly so you are most welcome back and see how things are evolving.

 

Many thanks again,

 

Mark