Some Cosmetic Changes at Cigar Envy

Since a lingering upper respiratory virus has left me unable to smoke, I haven’t posted any new cigar reviews in the last few days. I’m back-logged with some really great cigars that I’ll start sharing with you in the coming week if all goes well.

While my sinuses are opening up, I’ve bee making some cosmetic and “behind-the-scenes” changes here at Cigar Envy that should make the site a little more useful, and user-friendly.

First, the first right column now has a listing of the top ten most read articles that is updated automatically.

Obviously, more recent articles are showing up most often right now since the count just started a couple of days ago, but I’ve been surprised at how some of the older ones shot up quickly because of search engine traffic and referrals.

Next, on all pages except the home page, there is a right-column block near the top that lists the five most recently published articles.
Hopefully, this quick reference will be handy for those coming in from search engines or linked from other sites.
The category listing is under revision as well.
I’m cross-indexing all articles to make them easier to find. Cigars mentioned in reviews and other articles will now be sub-indexed according to wrapper type, vitola, country of origin, and intensity/body. General articles will be shown under several headings to separate out news items from features, profiles and interviews, “cigar 101″ style basics, humor, etc. This involves re-indexing all of the articles on the site by hand, so it will take a few more days to be completed.
You’ll also notice that each of the articles now has a “star rating” listing from NewsGator.
I’m using the feedback to guide future articles, so rate away!
At the bottom of every longer article, in addition to the links for a printer-friendly article copy, and “mail article to a friend,” I’ve added a quick link to allow those of you using del.icio.us to bookmark the article quickly.
If any of those links are not working for you, please let me know what computer system and browser you are using so it can be fixed.
In addition to the rss subscribe block for popular services, there is also a sign-up for email notification through Bloglet when new articles are posted.
So, for those of you who prefer email to rss, you have the option now. You’ll find the Bloglet notification signup at the bottom of the second right hand column.

There will be some additional minor changes taking place here over the next week or so. All are designed to make the site more usable. As always, I’m open to suggestions about anything else that will make Cigar Envy more useful to you, the readers, or easier to use.

One last announcement, and this one is about the CigarEnvy Deals and Discussion yahoogroup. That group, a discussion list offshoot of this site, has only been in existence since the 16th of November. Our registered membership just passed the 700 mark today. That makes this group the 5th largest Cigar category discussion group out of 146 at yahoogroups in less than a month.

Thanks for the enthusiastic response, and I hope you continue to enjoy Cigar Envy.

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