August 24, 2009:
Shocked by MINI2
Today, Google Chrome failed me when trying to post my daily picture to MargaretAndIan (presumably some auto-update has broken it, since it was fine yesterday!)
So, I opened Safari to do the update (which worked fine), then continued my daily web wanderings to Gmail and the MINI websites – but I’ve not used Safari for ages (it’s still slower than Chrome), and I had to log in to every website.
When I got to MINI2, I was shocked – horrified even! This is the LOUD REDNESS that greeted me:
(click for bigger if you have sunglasses on!)
I can’t believe that MINI2′s owners think this is a good default color / layout for their site! It’s awful 
I quickly logged in, which quietened it down to something more reasonable:
NorthAmericanMotoring isn’t much better – not logged in, it doesn’t have the awful redness, but on my 20″ screen I can’t see ANY forum text, the whole screen is covered in logos and adverts!
It’s no wonder people are leaving the old websites and setting up alternates (Total MINI, Motoring Alliance, Mass Motoring Club (and check out how fast that last site is!) … the sad downside is that all these sites are breaking up the MINI community (at least here in New England)
RB (2009/08/26 @ 1:50 am)
Not sure what all the hub bub is about MINI2 is?? The red seems fine to me but then I like eggs.
Never cared for NAM and when the advertising went from $150 a month to some 9 times more I haven’t been back.
You must think my website is really bad…;-/
RB (2009/08/29 @ 9:37 am)
Actually, Ian, your comments seem a bit harsh. Sorry but exactly why do you find the red so appalling?
GBMINI (2009/08/29 @ 11:11 am)
Hmmm …
Let’s think about how “personal opinion” works …
Oh yeah, it’s personal!
DanC (2009/08/29 @ 7:31 pm)
It’s been about 5 years since I first stumbled upon the mini2 forums. I used to visit the site regularly as there was a wealth of knowledge and knowledgeable people. It was a great resources when I installed my own speakers and other electronic bits.
But I have not been on those sites for a few years now. I guess I have out grown them. I agree, they can be a little eager for attention, hence the red motif or numerous ads, but that might be what the kids like nowadays. I now only go to NAM occasionally for regional posts but thats about it. I still prefer my rss feeds to keep me up to date on all things MINI.
RB (2009/08/31 @ 1:03 pm)
Gosh Ian it was just a, I thought, simple question to you but I guess you thought it intrusive? Sorry.