The Results Are In

The big question -- should I continue with the "Coming Soon" ticker in the sidebar here at MFWT -- has been answered. Polls closed at midnight yesterday and the final votes in our inaugural survey have been tabulated and confirmed as follows:

12 for "It stays"
1 for "It goes"
13 for "I never noticed it in the first place."

That's a whopping 26 votes -- not exactly a stellar voter turnout but I suppose it could have been worse. The majority having gone by a hair to those who'd never even noticed the section would seem to support one commenter's suggestion that most blog readers ignore the stuff in the sidebars and just focus on primary content. However, the 12:1 ratio of for vs. against votes clearly suggests victory for the incumbent practice.

So, fair readers, the Coming Soon section remains, at least until I tire of trying to maintain the illusion of democracy.... My thanks go out to all who participated. Here's a little tuneage to help kick-off the post-polling festivities.

Intro only...

Three Days Left to Vote

Alright, I admit it. I like the number 13. I'd be happier than Fabian was to wear it in the Tour (never mind the fact that that's not likely). That doesn't mean I want to see the voting tally stop at 13, exactly where my first survey has been stalled for the last couple of days. So come on, make your vote count. Hit the poll in the left sidebar. You can read my original explanatory post if that'll halp you make a more informed decision. It's not as if it's a major issue, I know. But think of it as practice for November. That should give everyone plenty of motivation.

Image courtesy of Roberto Bettini Photography. Homage to the number 13 and to Fabian Cancellara's incredibly strong ride in the Tour de France and his subsequent win in the Olympics Time Trial.

Intro only...

A Labor Day Survey

It's probably been the better part of a year now since I first added a "Coming Soon" section to my blog's sidebar. I'd seen it around at a few of my favorite food and wine sites and it seemed like a good enough idea. Something to keep me motivated and on track. And something to give visitors a sense of what to expect, maybe even to get them interested enough to visit again soon.

A year into its tenure, though, it's become something of an awkward visitor. Sometimes it still works like a good to-do list, keeping me motivated to update and refresh. Other times, I just plain forget to do anything with it. I'll post things that never appeared there at all while other "previews" may languish in the sidebar for days or even weeks at a time. On one or two occasions, items have even been added only to be removed, eventually, never having seen the light of day.

Given my ambivalence toward the matter, I thought this would be the perfect excuse to turn over a little control to you, faithful reader and new visitor alike. It's time for the very first survey here at MFWT. The "Coming Soon" section: should it stay or should it go? You have a week to ponder this weighty issue and make your voice heard.

Oh yeah, the survey's in the left sidebar. Just above the "Coming Soon" section.... Feel free to hit the comments if you'd like to explain yourself or just plain editorialize in addition to casting your vote.

Intro only...