A Happy Compulsion And Inevitable New Look
Dear Fellow-Bhagavathas,
You would surely have noticed a sea change in the appearance and lay-out of the site as you logged on. It simply had to happen and happily so. Let's see why.
It has been a wonderful and devout journey with you for us at www.svdd.com since the launch of the site.
The beginning was typically circumspect as would a new endeavour warrant, only to grow from strength to strength with an ever-increasing enthusiasm shown by you in its contents. Gradually, this resulted in our pushing the limits to reach out for more and more of our tribe to enable them reap the rewards of the seed sown 17 months ago. The divine experience has been telling indeed!
The transformation owes it to your tremendous support for the site. What began with a modest ambition of providing basic details about the Temple, the Uthsavams performed therein, and visual treat in the form of photos of the Lord during various such festivals, grew in stature with the introduction of a few features along the line.
If Desika Darsanam -- a peek into each of Swami Desika's 28 sthothras, with feature delineation and annotated commentary -- set the tone, Trail Our Glorious Sampradaya, the Online Quiz On Our Tradition not only caught the imagination but became a passion. Other quiz-related features such as Quiz Results, along with its Archives Section, Notes for Answers, Know Your Score, etc. turned popular. The introduction of multi-media, announcements, preview of Uthsavams and events added value to the site.
What is heartening is that the site's as well as your growth are parallel with the roots entrenched in mutual sustenance.
However, during these fledgling stages of the site we have had to make do with limitations arising out of lay-out constraints. A few new features proposed had to be shelved because of this. This resulted in a need for a revamp in the lay-out and functionality of the site, encompassing various updated/new features, with provision for further expansion - qualitative as well as quantitative.
The task was taken up in all its earnestness and the main objective was not to obstruct the continuity. After a hectic month or so, we have come up with something which we expect would satisfy the existing and prospective requirements.
The new pages provide for vertical side menus on either side instead of the horizontal top menus. As you can see, the left side menus relate to the Temple and right side pertains to other features.
Some of the new features now introduced include Google Search facility in respect of the Internet as well as our site, downloading facility and print version of all the pages, a live hit-counter showing the number of visits to the site, calendar, etc. 'Contributions' on the left side is a temple-related link which gives details about Donations in cash/kind and Sponsorship details of Uthsavams. A multi-colour glow spectrum has been introduced to indicate a new/updated menu. This we are sure would please the aesthetics while serving the purpose. We hope you would find these additions very useful.
We also propose to progressively introduce a number of new features including some interactive and participatory ones. Now that the constraints are a thing of the past, the feel of freedom is unmistakable. Keep visiting the site and look forward to the latest additions and updates.
And finally, it would be beyond reason if we continue to shy away from introducing the founder team that is blessed to have been entrusted with this great honorary service. Visit the menu "Contact Site" on the right side for details of the personnel who maintain the website.
So here we are, going live with the 'new look' on the 26th May 2008, a Sravanam day -- the star of Lord Srinivasa, the Presiding Deity of our Temple as well as Swami Desika -- even as we seek the blessings of the Divya Dhampathis and our Great Acharya for success in all our endeavours.
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