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Website Redesign Summary

What Changed?

Your website has been completely redesigned from the ground up to be much simpler and easier to maintain.

Before: Complex Jekyll Setup

  • Multiple directories (_data/, _includes/, _layouts/, _sass/, etc.)
  • Required Ruby, Jekyll, and gem dependencies
  • Complex build process
  • Hard to update content (scattered across many YAML files)
  • Difficult to understand for non-Jekyll users

After: Simple Static Site

  • Just 3 main files: index.html, style.css, data.js
  • No build process or dependencies
  • Easy to update: just edit data.js
  • Clean, modern design inspired by Michael Bernstein's site
  • MIT colors (cardinal red #A31F34 and gray)

Key Features

✅ Super easy updates - Edit one file (data.js) to update publications, students, and teaching
✅ No build process - Just edit and push to GitHub
✅ Still uses GitHub Pages - Your site stays at mgordon.me
✅ Mobile responsive - Works great on all devices
✅ MIT branding - Uses official MIT colors
✅ Student section - Shows current PhD students like MSB's site
✅ Clean design - Professional, academic look

File Structure

mgordon.me/
├── index.html          # Main page (bio, awards, structure)
├── style.css           # All styling (MIT colors)
├── data.js             # Easy-to-update data (publications, students, teaching)
├── images/             # Your photos
│   ├── face_3.png      # Your profile photo
│   └── students/       # Student photos (optional)
├── assets/
│   └── cv.pdf          # Your CV
├── CNAME               # Domain config (mgordon.me)
├── README.md           # Full documentation
├── HOWTO.md            # Quick update guide
└── .gitignore          # Git configuration

How to Update Content

See HOWTO.md for quick instructions, or README.md for full documentation.

Most common update - Adding a publication:

  1. Open data.js
  2. Add your paper to the top of the publications array
  3. Commit and push
  4. Done!

Design Inspiration

Heavily inspired by Michael Bernstein's website:

  • Clean, minimal layout
  • Prominent bio section
  • Student/mentee section with photos
  • Publication list with awards highlighted
  • Professional but approachable

Colors

Using MIT's official brand colors:

  • Cardinal Red: #A31F34 (links, accents, section borders)
  • Gray: #8A8B8C (secondary text)
  • Dark Gray: #2C2C2C (headings)

What Was Removed

All the complex Jekyll infrastructure:

  • _config.yml, Gemfile, Gemfile.lock
  • _data/, _includes/, _layouts/, _sass/, _publications/
  • _site/ (generated files)
  • index.md (replaced with index.html)
  • Complex SCSS files

Testing

To test locally before pushing:

  1. Open index.html in a web browser
  2. Check that publications, students, and teaching load correctly
  3. Verify links work
  4. Test on mobile by resizing the browser

Questions?

  • How do I add a publication? → See HOWTO.md
  • How do I add a student? → See HOWTO.md
  • How do I change colors? → Edit the :root section in style.css
  • How do I change the layout? → Edit index.html and style.css
  • Need help? → All files are simple and well-commented!

Last updated: October 2025