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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2009 3:34:14 GMT
I actually really love the current theme (the old parchment look with the faded swords to the right). I think it gives the forum a bit of flavor. Something about it reminds me of Final Fantasy Tactics (hopefully I'm not the only ex gamer who'll catch the reference). Granted, it's the community and access to information that makes the forum what it is, but a fresh look never hurts . Thank you Final Fantasy Tactics is without question my favourite video game ever so much customization and leveling up it combined almost everything I like about video games the only thing that it didnt have was changing characters apearances via the equiptment their wearing but that didnt become popularized for years after FFT oh how I love that game Also more on topic I like the new forum but I liked the old one, doesnt matter to much to me cause im pretty new to this forum anyways Im used to this one pkto.ca/webboard/viewtopic.php?t=5254my loves of parkour and swords (two loves which should under no circumstance be combined....)
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Post by shadowhowler on Jul 8, 2009 3:45:27 GMT
Yeah, I'm back in the engine room tweaking away - managed to get the sizing issue dealt with, and most other issues are being addressed (made everything a bit wider too, it was too cramped before). The right hand boxes will be expanded to have lots of info and links at your fingertips, and good for new members trying to navigate the place. Still very much a work in progress, and no doubt I'll hit some more pot holes in the road, but I think that when it is done it will be a big improvement over the old version. Feedback, constructive, destructive or plain old griping about how the times are a changing is welcome! ;D You fixed the sizing issue? Lets find out... [glow=green,2,300]Shadowhowler SMASH!!!!!!!![/glow] Yup, looks fixed to me.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2009 3:58:40 GMT
My only real problems with the new scheme are how hard it is to read the stuff at the top of the page: the brown box and the line that tells me where I am (I use those links a lot). Otherwise change is good.
Oh and Sean--you're a riot, Dude.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2009 5:04:15 GMT
looking good to me and I guess there are a few things to sort yet so I will just sit back and hang on for the ride.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2009 5:08:58 GMT
I have no beef with the new layout so far.
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Post by hotspur on Jul 8, 2009 5:14:16 GMT
The mouse over dark block makes the thread header information hard to see because of that. Try turning your brightness down just a smidge and it will appear to be as much of a problem for others as well.
Unless there is a default offered in the options, I'll simply view this via Opera and use the user mode. That, though, makes it one more hoop to toggle through for some of the links. For me, Opera user mode is my alternative to wanting to see page numbers when I go to click a section of the thread header. I don't have my brightness turned down very much as it is and even brighter, the thread headr is pasted opaque when I mouse-over those headers.
Otherwise, ignoring all the load on the right side is just billboards most will ignore anyway. Make links apparent at the top of the screen. So far, what I see offered on the side isn't much more than spam at this point. Put them up with the Google ads.
As to signatures, they are easy to avoid in electing not to view them. The karma (thankfuly)is elective as well but it amounts for much more than 50% of the posts. Many posts here offer 0% additional information aside from the plus one posts.
Cordially
Glen
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2009 8:45:47 GMT
Hotspur: Im probably being dense but where is the option to turn off signatures?
Agreed on Karma. I think it just adds an element that is entirely unnecessary. Most know post counts and the like are useless but some use every opportunity to rack up another "point". While I commend the basic principle, a simple thank you would promote a better attitude among users.
To anyone that likes the new look/layout can I ask why? Many aren't offering anything other than they "like it". While others are offering incredibly valid criticism that I cant help but feel will be lost.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2009 9:04:11 GMT
To anyone that likes the new look/layout can I ask why? Many aren't offering anything other than they "like it". While others are offering incredibly valid criticism that I cant help but feel will be lost. I just don't seem to have a problem with the new layout (and I assume this is why others aren't offering more of an explanation). Is it that terrible? I was a tad surprised at the start but apart from that...meh, I honestly don't care what the design of this forum is.
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Post by genocideseth on Jul 8, 2009 9:29:21 GMT
I like the new layout as it gives this forum more edge, and feels more professional and sophisticated. And also more unique, which represents this forum well.
Although I could do without the smite button. It conjures more confrontation and such, as it is not always used properly. Most could do without being smited for doing something against another's way of life.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2009 9:35:45 GMT
The smite button is quite old and was done away with long ago. I'm sure once Paul is done, it will be blasted back into oblivion where it belongs. Edit: POST #250!!! They weren't all good ones, though. And certainly none were great.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2009 10:05:04 GMT
I like the new layout as it gives this forum more edge, and feels more professional and sophisticated. And also more unique, which represents this forum well. Although I could do without the smite button. It conjures more confrontation and such, as it is not always used properly. Most could do without being smited for doing something against another's way of life. Uniqueness lies in the message told, not the wrapping in which it is presented.
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Post by hotspur on Jul 8, 2009 12:57:34 GMT
Hotspur: Im probably being dense but where is the option to turn off signatures? Agreed on Karma. I think it just adds an element that is entirely unnecessary. Most know post counts and the like are useless but some use every opportunity to rack up another "point". While I commend the basic principle, a simple thank you would promote a better attitude among users. To anyone that likes the new look/layout can I ask why? Many aren't offering anything other than they "like it". While others are offering incredibly valid criticism that I cant help but feel will be lost. MFB, Go to your own profile, then elect modify at the link above the profile and scroll down to this section. There are check blocks to elect forum view options. It is also the section where a skin default once was. As mentioned by some, the blue and white default are preferable to some. For me, I'll just continue to bypass a lot of the extra stuff and view a clean sheet via Opera via user mode. Any block of background that is dark makes for poor viewing of any black text. When mousing over a thread header, the imposed dark highlight is exactly the same issue. That could be altered easily by simply highlighting during the mouse over to underline the link, not obscure it. Whistles and bells are cool at times but there is a way to do things in harmony that plays a pleasant tune for a broader audience. The current color choices are not horrible except for the linkage issues, which just make for a horrible view in my perspective. As mentioned, work arounds are easy enouugh for me but the old default option is concise and viewable, while accepting that spam is going to reign anyway. Here is how clearly my workaround of Opera user mode will view. Cheers Hotspur; I went through some similar decisions on a board of my own some years ago and less was definitely more as far as the options go. Look via all browser options and not just what looks cool instead of simplicity. I can appreciate the personalizations to a point but it often just easier to bypass visual noise
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Post by Brendan Olszowy on Jul 8, 2009 12:59:31 GMT
One bug at the moment is that the post headings are in the dark green, which works on the beige in the threads, but in the 'search recent 10' menu they are invisible.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2009 13:57:31 GMT
To chris b: Im sure I could get used to the colours but the layout and the background is really bad. Its never going to be the case that I would stop using a good forum just because of the way it looks. If it were to become hard to navigate and had added pointless additions that make the experience worse then I certainly wouldn't read as many posts.
My main point is that the changes don't improve anything. No one was complaining about the look before so why change it? The only time many members commented positively on changes was during the brief time the forum was set in the simple blue/white theme. The basic broboards stuff.
The background has to go. Its a pixelated mess. Turn it off in your browser and have a look at how much easier it is to read posts. Its not like camo any more......see. Also the "welcome, admin and links" thats been added muffs up the entire layout.
Im a big fan of the ppe but I dont need Paul to split my head open with one on every thread.
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Marc Ridgeway
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Post by Marc Ridgeway on Jul 8, 2009 14:00:57 GMT
To anyone that likes the new look/layout can I ask why? Many aren't offering anything other than they "like it". While others are offering incredibly valid criticism that I cant help but feel will be lost. One thing thats for sure, the whisper of a critic echoes above the shouts of 10 admirers. Why do I like the new format? It looks more modern and professional. It will provide easy navigation links on the right side. Because I just dont feel its productive to whime about change... especially when the change isnt complete Pauls swingset and I'm just happy he lets mr play along. The blue format everyone liked so much is the deefault, unadorned , proboards skin. OK ... what is wrong with the new format? The contrast between the thread and the quote box is almost non-existent. The thread links are lost, invisible in the post header. The deliniation on the perimeter of the posts is also not visible. These things fixed... I dont see a problem at all with the new design. The overall theme of the issues is just one word.... contrast. Also as is plain to see, it is very much still a work in progress, and changes and improvements seem to occur regularly. Paul, I appreciate your hard work and efforts to improve and update the forum. SALUD !
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Post by hotspur on Jul 8, 2009 14:16:06 GMT
The fairly recent option to opt out from the karma game has also been removed. That would have been a few months ago. Why offer it then and not allow that option again now?
I can commiserate with the process of modifications but maybe it would be easier to shut down the forum until the changes are completed and tested by the oligarchy.
Cheers
Hotspur; I have to disagree that the overall look as it sits is professional
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2009 14:38:00 GMT
Marc, I agree with mostly everything you said apart from you saying that this makes the board took more professional. It doesnt. In my opinion it looks like a bad ebay store. The reason that design like this was rejected in the nineties was for the simple reason that it was tripe. I don't see how age stained paper and shades of brown make anything look modern. I know SBG isn't in the same vein as SFI or NMB but those are two related forums that do look modern and professional.
Paul asked for input and the last thing he needs was the nod from a bunch of yes men. Please everyone, don't take that as an insult.
While we are spewing pseudo intellectual philosophy ill leave you with this quote..........
"It's back! Big is back, because bigger is better than ever! 6000 SUX: An American Tradition! ". Robocop, (1987)
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Marc Ridgeway
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Post by Marc Ridgeway on Jul 8, 2009 14:50:20 GMT
Well I assume everyone is allowed to have differing opinions on what looks professional. Perhaps professional is not the best word for me to use... perhaps i should say more distinctive. There are numerous Proboard forums around the net... I even have one myself... and to me the proboard layout looks blaise and mundane... i guess i just feel that the new format makes the site look like some effort has been put into it. SFI is one of my favorite forums... NMB is a great one too... and they look the part of Academic/ Educational forums... which SBG isn't. Sure theres lots of Educational content on here ... especially in the Smithing and Customization sub-forums... but thats not the general mission here ... its more casual. i simply believe the new design sets SBG apart from the oodles of Proboard forums that litter the net. I certainly dont feel i am being a yes-man.. as I've reported from the beginning everything i see as shortcomings or less than ideal... and i believe it is crass to identify others as yes-men simply because their opinion seems to differ from your own. People are allowed to hold their own opinions with out being catagorized as kowtowers or asskissers... Thats my thoughts, as best i am able to express them. I'm going to refrain from comment on this particular bit of asshattery.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2009 15:25:28 GMT
SFI is one of my favorite forums... NMB is a great one too... and they look the part of Academic/ Educational forums... which SBG isn't. Sure theres lots of Educational content on here ... especially in the Smithing and Customization sub-forums... but thats not the general mission here ... its more casual. i simply believe the new design sets SBG apart from the oodles of Proboard forums that litter the net. Agreed. I love the gray clean look of SFI as much as the next, but I also really like where Paul is going with this. And personally, I think it reads easy and is equally easy to navigate... I've run a few forums before, and I've never seen a backdrop as cool as this. It adds a mystique.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2009 15:38:43 GMT
Without a doubt SBG is the best source for information regarding production swords. In that way its as valid and special as other more....."respected"....forums. Just in a different way. I can understand wanting to be different but that's not what forums need. Page after page of text needs to be clear and while the present state the forum isn't unreadable, it certainly doesn't help. In that respect its a step backwards. For example images work better against a plain background, preferably white. Observations like that aren't merely opinion, they have developed from years of testing within other web spaces. Again there are reasons forums reject designs like this.
I think this theme would be great if it was adapted for the SBG site. Thats where it could have an effect, really draw people in.
I wasn't trying to single anyone out but there is a tendency to not say what is truly felt to the hierarchy in case of a) repercussions and b) hurt feelings. Also that quote was aimed at the notion of over designing something. If you understand the reference then it make sense.
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