Board look

Post by **HenryJ** » Fri Jan 13, 2012 3:02 pm

Ok, I officially made my big mistake early this year.
I updated the software for all the forums and messed this one up. I accidentally installed an update in our board style template and it really messed us up.

Walt is going to offer us a fresh look this evening.

I'm going to sit back and see what we look like. I have had my hand on the brush for so long, perhaps we need a different paint job?
Thanks Walt!

green02crew · Post by **green02crew** » Fri Jan 13, 2012 3:12 pm

The current look is okay, but not sure I'm a fan. It's hard to tell where posts stop and where posts begin, no line defining them? Also, I can't seem to easily differentiate between old posts and new posts. No color markers like before being red for new, yellow for old.

Post by **HenryJ** » Fri Jan 13, 2012 3:37 pm

I agree. Not a fan of the avatar being in the sig line either.

This was just a template Walt had that he had started working on long ago. He put it into service as the prosilver style was just too different and we didn't want Reed to have a stroke.

roadrunner · Post by **roadrunner** » Fri Jan 13, 2012 3:50 pm

Ummmm, yeah I liked the previous format much better as well.

Post by **Walt** » Fri Jan 13, 2012 3:56 pm

Yes, the current style is a bit spastic. Don't worry my friends, you'll be back in familiar territory soon.

Post by **HenryJ** » Fri Jan 13, 2012 4:02 pm

Until you get a "show stopper" put together...I threw this style together with our logo. It is not too bad on the eyes and buttons are easier to find. It is compatible with the latest release of software

Pearl is still mess up in the posts and the header needs work. I uploaded our logo to it though. Right now I'll do my best not to keep "salting the stew"

Post by **HenryJ** » Fri Jan 13, 2012 5:16 pm

I kind of like how easy it is to see a new post on this style. Even better than the last. I kinda miss our "whos online" rotating gif though.

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Fri Jan 13, 2012 5:34 pm

Works for me.

Post by **HenryJ** » Fri Jan 13, 2012 8:50 pm

Wow, have you tried the search box? Nice. Nice format for the results.
A couple tweaks went sideways...welcome to Friday the 13th

Post by **HenryJ** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 10:26 am

You know...the more I use this the more i like it, Nice contrast , yet easy on the eyes. Controls are laid out well. New posts and topic really show up.

I lost the gradient on the top and my links at the bottom are invisible too, but I think I can live with those if they can not be fixed.

roadrunner · Post by **roadrunner** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 3:45 pm

Don't care for this format either. Harder to read. Probably cause I'm an "old" guy.

Post by **HenryJ** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 4:00 pm

What do you prefer?
We will be staying with a dark format. Not going white.
Our old template is no longer an option as it is incompatible with the latest software release. Currently there are only four or five templates available and we can adjust the colors on those a little.

The layout of this takes a little "getting used to", but I'm starting to like it better. The search function seems to be better.
The posts are clearly separated without being too bold.

Post by **Walt** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 8:41 pm

This layout is growing on me as well. I've been thinking about making the background slightly transparent, and adding our rotating background images. This will also serve to darken the background grey just a little bit, increasing text contrast. What do you think?

Post by **HenryJ** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 9:28 pm

That sounds like it is worth a shot. Should we do that on a duplicate so I don't end up in the mess that started this all?

BTW, the logo image set is 600x100. The default is messed up.

Post by **Walt** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 9:59 pm

Try switching to Art Elegance Black YELLOW in your profile settings, and see what you think.

Some of the image borders still need a little work through. Mostly the buttons.

Post by **HenryJ** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 10:21 pm

Those yellow bars are a little too bright. It is like staring at a fluorescent light. Need to tone them down.
The preview to the right of the style allows you to check things out easily without changing the profile or board settings.

Post by **Walt** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 10:23 pm

I was of a similar opinion, but I'm unsure what color to change to. Any other yellow just doesn't look quite right...

Post by **HenryJ** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 10:27 pm

Neutrals are Ok. Brownish like this is easier on the eyes.

Post by **Walt** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 10:32 pm

I changed the solid color to a gradient, keeping the original yellow at the bottom of the bar, but transitioning to a lighter shade at the top. What do you think?

Post by **HenryJ** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 11:01 pm

That is better for sure. I could probably get my eyes to adjust to that. I reduced the logo to 600x100. That gives more room below.

Post by **Walt** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 11:19 pm

Brule, if you want to look over things go ahead. Off you think it's ready to go, feel free to enable it. My bed time is coming up.

Sent from my HTC Desire CDMA using Tapatalk

roadrunner · Post by **roadrunner** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 8:58 am

Walt wrote:Try switching to Art Elegance Black YELLOW in your profile settings, and see what you think. Some of the image borders still need a little work through. Mostly the buttons.

Went to profile settings and was unable to find this setting you speak of. The current color scheme finds me 6" away from the screen and squinting to read it. Appears blurry and sig line print runs together unreadable. Unless in a very dark room this format color scheme is quite difficult for me to use. I have tried adjusting settings on my pc but if I do that then web pages of other sites are so bright they tend to fatigue the eyes as well.

Post by **HenryJ** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 9:03 am

Sorry, we are talking about the levers behind the curtain. I made the switch to yellow. Refresh your browesr, or clear your cache and you should see a brighter template.
Tell me what we need to do to make it better if its not working for you.

roadrunner · Post by **roadrunner** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 9:23 am

It is better but the main problem I am having is the what appears to be gray on black body of the posts. I notice the contrast is better when I am posting but not as good when reading posted messages. I can't read the words without extreme effort and foreknowledge that are in my own sig line.

roadrunner · Post by **roadrunner** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 9:29 am

I should add I did exit the site and do a system info dump as well as browser history dump prior to the last post and had the noted experience.

Post by **HenryJ** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 9:38 am

roadrunner wrote:It is better but the main problem I am having is the what appears to be gray on black body of the posts. I notice the contrast is better when I am posting but not as good when reading posted messages. I can't read the words without extreme effort and foreknowledge that are in my own sig line.

This template does reduce the font size in the signature line. That you can fix in your profile. I bumped mine up the "Small" (size=85) , it was set "Tiny" (size=75)

You might try adjusting you monitor a little? Perhaps a little more contrast might help? I am seeing differences between the two monitors I have here. I can see what you mention about the white on gray I am not seeing a difference in the posting editor and the posted body though. I think the font color is the same.

Walt may be able to slightly darker the background, or have the white font "whiter"? Dunno? We may all just have to let ourselves adjust

Post by **Walt** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 10:20 am

We can whiten the post font a bit.

Sent from my HTC Desire CDMA using Tapatalk

Post by **HenryJ** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 10:57 am

You know what...I just noticed that. My sig line above your post shows the difference. Guess that change might be helpful.

roadrunner · Post by **roadrunner** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 2:31 pm

I changed the font size and color in my controls. Presently the only negative for me is the gray on black of the previously posted messages. Quick reply font size and color are fine.

roadrunner · Post by **roadrunner** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 2:36 pm

I'm now messing with the font color and size in post to see any difference. Changing settings in user controls yielded no joy.

roadrunner · Post by **roadrunner** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 2:37 pm

Did not help the body of the message on my end. Only the bracketed size and color are changed.

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 4:32 pm

I see a change since earlier today. While I could live with the previous scheme, this is better.

green02crew · Post by **green02crew** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 11:22 pm

I'm liking this one. I approve.

Jim · Post by **Jim** » Wed Feb 01, 2012 5:49 pm

Like it alot

Post by **HenryJ** » Wed Feb 01, 2012 6:42 pm

Walt did a great job fixing things up.
I did a few little things to repair my goof. I am getting used to it and actually think I like it a little better than the last template.

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Thu Feb 02, 2012 4:52 pm

Really a nice update even though, the administrators are already overburdened dealing with day to day issues.

ApproachMedium · Post by **ApproachMedium** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 1:23 am

So far looks easier to read. I like. The snow thing was cute for about a minute thought till I tried using this forum on my TV PC. Was nice to be able to sit on the couch and post from across the room but now typing has major lag while the white stuff blows around.

Post by **HenryJ** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 10:49 am

Spring time. Snow is gone.

roadrunner · Post by **roadrunner** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 1:55 pm

Good! Pages are loading noticeably faster without the snow.

ApproachMedium · Post by **ApproachMedium** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 4:51 pm

Yay! Now I don't have to type my responses in Word and copy and paste.

Serge PETIT · Post by **Serge PETIT** » Wed Feb 29, 2012 4:04 am

roadrunner wrote:Good! Pages are loading noticeably faster without the snow.

Same for me !