Change Part 2

[Dianne Lewandowski]

We are experimenting with new themes because the one you are currently using - based on the Babylon core - is not going to be supported within the next couple of months.  SMF is in the fourth beta and will soon release Ver.2  This new software won't support some of the older themes.

I haven't tweaked this down to the last detail because it is so time consuming.  So, you won't find a "Website" button yet.

First I need to hear your general comments about the overall appearance, i.e. colors, ease in reading, etc.  The theme (Mesh) was originally all black with gray highlights.  So the artwork can safely be considered mine.   

This particular themes supports TinyPortal, which will give us some new options once I familiarize myself with them.  I have an experimental TP site going and am learning as fast as I can.

For those with different monitor considerations:  please note the upper right, beneath the logo.  You can manually set the forum to your needs.

[MusicallyInspired]

Me likes! Maybe make the boxes that the posts are held in a slightly brighter shade of blue for the background would be nice.

[Dianne Lewandowski]

You mean the area within which you read the posts?  If so, that's not possible.     Everywhere you see, the blue is integrated by theme rules.  I know.  I wanted to see a little more room for movement.

[MusicallyInspired]

Really? Well that sucks. It all seems a bit flat at the moment. But it's certainly an improvement in my opinion.

[Dianne Lewandowski]

Thanks!  This was an all black theme (with gray shading).  We liked the look (contemporary) but were surprised when I tried to change it to QS blue.  Might try something different if this isn't satisfactory for any reason. 

Did you notice that if you click on the little green button that the category will collapse - and have a subsequent red button.  I had fun creating those.  I know.  Small potatoes.  But I am learning PhotoShop on my own and it was a head scratcher to make it work.

[Ari]

too much blue IMO. I find it hard to locate buttons because they're all in the same color. I still like the old grey color better.

[Wodball]

I'm okay with the blue.

The only thing I can think of to improve this is to bring back the lines between each post. Right now the postings are just one continuous blue table, but it may be better to have a table length grey or black line between each post, below each signature and above the name of the next poster. It's just my own preference as I prefer to see posts with borders.

Other than that, I think the continuous background looks nice in the front page, where the subforums are elegantly separated. Nice job!

--Woody

[Dianne Lewandowski]

I know . . . but what you're asking for can't be accomplished in this particular theme, such as shaded tables.  A lot of the new themes are coming out that way.

I think a lot of coders/designers are sick of the old look and trying to find ways to bring things into the future.  A lot of themes are old, more of the same with different on/off buttons, colors (all green themes or autumn themes - even Christmas themes).  That's why we liked Amber because it was different. 

The more I stare at this blue, the worse it looks.  Hard on the eyes.

We'll see what I can come up with next.     I learn more coding every time I do one of these. 

[the_doctor]

the overall look and the blue is not bad but i agree that the buttons need to look like buttons (they are a little lost) and some sort of horizontal marker to split one reply in a thread from the next.  other than that I like it, and very happy you left the "view unread since last visit" available -- i use that all the time!

[Dianne Lewandowski]

i agree that the buttons need to look like buttons (they are a little lost)

What buttons are you talking about?  I think it would help if there's a button next to the subject threads that have no new threads.

There's horizontal lines in the "topic" reply area, but none on the front page.

I'm going to be working on this the next few days.  You'll see some bumps and grinds along the way.  Thanks for the comments.

[the_doctor]

well like under the posts, the Reply - Notify - Mark - Print ... those buttons just blend it because the text is small.  that's what i was referring to by 'buttons'