RPF New Look Feedback Thread

[Art Andrews]

The overall look is fine, but I'm not liking the fixed width. I don't get the "trend" aspect that you mentioned in the announcement thread, because the trend for home computers these days is widescreen monitors. Setting it up for 1024x768 is, to say the least, antiquated.

Sorry. When I said that it is the prevailing trend, I meant prevailing trend among websites. You will see a lot of the top websites moving to fixed width, which is funny because many sites were fixed width years and years ago, then when larger monitors came along a lot of sites jumped on the variable width bandwagon and suddenly web designers are like "hey, designing for variable width sucks! Lets go back to fixed width!."

The prevailing trend of monitors is of course wide-screen. While I am in FULL agreement with you that 1024X768 is completely antiquated but regarless of what you or I feel, 1024X768 is still the most common resolution on the net, so that is what you have to code for.

What is my screen resolution/display resolution? - Screen resolution statistics

 

[Effingham]

When I first saw it, I had the kneejerk reaction to change: "ew!"

Then after like, oh, two minutes: "Damn, this is SEXAH! Me LIKEY!"

Yeah, it's WAY cool. I *do* miss the browsing history (whimper!) but, damn. It just looks so KEWL.

Nice work, guys.

 

[exoray]

suddenly web designers are like "hey, designing for variable width sucks! Lets go back to fixed width!."

I personally favor fluid sized sites, but will agree 100% with that comment they are a pain to develop... Forums like this are much easier as they are designed out of the box to be fluid, but skinning and creating fluid themes has it's challenges, and they can distort and become funky looking...

But here is an option to consider, by default set the forum to a fixed width theme, but simply offer the same themes in fluid scaling versions for those that want to view it that way, even if it doesn't look 'perfect' in all resolutions... That way the professional clean appearance is still upheld for the casual viewer of the forum but there is the option for those that desire to use more re-estate to view the forum...

Personally I think the current themes look just fine stretched quite a bit, I'm running dual 22" wide format monitors @ 1680x1050 with the theme stretched to 98% and IMO it looks fine...

 

[CaptainEO]

First of all, I just have to say I love the new look! The design looks very clean and professional. Great work to all involved!

But here is an option to consider, by default set the forum to a fixed width theme, but simply offer the same themes in fluid scaling versions for those that want to view it that way, even if it doesn't look 'perfect' in all resolutions... That way the professional clean appearance is still upheld for the casual viewer of the forum but there is the option for those that desire to use more re-estate to view the forum...

I have to agree with this. On my monitor at home (1280x1024) the fixed width is fine, but at my monitor at work (1920x1200) the fixed width is definitely too small. I understand the logic behind it as it allows the designers/developers complete control over exactly how the site looks, but it's such a shame that all that space is wasted. I would definitely appreciate a fluid scaling (even unofficial) theme. I found myself switching back to the Legacy Star Wars theme at work just for the fluid aspect while I use the new, amazing looking theme at home.

 

[Jessica]

I love the new look. It's easier on the eyes and it looks very clean. Bravo to everyone who worked on it. Soldier on!

 

[Nwerke]

I can't see no new theme. I see the old SW theme. Long may it live!

 

[Xris]

Love it!

 

[EvilRocketeer]

I can't see no new theme. I see the old SW theme. Long may it live!

:lol

I really like the new theme, but I will keep on using the star wars legacy theme until the end :cry

wish some traditions never came to an end......

 

[teecrooz]

Question about the rpf swag that will be coming out. Will there be an icon for an "rpf shop", or will the items be sold through the marketplace?

 

[Goodwolf]

Art answered that concern a few pages back

Apologies then. I had just gotten in from a long day and didn't read through the whole thing. And it is a minor quibble, just thought I'd add my two cents in.

 

[rollerboi]

Hey guys, there's another thread here with an excellent add-on to Firefox that allows the RPF to be read wide-screen once more. It was painless and easy to install, and for me that means a lot. :lol

Thanks, cocomonk22.

 

[Art Andrews]

Question about the rpf swag that will be coming out. Will there be an icon for an "rpf shop", or will the items be sold through the marketplace?

It is unlikely that there will be an icon. I don't think it justifies its own icon, much like the announcements and Q&A forums don't justify an icon, but time will tell.

Swag will probably start as a few runs in the marketplace (shirts, coins, patches, mugs). We are looking at the possibility of using a fulfillment service in the future to provide these items on an ongoing basis, but we are having to weigh the cost vs benefit of doing so. Ultimately, I would like to see a small RPF Swag shop (separate from the marketplace) but that decision hasn't been made yet.

 

[teecrooz]

Cool, thanks Art!

 

[wackychimp]

As a heavy work user, I'd like to submit that we add a few mild shading options to the Work-Friendly style. IMHO it's a little too sparse and hard to scan.

If we'd consider adding a light gray or light blue in vBulletin's Second Alternating Color and maybe something to the Table Header (navy blue? Darker gray?) this might help.

Thoughts? Criticisms?

 

[Art Andrews]

As a heavy work user, I'd like to submit that we add a few mild shading options to the Work-Friendly style. IMHO it's a little too sparse and hard to scan.

If we'd consider adding a light gray or light blue in vBulletin's Second Alternating Color and maybe something to the Table Header (navy blue? Darker gray?) this might help.

Thoughts? Criticisms?

I would have no issue with this, but I thought all those using the work-friendly theme have always wanted it all-white and with nothing extra. I absolutely hate that theme as it is painful to look at, but if it won't cause an outcry, I have no problem with adding a bit of contrast in.

 

[Volpin]

Personally, I love the new aesthetic. The old Star Wars theme was a bit off-putting to people like myself: new members interested in other franchises besides SW.

Don't get me wrong, SW is fantastic, but that image always seemed to loom over the top of the forums saying "there is an established order here" When I directed new builders to the site, they would often say "I'm not really that into Star Wars"

I won't denigrate anyone for using the iOS look - its become a preferred appearance because it a great look. Its about time for an update, and I'm behind this one.

My only issue is that all of my threads seem to have grenaded the fixed width setup, but I understand thats being worked on.

 

[wackychimp]

For me, browsing at work, I just don't want it to look like a gaming or sci-fi site. Black backgrounds, bright colors and futurisitc fonts would drive me away from a theme. Muted colors that add some visual division to the pieces aren't gonna get me fired.

Overall, it's still gonna look like a message board and that can't really be changed.

 

[Westies14]

I love the idea of a work-friendly format, but it does need light grey elements to break it up, and it'd be nice if the black was a medium to dark grey rather than black. The contrast right now is very harsh! Congratulations on the new look; it's a big upgrade.

 

[Art Andrews]

I love the idea of a work-friendly format, but it does need light grey elements to break it up, and it'd be nice if the black was a medium to dark grey rather than black. The contrast right now is very harsh! Congratulations on the new look; it's a big upgrade.

We will take a look at making some minor updates to the work-friendly style to add a bit of break up and to lower the contrast.

 

[Art Andrews]

I have added some very subtle shading to the work-friendly style. Give me your thoughts. We want to keep this style monochrome but I think the shading makes it much more readable. I just want to make sure we don't lose the overall purpose for creating this style in the first place.