TBLBlue Forum Skin/Style Completes The X-Gen Look!

Post by **Minstrel** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 4:40 pm

Well I've finally gotten around to sitting down and creating/testing/tweaking an updated version of our forum skin to match up with the look of our new X-Gen header. The original look was called TBLwhite and the new look is called TBLblue. I've set it as the default look now so most people should get the new look when logging in next.

â€¢ The text and colors of the new buttons match up with the header
â€¢ The updated 'puck' indicator logos are designed to mimic the central puck in the new header
â€¢ I've also redesigned the 'indicators' to make it easier to tell when there are new messages
â€¢ They should also help avoid confusion in threads that have both regular, sticky and announcement threads
â€¢ I've also redesigned the logos in the upper right of the screen in the black portion of the bar so that they should be a bit more self-explanitory.

I hope you'll like the new look as it finally pulls the new design together. We've had White running for over a year now so it may take a bit to get used to the new look but I think you'll find it to be an improvement once you get used to it. If you don't see the new look or eventually want to switch back to the old standard just go to your profile page (now the i inside of a circle logo in the black bar) and under preferences you'll see the option to switch looks.

SubSilver is the original default that we have to keep but don't use it because A it's butt ugly and B we've removed a lot of the images so it won't be very functional

Let me know what ya think

Post by **inSTAALed** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 4:45 pm

Hooray!

The look is complete!

Post by **Minstrel** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 4:47 pm

Heh, I just made this thread an announcement to double check what the new "goal light" announce thread indicator would like as it lights up indicating new messages

Post by **inSTAALed** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 5:21 pm

I noticed.

It looked shiny... I couldn't resist...

Post by **E5150_ca** » Thu Nov 09, 2006 9:57 pm

I liked the yellow thingy for new posts.

Post by **Minstrel** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 12:34 am

The new system is designed to be more intuitive instead of having to look at the 'key' to know that the gold pucks stand for new messages inside, so that's why I made the change.

Post by **E5150_ca** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 12:53 am

Make the 'N' gold then, it barely stands out now.

Post by **Minstrel** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 1:27 am

I am going to be tweaking the smaller logos today but the main page ones are okay, it's just the difference between the old scheme and new scheme. There is planty of difference between the 'blank' pucks and the 'new' pucks.

Blue just overall is supposed to be not as different as black pucks to gold pucks, but more within the design color scheme... and it might take a bit to get used to the change. I know that it took me a while to get used to it myself since I've been staring at it more than anyone over the past year plus... but I dig it now and believe in the change.

Post by **inSTAALed** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 4:25 am

I'm already used to it... of course I'm on this site almost 24/7...

mark_htfc · Post by **mark_htfc** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 8:31 am

I think the color scheme is very nice but the only problem I have is it is hard to tell what has new post's and what doesn't.

Post by **Minstrel** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 10:56 am

If it has a blue N on it with a circle around it? There's New messages... otherwise they're black or dark blue. The 'Announce' lights hae a bulb that goes on inside them when there are new messages.

Post by **Minstrel** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 11:07 am

Not sure how this could be any clearer? Of course I'm sure you looked at both of these keys listed at the bottoms of the pages of the forum right?

mark_htfc · Post by **mark_htfc** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 11:44 am

What I mean is sometimes when I am having a quick glance. The colour of the N when it is new posts doesn't stand out enough in my opinion.

Post by **Minstrel** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 12:06 pm

And as I said I'm going to tweaking them to be brighter... I've actually got Photoshop open right now. But that's completely different from saying you can't tell the difference between the pucks with Ns on them and those without

mark_htfc · Post by **mark_htfc** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 12:13 pm

Well I don't mean as in I can't actualy tell. I just meant it doesn't stand out enough.

Actualy could you make them flash instead?? have the N flashing when new posts?

Post by **Minstrel** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 12:30 pm

mark_htfc wrote:Actualy could you make them flash instead?? have the N flashing when new posts?

To answer your question: yes, I certainly could have them flash.

mark_htfc · Post by **mark_htfc** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 12:45 pm

cool. I think that would be really good. Would make the forum stand out from others who just have a plain symbol representing new posts.

Post by **inSTAALed** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 2:33 pm

I like the symbols how they are now personally.

Now I'm too the point of wondering if Mark and Tom are colorblind...

Post by **Shadd666** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 2:40 pm

I agree that flashing Ns should be cool...

But maybe a slow flash. Else, everyone's eyes will be damaged sooner or later, and that's not the aim...lol

Anyway, Ns don't stand out enough, even if the new look is really good

The old system, with the yellow pucks for new posts, was really clear. But the same time, it was a bit old-school, so the new look is a good thing, i think. It just needs some improvements.

But i'm sure that our almighty godfather of graphics will find the awesome thing that will make it perfect!

mark_htfc · Post by **mark_htfc** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 4:24 pm

I agree shad, we don't want them flashing too quickly. A nice slow flash will be perfect I think.

The new look is really nice but the N's are not clear enough.

Last I knew of though I was not colorblind

Post by **inSTAALed** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 7:51 pm

They are too noticeable for me.

They stick out way to much.

Post by **Minstrel** » Sat Nov 11, 2006 1:31 am

The tweaked brighter images were added to the server when I was posting about them, you may not see them for a bit unless you clear your cache... and I apologize but I was being sarcastic about the flashing icons. Mark asked if I could make them flashing and I said I could meaning it is possible for me to do it not that I would. We will never have anything except the new private message icon that flashes. Picture having a dozen icons flashing neon Ns

not going to happen on my watch.

They've been adjusted as they will be. If you take a bit to get used to them I think you'll find them to be better. If not feel free to switch back to White via your profile page.

mark_htfc · Post by **mark_htfc** » Sat Nov 11, 2006 11:41 am

Argh I see. No worries I am fine leaving it as it is. i am getting used to it already. It is probably one of those things where you have been used to something and just takes a few days or so to adjust the the change,

oxenhoper · Post by **oxenhoper** » Sat Nov 11, 2006 1:34 pm

The new system is fine as it is, no need to tweek for me.