Website's Default Theme

[Mac]

Yes, I've finally decided to sort this out.

We seem to have exhausted for now the themes that are available for phpbb3 and that look good on ACF so. What I plan to do now is ask you guys, of the themes that have been installed, which you think should be the default theme.

however there is a little catch here ; ). What I ask is that you should try to choose the theme that you think, as a member here, you would think would look good if you had never been here and had just come.

Basically, what theme you think new users would want to see the board with when they first browse the site.

For those of you who don't know what themes I've got here, I've put below some links which will load the index page in a different theme.

index.php?style=2 (http://www.animechatforums.com/forum/index.php?style=2) - X-Treme skin
index.php?style=6 (http://www.animechatforums.com/forum/index.php?style=6) - Glacier Lite
index.php?style=8 (http://www.animechatforums.com/forum/index.php?style=8) - CodeBlack
index.php?style=11 (http://www.animechatforums.com/forum/index.php?style=11) - AcidTech Red

I hope that maybe we can get a definite answer for this, so I can have a default theme set and then work can be undertaken for the site's new banners.

And just so you know, I've tried to vote for this also with the mind of what I as a new member here would like to see the board themed as. Just remember, there are always the extra themes for you. ;)

[Takai]

I am wavering between CodeBlack and AcidTech still. CodeBlack seems like something attractive to anyone, professional yet fun to look at. AcidTech is more on the preferences side. I personally love the black+reds+greys combo, bit not everyone does. But then again, not anyone really likes gloomy colors *sweatdrop* i think i just contradicted myself and lost my purpose LOL.

I voted for AcidTech red.

[frank]

prosilver is just too conservative--even for me! LOL btw, Mac. I noticed you didn't put up the link for that one, along with the others.

I like Glacier Lite. If I were coming on to the site for the first time, there are enough contrasts to be interesting but not overwhelming. And by the time it's been customized with graphics for ACf, it should be more attractive than intimidating.

Everything is right out there in plain view. I mean I like the the way it's laid out--easy to navigate. The pages being full-sized allows a newcomer to feel comfortable. The other styles, even though they're interesting and have more color contrasts, to me feel like they're "compressed." Makes me feel all scrunched up.

All of this has to operate on a very subjective level. I would rather have a newcomer come and stay and play for awhile, than look at a Christmas tree and move on. I really don't like the totally black background of Acid Tech.

But, once I'm in there, like anything else, I'm not uncomfortable. But I know what I'm looking for--kind of. LOL

I think Glacier Lite is more newcomer friendly than the others.

@Takai: I'm not really being a traitor. ^^ I do like Acid Tech. But as long as it can stay as a preference, I'd rather default toward one that I "feel" isn't overwhelming.

[Mac]

I didn't link the prosilver theme because everyone sees that when they load the site up (and to be honest, couldn't be bothered.)

I know there are more members on here than just you and Takai (^^;). I really need everyone who comes here to post in this. ><

[Takai]

AcidTech's background is grey, not black. In fact, I don't think it has black at all; they're all shades of grey.

Well. I dunno then. Glacier is boring to me. I guess I can't really look at this from the point of view of the new person. But I personally wouldn't be attracted to a new forum if it had this default blue and white feel to it. (and the icon on the right side really bothers me for some reason. it's different and needs time to get used to. i don't think it's a good idea to have something this...distracting for a default theme.)

[Lady Vamp]

o.o Well, I kinda just voted based on me... I was being a little selfish. I voted for CodeBlack, only because I think the banner up top is fun, plus the combination of grey and black is different from every other bright forum out there. I like AcidTech too, but I think it can be a little overwhelming at first as well. I think Glacier is just boring... >.> If I was a newcomer, I don't think I would join if it was that bright. And I like X-Treme, but it's kinda tacky and not as cool as the rest of them.

Just my opinion.

[Searing Weapon]

Well, if I'm going to voice my opinion on this I'll try.

Although this is quite difficult, as all the themes are good themes, I would really consider CodeBlack at the least the best theme to use for newcomers.

I've been to a lot of forums and most of them involve bright, contrasting themes as default and although I'm okay with that, from seeing so many sites using such stark colour sets and layouts something a little darker, but yet still easy to read and similarly still very attractive would to me, be the best choice.

The old theme of ACF was quite dark. Codeblack is quite dark and I never had any problem with the old theme except the text was small. (LoL). Codeblack is just simply a different yet still good theme to the norm of forums out there.


I tried to make this as unbiased as possible. To me, Glacier just looks much like Prosilver. I'm not stating it's a bad theme. What I am saying is it just looks too 'typical', if you get my meaning.

X-Treme, in my opinion, is a brilliant theme. It's very technical and I really like the blue, but the images take too long to load and on top of that the Posting.php (the 'you have entered your message' screen) is messed up and I don't like that.

AcidTech red is also a very good theme, and it's second to CodeBlack for me. It's a very unique-looking theme. But the problem is that after a long period of use the red begins to just become too much and it can become quite distracting.

I can also understand that some people would consider CodeBlack to be too dark and to not have any 'life' to it. In a sense I can understand that. In ways it does appear quite dark. But compare this to the overly bright themes of 95% of every other website and you will see that this theme is different.


I'm sorry this is so long but I wanted to voice my full opinion on this. If Glacier was chosen for the theme I wouldn't be annoyed.

[frank]

by frank on Thu Apr 24, 2008 10:48 pm

Without wanting to start WWIII, I can only offer what I see. It may be possible that Takai's and others, also, have screens that are showing colors differently.
***
prosilver is dead, dull, but has some contrasts.
***
Glacier doesn't have any white except a thin border, and very narrow spacing between entries. and, of course, dialog boxes.
The rest has alternating boxes between what I call a warm, dusty blue (not bright at all), and bluish gray. It's a relatively conservative, but not unattractive combination. The rest of the style has variations on those colors to accent the information .
The header shows as a deep, rich, light to dark blue with some black and white accents. Very attractive.
The text is black.
***
Acid Tech Red comes across as a totally black background with bright, fluorescent reds,yellows, greens and sharply contrasting bright whites. The text is a hard to read gray.
***
Code Black is seen pretty much the same way.
***
Xtreme is like that , too, except it has white text.
***

This is how I'm seeing these different syles/themes.

Why my screen would interpret so differently, I don't know. This is all just offered for informatin.

I'm having to readjust from the old board and these new ones, also. Even to the avatar on the right for Glacier. I'm used to seeing Sarah or Shoden on the left.

I'll go with whatever you all want to do. ^^

LOL I couldn't figure out how to just move this from where it ended up, back to here. I was messing around with the save function and when it was all edited, the submit brought it as a separate topic, instead of a reply. :?

[Takai]

I said that from the very beginning, when i first asked to add AcidTech theme, that the red was too bright. But I don't know about anything else. The names of sections are yellow, well what color should it be to stand out from reds and greys? ^^; I don't see how white sharply contrasts with medium/dark grey background, and where on earth are you seeing greens? o_o and once again, there is no black. I just opened it in Photoshop -- they're all shades of grey like i said. *shrug* well whatever, Glacier is winning anyway -.-

[Mac]

Acid Tech Red comes across as a totally black background with bright, fluorescent reds,yellows, greens and sharply contrasting bright whites. The text is a hard to read gray.

I don't see any greens either. And even on this rather dark library monitor post text is white. O_o

[line:1ch0hhjf]500[/line:1ch0hhjf]

Btw I will make the fit hit the shan here, by saying that I actually did vote for Glacier although I personally don't like it too well. -.-' It just looks kinda well... bland. Not saying that's it's a very bad theme, but it just looks unoriginal and kinda boring.

I use AcidTech Red because it's a bit easier to read at the library than CodeBlack, but CodeBlack is still my favourite theme. It matches my desktop taskbar, ironically. o.o

I will try to get a few more people to vote here. >< I'm also debating on changing my vote >.>

[frank]

All I can do is tell you what I see on my machine. And it's possible that this machine is really squirrely.

Today, post text is white. dialog box text is easy to read gray. All the reds have toned down to being more rusty red than bright or fluoro..

the yellows are bright but not fluoro. The borders are black with the theme page itself being a very, very dark gray.

the greens have toned down and aren't fluoro. Global Mods are in green, btw.

Mac, I can go either way. Glacier still takes longer for the page to re-load each time.

The contrasts that were there yesterday, aren't there today. I can't explain it. I'm not even going to try.

But you and Takai most likely have a better feel for what will be attractive to a visitor, than I do. I liked Acid Tech from the beginning and told Takai that I did.

Maybe I just like sales order forms at heart? LOL j/k

Nac, if you can into the system and change my vote, please do. Make it for Acid Tech Red. :D

[Mac]

dude just change your vote. O_o;

[frank]

:oops:

coulldn't do that on the old board? I think.... :?

[Mac]

Nah I kinda set this one so people could change their vote. I mean I knew someone would make a choice, then figure out they really -didn't- want that vote. xD

[Takai]

And now it's a tie xD

[Mac]

So I guess I have the final decision?

(I didn't see that coming. Lol.)

I'll think about this a little and next time I speak with Flash I'll post the final decision. Except it to be CodeBlack though.

[frank]

Like I said, I'll go with whatever the majortiy want.But how many and which options will there be? XD

We won't lose acid red, will we? (If Code Black is set )

[Takai]

But what about the banner and stuff? Will it show up the same on all layouts, seeing that the header size is different on them all? I hope it's not going to look fine on just the default one 'cause I'm gonna continue using AcidTech.

[frank]

But what about the banner and stuff? Will it show up the same on all layouts, seeing that the header size is different on them all? I hope it's not going to look fine on just the default one 'cause I'm gonna continue using AcidTech.

Me too. And that radioactive thingy has to go. Both places--up top and down below.

[Mac]

But what about the banner and stuff? Will it show up the same on all layouts, seeing that the header size is different on them all? I hope it's not going to look fine on just the default one 'cause I'm gonna continue using AcidTech.

Me too. And that radioactive thingy has to go. Both places--up top and down below.They will.

No, each of the themes has different headers so each theme will need different banners. I'm very grateful to the people I have spoken to who are willing to make banners for the themes, as they are glad to make different sizes of each banner for the different themes and I'm hoping to have a script set so each theme rotates between different banners every time a page is loaded (Much the same as Glacier.)

Also no, none of the themes will be lost. This poll was simply about needing to change the theme from the default ProSilver one to a different one so it looks better to guests / new registrees. That's all. Everyone has their own preference and I am in no right to change peoples' opinions [glow=red:4rdesol7]^_^[/glow:4rdesol7] all of the current themes will still be selectable and I will make sure each theme looks its best. :p

[FlashD]

I think Mac already answered all the questions pretty much the way I would. The only think I would like to add is that we might get rid of the default themes (subsilver2 and prosilver) and about that I want your opinions. Should we get rid of them or should we not?
As Mac already specified everyone have their own preferences and we don't want to force ours on anyone, rather we would like to hear from you and get your feedback to see what should be improved. Banners will come (that's Mac's responsibility and I will torture him if he screws up, so no worries) and they will match the layouts (or I will still torture him), the radioactive things will be replaced and of course we will make sure every change made will be of your (user's) liking. So FEEDBACK people ... don't be afraid to post your ideas. I'm sure we want to hear them. After all we've decided to re-design the website and at this point better make it for a large variety of different people. I'm already reading through all the suggestions you guys have posted and making notes.

On this note I will be back at my place on Sunday so I will be able to continue working on the sites starting Monday.

[Takai]

Honestly, I don't really care whether subsilver and prosilver stay or go ^^; I definitely will never use them. But there are probably people who like it too..

[Mac]

I've never actually used Subsilver, wasn't it disabled on install?

And that Glacier looks like a nicer-looking version of Prosilver, I'd personally say I wouldn't miss them both being disabled, but best to talk about that when we can. O_o

[Searing Weapon]

I've never actually used Subsilver, wasn't it disabled on install?

And that Glacier looks like a nicer-looking version of Prosilver, I'd personally say I wouldn't miss them both being disabled, but best to talk about that when we can. O_oI'd say probably keep Prosilver for testing purposes. . .

[FlashD]

I've never actually used Subsilver, wasn't it disabled on install?
Yes, but I want to eradicate them out of the forum completely.


And that Glacier looks like a nicer-looking version of Prosilver, I'd personally say I wouldn't miss them both being disabled, but best to talk about that when we can. O_o
Yes, Glacier does look much better than prosilver and lags exactly the same way so there is no need to keep both. As for the right time ... I can wait, but since the themes are the first on the list to be updated I think it's the right time. :P

I'd say probably keep Prosilver for testing purposes. . .
Using a theme for testing is a bit risky since there are a lot of things before you even reach the theme that can kill the site. I have phpbb installed on my own server for testing things before they get up here, so I don't think we really need it for testing.

What I want to know is your thoughts about keeping the themes for users that would prefer prosilver and subsilver2 rather than any other theme. I honestly doubt it, but that's just me so I want to know what the majority thinks.

[frank]

I like Pro Silver, Glacier, and Acid Tech Red.

Sub Silver I don't know ><

Code Black and Xtreme I don't care for.

I like the simplicity of Pro Silver. It matches many existing forums for style. Boring or otherwise.

I like Glacier . Is like a snappier version of Pro Silver. It also matches many forum themes for style.

Acid Tech Red is dramatic, powerful, and also matches some of the "higher-end" themes.

Those 3 would be my picks if it comes to keeping or kicking.

I think all of them will really look sweet once the're customized for ACF. ^^

[Hara Michiyo]

Is it just me or why am I not able to view these themes? I blame this laptop, it's really really ****. It's not my one, my one is at home :(

[Hara Michiyo]

I am still not really with it. I just realised I swore on my last post. I hardly ever swear, even in real life. People are shocked if I swear. Why did I do that? Anyways...not important...I have to go back to being bored, watching AK and jeff playing Guilty Gear...

[Mac]

I am still not really with it. I just realised I swore on my last post. I hardly ever swear, even in real life. People are shocked if I swear. Why did I do that? Anyways...not important...I have to go back to being bored, watching AK and jeff playing Guilty Gear...User Control Panel -> Board Preferences.

The menu to select themes is there. o_O;

Anyway. Default theme has been decided (CodeBlack) so this topic is now closed. If anyone has any further feedback on the themes or wants to suggest any extra themes you can PM me or FlashD. ^_^

EDIT

Before anyone asks ^^; yes, I know. The banner sucks, so does the button for the Gallery link in peoples' posts. Those will be dealt with very shortly.