New Forum Layout, Comments?

Post by **BuckGB** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 12:28 pm

Well, I've finally uploaded our new forum layout since the migration we did back in August/September. I'm still going to be making some tweaks (not sure on the grey background on certain windows, might need a few more icons, etc) but for the most part, this is what it's going to look like.

So... what do you think? Do you like the "old" banshee logo in the header more than the full pose? I might host a poll on this yet, with the winner ending up in the header across the site. I also removed the hack that was assigning all of the forums into columns and just went with vBulletin's sub-forum categorization. It's not as pretty, but it keeps things tidied up without needing a third-party addon. If people really want to go back to the two-column format, I'll see what I can do.

Other than commenting on the layout, please let me know if anything is noticeably broken and I'll work on it. Just so you know, though, I'm still working on the RPG search and banshee dropdown functionality.

Loki[D.d.G] · Post by **Loki[D.d.G]** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 12:38 pm

Smexy!

One quick observation though, I find the Featured RPGs Sub-Forums layout to be a little to cramped and messy for my liking.

Will post more feedback if I have the time.

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 12:54 pm

My impressions are contradictory.

I find the colours and framing sleek and clean,
but as Loki says the sub-forum layout is messy. I also find the differently coloured thread icons make for an overly busy/cluttered look.
"Busy" can be good in that it gives a sense of movement, but this feels a bit distracting.

However, any sense of aesthetic is highly personal and subjective, and I'd be the first to admit that sometimes I lean too much toward subtlety

fable · Post by **fable** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 1:03 pm

Featured RPGs does appear to be a mess. It isn't, but the way it's displayed gives that impression. If there were some way to give each RPG forum its own line, with a slightly larger font, and perhaps a unique icon...?

Post by **BuckGB** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 1:10 pm

dragon wench wrote:I also find the differently coloured thread icons make for an overly busy/cluttered look.

Are you referring to the little red/blue envelope icons on the forum listings? Those, the sticky pin, the chart bars, etc. are all default icons from vBulletin. I'm not sure what I'm going to do there, yet. I may see about getting some custom icons made.

As for the sub-forum listing on the main page, yeah it's a bit messy. But you have to understand that vBulletin doesn't handle dozens of forums well and I only have three options here:

- Leave it as is. It alleviates scrolling and is vBulletin's default way of displaying forums.
- Go back to listing every forum in a separate column. Lots of scrolling required, with forums like Speak Your Mind several pages down.
- Reinstall the third-party hack that lists forums in two columns. More scrolling required, but half of what's necessary with one forum per column. With vBulletin 4.0 coming out soon, though, I'm hesitant to do this. The hack might not be compatible with version 4.0.

Loki[D.d.G] · Post by **Loki[D.d.G]** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 1:16 pm

Perhaps you could break it down into smaller categories?

Maybe one called Old School for those vintage games and another called Hybrid like we used to have. Throw in a couple of other categories and that may alleviate the clutter some.

endboss · Post by **endboss** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 1:18 pm

It looks horrible. The layout is too busy and the colors hurt my eyes, plus everyone has that huge icon next to their name now.

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 1:25 pm

BuckGB wrote:Are you referring to the little red/blue envelope icons on the forum listings? Those, the sticky pin, the chart bars, etc. are all default icons from vBulletin. I'm not sure what I'm going to do there, yet. I may see about getting some custom icons made.

As for the sub-forum listing on the main page, yeah it's a bit messy. But you have to understand that vBulletin doesn't handle dozens of forums well and I only have three options here:

- Leave it as is. It alleviates scrolling and is vBulletin's default way of displaying forums.
- Go back to listing every forum in a separate column. Lots of scrolling required, with forums like Speak Your Mind several pages down.
- Reinstall the third-party hack that lists forums in two columns. More scrolling required, but half of what's necessary with one forum per column. With vBulletin 4.0 coming out soon, though, I'm hesitant to do this. The hack might not be compatible with version 4.0.

Yes, I'm referring to the envelopes. I totally recognise that you are somewhat limited in your options.. but if you have custom icons designed, how about something like a range of shades within the same colour ? For example, brightish gold to very pale gold? I don't know, I might be way off base here, you're the one dealing with the web design, just a thought though

The hack initially sounds like a good option, but if it causes incompatibility problems then it probably isn't the best solution.

On the logo:
I mentioned this before in GB Discussion, but since you ask, I'll also state here that I prefer the old logo, it has a more graceful, flowing look.

fable · Post by **fable** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 1:42 pm

I'm not sure what colors others are complaining about. The general layout and content are only slightly more colorful to me than the older board, and I'm pretty sensitive to color. I like the larger avatars, and the very lightly colorized folders. Was there some page that provides a good example of this overly colorized appearance I could try?

As for the individual game forums, I agree with Loki that creating sub-categories may be the only way to go. The status quo frankly just doesn't cut it. Or perhaps try the each-forum-in-a-separate-column look for a day, just to see how it works out?

Kipi · Post by **Kipi** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 1:44 pm

I like the new style. But the main forum is messy because how the sub forum -listing is shown. No need to change though if next version is coming out soon, and hack would cause some incompatibilities.

So, for now I'm just using own screen for each listing (News & Feedback, Featured RPGs etc.), as those listings are clear and nice looking. So no big deal there.

Tricky · Post by **Tricky** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 2:08 pm

Very sexy. Clean up the forum categories section a bit as mentioned above and you have a winner on your hands.

Post by **BuckGB** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 2:37 pm

What if I just remove the sub-forum listings completely and just list the top categories? Then you can click each to see a full list.

I've configured it this way for now. Makes for a clean initial presentation, anyway. Let me know what you think.

Kipi · Post by **Kipi** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 3:03 pm

Looks a lot cleaner now, thank you.

The problem with the previous setup was that the sub forum links were too small in terms of font and they were only separated by the icon indicating whether there is new posts (as far as I was able to see).

mr_sir · Post by **mr_sir** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 3:10 pm

The only issue I have is that the new posts and no new posts icons are identical, which makes it hard to tell if there are any new posts on the forums that I moderate.

Bloodstalker · Post by **Bloodstalker** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 3:15 pm

The banshee icon beside my username looks like it's giving me the thumbs up.

I also couldn't find the reply button at first. This is gonna take some getting used to.

It's all a little bright and bubbly for me. I fear change though, so that could be part of it.

Tricky · Post by **Tricky** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 3:24 pm

Agreed, looks much better now. The new points mentioned above are good, aside that there is no shame in getting used it when a button is not on exactly the same place as it was before. You shouldn't have to accommodate us in every way, you can challenge us a little too.

galraen · Post by **galraen** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 3:59 pm

Like it, nice one Buck.

fable · Post by **fable** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 4:09 pm

Looks much cleaner without the RPG sub-forums.

Ode to a Grasshopper · Fri Nov 20, 2009 5:56 pm

Ooh, shiny.
Everything seems to work OK, about the only recommendation I can give is to maybe have a list of specific forums covered in each category on the GB Forums page (pretty minor thing, but it'd be convenient for people who aren't 'old-timers' per se).
And it should be mandatory for DWs avatar to reflect the whole BG portrait from which it comes, in full size no less.

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 6:33 pm

To chime in with everyone else,
it's all looking much better now Buck!

By the by, I like the new quote boxes, they look sharp.

Ode to a Grasshopper wrote: And it should be mandatory for DWs avatar to reflect the whole BG portrait from which it comes, in full size no less.

Are you trying to get me banned? :speech: