Forum Re-Design

[Dan Clark]

I agree with Seth about the stuff in the top right corner.  But I'd go one step farther.   With the exception of the notification that I'm logged in, I don't care about any of that stuff.   It's just excess information that I never use and it detracts from the clean look of the new header. 

I find it easier and faster to check the icons on the left to see if any sections have new posts.  Then check to see the threads with new posts to see if I'm interested in the topics.   

If it's feasible in the new forum format, I'd like to see a disappearing section like the current forum.  People who want to use the feature can use it and those who don't can hide it. 

Regards,

Dan.

[SRSemenza]

Hi,

   I think if those were hidable options that would be fine. In fact I think the more on/off options the better. That way people can weed out functions they don't use.  Also even if they are optional, I think that those wanting to use them will want them in a good location. People use the features in different ways- EX.   I never use  "Show new replies to your posts"  or  the list of recent posts at the bottom of the home page. But I use "Unread posts since last visit"  every time I am on.


Seth

[Brice Burrell]

  At this point we are so close it may be time to do the change over. We seem to be at the point of diminishing returns. We are going in circles here, that is a sign that we are nowhere close or have spent too much time on the same issues. I think it is time to live with the new design for a few days and see what parts of it we (meaning all of the members) can do without. Set a reasonable target for the release and do it on that day.

  
  Sorry, this comes from my constantly having a deadline to meet, you can ignore the above.  

[colinw]

Hi guys,
          I know I am a new member and have not been involved in this design work, but  I have been following the thread closely and would like to add a comment , I agree with Brice sometimes you just have to take the plunge, put the new design up, then work out the kinks ......just like a dry fit before glue up, otherwise you will still be tuning it and altering things in 6 months time.... I used to build and design databases for large coperations or at least used to be a big link in the chain and this was an issue all of the time, just when is the right time. IMHO I think you are there now. BTW Matthew wonderful work and I applaud your efforts I understand how much work a project like this ( the whole Forum thing). Thank you . I don't want to ruffle any feathers just my opinion.....


Colin

[Dan Clark]

Colin,

Everyone if free to express their opinion.   Especially when your arguments are reasonable.   

I'd like to see a of couple minor changes, but I think you and Brice are right - it's about time to ship the puppy!   We can make additional changes going forward.

Regards,

Dan.

[Matthew Schenker]

Dan,
I like your ideas about toning down the brightness of the grid lines.  However, I generated that color using The GIMP.  I get different numbers from the ones you posted.

Here are the relevant details:
HTML Color: #00ae00
Hue: 120
Saturation: 100
Value: 68
Red: 0
Green: 174
Blue: 0

In the GIMP, the maximum values for hue and saturation are 100.  I'm guessing there's a difference here in references.  Can you help me reconcile my numbers with what you posted?  What software are you using to detect these numbers?

Here's what I did: I toned down the saturation to a value of 70 (I dropped it by 30%, which corresponds to the relative drop you suggested).  This generates the HTML color #34ae34.  In the test forum, I changed all #00ae00 references to #34ae34.  This includes the grid lines, hovers, highlighting, and a few other small elements.  What do you think?

To Seth and Dan: Regarding the "welcome" text, I agree with those of you who say there's not much use to that information!  I belong to several forums, I must admit I never use the "unread posts..." or "show replies..." functions.  I am one of those people who just likes to dive into the boards.  To me, the "F" indicators (which Dan created for us a while back) do the job of letting me know where the new posts are.  So I would not have a problem getting rid of the "welcome" text.  However, I know that a number of members do use these functions.  So, for the moment, I don't think I should disable them.

To Colin: as Dan said, you should always feel free in this forum to offer your opinions, especially when your intent is to help.  We welcome that!

Matthew

[Matthew Schenker]

Here are the Systainer gif's you wanted.  (Edit - corrected size to 15X15)

Thanks David!  I just added transparency to the images and brought them into the test forum.  Do you see them.  What do you think?
I like them, but I'm thinking they should be even larger, maybe like 20x20?  I actually expanded your originals, but they could be clearer...
Matthew

[Daviddubya]

Here are the Systainer gif's you wanted.  (Edit - corrected size to 15X15)

Thanks David!  I just added transparency to the images and brought them into the test forum.  Do you see them.  What do you think?
I like them, but I'm thinking they should be even larger, maybe like 20x20?  I actually expanded your originals, but they could be clearer...
Matthew

Matthew,

Yes, I see one of the images.  You are right - it is not clear.

Here are the images in 20X20.  Expanding small images into larger ones will result in fuzzy images.  If you want a different size, I can create it from the original photo.

[Overtime]

Wow, that is cool. It is tiny but what a great idea / feature.

And the revised thinner blue border trim all the way around the page is real nice also. Much better. But that's just my opinion and what I see on my screen.

Looking much more refined now and near perfection 

[Dan Clark]

Dan,
I like your ideas about toning down the brightness of the grid lines.  However, I generated that color using The GIMP.  I get different numbers from the ones you posted.

Here are the relevant details:
HTML Color: #00ae00
Hue: 120
Saturation: 100
Value: 68
Red: 0
Green: 174
Blue: 0

In the GIMP, the maximum values for hue and saturation are 100.  I'm guessing there's a difference here in references.  Can you help me reconcile my numbers with what you posted?  What software are you using to detect these numbers?

Here's what I did: I toned down the saturation to a value of 70 (I dropped it by 30%, which corresponds to the relative drop you suggested).  This generates the HTML color #34ae34.  In the test forum, I changed all #00ae00 references to #34ae34.  This includes the grid lines, hovers, highlighting, and a few other small elements.  What do you think?
...

Matthew,

Initially, the green lines looked better but then I noticed that the green lines didn't look quite the same.  After grabbing the window with GIMP and zooming to 1600%, the color picker showed some of the green grid lines were different colors.

It looks like the interior grid lines and the line UNDER the "Home" toolbar has a saturation of "70".  However, the outside border and the line OVER the "Home" toolbar still has a saturation of "100".

At least on my monitor, the less saturated lines fade into the background and blend nicely.  The fully saturated lines have a "glow" to them - they stand out and look very odd.   I think they should all be the same with a saturation of "70".

Regards,

Dan.

p.s. I realized that we might be talking apples and oranges, so I installed GIMP.   It's a nice tool.  The color management seems much better than PhotoShop Elements V6.0 and HyperSnap 6.

[Matthew Schenker]

Dan,
Good eye!!  Yes, mistakenly I had two green references: #33cc00 and #00ae00.  I did a search and replace in the style sheet for #00ae00, and adjusted all those to the lower saturation level, but a couple of #33cc00 references remained!  This was a good opportunity for me to replace all the green references in the entire forum page and assign the same HTML color code of #34ae34.

By the way, the line you refer to as "over the home toolbar" is actually referenced in the part of the code that defines the bottom of the header area!  These things can get a bit confusing.

Anyway, I believe I have now updated all the green lines to the calmer (lower saturation) tone.  But please feel free to check and report back on anything you see that is out of line (no pun intended).

Matthew

[Matthew Schenker]

Here are the images in 20X20.  Expanding small images into larger ones will result in fuzzy images.  If you want a different size, I can create it from the original photo.

Thanks Dave!  I appreciate the contribution.  I just uploaded these new icons so everyone can take another look.  Perhaps they can go even larger?
By the way, these same icons are used in various other places in the forum, like the stats listings and the search pages.  Essentially, anywhere someone can expand or collapse a category of something.
Matthew

[Dan Clark]

Dan,
Good eye!!  Yes, mistakenly I had two green references: #33cc00 and #00ae00.  I did a search and replace in the style sheet for #00ae00, and adjusted all those to the lower saturation level, but a couple of #33cc00 references remained!  This was a good opportunity for me to replace all the green references in the entire forum page and assign the same HTML color code of #34ae34.

By the way, the line you refer to as "over the home toolbar" is actually referenced in the part of the code that defines the bottom of the header area!  These things can get a bit confusing.

Anyway, I believe I have now updated all the green lines to the calmer (lower saturation) tone.  But please feel free to check and report back on anything you see that is out of line (no pun intended).

Matthew

Matthew,

I took a quick peek.  It looks like you have everything lined up!  (Oooh.  Ouch.  Horrible pun! )

Dan.

[Dan Clark]

Here are the images in 20X20.  Expanding small images into larger ones will result in fuzzy images.  If you want a different size, I can create it from the original photo.

Thanks Dave!  I appreciate the contribution.  I just uploaded these new icons so everyone can take another look.  Perhaps they can go even larger?
By the way, these same icons are used in various other places in the forum, like the stats listings and the search pages.  Essentially, anywhere someone can expand or collapse a category of something.
Matthew

I look a quick peek at the new icons.   They look good.  Very nice work, Dave!

Dan.

[Daviddubya]

...Perhaps they can go even larger?...Matthew

How about 25X25?  If you want another size, please holler.

[SRSemenza]

Hi,

   The thin green lines still look good to me  after the coloring changes. 
 
    The Systainer collapsing is cool.

Seth

[Matthew Schenker]

How about 25X25?  If you want another size, please holler.

Thanks again David.  I put up the 25x25 version in the test forum.
Matthew

[Daviddubya]

How about 25X25?  If you want another size, please holler.

Thanks again David.  I put up the 25x25 version in the test forum.
Matthew

That looks better.  You can clearly see what it is now.  And the image is crisp.  Want any other size???

[Matthew Schenker]

David,
No, I think it's good now.  Thanks for providing material for the new forum design!
Matthew

[Matthew Schenker]

Everyone,
All right, it seems everything is ready...the structure of the new design is in place, and everyone has had ample opportunity to comment.  Now it's time to launch it!
So, I'm going to get the new design up and running and do some other needed maintenance on the forum.

The forum upgrade and maintenance will begin Friday morning at 4:00 AM.  The forum will be shut down from 4:00 AM to about 4:30 AM while I do the maintenance.

I'll post a note to the whole community about this momentarily.

Thanks everyone for your terrific help in this effort.  I'm looking forward to the new design.

Matthew

[Matthew Schenker]

One more note:
For those of you who want to switch to the new theme right now, before it becomes official for the entire forum, follow these steps:
1. Click on "My Profile" from the main menu.
2. Click on "Look and Layout Preferences" in the profile screen.
3. Click "change" where you see, "Current Theme: Default (change)."
4. In the theme selection page, find "SilentWave," then click on "use this theme."

Matthew

[Fred West]

Matthew, as always you have outdone yourself. The amount of work that has gone into this is staggering and I just want to thank you in particular as well as all the others that contributed. Fred

[Matthew Schenker]

Fred,
Thanks for your reply.  As you can see, the new design is now up and running.
Matthew

[Fred West]

Matthew, I changed over to the new format about noon yesterday and relly like it. Thank you again. Fred

[Brice Burrell]

  Matthew, links on the new site seem to be the same color as the regular text, at first glance you don't know they are links. I preferred the different colored link text, is it possible to do this? And I know you were working on having a Festool region show up for each member location, will we see that in the future? 

BTW, great work!

[Chris N]

Fantastic job Matthew.  I second Bruce's comments.
Chris

[Forrest Anderson]

Matthew

Thank you very much for all the effort you have put into the re-design. I find it nice and clear, and the logo looks very professional.

  Matthew, links on the new site seem to be the same color as the regular text, at first glance you don't know they are links. I preferred the different colored link text, is it possible to do this?

I'm also with Brice on this one. Having links the same colour as normal text makes it very difficult to spot that there is a link embedded in the text. In fact, somewhere in this paragraph there is a link to a picture of the profile of the CMS side-rails which show the V-groove (referred to in another thread). Since the link is not shown in a different colour, it's difficult to find it. In fact, if I hadn't mentioned the link was there, hardly anyone would have known the link even existed.

Forrest

[Matthew Schenker]

I agree about the link color.  However, remember that whatever color I specify for links shows up for all links, not just those in the message post box.  I'm going to look for ways to have the links behave differently inside the post box and get back to this later today.
Matthew

[Matthew Schenker]

Everyone,
I just updated the link color to gray, with green/underlined hovers.  Just to test it, I put a link right here in the middle of a post.  On my monitor, it stands out enough without being too jarring.  Can others please report on what you're seeing?

For comparison, over in the test forum I changed the links to a subdued blue.  That way, people can jump back and forth between "test" and "production" forums to see which one works best visually.

I'm trying to find a color that makes links stand out, without making things ugly.

Matthew

[Rob_B]

L/G against that background is a slightly obscure..

least on my screen it is