2013-05-09, 08:14 | Link #1 |
Banned
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Visual Dream Panire
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The AnimeSuki Forums Theme Change
Hello and welcome to the The AnimeSuki Forums Theme Change discussion thread.
As all my other threads at the Forum & Site Feedback, this thread is discussion-focused as well. That means that the first post (this one) only opens up a discussion to which everyone can add his/her own opinion and upgrade it or disagree with it with a valid reason. This time, it is about something quite huge - changing the whole Forums' theme. Before I go any further, I would like to say that if this gets considered, it would be after the Forum Reorganization takes action. Now, first off, what even is a theme? Keeping it as simple as possible, it is a specific style. By style, I mean Graphical Design and Organization. So, connecting the dots, by changing the theme, we would change the Forums' overall look and where specific links could be accessed. So, let's focus on both of them separately. The Graphical Design: I do not want to end up looking rough here or anything, but let's face it, the current graphical style of the forums does not really lure-in. It is true that what really matters is how accessible things are, but that is how a Senior Member, who has been around for some time and got used to things thinks like. How about new, fresh members? As a regular member, moderator and/or administrator of some other forums, I can safely say that much more newly registered members stay for some time if the Forums' design attracts them and they see it as something awesome. Later on, they stay if the content and the community are good, but that's not an issue here, AnimeSuki has both of that covered nicely. Keeping things rounded up, I think that AnimeSuki Forums should receive a Graphical Overhaul. More Skins should be added and made optional for members to pick from them. The current one could be the one set on default. Adding to the idea, the Forums haven't really had a competition lately and I've seen some members wanting it. Maybe we have just found a new challange if it isn't going to be a bit too hard. The Organization: When saying Organization, I mean practically everything that does not include the upcoming Forum Reorganization. (See link above) I've been surfing through the AS Forums for quite some time now and noticed that some options do not really pop-up where they should. Here comes the part where your help, as a member of the community, would be really wanted. I want you to share your opinion on what options that the Forums currently have could be moved to a better location, possibly be written in bigger characters, in different colors, ... I'll keep the suggestions listed here:
That would more or less round things up; I would like to know from the Administrators if the current version of vBulletin the Forums are using would be good enough to handle the suggestions listed above or not. Note that besides adding new Graphic Design(s), all the changes done would be just moving the already in-put data around and maybe changing it a little. Thank-you very much for reading. Commenting and adding your opinion would be really wanted. |
2013-05-09, 08:34 | Link #5 | |||
Banned
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Visual Dream Panire
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It would be the default one. Quote:
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At least that is as far as I know, maybe you do not require a plugin at all. |
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2013-05-09, 09:48 | Link #6 |
temporary safeguard
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Germany
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There are already mutiple color themes, so I guess you are talking about a greater change than just that.
I actually quite like the current style. It is light, minimalistic and feels... well open. As opposed to being cluttered with all kinds of buttons, features and social media tie-ins. That is what's currently considered 'modern' right? Frankly, I can't point to any other forum right now, that has a better design. But I'm open for anything that proves me wrong. There are little bits that I think can be improved upon though. For example the way the forum manages different screen sizes: Posts get really streched into super long spagetti lines on widescreen. And on phones, the forum is basicly broken. That could use some support. Dunno if this still fits in with the 'theme' topic. |
2013-05-09, 10:33 | Link #7 | |||
Banned
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Visual Dream Panire
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No, things with lots of buttons aren't modern. So-called "Modern" things are just represented in a more "energetic" and "fancy" way. Oh trust me, there are Forums with way better designs out there, I just cannot share right now since I'm using my Phone to write this. You have probably noticed that by my clumsy quoting in this post, hehe. Quote:
It is true exactly the way you've said it and it would be great to have a set and static dimensions of the comment/post box, due to it being quite weird on different screen sizes. |
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2013-05-09, 15:39 | Link #8 |
Administrator
Administrator
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Netherlands
Age: 45
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The first thing to keep in mind is that we (mods/admin) didn't create the forum software -- it is "standard" vBulletin forum software. So adding features (even seemingly small ones) or making major changes isn't quite as easy as it would mean having to figure out exactly where and how to make such changes work without breaking vBulletin.
As mentioned, one reason the forum looks a bit dated is because it runs vB 3. We've contemplated (and procrastinated) for a while to upgrade to vB 4, but right now we're faced with two problems: vB 4 is no longer "current" (so it seems like wasted effort to make all of our modifications and plugins work with it at this stage) and vB 5 is a complete utter mess (at least at this stage). The alternative of moving away from vBulletin might mean some features no longer work, such as the social group & image albums features. So in the end we decided to stick with vB 3 for now. And we're not the only one: a number of other sites are still on vB 3 as well, such as WebHostingTalk.com and the MacRumors.com forums (which are no small forums by any means). Having said that, I wouldn't mind having another theme to choose from and trying to modernize the look a bit. The current default theme has been around for ages. It would require someone with a design sense and the necessary image editing/creation skills to update the color theme and all the button (etc) images though... and I'm not really such a person. |
2013-05-10, 05:32 | Link #10 | |||||
Banned
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Visual Dream Panire
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It certainly isn't a strong-point to have a basic/standard vBulletin if you want to edit it and upgrade it in the future. Creating the structure of the forums shouldn't be hard either, but as we are currently on what we are on, I would agree that vB 3 is good and simple, what we couldn't say for vB 5. Quote:
It might sound like a big move, but would it really be now? From the start, the AS Forums did not plan to have a big community that would discuss various things about Anime series and everything related or not to it. However, that changed now, and looking at the present, these are quite huge Forums that are focused into something - Anime. Due to just that being the center-point of attention, I would suggest working on it and making it even more massive. AS has the content and the community, now it only needs visual attraction, if you understand what I mean. Quote:
From what I see, the Forums truly do have only one Theme from which you can either pick a Standard (yellow), or a Blue Skin. Alongside, you can pick a different kind of order of data being shown, but in the end, that is one and the same Theme with the gadgets being switched a little. Quote:
There already is a mobile version of the forums, it is just more or less broken. The post/message box has rainbow-long lines of words on big screens while a few words per line on mobile devices. I might create a thread focused just on that, but for now, we can agree that a static-type post-box with constant dimensions would be wanted. Quote:
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2013-05-10, 08:12 | Link #11 |
Love Yourself
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Northeast USA
Age: 38
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Based on my forum usage (here and elsewhere) this layout is visually pleasing and easy to use. Do you have any examples of forum layouts that you think are superior? I'd be interested in seeing them (either links or screenshots posted here).
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2013-05-10, 08:17 | Link #12 |
Senior Member
Artist
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: The Middle Way
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You know, I don't see anything wrong with making the shift to 4 if you've already been working on the transition, regardless of 5 floating around.
If it is as you say and 5 isn't looking that good, then we can just stick with 4 until 6 comes around whenever.
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2013-05-10, 08:28 | Link #13 | |
Senior Member
Author
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But still, it is possible that something better is out there, but like Ledgem, I'd like to have links to them.
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2013-05-10, 09:44 | Link #15 | ||
Banned
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Visual Dream Panire
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Are you focusing on the Yellow or Blue Skin used? Also, as I've said, the current Theme is really user-friendly, but I wasn't focusing on that, but the first visual effect impression. You've been here for quite some time, so I doubt you remember what you felt like at the time you have joined, but for me, the default-set yellow cover and the sharp, cubic edges did not quite attract me. Now, I stayed becaue I do not like to judge by the looks but the content, which is the reason why I stayed. However, I am trying to point out that it is not like that for everyone. Quote:
Amphasizing is visible as well, but that is more or less a minor detail. Majority of the Forums are the Forum boxes and presentation on the Main Index Page. I'd like to make a notice and a sub-request as I'm reading the responses and seeing what people use around: Could the Blue coloured Skin be set on Default instead of the Yellow one? I'm saying that because quite some people just check the Main Index Page, see if they like it for 5 seconds and find it as the most crucial thing at that time if they will Register and then check the Forums out or leave. If they would Register, the content and community would come in action to show their greatness, which AnimeSuki already has to offer. In short, could the Blue skin be set on 1st-time Default instead of the Yellow one? Note that you might want to put up the "fanciest" theme you possess and set it as a default to attract members. You would, of course, have more simple themes, as the current one available for members to pick between later on, but you want to put up something attractive and exotic at first (More colours, not so sharp edges, maybe a more interesting font, ...) |
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2013-05-10, 10:11 | Link #16 | |||
Love Yourself
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Northeast USA
Age: 38
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Many of the newer designs that I've seen appear somewhat chaotic and/or are harder to use by comparison. The reason I ask for examples isn't because I'm being defensive over the AnimeSuki design and layout, but because I'm curious. I'm putting down the other layouts that I've seen, but I don't claim to have seen a huge variety of forum layouts. Maybe what you have in mind really is superior. You know that it's subjective either way, and you know that there's always resistance from people who are used to having something in a particular way. I think a lot of us are at least willing to take a look at some proposed designs. I'm just not imaginative enough to visualize a redesign for myself.
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2013-05-10, 10:32 | Link #17 | |
Banned
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Visual Dream Panire
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Time moves on, and if anime series move on, AnimeSuki has to as well. Although you, as an older members may find the current looks appealing, quite a big piece of new members wouldn't. Here comes the difference between new anime series and the Forums: The Forums can have multiple options between which you can pick. We could have this advantage to have multiple options to please every member, new and old alike. However, try keeping in mind that older members already know where to switch themes and know how things go, while random pass-byers don't. That is exactly why I have said that setting an exotic, energetic and attarctive theme for Default would be good, to please those new, not-knowing and don't-even-wanna-knowing members. I hope you see my point. I'm not saying that things should be replaced, just more added between which members could pick. I don't see anything negative coming out of this, the only question is how to execute and actually put such an update(s) through (vBulletin issue). |
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2013-05-10, 11:37 | Link #18 | |||
Love Yourself
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Northeast USA
Age: 38
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I guess I was expecting something different. In this case, there isn't really anything for the users to discuss; it's up to the staff whether they want to add more themes, and which themes they accept or reject. If no changes are forced on existing members then it really doesn't matter, does it?
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2013-05-10, 11:48 | Link #19 | |
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
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By mobile version, I was thinking more along the line of being finger-friendly instead of just the text layout. Compare these two images: Spoiler:
At this point, the longer it takes to make the move, the longer most other (bigger) feature/change requests will be put on hold waiting for the move to take place first unless the request just so happens to have the support of the admins/mods. |
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2013-05-10, 14:42 | Link #20 | ||
Banned
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Visual Dream Panire
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We have just focused a bit more on visual impressions through the discussion on the thread. I meant the whole theme. As for the other responses, we could go into detail and check the data of rise/drop rates, but as far as I've seen, fancier themes attract a bigger amout of people to stay and check the things out than basic and classic ones. Again, it all goes down to personal opinion, as you have said, but we are trying to look at the biggest part here. Okay, okay. How about this: A new member would have to pick an option as soon as he/she would visit the forums' main index page for the first time from that IP address, either to start off with a "Simple, basic theme" or a "Fancy, visual theme". The main idea was just to add a few more theme(s), but now we have already expanded the issues that could occur this far... That is what I call a good discussion. Quote:
Indeed, the AS Forums do not have that yet but it would be good to have it. I can say from experience that it would not be so hard to perform this action/update, due to my friend owning some forums having it already. I'm an Admin there, but wasn't helping out with that specific set, so I'll ask him for help. The site's name is ChromeRune if you want to check it out (It currently has only 76 members; will give a link to it once I access my computer). |
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Tags |
design, graphical, organization, theme |
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