How well do you like the new skin?

[vanesch]

I have to say that overall, I like the new thing. Yesterday, I switched back to the old skin for a few hours, and no, I switched back to the new one because finally I liked it more. I like it, it is less "imposing", and the nice thing about the grey (eh, sorry, silver ) overall impression is that the few colored items stand out clearly.
The only thing I'd like to say is that the tiny symbols representing thread status (new posts...) are a bit, well, tiny. The green or grey arrow of the old skin was clearer in that respect.

 

[Moonbear]

It's odd; I seem to have such an opposite reaction as others describe to the gray vs white background for text. I just switched briefly back to the old skin after using the new one exclusively since it was released, and it just seemed too harsh and bright. To me, the grays (erm...silver) are more calm and soothing and easier on my eyes (blues and grays are supposed to be soothing colors...this might make for an interesting psychology thread of what colors people find soothing and why). The funny thing is that when I first saw the skin, I was worried that people would react to it being too colorful, not that they'd find it too monotone; that actually really surprised me to see that comment. I like that it has a lot of texture to it. The colors are used to create light and shadows and give the whole page a feeling of depth.

I happen to like that bright colors are mostly only used on elements that should catch your attention now, but without clashing with the overall scheme. The color seems to have more functionality now than in the old skin, so no longer should new people be saying they can't find the quote button or don't know what the green light means, or hunted everywhere and can't find the forum guidelines. To me, this just makes it much easier to navigate. In the old skin, sure, we had those green quote buttons, but they clashed so horribly compared to everything else that they disrupted the calmness. And the former icons indicated threads with new posts, or hot threads, or locked threads, etc, were just so overly colorful that they began to lose meaning...it was hard to spot one color amidst the sea of color.

I just love the very modern feel. Then again, this is the sort of look and feel I like for a workplace. I agree with the others who have suggested the "eyes" on the header bar could go or be toned down to look less like eyes, but really, that's all I would change at this point.

 

[Les Sleeth]

The staff and I are discussing whether to create a no frills and thrills version of the new skin. It would help in forum updating and overall creates a consistant experience for everyone.

Does that include eliminating guru status?

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

Does that include eliminating guru status?

I'm not sure what you mean.

 

[Monique]

zanazzi78, I think you have one of the more thoughtful replies to the new skin and I appreciate that.

Ok, let's be more specific then. I think the font that is used in the site header is making it look very spacey. At least for me, the italized letters and the particular font remind me of the intro of the series 'Star trek'. You know the moment when, at the end of the intro, the starship Enterprise goes into warp and shoots of the screen and the title Star trek appears? That's my association. I think a non-italized font would take away most of the spacey-ness.

The secondary header (with the "eyes") is what I was thinking of when people said it seemed gamey too. Since that part is not really directed to any function of the forum I might be flexible and if I have time try to create a secondary header that meets peoples needs a little better.

Yes, I think changing the eyes will take away the gamey-ness. Maybe change it for a balls-n-sticks molecule model or a double helix.

 

[enigma]

Does that include eliminating guru status?

We're coming up on the votes for Guru 2006 pretty soon. I think they were removed to make space for the new winners.

 

[Astronuc]

Interestingly the 2004 Guru badges are still visible in the PF classic skin.

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

The main reason I took down the guru awards a little early was the fact the graphics background color clashed with the new silver skin and I didn't feel like editing them to match when we are about to replace them.

 

[KingNothing]

The little green circles I think really contribute to the "game site" look. And the "pill" effects on just about everything. But overall, I like it, it's more visually pleasing to me even if it doesn't look as sophisticated.

 

[cscott]

This has been noted a few times, which elements exactly make it look like a gaming forum? Also some say space age, if you could do the same and describe which elements give you this feel? I have a certain feeling that there is one element that makes everyone feel this way and I want to see if I'm right. I don't think it's the site header nor the buttons if you consider them independently. Anyway please describe and we can go from there.

IMO it's the top bar that holds the thread title and it's corresponding bottom bar.

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

I've taken off a lot of effects off the secondary header, what do ya'll think?

 

[Les Sleeth]

The main reason I took down the guru awards a little early was the fact the graphics background color clashed with the new silver skin and I didn't feel like editing them to match when we are about to replace them.

But why not allow past awards to show on members' posts, like with Marcus' "expert" award? It is a way of showing appreciation for participation.

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

But why not allow past awards to show on members' posts, like with Marcus' "expert" award? It is a way of showing appreciation for participation.

Marcus uses his award as an avatar. There is only so much room in the postbit and the postbit template would be littered with conditionals after a few years.

 

[Danger]

what do ya'll think?

I like it fine, as I did the previous version. I also think that the 3-D effect for the quote boxes is pretty neat.

 

[KingNothing]

I think these things look good, but not necessarily good for this forum:

http://img478.imageshack.us/img478/9093/gamesite18fn.jpg
http://img478.imageshack.us/img478/2910/gamesite25md.jpg

Other than that, I like it better than the old layout. It does look kind of "game-forum-like", but I have to say the very top that says "Physics Forums" is one of the prettiest designs I've ever seen. I love it!

 

[KingNothing]

Contrast is poor, especially for my old eyes. I have four choices of `reading glasses’ to focus at ~ 6”, 14”, 24”, and 36’’. Normally I use the 36” pair to browse the web but for PF I find I have to use the 24” pair and move closer to the monitor.
Black text on a gray background in message area is a problem for me.

For you and for anyone else that might have a specific problem, you CAN use the old skin. It's at the very bottom of the options menu within your control panel. Select PF Classic instead of PF Nexus.

 

[Genecks]

Hmm...

Wow, this dialog box sure took some time to load...

Ok, I like it, but I don't approve of it.
Reasons: Loading time.
Problem: Person on dial-up gets screwed.
Answer: Allow ability to change skin.

Me: I'm on adsl/dsl don't know.. but it did take some time to load which kind of kills the process of browsing and giving a quick reply which just annoys me having been on the web so long. I want it now and here, that's how I work.

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

Wow, this dialog box sure took some time to load...
Ok, I like it, but I don't approve of it.
Reasons: Loading time.
Problem: Person on dial-up gets screwed.
Answer: Allow ability to change skin.
Me: I'm on adsl/dsl don't know.. but it did take some time to load which kind of kills the process of browsing and giving a quick reply which just annoys me having been on the web so long. I want it now and here, that's how I work.

I am working on optimizing things. Also you can change skins. Look to your lower left.

 

[gerben]

I do not like the new lay-out, to me PF now looks like a sci-fi site.

The things that I particularly dislike are what KingNothing pointed at in post #50, and even more the vertical black and gray lines with a column of grey circles in between that are taking up screen space on both the left and right site of the screen.

 

[zanazzi78]

I've taken off a lot of effects off the secondary header, what do ya'll think?

That`s a lot better , it`s a sutbtle change (since i didn`t notice it at first), the removal of theose circles doesn`t highlight the bar as much, yet keeping the triangular shape draws the eye in and down.

Oooh, I've just found the arrows that make the reply box bigger or smaller, nice touch.

(Still not seeing the groan smilie )

 

[Genecks]

ehh

I really bdon't like the sidebar menu because i have to move the mouse a few more inches over to the right. Of course you could call me lazy, but I liked it when all of the little buttons were next to each other. The sidebar menu with blog and etc.. just seems unnecessary and reminds me of early html techniques to create such a thing. usually people decided to stop using those types of things and go to a jump menu option.. the drop-down menu type thing..

 

[BobG]

I like it. You've made some nice modifications in the last day or two. Either that or it's just starting to grow on me.