I'm working with Hetz on coming up with a theme that will be common across all the sites (rx7club.com, rx8club.com, protegeclub.com) and here's where we are right now. It's just a total mock-up, but give me your initial thoughts.

http://www.lanops.net/rx8club/index.htm

The goal is clean and functional over flashy and slow-to-load. I want something easy on the eyes, so everyone can enjoy it.

Remember, it's probably only 25% done, but just let me know what you think about our progress thus far.

honestly, I think its bright and not easy on the eyes

yea the white background is a bit much but otherwise its not bad.

I agree with Mike. A white or light-colored background on a message board has always bothered me - it actually seems to put added strain on my eyes. I realize a lot of people prefer the lighter color, though. Actually, I really like the way it is now. :)

i think it is much better now, cleaner look and easier on the eyes color-wise
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Originally posted by loco4rx8
I agree with Mike. A white or light-colored background on a message board has always bothered me - it actually seems to put added strain on my eyes. I realize a lot of people prefer the lighter color, though. Actually, I really like the way it is now. :)

mikeb not mikea:eek:

Cool, classic looking. Is a little bright now that were used to the new format. I like it though.

Originally posted by BOOSTD 7
I'm working with Hetz on coming up with a theme that will be common across all the sites (rx7club.com, rx8club.com, protegeclub.com) and here's where we are right now. It's just a total mock-up, but give me your initial thoughts.

http://www.lanops.net/rx8club/index.htm

The goal is clean and functional over flashy and slow-to-load. I want something easy on the eyes, so everyone can enjoy it.

Remember, it's probably only 25% done, but just let me know what you think about our progress thus far.

Personally, I think the color scheme in use right now is ideal. Other than that, I would love to see the site (and threads) loading faster, and I wouldn't mind a leaner look.

My 25 cents

Originally posted by RX8-TX
Personally, I think the color scheme in use right now is ideal. Other than that, I would love to see the site (and threads) loading faster, and I wouldn't mind a leaner look.

My 25 cents

Do you use the dark or the light scheme?

Load faster? For me each page probably takes average 1 - 2 seconds, on a cable modem.

Originally posted by BOOSTD 7
Do you use the dark or the light scheme?

Load faster? For me each page probably takes average 1 - 2 seconds, on a cable modem.

I use the dark scheme (dark blue..)

And the loading time, I visit the site from the office (there's a dedicated T1 with 4 lines fully used, and the other 20 free 90% of the time) and from home. From both locations, I experience surges in load time. You might want to monitor mySQL and see if there are any unusual patterns. I've visited and designed sites with as much as double graphic content, and never had this surges. Obviously, they were either intranet sites or very low traffic and non-database driven ones. Hmmmm, I think I should have PM'd you...anyways. Hope I don't look like a criticizing jackass...

I also like the site as it is now. The new site is kind of stark looking with the white background.

I also prefer the site as is. Sorry: I know you've gone to extra trouble.

I like the dark backgrond.

I thinkthe current look of this site is great, and needs no changes.

The colors and graphics on the site now are great, I wouldn't change a thing.

The new banner looks great but I like the current scheme's body and color. I like the light scheme. It can be bright at times but it's utilitarian and is less eye-catching especially when I'm browsing the forums at work :p

BOOSTD 7, this thread should've been created with a poll :)

The new site is great and simple and should improve the page load time.

However, the only problem is the colours. IT WILL DEFINATELY KILL MY EYES with the bright colours. Since most of us (if not all) spend a lot of time looking at the screen and I think dark colours go easier on our eyes.

I was once :) than :cool: and now :) and don't want to be :cool: again.

The light color doesn't bother me since I'm already using the light scheme. I'm not sure the current scheme(s) are particularly slow to load. I can browse pretty easily on a 28.8 connection and the only slow stuff is pictures.

I think what is shocking people's eyes isn't the overall lightness but rather the contrast with the loud font colors and folder icons. The current light scheme works pretty well in that regard, with the medium gray font. Also the current folder icons are more intuitive than the circles with different colored arrows.

Another vote for the current look.

I do think moving the currently online list to the bottom is good, but maybe the private messages bit should move to the top (only if you have any).

I don't think speed of the will be affected much by these changes, as the various bitmaps making up the borders in the current layout will be cached locally, after the first page. If people have a problem with speed they can always turn off the avatars etc.

The red and blue arrows of the new layout are clearer, I'll take them. I wasn't keen on the current dark colours but I've got used to them. Most sites are a little paler and I think many of the comments here are a result of the sudden switch from one extreme to the other. Ideally I'd like a background slightly lighter than the current one, keep the border graphics, make the main message areas black on nearly white, with the left hand poster blocks having a background colour similar to the border graphics and now boxes around the registered, location etc. that and a bit of rounding on the buttons. Overall, a Mac/XP sort of light, clean slightly 3D feel.

But the site is great and free, and I'd still come here if it was red on yellow. So go have fun, do what you like and thanks for your efforts.

I much prefer a darker scheme (like the current). Much easier on the eyes for late night reading. The new scheme loaded quicker for me in the land down-under (using cable modem)

I use the light background currently (because in my opinion, the dark background version is very difficult to read). I like the "mock-up" scheme except for one thing: the "outline" style font for the tabs and column headers -- it's practically UNREADABLE!

I vote for the current (Blue Background). I think is warm and inviting, not to mention unique. The white is sterile, cold, and common. My 2 cents.

I really like it the way it is now. The white version is "neat" but it looks like most other forums out there. A rotary forum should look different. The way it is now IMHO is beautiful.

I like both versions of this site. If you make the switch, thats fine with me and if you dont....thats ok too. However, I think the new style is very simple and clean.... and I'm sure there would be almost no load time for the new site.

I don't get why you guys say that bright isn't easy on the eyes. What do you say when you're working in Word? Oh, that white background it too bright! I've actually taken fontography classes in college, and it's a fact that it's easier to discern dark text on a light background than vice versa.

And this style isn't unique. It's an out of the box style we bought from vbskins.com, anybody can use it. If you look around, there are quite a few other sites using it.

We want a custom template that nobody else will have. While being quick to load and very functional. Please give us some comments on how to improve the conecpt design.

I like the scheme as it is now, however, since I'm not footing the bill, I say make it anyway you please. I'll come back to this forum regardless.

I use the dark scheme, and am happy with it. I also set my profile options to show links to pics in the threads, instead of the photos... It loads MUCH faster that way, and can still click on the pics I wanna see.

I was one of the folks who whined about the demise of the "old school" scheme, but after a week or so of using the new light scheme, it's grown on me. (Like a wart, perhaps :p)

One thing that I do find annoying, which I hope you might address in any new scheme, is that the "go to new posts" icon beside threads with new activity, is much smaller (and thus harder to click on) than it was in "old school".

New site looks great, but I definitely prefer the dark blue background with white lettering... it's much easier on the eyes. Also would like to see the same header you have here.

I'm also happy with the site the way it is currently....

no changes needed ..... site looks good ...

btw ...i use the darkblue scheme

I prefer the current looks.

On the new one, the Moderators column is taking up too much room. I for one never use it, nor even care to see it.

Originally posted by BOOSTD 7
I don't get why you guys say that bright isn't easy on the eyes.

I can't help what I see and how my eyes react. There is no doubt that bright backgrounds on message boards are a problem for me and apparently others. Maybe we're weird.

Thanks for giving us the chance to share our opinions and for this site. As others have said, do what you want with it. We aren't going anywhere.

Well, I don't think I'll ever find one template that everyone loves. The problem is, that when you have multiple templates, that means multiple places you have to make changes .. upload images, etc. And with 3 sites to run, that really takes a lot of time.

We'll keep tweaking and hopefully come up with 1 template that at least most people like.

Just to chip in, I am one of the dark is better guys and tipically use very dark screen colors for most everything. Reason is I have sensitive eye's to bright lights. I know it's not an everyday thing, but there ya go. If there was an option to go dark shades I would rpefer it myself.

Seems as though we have some work to do :) I'll work with the brightness - I did not realize everyone was so sensitive to whites. In my opinion, whites make it "neater" looking (as in clean, crisp). As for the text... I used bitmap fonts (easier to work with in graphics). I'll work with it a bit more - But it seems like a lot of people are set in their ways :) Did anyone even check out the menu rollovers? Those are my favorites :P lol

Originally posted by HeTz
Seems as though we have some work to do :) I'll work with the brightness - I did not realize everyone was so sensitive to whites. In my opinion, whites make it "neater" looking (as in clean, crisp). As for the text... I used bitmap fonts (easier to work with in graphics). I'll work with it a bit more - But it seems like a lot of people are set in their ways :) Did anyone even check out the menu rollovers? Those are my favorites :P lol

Of course I checked the menu rollovers, blending with the top-banners pattern...but they would stand out a lot more if you were to make them bigger (as in more area blending in...)

Sorry, I'm just another idiot criticizing someone else's work.

I like the current look better, but I could get used to the common template. My only complaint about this style and format are those posts that appear to have no margins set, and you have to scroll back and forth across your screen, a real thread killer. Thanks for all the effort, it has been great.

Boostd7 do a POLL!!!!!!!!!!:D The number of votes will give you the answer to this topic.:) I cant even keep track of who likes it and who doesnt.

I vote yes for change;)

I don't think he's going to do a poll... I think he wants to do a RX-8 forum only template... not a generic one. We'll get it right after we work it over with the members. I had asked to scrap it after I saw the comments... lol :)

BOOSTD 7, Hetz,

I agree with what you guys think looks better, but there is one thing you are not considering. Most of the members are so addicted to the site that they may actually become overexposed to light backgrouds. Your teading on new territory here, most of the people here are daydreaming about their 8's while they are posting. That means people are probably in a "Beta" state when they are viewing this site and their pupils may not respond properly to protect their eyes from the light backgroud. I think that comprehensive "beta" state eye sensitivity testing needs to be accomplished before the light backgound can be adopted.

J/K, keep up the good work, I do think it looks good the way it is though with the dark background but a plus for the light backgroud would be that it will look more like just a regular email when someone catches you on the site while at work. I do find that when going online for whatever reason that I have to visit this site first and last during every session.

I'm working on lightness guys :) Give it some time :)

I prefer the dark backround as well. Easier on the eyes. and makes print easy to read.

It looks a little sparse for some reason. It may be that it just needs a little more graphics wise. It seems like there is too much margin space.

This may be for faster load times (which doesn't bother me because I'm on a DLS line), but if it helps those on a slower connection than it’s a sacrifice I wouldn't mind.

The color scheme is fine. I think it is just a little shock for some people to go from looking at a dark to a light background quickly. I remember when we switched to the new style I could barely read it. Now it seems natural. I think those who think it is too bright would probably get used to it after a little time.

Looking good from my point of view. Good job Hetz and BOOSTD.

Tack on another vote for the status quo, although the new one looks pretty decent too. Just prefer the dark.