Forum Upgrade
 

No doubt by now, you've noticed that we've upgraded the forum to the latest and greatest software!

We're fixing the color scheme - so don't worry about that. Our old version was so old, it couldn't translate the old color scheme.

This has tons of new features, some of which you can explore - others will become available later. It looks like it runs slower than the old version on this web server - but I think it wil run faster on the new one.

If you have any problems post them here - I'd be happy to help! ALso post your new feature discoveries here too - I'm learning about this software, too!

Avian

Much easier to read - stick to this color scheme - Please

wow! cool. thanks for all the work, guys! :cool:

Me too. I'm learning. Good so far, but must wait til I get home...

I could keep this color scheme, or use one like it - what does everyone think of light vs. dark? I could probably find something in between.

Ewww, as soon as I opened the new forums I thought, "Oh no they didn't!":doncab My first thought was "too bright." Make it dark again. I also had a lot of trouble finding my number 1 feature: "View New Posts." The number one thing I did not want to change for the new station was the forums! If you promise this will be better, ok, but already I don't like it. It's WAAAY to busy. The Private Message thing is a headache.

But, as long as we can get the color scheme back to something dark and therefore easy on the eyes, I'm cool.

Well, again, we can move anything around wherever we want as far as where links and buttons appear, as well as colors. The "template" is completely configurable. The colors are temporary while we remake a new color scheme - the other one didn't transfer over. But we couldn't stay with 2+ year old version of this software, and not take advantage of this new version, since the integration of the forums and the website requires a newer version than we were running . We can make it look exactly like the old forum, if we want to. But I'll probably try some different things, so if you have any wants, let me know so I can incorporate them into the new forum layout.

My first reaction was visceral. But I like the new forum. As for the color...I'll adjust to the masses.

Questions:

It appears I have to log in each time I reply to an email (then a post). Is that just me (today I am remotely accessing email)?

Does the "vbulletin" logo need to be so prominent? If so, I understand.

What's wrong with the pm?

THe color will not stay - it is just temporary. The logo will go away - all teh stylings are just temprary vetiges from the upgrade. You'll see it looking better soon.

Are you having problems with teh private messages?

Rick: Do you have "remember me" set in the login box, or do you have cookies disabled? you might have to recheck that.

gotcha.........

One interesting feature of the new forums is that you can pick your OWN preferred colors and styles from a list. I'm making a few to choose from, including dark, light and even wild ones. They'll appear in a pull-down in the lower left.

Apparantly, the search function was broken after the upgrade. It should be fixed now. Let me know of any problems you encounter.

I like the new brightness of the forums. I agree with Rogor, much better to read. I would keep the colors as they are now

Colors
 

But if there is a personal choice -Fine, Great - I can stay light and Spaz can remain in the Dark Ages:dogpile:

I like the colors, but choices are good. the only thing I don't like is the vertical space taken up by the avatars. I liked the old avatar to the left, and the post next to it rather than under. lots more scrolling this way...

We can rearrange that.

Hideous!
 

I feel like I'm in a da Vinci portrait...

Keep trying....
 

I prefer light to dark personally, & something that evokes the moon. This has the feel of the game "Jewel Quest".

I did a quick mod to this theme meant for a dungeons and dragon type board, but I was thinking that with a little work, redoing icons, some elements and the like, we could modify this into an Olias of Sunhillow meets Aural Moon kind of template. Again, it's something quick and dirty for you guys to get an idea of what this software can do. Just a little demo. Remember, you can always choose what template you want to use - so if you don't like one, or feel like a mood switch just use that menu down below. But I think we'll offer several that eople like.

BTW, I wanted to verify that you guys were seeing that Quick Style Chooser drop down menu at the bottom there. Let me know if you're not seeing it.

I don't see it, but mebbe I'm not looking in the right place...

Yah, he tried to send me a couple of messages, but my already overflowing mailbox said 'no mas, por favor'.

I'm too much of a pack rat to get rid of any old messages (reference purposes, you see).

Roger -Dot- Lee, taking pack rat to new and exciting depths.

Oh, and incidentally, I'm liking this Olias skin. It woiks, mate!

I totally understand techno upgrading, but I vote to keep the old look. In fact, I still use "classic skin" on WinAmp. Just my style.

But if we can personalize the look, excellent. I agree with the Avatar to the left/vertical space observation.

PS, where's the skin/look option?

You're such a conservative boy, Spaz...;)

Oh yeah. There's even a spot on the option box that has the old look (not perfect, mind, but the color scheme is still there)

I found it on the personal configuration page on the bottom. And if you look at the bottom of the page you're reading, it should be there too.

I think it would be fun if we had several themes - an Olias theme with Olias artwork - it would be a dark theme. Maybe a Genesis theme, a King Crimson theme, etc. And you could pick your favorite. Post your ideas here!

There has GOT to be an Astronomical theme. Stars, nebulae, maybe a black hole or something.

Relativity, black hole grids, that sort of thing.

Roger -Dot- Lee, astrogeek and damn proud of it!

I like the lighter colors better. My 2 cents.

no can see. but I'm happy with the current look, so not a biggie. though we gotta get rid of that VBulletin logo!! :imp:

It's just temporary, folks!

You 'll also be able to choose between several light or dark. This board will be a bucket of friend chicken.

If you'd like to search the web for templates or styles, look for vBulletin 3.5 ones, and post links to them here!

I think that's great idea and solution of the problem light theme vs dark theme.

Band skins are also cool idea.

I prefer skins that remind of the moon, so darker ones. If it is to be one default my vote is for darker skin.

I agree with Yesspaz. Avatars and info on the left looks better.

thanks, Avian!

here's some themes, might be something, but I need to head to work..

http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=161

That might get a bit greasy. I already have a cat hair issue on my keyboard. maybe something that just tastes like chicken?

Everyone should now see the QUick Style Chooser drop down menu in the lower left of the screen. Enjoy!

Yup - I've seen all of those - that's where I got the Olias theme that we'll continue to work with. But let me know if youguys like one of those.

The one style that I love is vbulletin.org's own Dark Blue style. But they're keeping it private!

Avian, how about, just for the time being, you put a light and dark forum link on the main page. They let everyone see/experience both.

I like the color scheme in the thread blocks themselves. If the outside frame could be toned down from pure white ( a gray or steel blue) it might be easier on the eyes.

I don't think I can do that. It might take some research or even a hack. vbulletin has a default style for all users, and any style changes are saved in each user's profile. I'm not sure if I can override that with a parameter, but I'll look into that. If you can find anything in the vbulletin docs, let me know.

I like the bright colors.........It is easier to read. It's the same color scheme as my MSN........

M$N...That's all the impetus I need to want to see it changed. :grump:

I'm going to switch the default back to the old Moon colors. If this switches things for you, you can always just choose your favorite in that menu below, and it will stick. SOme like it light, some like dark. Have it your way!

If you plan to leave it this way, let me know and I will clean up the button icons so that they don't looks so ragged with the dark background.