Site Design Changes

[SlowLane]

So what the heck is the deal with this new trend in low-contrast, white-on-pale-grey-on-paler-grey user interfaces? It's not just here. Eclipse Juno did the same thing. Makes it virtually impossible to see certain useful features.

what can't you see?

It's more a case of discerning details from the background. Everything seems washed-out, like trying to pick out details in a desert under full noon-time sun. Like the white panels against the light-grey background, which change to the same light-grey background when you hover over them, and which then have slightly-darker-grey text on them.

Again, it's not just here. It seems to be a new (unwelcome) esthetic in UI design.

And it could just be a case of old eyes vs. young eyes. Many years ago I was on a team that was developing custom in-house UIs for Windowss 3.1. As part of our job we had to go train employees to use our applications. I discovered that some of the guys in their 50's and 60's had modified the default Windows 3.1 colour scheme to the most ugly, garish, high-contrast scheme you could imagine. They said it was the only way they could see anything on the screen. Windows 3.1 didn't have a particularly subtle palette to begin with, so that should give you some idea of where I'm heading here.

On the up-side, there don't appear to be any surprises in functionality. Everything that was there before still seems to be there. Good job on that. =D>

[zabo]

I upped the contrast and font size... that helping a bit?

i know its a big departure from the last design but it will become friendlier. Colin is working on some folder icons too

[Birdibus]

Am I in the right place? Redecorating?

[dingo]

way too bright...and somewhat 'sterile'

[glasseye]

I upped the contrast and font size... that helping a bit?

Definitely. A heavier font might help, too. Looking good, though. Easy on the eyes.

I assume there'll be pix in the blue box at top at some point?

Will there be a "mark all posts read" button?

[Amskeptic]

I am following my own directive to stay clear of the website Designer's work . . . for now. My initial request was to follow the aesthetic of the book. I like arty/quirky with color splash in important places all in a framework of classic balanced design. I am so sorry I ran out of time at the drawing board.
Colin - typing in a rest stop in the buckets of rain at the South-to-North Carolina

[Sluggo]

Been offline for a week. Hope this is temporary. I miss the artwork and customization.

[SlowLane]

I upped the contrast and font size... that helping a bit?

i know its a big departure from the last design but it will become friendlier. Colin is working on some folder icons too

It's getting easier on the eyes every hour. Good work.

[Westy78]

I find it difficult to differentiate between posts and specially between the post and the signature portion of a post. It all seems very bland and sterile. Will there be different templates to choose from?

[zabo]

Been offline for a week. Hope this is temporary. I miss the artwork and customization.

Please excuse the design for a few days.
Unless we shut down the forums temporarily the only way to edit it is live.
thanks

[Mr Blotto]

Pleasantly surprised on how much better this forum appears / formats on mobile phones (at least on android) as compared to the old one. =D> =D> =D>

[RussellK]

he we hate change that's why we drive 40 year old cars .......actually I kind of like it

[RSorak 71Westy]

I dont like this at all ....way too white

[Xelmon]

Now that I've used it for a bit, I find it very functional.

I think it would be much kinder to the eye if you guys try the old beige color as the background... I'll photoshop a sample in a bit.

There... I just found a picture of Chloe and lifted off the paint. Not exactly the same as the old theme, still pretty close:

[zabo]

Well a few hours ago I did change the page background to biege- not as dark as above but biege. Clear your cache if you dont see it.
I'm waiting to hear from colin before i do anything else to the design. Just please remeber it is still very much a work in progress - it will get there.

I think the core functionality is much better than the previous site and the responsiveness for phones and tablets is also a big plus