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| Website layout 20/12/2009 at 20:25 #409 | |
GeoffM
6376 posts |
As you have probably noticed, I've changed the website layout template. This template seems better to me at least because of better contrast between foreground and background colours, bigger text, and a 2-column layout instead of three. The "shout box" is also easier to type into. The picture will need to change (again) but that should be relatively easy. I've tested on Firefox 3.5.6, IE8, and Safari for iPhone. Thoughts? SimSig Boss Log in to reply |
| Website layout 20/12/2009 at 20:25 #5181 | |
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GeoffM
6376 posts |
As you have probably noticed, I've changed the website layout template. This template seems better to me at least because of better contrast between foreground and background colours, bigger text, and a 2-column layout instead of three. The "shout box" is also easier to type into. The picture will need to change (again) but that should be relatively easy. I've tested on Firefox 3.5.6, IE8, and Safari for iPhone. Thoughts? SimSig Boss Log in to reply |
| Website layout 20/12/2009 at 21:17 #5183 | |
Noisynoel
989 posts |
Some of the options on the menu are in a darker font than others.. Just an observation. Other than that shout box 100% better! Thanks Geoff Noisynoel Log in to reply |
| Website layout 20/12/2009 at 21:22 #5184 | |
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AnyFile
101 posts |
Noisynoel said:Some of the options on the menu are in a darker font than othersI suppose that this is the difference between the links you have already visited and the ones you have not already visited (usually the default is tu use blue for links not already been visited and magenta-ish colour for links already visited) The colour of the already visited link is actually not so easy to be read, in my opinion, but I do not think this is a problem at th moment. Many Thanks, Geoff, for all of your efforts. Log in to reply |
| Website layout 20/12/2009 at 22:44 #5187 | |
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UKTrainMan
1803 posts |
Sadly I have found one minor error / problem with the new style/template thing. I was reading that thread in the Newcomers section about PSaD etc and the thread title at the top of the page was cut off by the actual thread. By that, I mean where it says like; Home > Forum > General > Newcomers > [Thread Title] if the thread title is too long it will go onto a new line to look like this; Home > Forum > General > Newcomers > [Thread Title] and that new line will end up being chopped in half! Only a minor niggle really but I'm not sure if this affected the old design or not. Even so, as long as post titles are kept as small as possible then it shouldn't be a problem, but if it does become a real problem then I'd wonder if either a) users are requested to keep thread titles below a certain length or b) people with the right permissions could edit any thread titles that are too long or c) as a last resort if there is an option to limit the thread character length then it should be considered for use. Otherwise, I'm really liking the new design. One benefit I'm noticing already is that I'm posting this message from the 'Quick Post' area below the thread itself and the edges of the website are very dark in-fact practically black and this helps me with concentration on the main content of the website/forum, particularly when posting a message. Anyway enough from me, I'll just finish by adding my thanks for the hard work, etc. 
Any views and / or opinions expressed by myself are from me personally and do not represent those of any company I either work for or am a consultant for. Log in to reply |
| Website layout 20/12/2009 at 23:22 #5190 | |
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Tallington
254 posts |
Geoff, just reworked the Tornado to the size required for the Header.jpg for test purposes. Obviously the SimSig text will need editing out of the source code.  Ken Log in to reply |
| Website layout 20/12/2009 at 23:25 #5191 | |
postal
5265 posts |
Lots of improvements by changing the template, so thanks for that. There is one thing that could improve the readability on high-resolution screens. I guess that the widths of the various elements are set as absolutes. That means that my vintage laptop with an 800 x 600 resolution shows the site to the full width of the screen. My normal machine with a 1280 x 800 resolution has a large bar of blank space down each side of the screen which take up 1/3 of the screen space. Is there any way that the elements can be as relatives (x% of width) rather than absolutes so higher resolution screens do not have large amounts of blank space? “In life, there is always someone out there, who won’t like you, for whatever reason, don’t let the insecurities in their lives affect yours.” – Rashida Rowe Log in to reply |
| Website layout 20/12/2009 at 23:37 #5192 | |
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Tallington
254 posts |
Hi John, I think there are only a few dynamic layouts in the Agora pack as Geoff had a look before. There are a few limitations even in this one but getting the Shout Box better is a good start. It looks like the Header might end up being fixed (per screen) rather than random as on the previous style but we will have to see... Hope the kippers are keeping well (under the snow?) Ken :cool: Log in to reply |
| Website layout 20/12/2009 at 23:58 #5196 | |
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Adrian the Rock
111 posts |
Like the colour scheme. But I have an even bigger screen than Postal's - mine is 1600 x 1200 and, frankly, I find the inability to use my full screen width by far the biggest single annoyance with this new forum. The old one did it beautifully. Adrian Log in to reply |
| Website layout 21/12/2009 at 00:06 #5197 | |
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postal
5265 posts |
Ken Agree with all that you say and think that the new layout is more readable than the previous one. Picking up on what you say, if we are using a template from the Agora pack, do we have the right (and do we have the html capability within the SimSig world) to amend the template? If the answer to both questions is "yes", then I think it would be an enhancement to have a site that filled the screen. There must be a huge amount of wasted space on each side on screens with the latest resolutions. For readers of the site who did not understand Ken's final comment, we live on the edge of the North Sea, 100 yards from a smokehouse producing kippers (and smoked salmon) which have an international reputation. If anyone visits Northumberland, they are welcome to come and see us and buy some kippers or salmon. I am only a PM away. “In life, there is always someone out there, who won’t like you, for whatever reason, don’t let the insecurities in their lives affect yours.” – Rashida Rowe Log in to reply |
| Website layout 21/12/2009 at 00:12 #5198 | |
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Tallington
254 posts |
John, I do believe this is open source based. The basic templates are submitted by their authors and I am sure as long as they are acknowledged then minor (or major) mods may be made. The core css and html files ARE a bit terse in places! BUT that is nothing new when they are being auto generated from some of the latest WYSIWYG packages! This link should open up a whole load of possibilities:- http://extensions.joomla.org/extensions/communication/forum/1891/details Ken Log in to reply |
| Website layout 21/12/2009 at 08:23 #5199 | |
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UKTrainMan
1803 posts |
I regret to report also found another minor error at my end. I actually use a fingerprint reader with my laptop and I've got a fingerprint login to save me time entering my details automatically to the login fields (and believe me it saves plenty of time!) and as my login details have been registered already, it recognises that I have a fingerprint login for this website. When I carry out the required process to login, it seems to recognise the Username field as the Password field...and completely ignored the Password field. As a result, it tries to login with my Password as my Username and doesn't enter a Password at-all resulting in an error message! Thankfully this is something I'll be able to fix with a quick edit of my login details within the fingerprint login manager however I just thought I would let you know about this, particularly if someone else uses a fingerprint reader (although I highly doubt anyone else does!). Still, I am liking the new design, despite it's downsides. Any views and / or opinions expressed by myself are from me personally and do not represent those of any company I either work for or am a consultant for. Log in to reply |
| Website layout 21/12/2009 at 08:44 #5201 | |
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GeoffM
6376 posts |
UKTrainMan said:When I carry out the required process to login, it seems to recognise the Username field as the Password fieldI suspect it's a problem with your reader as the template doesn't change the identities of the username/password box which is what the reader most likely uses - my browser auto logon certainly didn't have any problems. Regarding the width, the variable width templates they do seem to be far fewer than the fixed width ones. I've no idea why. The templates are fully editable but they are big. I can send the CSS to anybody if they are interested though of course it will require my participation to test any changes. SimSig Boss Log in to reply |
| Website layout 21/12/2009 at 09:17 #5202 | |
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postal
5265 posts |
Geoff At the moment I don't have the html skills to do it (and I am sure we have the skills in abundance among regular viewers of the site). However, I will probably need to find an escape from family in the next few days and will be willing to give myself a few html lessons if all else fails. JG “In life, there is always someone out there, who won’t like you, for whatever reason, don’t let the insecurities in their lives affect yours.” – Rashida Rowe Log in to reply |
| Website layout 21/12/2009 at 09:26 #5203 | |
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UKTrainMan
1803 posts |
GeoffM said:Regarding the width, the variable width templates they do seem to be far fewer than the fixed width ones. I've no idea why. The templates are fully editable but they are big. I can send the CSS to anybody if they are interested though of course it will require my participation to test any changes.I know HTML quite well and I could have a go at looking at the CSS for the benefit of the SimSig community. Can't promise anything mind but I'll take the plunge..."take one for the team" kinda thing. Any views and / or opinions expressed by myself are from me personally and do not represent those of any company I either work for or am a consultant for. Log in to reply |
| Website layout 21/12/2009 at 10:17 #5204 | |
nroberts
227 posts |
As far as I've been able to browse the style sheet it appears to be limited to a width of 900 px. However there's quite a few places in the style sheet with absolute widths. http://www.SimSig.co.uk/templates/owg03/css/style.css I'm just about leaving for Chile for the day so I'll investigate further tonight. Regads, Log in to reply |
| Website layout 21/12/2009 at 17:40 #5214 | |
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Tallington
254 posts |
Geoff, I've downloaded the latest Agora 3.0.0.08 and am more than willing to look at the CSS you are currently using. I've looked at some of the dynamic ones and believe we might be able to build a suitable single module that will incorporate the best of the previous one (with variable top images), the current one's layout and text sizing and then add wide screen functionality. I would be quite willing to work with Nicholas (nroberts) and anyone else on this over Xmas. Ken. Log in to reply |
| Website layout 23/12/2009 at 17:32 #5305 | |
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nickp
30 posts |
I'm more than happy to add my twopence worth of assistance, if it would be useful. I'll have a look at the layouts between mince pies (and pints). Also, bearing in mind the old forum postings are lurking in the wings, the more space I've got to play with the better. Nick Log in to reply |