Forum Apperance

[Polyal]

Now I understand that this site is new and under development, but I was wondering what the future holds for the cosmetics of the site.

I was hoping to start a thread on CONSTRUCTIVE ctritisim and alternative ideas.

I really liked the layout of the "other" site. Its was simple IMO, except for all those stupid adds. The title on the homepage of .au seems a bit, well, childish. Im sure there is a better way of putting that.

Also the layout of the actual threads is a little annoying. I think people have waaay to much room to put crap in there sigs. Im mean seriously, pictures are not needed (you have an avatar for that) and somepeople crap on for ever. I think some sort of limit would be good. Or maybe donating member get more space.

Still on the apperance of threads, Im not a big fan of the horizontal placement of ones user CP. I think thats a good way of describing it. The "other" site had it set of vertically in ones aloted post space and I think this is easier on the eye.

I would rather had a site that focused on the actual thread than knowing every little detail of the user.

Other than that this place rocks..and I cant wait until it is refined futher.

[EA2BA]

I think .au should stay as that is the actaul address and the banner can be used for other things so the address has to be clear.

Sigs are limited to 250 characters (i think) the other site was 400, the pics I agree are not needed, or a size limit / pixel resolution should be placed on them at least.

I also like the avatar's and user info down the left of the threads and not across the top.

It would also be really cool, if the links across the top User CP, FAQ etc, could also be repeated across the bottom, I hate having to scroll all the way to to the top everytime I want to click New Posts, or other links.

[outback_ute]

Originally Posted by Dellboy999

It would also be really cool, if the links across the top User CP, FAQ etc, could also be repeated across the bottom, I hate having to scroll all the way to to the top everytime I want to click New Posts, or other links.

Just hit the "home" button on your keyboard and you go back to the top of the page.

I would like to see the links on the top of the page that comes up if you have a search fail/no result though.

[XA-Coupe]

All your points are taken onboard.
(1) We are trying to keep the place as simple as possible. This is for a few reasons, not the least being that all of the forums directors and admins have other jobs and just don't have the time to spend on the site that we would like.
(2) Most things are VBulletin default (refer No 1 )
(3) There are plenty of threads about detailing the banner. So far Seano seems ot be the winner but new entries are more than welcome.
(4) DMs are a work in progress, we are concentrating on other things like refining the site and settin gpolices and procedures. We are funded for a while but realise people want to put in the site. Once things have settled down we can look into what we can do for people that want to pitch in.
(5) We welcome ALL ideas. Some of them may not be acted on but all are considered.
(6) Unless you voice your opinion we can't figure out what you want to give it to you

[Casper]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Now I understand that this site is new and under development, but I was wondering what the future holds for the cosmetics of the site.

I was hoping to start a thread on CONSTRUCTIVE ctritisim and alternative ideas.

I really liked the layout of the "other" site. Its was simple IMO, except for all those stupid adds. The title on the homepage of .au seems a bit, well, childish. Im sure there is a better way of putting that..

The header is temporary, there are a number of threads with people trying to choose the best one to have.

Originally Posted by Polyal

Also the layout of the actual threads is a little annoying. I think people have waaay to much room to put crap in there sigs. Im mean seriously, pictures are not needed (you have an avatar for that) and somepeople crap on for ever. I think some sort of limit would be good. Or maybe donating member get more space.

Sig lenghts are limited, for more so than on other sites. There is also no ability to have a picture as a sig....never has been. It was disabled from startup for this exact reason.

Originally Posted by Polyal

Still on the apperance of threads, Im not a big fan of the horizontal placement of ones user CP. I think thats a good way of describing it. The "other" site had it set of vertically in ones aloted post space and I think this is easier on the eye.

At the moment the site is still finding its feet. A little over a week old now. Given time I'm sure a few of these "apperance" issues will be sorted or users given options for lay outs.

Originally Posted by Polyal

I would rather had a site that focused on the actual thread than knowing every little detail of the user.

Absolutely correct, however people also need an ability to add some sort of individualised sig (just like yours). In the end though it is all about the threads.

Originally Posted by Polyal

Other than that this place rocks..and I cant wait until it is refined futher.

I'm sure the admins will love to hear that...and I certainly agree. _2:

[EFFalcon]

I have to agree with the Horizontal fatness of the site :P
the only gripe i have is the user details above the post (which takes up a lot more room then it would if it were on the side)

same with the main page.. you have to scroll a long way down to get to some forums.

the adds/banner are fine as they're kept to the top and stay there :P

[XA-Coupe]

Originally Posted by EFFalcon

I have to agree with the Horizontal fatness of the site :P
the only gripe i have is the user details above the post (which takes up a lot more room then it would if it were on the side)

same with the main page.. you have to scroll a long way down to get to some forums.

the adds/banner are fine as they're kept to the top and stay there :P

The 'horizontal fatness' is in part due to allowing big avatars. Those with avatars that aren't as large don't have the same amount of real estate across the top of their posts.

[XA-Coupe]

great minds think alike

[EA2BA]

(4) DMs are a work in progress, we are concentrating on other things like refining the site and settin gpolices and procedures. We are funded for a while but realise people want to put in the site. Once things have settled down we can look into what we can do for people that want to pitch in.

I think most people would be happy enough with a simple DM tag for throwing a few dollars the sites way for the moment.

[XA-Coupe]

Originally Posted by Dellboy999

(4) DMs are a work in progress, we are concentrating on other things like refining the site and settin gpolices and procedures. We are funded for a while but realise people want to put in the site. Once things have settled down we can look into what we can do for people that want to pitch in.

I think most people would be happy enough with a simple DM tag for throwing a few dollars the sites way for the moment.

I understand that ... but at the moment we have no bank accounts or such set up and no way of recording who paid what... patience grasshopper :Reverend:

[Polyal]

well if Dm's are WIP then thats cool.

Oh and something else I just noticed. Is there any option of putting on the "offline/online" thing. That was VERY handy as you know that if you PM someone that they might get back to you while you are still online.

Keep the suggestions coming guys...

[EA2BA]

ah i see, well why didnt you say so :dr_Evil:

[EA2BA]

green dot on line, grey dot off line<--- its beside your name

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by Dellboy999

green dot on line, grey dot off line<--- its beside your name

haha ok cool. I like that better.

Is there a FAQ for this new forum? I mean I was a member of teh "other" one for 3 years and I still didn't know how to work half the stuff :/

[XA-Coupe]

lol, there isn't a FAQ as such but we can work on one... This site is pretty basic ( but we have plans ) so it shouldn't be too hard.

[EA2BA]

using the "home" button, means moving my arm from the mouse to the keyboard right? that sounds like alot of work

[champsky]

i dunno...i kinda like the way things look at the moment, we dont really want this place to start looking like our U.S counterpart now do we????

and as for the user info being along the top. i prefer it like that takes up less room IMO cause if you have it under the avatar the user heading will take up too much room.

i say keep up the good work, work on the cosmetics lata and get things like DM's and stuff up and running.

[XAHardtop]

I'm a fan of limiting signature sizes. If someone wants to put lots of info in their sig, just make the font size smaller.

[Racecraft]

if the signatures and avatar size bothers anyone it is a simple checkbox in the user CP to independantly disable showing them at all...

[XAHardtop]

Originally Posted by Racecraft

if the signatures and avatar size bothers anyone it is a simple checkbox in the user CP to independantly disable showing them at all...

I know this to be the case, but I don't mind signatures per se. Just when they clutter the forum too much is when I (and most people) have a problem with them. :

[XA-Coupe]

Thanks to DK I found out that the 'old' style is but a click away.

[Casper]

Good stuff Jeff, like a comfortable pair of shoes now.

[champsky]

feels a bit weird now cause i got used to having the info along the top, but it dont look too bad though, wont take long to get used too lol





























yep used to it now :P top stuff hehehehehe

[Laminge]

Well done

I think i like this layout

Common guys keep the comments comming, after all this is your forum

[Psycho Chicken]

As long as one format is chosen and KEPT I'm happy. We don't need pointless little updates and changes that do nothing but confuse people.

[Laminge]

Originally Posted by Psycho Chicken

As long as one format is chosen and KEPT I'm happy. We don't need pointless little updates and changes that do nothing but confuse people.

I dont think we have done that so far?::offthe air

[RED_EL_XR8]

Originally Posted by LAMINGE

I dont think we have done that so far?::offthe air

Nothing wrong with constant change, or more correctly refinement. Minge you guys are listening to feedback, it was mindless change and a like it or lump it attitude that got up noses. :

[Psycho Chicken]

Originally Posted by LAMINGE

I dont think we have done that so far?::offthe air

Naw, of course you haven't, change while getting started is expected.

Of course it'd be stupid not to ad features, but when the format is getting changed constantly, forums moved all over the place, the main page getting changed totally, useful features being deleted, etc, etc, etc it gets pretty annoying.

I think we all know what I'm getting at, or maybe I was over reacting lol

[fairmont1998]

User info on the left is much easier on the eyes now, this place just keeps improving

[seano14]

i guess some people feel uncomfortable with change. but routine stagnant things get boring. anyway that isnt really what its about i think, this is refinement - the quest for perfection!