Look and Feel - What Colors do you Like?

[BurmKiller]

I would like your input!

As you may have noticed, the website currently is very generic as far as colors and graphics. This is intentional. The newest version of the primary software was released the last week of December, a patch a few days later and the update last week. This brings us to version 4.0.1 of vBulletin Suite for those that are keeping track. Internet Brands (the company that sells vBulletin) completely changed how you create themes (sets of colors and graphics) from the 3.x days to the 4.x days - and worse they have announced that they will keep making changes until the 4.0.2 release (scheduled for the end of this month). So no one that creates themes has yet to really release them. None of the 100,000 themes for the 3.x version will work. It will be mid February before decent themes are available.

Until then, what color schemes do you like? It's your chance to help determine the look and feel of this website. Take a look at other discussion forums and if you find one that you really like the colors of, post a link here. We can then vote on which ones are best!

Thanks!

[19Turkeys]

I kind of like what you are currently using Douglas! http://www.benchrest.com then click on forums. That's not a bad one. But the layout is not as nice as what you've done. I really like the way you have the various categories broken out.

Steve

[BurmKiller]

They are actually using the same software - just the older version. Once benefit is that you can change the look of the entire thing with a new theme and a couple clicks...at least once they lock in the layout with the next release so all those graphic artists can get started...

[RockinHRacin]

I like this!

[KnifeHandler]

This works for me.

[geo01]

Ditto, I like it as is as well.

Geo

[schoolbus]

I agree, nothing wrong with this theme. I think most of us are just tickled to have the site operational again.

[Smokin7mm]

I like it the way it is. Too many bright colors distract from the intent.
Bret

[KnifeHandler]

Maybe a little more contrast between the read and unread forum icons.

[BurmKiller]

You may or may not have noticed that at the VERY bottom left of the screen I have turned on the Style Selection drop down. There is only 1 style in it right now (this one). I believe what I will do is add a half dozen or so styles - including a VERY stripped down one to use on smartphones (I access and manage this site about 20% of the time from my iPhone). Once I add more styles you will be able to select the one you like. At that point I will put up a poll to see what the "Default" should be. For any guests or new users/users not logged in, you will see the Default. Once you login you can set your preference, which, in theory, is remembered each time you return. This will give people a few more options.

Note that for special uses, like on a smartphone, a stripped down style helps readability a great deal. Also, members with color blindness or other eye issues may be able to enjoy the site with a higher constrast set of colors. Adding new styles is actually very simple - the challenge is finding styles I like. Most are designed to look like various Hello Kitty themes or video games (I am not into either one). As stated above, once 4.0.2 is released at the end of the month, the style floodgates should open.

Thanks,