SP.com v5

[ntbullock]

Here's what I've been working on in my down time. This is nowhere near finished or functional.

http://www.sequentialpictures.com

Thoughts?

[Mr Orange]

I like it!

maybe have the updates able to be seen w/o scrolling down- but otherwise I like it!

if you could add a tickertape that'd be pretty sweet- like what they got at JoBlo.com

[ntbullock]

What does everybody think? I purposefully was trying the updates below the feature for a reason. Feedback is appreciated. I'm trying to make the site simpler. Next I'm on to converting the movie pages. I have a few ideas for those that's gonna be involved. I'm slowly going to get streaming videos for 90% of the site going.

[xbay]

In my humble opinion, and I hate to bust a bubble, but I actually like the current layout. To me, it is quite original and I liked it a lot when I first saw it. I kinda hate to see you shy away from that brushed metal look; it gave a professional feel to the site. I know the new layout is nowhere near done, so I think that it could work out, but needs character, like what you've got now.

Also, I think centering the page would look better, unless you've got more to fill the right side besides ads.

my 2 cents...

[ntbullock]

I appreciate your honesty. The fourth iteration was the only brushed metal look I've had for the site. I really need to simplify. I've made the menu easier and the tables involved cleaner. It can be a pain sometimes to update the current one because the tables are complicated - on top of background images, flash elements, and other images that have to be precisely lined up. It was tedious putting together and in some browsers it's lost.

I'm still playing with layout, such as the update section, but I wouldn't say it's "nowhere near done." Yeah, it's pretty close. I've thought about animating something in the banner, but I want to get the more important elements in place first. This version will be more functional, I feel. The color change is also good - although not drastic.

I specifically designed it so the ads would cut off if you view it at 800x600. Only 12% of my viewers run that res, and I need the real estate. I'll probably make a little less off the ads, but I'd rather have the width. I've only seen a couple other sites do this. Again, thanks for your honesty. Hopefully, it'll grow on ya. ;]

EDIT: Found a simple flash "ticker"

[xbay]

I wouldn't say it's "nowhere near done." Yeah, it's pretty close.

My bad. Hope I didn't push any buttons. I have seen the source for the old site, and it looked like quite a handful. Something simpler would be much easier to maintain.

I specifically designed it so the ads would cut off if you view it at 800x600.

Good idea. I've never thought of that before.

I like the flash ticker. As far as everything else goes, perhaps the the current title bar images need to go. I'm still reminded of the current layout when I see it. Once things like that are gone and replace with the new color/theme, I think it would fit better. Right now, I think it still kinda clashes with my current expectations.

Long story short, I'll get used to it. :) Make it how you see fit.

[ChemicalWorld]

The width of the ad section on the right is too much for me (could that be my browser settings?), and the ads at the top are distracting. I really like the changes you've made overall. That new banner is great.

[Mr Orange]

I take it back about having the updates able to be seen without scrolling down- I see what you're going for and like it :-)
I also dig the redone movies page
BTW- where'd you find the flash scroll??

[ntbullock]

What's your res, Chemmy?

I got the ticker from http://www.scriptocean.com

Yeah, I know what you mean about the top ad being distractive. Any good ideas there?

[ChemicalWorld]

I'm at 1280x1024 (man, do I looove small print!).

[ntbullock]

What looks wrong to you? Is it that when you view the page above 1024 the ads on the right aren't centered within the gray area? It doesn't really bother me, but I suppose I could cut of some of the end of the image to make it appeared centered. That'd be an easy fix.

Oh and are you guys privy to the Flash issue that's been going on?

http://www.amarasoftware.com/flash-problem.htm

http://www.amarasoftware.com/macromedia-ie-solution.htm

[ChemicalWorld]

Yeah, it's the centering issue I'm seeing, but that's subjective. No biggie.

[ntbullock]

It's not hard to "fix" though. We'll see how it looks, eh? No ideas for the top ad?

[ChemicalWorld]

I don't know how plausible it is to move the top ads to the bottom; I know that isn't exactly prime ad real estate.

[ntbullock]

I might dampen the color a little more on the top ad or something. I don't want to move it.

EDIT: I adjusted the background image so it extends out to 1280. Now the line isn't so close that your eye kind of wants to center the ads. After playing around with shortening it the extra line to the right only confused the look. I think this is the balance. I also added a small space between the menu image and the top ad. I also dampened the color on that ad a smidge. On TOP of that I had to do the Flash fix. I hope it worked. If anyone has to do this might I suggest the "dirty" fix. I couldn't get Macromedia's to work - headache, headache.

Here's the new skin for the forum I'm thinking of altering:
http://www.phpbb.com/styles/forum/index.php?style=268

[mtmra70]

Its not centered for me and I am at 1280x1024


As for the overall look, I think it *looks* fine, but holy banner ads. Its bannerlicious and seems to pull the eyes away from the content.

Also, at first viewing, the 'audio/video/images' sections isnt that obvious, but the navigation bar below it is.

Overall its not bad.


As for the forum skin, not fond of the new one. A little silverious all around. I like the current one since it has different colors and is easy on the eyes.

[ntbullock]

No, that's not what I was talking about. The site is left justified.

Banners are a necessary evil, and these are tame compared to some sites. Can't help that. Are they any more distracting than they are on the current site? At least this way you don't notice them first on the left as you are reading.

I don't know, man. The M/A/I has the largest text on the page. Any suggestions?

I'm going to alter the colors a bit on the other forum to match. I'm not using it exactly the way it is. It will be uber simple, though, and that's what I want.

Thanks for the honest feedback. Hope I don't sound TOO defensive. I really need to get this redesign somewhat done because I've got a client site coming up that needs my attention. I'll at least get phase one of two completed.

[mtmra70]

I understand the banners are a necessary evil, but it does seem more distracting then the current site...maybe because you dont have any ads on the right at the current site. I have actually used the banner at the top of the page a few times and its not overly distracting, so I would leave that. The one on the right though is the distracting one. I re-read your posts and saw your reasoning for the placement however, I don't think its justified (no pun). What about just resizing the site based on browser width? Check out http://www.rebootitsmagic.com and resize your window, watch how the modules align themselves with the browser width. Granted, you dont have that much content and what you actually have on the page really isnt that wide. I think you can have the current layout, in a centered fashion, with the banner ads, and still make the 12% of site viewers happy :) Also, how many of that 12% are repeat visitors???

Regarding the M/A/I, I love the hover highlight, its just that the stock view blends in with the banner. How about a slight border and/or 'button' look to it? The whole banner just seems flat

[ntbullock]

Currently, the ads are more seperated in my opinion.

That site you mentioned has a whole set of issues for me that I won't get into. If you care for that one you probably won't dig my new site.

What's better about centering? I'm doing it to control how it's viewed. I want to have bigger pictures here and there, so that's why I want more width. Maybe I'm being stubborn about it. Can anyone else make a good argument for me centering the whole thing? Does it matter that much?

[ChemicalWorld]

I like the changes you made to the ad space on the right. As for the M/A/I part, that pops out for me as soon as I hit the site, no problems there. Regarding centering, that's subjective, as are all of the choices you've made. For those who like the centering idea, it looks like the new forum style will be centered, so take that as a compromise.

You're spending the time on it NT, so I say make a site that You like! (I know you don't need the cheerleading, but I don't get to shake shake shake the pom poms often.)

[ntbullock]

Thanks. Yeah, I just need to get this thing done for now.

EDIT: I just converted the whole site [phase 1]. If anyone finds any errors, which bound to exist, do let me know. Thanks.
After playing around with the new forum skin I may just change the colors on the current one.

[mtmra70]

Like the new forum skin :)

Are there any options to make the 'new post' indicator stick out a little more? The old one stuck out because they were blue and gold. But this one is red for both indicators, just a different shape.

[xbay]

yeah, same here. now I can't tell what threads have new posts. I like the new forum colors, but yeah, the icons could be more distinct

[ntbullock]

Hmmm. I always click View posts since last visit when I hit the first page. I'll look into it, though. What's the name of the image that needs to be more noticeable?

[mtmra70]

'folder_new.gif' and 'folder.gif' are almost identical. So changing either one slightly would be great :)

[ntbullock]

I see what you mean. I don't even really look at those most often. I changed the folder.gif to the subdued blue.

[mtmra70]

Looks good!!

Couple more:

folder_big.gif(make this one blue like the other) and folder_new_big.gif

also, can you make folder_hot.gif maybe an orage color?

[ntbullock]

I like those being red and orange wouldn't look good to me. I'm done for now. I've got a lot of client work to get to.

[Elizabeth]

Im like the change of atomasphere. Good Job BUDDY!

[ntbullock]

We all need a change of atmosphere every now and then.