Wedge

Wuthering for me though I can't really explain why. Just speaks to me I guess.

Yay another bug :P Yeah, it can have a default.

I actually like all of them, it's almost mood dependent, but I tend to stick with Weaving because it's the default theme and I'm most used to it.

I voted Weaving, Wine is a close second, Wuthering is okay I guess. It might be a good theme with Polish by someone else of course (not skill related but liking of said.) Warm could be a good theme with the colors sorted out, would be good for personal sites.

Weaving for me.

In my advancing years, I just find it so much easier to read! :)

I like both Weaving and Wuthering,
Right now I choose Wuthering because Ik thtnk the sidemenu is somewhat more clear. The parts are more seperated.
On the other hand I like the sidemenu in Weaving because it has few to zero color.
With the colors of the sidemenu in Wuthering it bit less dark I think it would be great.

I don't like the sidemenu on the left so those skins are a no go for me.

Not meaning to be rude Nao, I havent fallen in love with any of them.

The problem I have is they all have a very basic feel to them which for me is rather disappointing. I was hoping for a more polished assortment of themes that do justice to the Wedge brand as being the NEW kid on the Bloc!...Now theres an idea?

New software, particularly WEDGE should = A new overall look that differentiates significantly from other forums in general.

A fresh bold new look that definitely stands out from the rest. Something that truely signifies the new era in forum software that Wedge is attempting to convey?..Yes?

It's actually mostly configurable at the skin level with little real work. But there's a secondary factor that few people realise... I don't see a sidebar at the side at all - on narrow browser windows, it actually drops to the bottom of the page anyway ;)I was hoping for people to understand that there's only so much that two people can do in their spare time when life intervenes. I was also hoping that people wouldn't just expect miracles from us and that instead of expecting it to be wonderful, might actually be prepared to put some effort in down the line, but I guess no-one's going to be happy today.Uh, no. Let's just say that Bloc and us don't get on very well at all. You should read the debate. It would be informative.Why? Forum software as we currently know it is over a decade old. It has not changed significantly in that time. The implication to me is that it has not changed significantly in that time because it works well for its task.

There are always going to be individual cases where very big customisations are appropriate. But for the majority of forums, the standard forum structure works extremely well.There's two other things to consider.

1. How much screaming and carrying on goes on every single time Facebook implements a major change to their UI? Why do you suppose this is?

2. As a sort of corollary to the answer to the above question, something that is a long way departed from the conventional forum structure is actually going to confuse people, leading to a feeling of detachment, ostricisation, and any headway made out of doing something different is lost.

It doesn't matter how different it is, if no-one wants to use it because no-one understands it. Why do you think so many people want to emulate the layouts of other software?

I didn't know. That's a cool feature.
Just a bit pity that the looks of the menu change.

PS
Probably the wrong place to tell, but in Wuthering I am having trouble with the dropdown menu's.
When going down to enter the dropped menu, that menu disappears.
It disappears when crossing the space between tab en dropdown. Only when being very fast it works.
I hope it's a bit clear what I mean.

I switch around on most of the forums I'm on. i get tired of the same old thing all of the time.

For me the menus on the right hand side are awkward. But I'm left handed so that may play a big part in that.

Actually it's completely intentional. The sidebar look does not look right when folded down there. Nao and I have both experimented with this in the past.Any JavaScript errors?Presumably using a mouse in your left hand? (Interestingly, right-handed mouse users generally have the same problem with the menu on the left, it's a case of moving the mouse in the direction away from which is comfortable for how our arm and hand muscles tend to develop.)

I am using Wedge, I prefer the contrast in colors as it makes it easier for my eyes. Weaving I think have too bright of a background for me. The rest have a mix of blue and green that I do not care for.

Generally, I do not care for the pastel look of any of the skins but Wedge is my favorite. I also find that any skin that uses a lot of fading and shadowing cause eyestrain ( I wear glasses ) so I prefer well defined and sharp lines and letters in a skin.

My bank recently 'upgraded' to a CSS3 driven web site for on line banking. What a mess. All the shadowing, fading, blurring, uber light backgrounds, lightly colored bars really aggravated a lot of users. After an onslaught of complaints, they kept the newer look as far as layout but went to better color contrasting and crisper lines.

Life is blurry enough as we get older, web sites should not make it worse.  :)

Um, Weaving is the default skin of Wedge itself, that means Wedge = Weaving from your post...

Thanks for getting back Pete, very sorry if Ive offended it was'nt my intention. I was merely attempting to convey some feedback on your theme selections as thats what I understood this topic to be about. I'm in no way expectant of miracles and am perfectly happy with the efforts both yourself and Nao have put into Wedge to this point. I wouldn't be here if I wasnt interested in what you were doing. Unfortunately my expertise in development is somewhat limited so Im relegated to commentary. Hopefully you can appreciate that.Have done - remark was tongue in cheek - drawing on pun, I suppose not in the best of taste.That may be the case but I was under the impression what you were doing with Wedge WAS different to the norm - socialization, board structure the whole package. Yes there are reasons why you branched from SMF but the underlying motivation was surely one that was centred on improvement. Why create Wedge if change wasn't required? Its impossible to believe Wedge falls in the category of a huge customisation. You have invested so much energy and sacrifice into something that was for purely for supposed personal use? The vibe im getting is your striving for so much more than a streamlined 10 year old system that works. Personally, the whole exercise seems like a new beginning in forum software hence my remarks on endeavouring to create a fresh approach with themes, not as an adjunct but a marketing ploy which coincides with the release of Wedge.1. Yes people are resistant to change but theres a whole world out there thats also receptive to it. I feel your not comparing apples with apples where Wedge and Facebook is concerned - Theyre @ different stages of development.

Consideration to UI would have taken place well in advance of its emergence onto the marketplace. With the release of any new product there is an overall focus on design/function first and foremost, then brandname. Although they are separate entities they are inextricably linked. Before release to public the product passes through prototype phase which Wedge is currently in. Once approved for release the product is then subjected to a marketing phase which comprises of not only the promotional aspect but packaging before sale to public - Or in Wedges case its UI. You cant release a product in its raw form you have to window dress it in order for it to enhance its appeal. Which is what Im concentrating in my own way. Facebook would certainly have gone down this road as its an essential ingredient of the products makeup. It defines it as too does its packaging.

There's an addage that I draw on from time to time and it holds true - namely, "form follows function" but it has to be remembered they go hand in hand.

The first analogy I would have expected in relation to Wedge and Facebook is "What are the reasons for its popularity". Facebook was certainly a new concept in social media as indeed Wedge is in its realm - You guys have that area covered but and its a big one - Consideration to UI is not wasted and is equally important in Wedges case

2. By now you will have realized that I disagree with you on your latter point - Im feeling much happier that ive got it all off my chest though.

True ..... got my check marks and themes comfused.  I am on the Wine theme. :eheh: