Current theme issues…

***Steve*** · 03-10-2006, 19:48

The Pixalo Crew have been assessing the recent changes to the site, in particular the style/colour change from the old grey to the new darker Pixalo DG. Although we still feel the DG theme is a massive step forward, the feedback from you, the members was at best lukewarm. That made us think and if you are not happy then neither are we. So over the last couple of days (after reading your comments again) we have done some research and decided to give you the choice of how the site should appear.

We have created a new theme based on the Dark Grey but in the more widely used and accepted blue/white colour combination. The layout and style of this new theme is identical to our current Pixalo DG style (to make it a little different from standard vBulletin installations) but the majority of status icons, attachment images, poll images, post images, fonts, font sizes, font colours etc are at default. We have changed the main buttons to more precise and matching blue ones but overall it is almost default.

For the next few days we have enabled both the dark grey (Pixalo – DGv1.2) and the new blue (Pixalo – Blue V1.2) themes so that each member can select and use whichever they prefer. By default the grey will stay in use unless you switch to the blue by using the style changer in the drop down box at the bottom of the forums. So to use the blue you will have to manually select it, if you wish to switch back to the DG you just select that again.

We would like you to try both and think carefully about which is the best and easiest for you to use day in and day out. In a few days a poll will be started which will give you a simple choice of the grey or blue theme. Whichever is the most popular at the close of the poll will then be used site wide and the other theme will be dropped completely. As we only want one site wide colour and style, which ever one is the most popular will then become our theme going forward, this will enforce our branding and allow us to continue developing Pixalo in the future. The main front site will also be converted to "winning theme colours" (if required) so that everything matches.

If there are any questions, please post them in this thread and watch out for the poll, if you miss it and don’t vote, should the theme that you prefer then lose you’ll only have yourselves to blame

fionaB · 03-10-2006, 21:20

the blue is sooooooooo much nicer and much easier to see, sometimes on the grey it is hard to see what is written or typed.... the blue gets my vote ! ok ok i know we aint voting yet! lol

Fiona

**Markulous** · 03-10-2006, 22:15

Isn't grey the new black? So, I'll be sticking to the fashion trend!

Foxesbrew · 03-10-2006, 22:53

I like the grey I think it looks great. But i find the blue easier to read .but not so visually pleasing. All the crew deserve a huge vote of thanks for thier efforts on our behalf.

**Angela** · 04-10-2006, 07:44

I have to say that, despite my initial reservations, I have got used to the grey and I quite like it now!

***Steve*** · 04-10-2006, 07:58

To confuse things ever so slightly I have just altered the fonts used on the DG theme to make them easier to read (as that seems to be the main complaint?) Everything else in this thread still stands and the final choice and decision will still be in your hands.

I just wanted to let everyone know so that you can give each theme a fair chance before making up your minds

orangepeel · 04-10-2006, 08:38

thanks guys. much prefer the blue. i've just switched it and my eyes suddenly feel as though they have just relaxed from straining!

lolyton · 04-10-2006, 10:38

I may change my themes around, but today i am liking the grey as it does show the images better and it is not a reflection on my mood. I have no problems withe grey, the text shows up clearly (as do the images) and the contrast is such that it is easy on the eyes. Tomorrow i may have a blue day, but no matter what it will always be a good day.

***Steve*** · 04-10-2006, 10:56

That’s actually a good point Lolyton. The dark grey theme was introduced to show off the members pictures in their best possible way. Its widely accepted that pictures look better on a darker background and after all, we are a photography site...

**Markulous** · 04-10-2006, 12:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve

The dark grey theme was introduced to show off the members pictures in their best possible way.

Was the first thing I noticed: how much better the images looked on the new colour scheme. And now you've tinkered with the fonts to make it all more readable................

Gary Bagshawe · 04-10-2006, 13:25

Hmmmm, I swithced to the blue and it is far too bright for my delicate head most mornings, plus I thought "what forum am I on" the blue looks just like all the others (of which I only visit on occasions honest mods) The dg is nice and soothing and calm

Sparhawk · 04-10-2006, 15:28

I must agree with Gary on this the DG is far better on the eyes to me the blue is much too bright and viewing photos is far better in the DG
Regards
Sparhawk

Foxesbrew · 04-10-2006, 16:03

Just gone back to the grey seems more legible now. Certainly shows photos better.

**Dabhand16** · 04-10-2006, 20:11

On balance, I think the grey takes it. I think the problem in the first version was the font size.

***Steve*** · 05-10-2006, 21:13

So are we all ready for the vote to begin then, do you think you have had enough time to fairly assess both themes?

View Poll Results: Which theme should Pixalo use SITEWIDE
Pixalo DG - This is the (Default) Dark Grey theme	12	70.59%
Pixalo Blue - The one that is White and Blue	5	29.41%
Voters: 17. You may not vote on this poll

03-10-2006, 19:48	#1 (permalink)
*Steve* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: An Englishman living in Germany Posts: 15,916	Current theme issues… The Pixalo Crew have been assessing the recent changes to the site, in particular the style/colour change from the old grey to the new darker Pixalo DG. Although we still feel the DG theme is a massive step forward, the feedback from you, the members was at best lukewarm. That made us think and if you are not happy then neither are we. So over the last couple of days (after reading your comments again) we have done some research and decided to give you the choice of how the site should appear. We have created a new theme based on the Dark Grey but in the more widely used and accepted blue/white colour combination. The layout and style of this new theme is identical to our current Pixalo DG style (to make it a little different from standard vBulletin installations) but the majority of status icons, attachment images, poll images, post images, fonts, font sizes, font colours etc are at default. We have changed the main buttons to more precise and matching blue ones but overall it is almost default. For the next few days we have enabled both the dark grey (Pixalo – DGv1.2) and the new blue (Pixalo – Blue V1.2) themes so that each member can select and use whichever they prefer. By default the grey will stay in use unless you switch to the blue by using the style changer in the drop down box at the bottom of the forums. So to use the blue you will have to manually select it, if you wish to switch back to the DG you just select that again. We would like you to try both and think carefully about which is the best and easiest for you to use day in and day out. In a few days a poll will be started which will give you a simple choice of the grey or blue theme. Whichever is the most popular at the close of the poll will then be used site wide and the other theme will be dropped completely. As we only want one site wide colour and style, which ever one is the most popular will then become our theme going forward, this will enforce our branding and allow us to continue developing Pixalo in the future. The main front site will also be converted to "winning theme colours" (if required) so that everything matches. If there are any questions, please post them in this thread and watch out for the poll, if you miss it and don’t vote, should the theme that you prefer then lose you’ll only have yourselves to blame

03-10-2006, 21:20	#2 (permalink)
fionaB Loves the place Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Scotland Posts: 5,318	Re: Current theme issues… the blue is sooooooooo much nicer and much easier to see, sometimes on the grey it is hard to see what is written or typed.... the blue gets my vote ! ok ok i know we aint voting yet! lol Fiona

03-10-2006, 22:15	#3 (permalink)
Markulous Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Peak District Posts: 9,585	Re: Current theme issues… Isn't grey the new black? So, I'll be sticking to the fashion trend!

03-10-2006, 22:53	#4 (permalink)
Foxesbrew Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: west sussex Posts: 1,128	Re: Current theme issues… I like the grey I think it looks great. But i find the blue easier to read .but not so visually pleasing. All the crew deserve a huge vote of thanks for thier efforts on our behalf.

04-10-2006, 07:44	#5 (permalink)
Angela Pixalo Crew Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Wimbledon Posts: 5,734	Re: Current theme issues… I have to say that, despite my initial reservations, I have got used to the grey and I quite like it now!

04-10-2006, 07:58	#6 (permalink)
*Steve* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: An Englishman living in Germany Posts: 15,916	Re: Current theme issues… To confuse things ever so slightly I have just altered the fonts used on the DG theme to make them easier to read (as that seems to be the main complaint?) Everything else in this thread still stands and the final choice and decision will still be in your hands. I just wanted to let everyone know so that you can give each theme a fair chance before making up your minds

04-10-2006, 08:38	#7 (permalink)
orangepeel Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 1,458	Re: Current theme issues… thanks guys. much prefer the blue. i've just switched it and my eyes suddenly feel as though they have just relaxed from straining!

04-10-2006, 10:38	#8 (permalink)
lolyton Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Granada, Spain Posts: 803	Re: Current theme issues… I may change my themes around, but today i am liking the grey as it does show the images better and it is not a reflection on my mood. I have no problems withe grey, the text shows up clearly (as do the images) and the contrast is such that it is easy on the eyes. Tomorrow i may have a blue day, but no matter what it will always be a good day.

04-10-2006, 10:56	#9 (permalink)
*Steve* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: An Englishman living in Germany Posts: 15,916	Re: Current theme issues… That’s actually a good point Lolyton. The dark grey theme was introduced to show off the members pictures in their best possible way. Its widely accepted that pictures look better on a darker background and after all, we are a photography site...

04-10-2006, 13:25	#11 (permalink)
Gary Bagshawe Rep Point Winner 07 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Sheffield UK Posts: 2,225	Re: Current theme issues… Hmmmm, I swithced to the blue and it is far too bright for my delicate head most mornings, plus I thought "what forum am I on" the blue looks just like all the others (of which I only visit on occasions honest mods) The dg is nice and soothing and calm

04-10-2006, 15:28	#12 (permalink)
Sparhawk Been here a while Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 300	Re: Current theme issues… I must agree with Gary on this the DG is far better on the eyes to me the blue is much too bright and viewing photos is far better in the DG Regards Sparhawk

04-10-2006, 16:03	#13 (permalink)
Foxesbrew Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: west sussex Posts: 1,128	Re: Current theme issues… Just gone back to the grey seems more legible now. Certainly shows photos better.

04-10-2006, 20:11	#14 (permalink)
Dabhand16 Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Dunstable Bedfordshire UK Posts: 8,680	Re: Current theme issues… On balance, I think the grey takes it. I think the problem in the first version was the font size.

05-10-2006, 21:13	#15 (permalink)
*Steve* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: An Englishman living in Germany Posts: 15,916	Re: Current theme issues… So are we all ready for the vote to begin then, do you think you have had enough time to fairly assess both themes?