When this forum was first re-born, it had a very very dark theme.  And the theme did not work well on most browsers, sending the edge of posts off the right side of the screen.  The current theme (white background default theme) was put in place to make the board more readable and because it functioned well.

There are many themes available to us though, and if enough members are interested, we could look at changing the theme to something a general consensus appears to want.  There is also the issue of whether Categories or Discussions is the default home page.  So, please provide any input you have on the following two questions:

1. So, would you be interested in a different theme for the message board?  And if so, describe the theme you would like (i.e. color-scheme, less bright, etc.)

2.  Currently the message board is set up so that when you come here it defaults to the CATEGORIES view of the page.  Is this how you actually use the message board, or would it be more useful if the DISCUSSONS view were the default homepage, with Categories showing in the left-hand sidebar?

Your input is important…this place would not exist without you!

Thanks,

Mark

Is there an option for the user to select a theme on an individual basis? I’ve seen it implemented in vBulletin. So you could have a dark theme and a bright theme that the user can select based in their preference. I prefer the old dark theme personally.

As far as the start view: I prefer the Discussions view but it’s no big deal to click on Discussions directly from the Categories view.

It is possible to allow theme-switching by users.  There is currently one available plug-in that was designed to allow that.  I have not tested it to see if it works, but it is hypothetically possible.

Mark

When the site SH.org went dark the temp site SH boards.net you could choose Black Widow, I thought that was easy on the eyes. With this white theme; while I am at the top of the screen, I get an annoying buzzing sound. I just noticed recently since I been deaf for almost two year and finally got some aids. Sometime I stream music if I am reading SH threads for an extended period to avoid the buzzing. 

The buzzing sound would make me nuts.

Vanilla’s design is not really aimed at allowing users to choose between themes.  But, I downloaded a plug-in that might be able to make that possible.  I’ll probably test it late tonight.

So, is it fair to say it would be nice if members could choose between a high-contrast light-colored theme like the current one, and a dark theme with white text that is easy on the eyes in the evening?

Would a light and a dark theme for users to choose between individually satisfy the largest number of members?

Mark

I prefer an off white or light tan, especially when reading at night, but solved that issue for myself with an app on my own machine. And for the preferred landing I always choose “discussions” but it’s not an issue for me since I just keep the tab open in my browser.

Personally, I browse from the Discussions screen myself.  Let’s ask this regarding the home page:

Does anyone reading this prefer browsing from the Categories page?

I’ve heard the old board had Categories as the landing page, and that’s why it was chosen here.  But, if everyone reading this browses from the Discussions page, then I think it might be wise to have the landing page be Discussions, with all the Categories handy over in the left-hand sidebar. 

And that’s why we’re asking.  What works best for how everyone?

Mark

I have my bookmark set on the Discussions page. That gets me right to the most recent posts in each thread.

As for themes, I personally prefer a dark text on light background. I like to read printed books and magazines, and it’s the mode I am accustomed to, and find easiest on the eye.

That said, I understand that in some contexts the “negative” view might be more efficient to some readers, so having the option of user-chosen themes is a good idea.

Mark,

1. Landing Page. I tend to go straight to ‘Recent Discussions’, although for some reason I like the look of the Categories page as a landing place. If there is a majority in favour of Recent Discussions then I’m very happy to go with the flow.

2. Themes. I think the ideal would be to have a choice of two - dark and light. Given only one, I’d probably go for light text on dark background myself, provided that the contrast was good and the text fitted (which were the issues with the previous theme), but I’m aware that many folks have issues with screens that I don’t have. So again - if we had to stick with one theme I would happily go with a majority choice.

We’d love more input.  So, if you haven’t offered any yet, please feel free.

Thus far, things are leaning toward two theme options (one dark and one light), with each member able to choose which one they want to use.  I’ll be working on trying to make this happen.

And thus far, things are leaning toward using the Discussions page as the landing page, with the Categories listed in the left-hand side bar for those that want to just directly to a category.  The Categories page will still exist, it just won’t be the landing page.  There will also be a Categories page link at the top of every page.

If anyone has supporting or contrasting opinions to the plan outlined above, please post.

Thanks!

Mark 

I prefer the “landing page” to be the most recent discussions, with the categories listed in the left column as I tend to connect several times a day, this allows me to go straight to to the new content.

As for the theme I have no problem with any theme but prefer slightly the black background with white text, I find it less tiresome for my eyes, anyway I think that the possibility to shift between themes (black/white) can be very valued by everyone.

Thanks for your efforts markstinson!

I don’t have any color suggestions but I like high visibility over Tokyo By Night because I’m old and can’t see worth Jack. I don’t like colors also probably because I’m too damn old. A simple black on white is fine. BTW your Modern Snuff banner hurts my eyes, no offense!

I like the theme that is currently in use but am happy to go with whatever is decided.

My bookmark for the forum takes me directly to the Discussions page so the default setting does not really bother me.

This color scheme (black text on a white background) will likely remain the default.  There is a slightly different theme (font, font-size, layout) that may be a little easier to read though.  I was going to take a look at it.  But, the default message board will likely remain much like it is now.

And, if I can figure out the theme-switching plug-in, and making it work, there will be an option for members to individually choose a high-contrast white text on a black-background color scheme.  This will simply give everyone a personal option.

But, the theme-switching plug-in is sort of under-developed, and I’m going to have to figure it out.  So, the personal option may not be available for a little bit as I learn how to make it work right.

Mark

@Snuffbox, I was noticing I was the only person the board with a banner anyhow…so, hopefully the text links in my signature will be a little easier on your old eyes! 

Mark

good move, Mark. Your words should take prominence over the banner; I was tripping over it, too.

You gotta learn the culture of a place… Mark

@markstinson you da man! My eyes thank you.

The current black text on white is OK, but would like other color options.  I think a sand colored background would be easier on the eyes.

I’d also like the option to turn off all signatures.   Or at least have everyone’s signature be a small font with a lighter color. 

Thanks for your continued efforts on the site!     ^:)^

Need help setting up a “footer” like @markstinson has on his comments.

@chefdaniel - you need to go to your profile, then Edit profile, then on the left hand side there is a menu with the last item being Signature Settings.

That page has a Signature Code box where you can type in whatever you want as your signature / footer.

Hope that helps.

@chris
Many thanks.

Cheers

@spyder, you can individualize your experience with signatures on the page.  Follow the instructions @chris gave to @chefdaniel:

“you need to go to your profile, then Edit profile, then on the left hand side there is a menu with the last item being Signature Settings.”

You should see three check-boxes there.  The first allows you to turn off all signatures completely.  The second allows you to turn off signatures when browing the board on your mobile device.  And the third strips images out of signatures, leaving only the text.  Choose the one you want, hit “Save”, and you have personalized your experience with signatures on the board.

Thanks,

Mark

Currently, there are no members that I know of with banner images in their signature.  If we ever do have any, an it bothers folks, its easy to click a check-box and just never see them again.  If anyone wants to be pre-emptive, they could go check that “strip out images” check-box right now, and you’ll never see one.

Some boards I’ve moderated or visited hard-coded the signature into each post you made.  Whatever signature you had at the time you made a post, that’s the signature that was forever there with that post.  A nice thing about Vanillla, is that when you change your signature, it changes on every post you ever made on the board.  So, if we ever do get someone with an obnoxious huge signature in 20 px font, we can talk to them about changing it and it will change the signatures in ever post they’ve made.

Mark

Thanks @markstinson.   Profile updated.