Forum and Website Design

[Janos (retired)]

Behind the scenes there has been a lot of work on the website and the forum. I am sure you have noticed!

The next major hurdle is to set a style for the forum and the website as a whole. Please have a visit to these and other phpBB Style websites and comment on the styles you like.

https://www.phpbb.com/customise/db/styles-2/
http://www.phpbb3styles.net/

Until a style is chosen further developments are on pause. Code which I would like to implement is style specific and there is no way I will have time to code for every style.

Go to your profile (User Control Panel) http://www.dunadd.co.uk/seti/forum/ucp.php and select board preferences. In there you can flip between the styles we have already installed.

Have your say and if needed we can have a vote for the best style.

[Alez]

Serenity for me. Clean, clear, was my 1st choice when I first went looking for styles, prefer it even more when using.

[Buster Gunn]

Serenity looks like a winner to me. Tried blackboard but had to turn on another light just
to see something.

[PinkPenguin]

A lot may depend title graphics - if we are going to create one. Serenity is a good choice as it uses a neutral colour and it is tasteful.

I like this one: http://demo.phpbb3styles.net/we_universal

The contrast makes things more visible and gives the structure more definition. The title graphic is easily substituted with something of our own. And the use of transparency in the FAQ, Search, ecc... Buttons gives it a slightly layered effect and adds a little depth to the view.

If it's any help to you and I can find the time the time over the next few days I can create a customised variation with title graphic so you can see how it comes out. Let me know if you are interested. :)

[Janos (retired)]

Every bit of help would be much appreciated. Thanks PP.

[Silver]

Tried blackboard but had to turn on another light just
to see something.

I wondered what you meant till I tried it, not sure why anyone would pick it!?

I was quite comfortable with prosilver that i was using but I'll try serenity for a while and see if it grows on me a bit more.
I do like the look of we universal that PP suggested though....

[Janos (retired)]

I like this one: http://demo.phpbb3styles.net/we_universal

The contrast makes things more visible and gives the structure more definition. The title graphic is easily substituted with something of our own. And the use of transparency in the FAQ, Search, ecc... Buttons gives it a slightly layered effect and adds a little depth to the view.

we_universal is now on our forums for all to see. Comments?

[Janos (retired)]

I really quite like we_universal. Clean, simple look and the code looks nice.

[Silver]

We_universal looks much nicer than serenity on my phone.
I also like the narrower layout - on my pc - compared to serenity. Unless I was doing something stupid?
Better contrast too but still nice and clean.

[Janos (retired)]

It looks like we have two front runners: Serenity and wu_universal.

We have had comments from: Alez, Buster Gunn, PinkPenguin, Janos and Silver. I would like a few more of the regulars to voice their preference before we come to a final decision.

[PinkPenguin]

Between now and the weekend I will see if I can find the time to work up a couple of custom variants for Serenity and we_universal so that you can see how they would come out with the TSBT Logo.

The objective is to keep the graphics minimal as the seafarers and travellers among you tend to have anything but ideal connections (nothing to do with Penguins, I understand, unless you happen to be south of the equator in which case they tend to hog any WiFi connection they happen across)...

[Janos (retired)]

Between now and the weekend I will see if I can find the time to work up a couple of custom variants for Serenity and we_universal so that you can see how they would come out with the TSBT Logo.

Superb :)

I was thinking that since we are down to only two options that we could just go with two and I will do a copy / paste exercise on the any new code.

The objective is to keep the graphics minimal as the seafarers and travellers among you tend to have anything but ideal connections (nothing to do with Penguins, I understand, unless you happen to be south of the equator in which case they tend to hog any WiFi connection they happen across)...

How very considerate of you. :)

On a personal note, when I go offshore I disable graphics or use RSS.

[MacDitch]

On a personal note, when I go offshore I disable graphics or use RSS.

Where are you offshore, typically the connections are actually better than a lot of the domestic ones!

My tuppence, out of Serenity and wu_universal it's wu_universal hands down.

[Megacruncher]

wu_universal - with a TSBT logo of course - would do it for me. Clear & crisp & fits nicely on my iPad!

[Janos (retired)]

Between now and the weekend I will see if I can find the time to work up a couple of custom variants for Serenity and we_universal so that you can see how they would come out with the TSBT Logo.

Our very own PinkPenguin has been busy! I have just uploaded his TSBT_Serenity style. Scoot over to your control panel and have a look.

I won't spoil the surprise by saying more but he has made a few tweaks, including making the page fixed width. We have a talented Penguin :)

[Janos (retired)]

I've performed some clean up and disabled the Styles which no one was using and which had negative comments. If you would like them back just ask.

[Alez]

Loving the look of the new TSBT serenity. It gets a big Yarrrrrr !! from this pirate. A Penguin of many talents indeed.

[MacDitch]

I know this is a bit of an about turn, but TSBT serenity may have swayed me. It's definitely easier to spot the new/unread topics and whatever put me off the original seems to have been fixed by our very own Penguin. Good job that man!

[Janos (retired)]

Pros and Cons:

The code of wu_universal is easier to play with (also noted by PP).
I prefer the page graphics in wu_universal

The header image is superb on TSBT_serenity

How about we put the same header image on we_universal and then see about a vote?

[PinkPenguin]

This is an upload of the we_universal style. I have gone to town bit on this one so let's see if anyone likes it. Basically I have tried to keep to the black and white theme... hence the 1940s Powell and Pressburger film still...

I have taken note of Mega's observations and added buttons for:
1. Mega's TSBT Blog (upper left)
2. BOINCStats
3. TJ Stats
4. BOINC (download)

I have also added a global stats counter on the right from BOINCStats. Partly to balance the colours of the billboard on the left.

For the time being I have stuck to the header area - otherwise it would take space a away from the messages.

[edit]By the way, Janos, check the url's associated with the buttons and let me know the correct ones.[/edit]

[Janos (retired)]

That looks really good!

I think the only thing I would tweak would be to make the header image clickable which would take you back to the homepage. Everything else looks superb :)

[PinkPenguin]

That looks really good!

I think the only thing I would tweak would be to make the header image clickable which would take you back to the homepage. Everything else looks superb :)

The whole header or just the coo...?

[Janos (retired)]

I suggest coo at minimum, more if you think it better.

Just thought, how about a link from the boincstats graphic to http://boincstats.com/en/stats/-1/team/ ... 7/overview?

[PinkPenguin]

I suggest coo at minimum, more if you think it better.

Just thought, how about a link from the boincstats graphic to http://boincstats.com/en/stats/-1/team/ ... 7/overview?

Done... it's raining here! 8)

[Alez]

It might be nit picking, but could we have the option to return to board index both at the top and at the bottom of the page ?
Currently this is only available at the top.

[Janos (retired)]

In order to keep pushing the style debate forward I have deactivated the default phpbb style in favour of PinkPenguin's wonderful creations : TSBT_Serenity and TSBT_Universal.

[PinkPenguin]

It might be nit picking, but could we have the option to return to board index both at the top and at the bottom of the page ?
Currently this is only available at the top.

Shouldn't be a problem - I haven't looked at the footer yet but it's a lot simpler than the header so I will see if I can put links there.

I will return to Serenity in a couple of weeks time which means end of november - it needs the TSBT links and few other things. Things are little hectic at the moment so for I won't produce anything much in the meantime.

[Janos (retired)]

I will return to Serenity in a couple of weeks time which means end of november - it needs the TSBT links and few other things. Things are little hectic at the moment so for I won't produce anything much in the meantime.

I am afraid the same is true for me also, my next offshore trip starts early next week.

[Alez]

Cheers, I like universal but still think I prefer serenity. I think keeping the two as our default choices is the way to go.
thanks for the work.

[Megacruncher]

Serenity looks absolutely awesome. Universal, although pretty fantastic, isn't quite as striking but has the functionality that would allow it to be the TSBT homepage.

Great work.

At the risk of being overly demanding. Could anyone with the knowhow do a version of Universal with the main graphic from Serenity, maybe lose the BoincStats graphic, and change "TJ Stats" to "Team Stats"?

That or point me in the direction of a resource that would tell me how to play around with these things without breaking them?

[darkmast2]

Bit late to the party but Milky Way red would be quite appropriate but is a bit over powering :)

[Alez]

If you go to user control panel, board preferences you will have the 2 TSBT choices to choose from. The default is universal, you will also have the choice of serenity.