Beta Testing the New Theme

Age : 31 Posts : 471

So, as I'm sure everyone reading this is well aware, the site has had a makeover! Though, as awesome as it is, such a big change is always going to have some minor bugs or aspects on which people have varying opinions. In this thread I'm going to comment on a few things I have opinions on, and I invite anyone else who wants to do so to contribute too, be it with glitch reports, suggestions for touch ups or constructive criticism. Keep the attitude positive.

Comments;
The colours for Admin, New Members, and Kumo nin are all very similar. I think grey worked well for new members, and Kumo could have a less golden, lighter yellowy orange. Possibly like #EDB24C, or it's old color.

The text in navigation is a little small for me to read properly, not sure if other people feel the same.

The spotlight blubs are so easily missed as rollover text that it wouldn't surprise me if people completely forgot it was there... I've always loved the flavor text in the spotlights, and felt it gave the prize more substance and reward to specifically praise a member with personalized comments. Obviously this is just my opinion, but I think they were well worth the space they took up and would hate to see them vanish due to obscurity in the viewing of them. I'd like to hear some other people's opinions on that though.

There's my bit, let's get some input on this

Compliments, comments and criticism are all welcome here; this topic will be purely for talking about the new theme.

Age : 35 Posts : 1113

TwinnyKitty wrote:: The colours for Admin, New Members, and Kumo nin are all very similar. I think grey worked well for new members, and Kumo could have a less golden, lighter yellowy orange. Possibly like #EDB24C, or it's old color.

The text in navigation is a little small for me to read properly, not sure if other people feel the same.

The spotlight blubs are so easily missed as rollover text that it wouldn't surprise me if people completely forgot it was there... I've always loved the flavor text in the spotlights, and felt it gave the prize more substance and reward to specifically praise a member with personalized comments. Obviously this is just my opinion, but I think they were well worth the space they took up and would hate to see them vanish due to obscurity in the viewing of them. I'd like to hear some other people's opinions on that though.

While I love the appearance of the new theme, these points were amongst the first I picked up on.

The Kumo colours (rank image & username) look like a cross between those for Iwa and those for Kumo. Basically, I don't think the Kumo ones are distinct enough. Alex is right about the grey being ideal for new members, although I don't yet know whether crimson works better with the new theme. Lastly, I'm rather enjoying the new nukenin colour, so thank you!

I can read the Navigation just fine, although it is a tad cramped. I wouldn't be surprised if a fair few people found this tricky.

The spotlight blurbs are indeed easily missed. I found I had to regularly take the cursor off the target and return it again just so the text would stay up.

I'm now having to add [#size] coding to my posts, as the font I normally use has been made to look slightly larger at default size. I assume this is to do with the slimming down of the page. It's not a major gripe.

Again, lovely graphics work - my compliments to the team.

~Soph.

Age : 37 Posts : 2201

Quote :: and Kumo could have a less golden, lighter yellowy orange. Possibly like #EDB24C, or it's old color.

I do not like the color for Kumo

And I agree with Jelly (again) that the navigation panel is a bit small.

But overall, this is a job well done and the site looks pretty Smile

Thanks for the hard work guys.

Age : 32 Posts : 750

ALLLLLLLLLLRIGHT.. Lets get this down to business.

1. The Kumo color - Make it grey, yellow, blue, black.. idk. I pretty much had to get as close as I could to my computer screen to tell if there was any difference betwixt it and nvm scratch this because I just looked and see that it is fixed Razz

sike, I looked at something totally different. I agree with Enzo.. You should tots go with Grey Smile

2. Navigation.. too small. Make larger, put spaces in between the sections... something to help fix the cramping of words.

3. Excellent job on the color scheme for the theme and the graphics. Everything looks great as far as that goes and so yeah. Excellent job people Smile

4. Kanji letters - I'm at the moment indifferent about these, they are a unique twist I didn't expect to see and so that makes the interesting. Usually you see a picture of some sorts related to Naruto and so it just kind of threw me for little loop. No worries.. I believe I will come around..

5. Pictures of the Villages - I like that this finally came about as it adds flavor to the board area and makes it look really nice. It also gives people an idea about how the village looks, in case someone is clueless on the appearance of a village for some odd reason.

Overall - Very good work and my thanks and congratulations to the people who worked hard on this. Job well done and you all deserve a nice little snack. So what I want you to do is go to the pantry or where ever and get you some cookies and devour them like it's no ones business. Razz

Age : 29 Posts : 1797

Kumo should tots be gray. Jussaiyan. Aww yeah

#UnbiasedOpinion

Age : 49 Posts : 1036

I'll sum up my opinion of the new look in two words. Hate it.

It's cramped, wastes a whole lot of screen space, requires constantly taking the mouse off something and putting it back on, and generally makes things more difficult instead of easier.

Frankly I don't see why the old look had to change. It worked, it was fairly bug-free, and there was no uproar to change it. All I'm seeing is a "new for new's sake" that should be scrapped.

Age : 28 Posts : 266

NuclearTreerat wrote:: I'll sum up my opinion of the new look in two words. Hate it.

It's cramped, wastes a whole lot of screen space, requires constantly taking the mouse off something and putting it back on, and generally makes things more difficult instead of easier.

Frankly I don't see why the old look had to change. It worked, it was fairly bug-free, and there was no uproar to change it. All I'm seeing is a "new for new's sake" that should be scrapped.

I guess you didn't understand that this thread was for constructive criticism. For the record, we had a new theme because tomorrow is February 3rd, which is US' "birthday". Do note that most websites change their appearance - it's called updating a design.

Normally, I wouldn't bat an eye to this, but considering I spent nearly two weeks on this project, I'm deeply offended.

Don't like the theme? Make your own.

Better yet, come back when you have won 3 national web design competitions and will be pursuing a bachelor of science in web design.

Thank you.

Age : 32 Posts : 750

Frankly I don't see anything wrong with this look besides the Kumo color and the navigation screen size. Like I said in my above post, everything really looks great.

Idk what you mean Nuclear when you constantly have to take away your mouse on something... I don't have to do that at all and all change is good for just wanting something new.

People do get tired of looking at the exact same thing for so long so adding something new gives a new flavor.

Oh and Setsu... I didn't realize you were so recognized for your web design talents... Smile

Awesome!!

Age : 35 Posts : 1113

NuclearTreeRat wrote:: I'll sum up my opinion of the new look in two words. Hate it.

It's cramped, wastes a whole lot of screen space, requires constantly taking the mouse off something and putting it back on, and generally makes things more difficult instead of easier.

Frankly I don't see why the old look had to change. It worked, it was fairly bug-free, and there was no uproar to change it. All I'm seeing is a "new for new's sake" that should be scrapped.

Nuclear, I take your point about the mouse hovering issue, at least with regards to the Spotlight section (having myself mentioned it earlier). I've yet to experience that problem elsewhere, though. I can only assume that when you mention 'bugs', this is what you're talking about. Consider this: surely there's bound to be a teething phase in which these things are ironed out? I expect, before long, this theme will run as smoothly as the last.

Personally, I think a great deal of thought has gone into sprucing up the forum which IMHO, needed a lick of paint. I particularly love the roleplay area pictures and as a Japan-ophile, the kanji lettering definitely appeals.

Age : 32 Posts : 869

The only problems I have with is the color of Kumo and the banner with Naruto, Obito and Kabuto.

First the color. It's meh. I don't know how to describe it. Mushy? I would like it more if it would pop out, a brighter color.

As for the Banner, well I already talked about it in C-box. Naruto is really standing out too much. Though the more I think about it, and look at it, I think the background should be removed and leave Naruto. If somebody could give me the render and the size of the banner you want I can try to do something.

Otherwise I love the new look. I'm really, really, really, realy jealous of Setsu's and John's skill with coding. I wish I had 1/5 of the skill they have with it. Good job guys, good job indeed.

EDIT: One more thing I forgot. I miss the tab where I can click on threads. You know what I mean? For example you click on Character creation, than on approved characters and than the village and than you can just click to which part of that thread you want to go back to like this

Character Creation/ Approved Characters/ Approved Kumogakure Characters

I miss that a lot.

Age : 49 Posts : 1036

Normally I wouldn't do this, but I don't take kindly to veiled insults or intimidation attempts.

Settsugka:
If you don't want honest opinions, then don't ask for them. I gave my view and said why. If it offends you that greatly that someone doesn't like the change then I suggest you consider how you'll react when a client says "don't like it, redo it" about a web design. Second, great on the awards - doesn't mean you can't make a mistake. Or that everyone is automatically going to agree with you.

You can take my opinion however you like, but don't expect me to change it just because you don't like it.

Fox:
I'm sure it is a bug, maybe one that I'm alone seeing because of the mix of software I'm using. However I don't see why something that was working well has to be changed for something that is going to need those "teething troubles" removed. Changing colors around I would care less about unless it makes things harder to see, even if I think black and red are over-used to the point of cliche. Making the sight harder to navigate however I do care about.

Posts : 148

Here's my opinion?
I like the new layout for the most part with exception to the forum width and navigation buttons.
The width is too thin, makes everything seem cramped and compact, maybe increase it to 65% or more.

The navigation buttons are a little too bright for the new layout. Maybe a darker maroon color would fit better.

Age : 32 Posts : 869

NuclearTreerat wrote:: However I don't see why something that was working well has to be changed for something that is going to need those "teething troubles" removed.

A thing called getting stale and boring? Seriously though, how long did US have the same look. Two, three years? I think it was time that it was changed.

Age : 32 Posts : 750

Ivan wrote:

NuclearTreerat wrote:: However I don't see why something that was working well has to be changed for something that is going to need those "teething troubles" removed.

A thing called getting stale and boring? Seriously though, how long did US have the same look. Two, three years? I think it was time that it was changed.

Age : 35 Posts : 1113

NuclearTreerat wrote:: Fox:
I'm sure it is a bug, maybe one that I'm alone seeing because of the mix of software I'm using. However I don't see why something that was working well has to be changed for something that is going to need those "teething troubles" removed. Changing colors around I would care less about unless it makes things harder to see, even if I think black and red are over-used to the point of cliche. Making the sight harder to navigate however I do care about.

You are so like my Dad. It's quite fair to have that opinion and I won't ever try to tell you that you're wrong. But the way I see it (and to draw upon one of many appropriate platitudes), you can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs. For me, an update to the layout, colour scheme and general theme was necessary. The temporary issues are worth it in the long run.

Age : 28 Posts : 266

To stop everyone from clustering together and repeatedly bringing up the same issues:

Known Issues that will be fixed:
- Kumo rank images
- Rank color modification
- Navigation bar will be edited soon
- Width will be altered.
- The "Character Creation/ Approved Characters/ Approved Kumogakure Characters" esque thing will be added. It was removed because we were talking to forumotion about a problem we had with it.
- Spotlight hover.

Ivan, we'll take the banner problem into consideration but given the fact that we have alternating banners (with more being added soon), that will go on the back burner because it seems to be a personal preference thing and not a necessity.

Please do continue to bring problems, concerns, questions, and what not to me or John, since we're the graphic moderators.

Age : 32 Posts : 750

Setsu.. when you say width.. Width as in the Width of the forum?

Age : 28 Posts : 266

Yes, Sora.

Age : 29 Posts : 1797

I like the current width. It's nice.
#GrayKumo

Age : 32 Posts : 750

Enzo wrote:: I like the current width. It's nice.
#GrayKumo

Posts : 1187

NuclearTreerat wrote:: I'll sum up my opinion of the new look in two words. Hate it.

I wouldn't say that I exactly hate it. Just the old one was better... In my opinion.

Age : 29 Posts : 3145

Enzo stop hash-tagging everything. What are you!? A fifteen year old school girl? D< We have none of those on a MANLY AWESOME site like this.

Props to John and Setsu on this badassery of a theme. Most of my grips with it have been mentioned, so yah.

If anything, the Copyright section needs John and Setsu's names in big flashy letters. And the two current banners need to be changed/replaced completely. In my opinion.

P.S Nuclear why you so conservative D:

P.S.S We could allow the 'other' (less skilled, jobless, practically homeless) graphic people to design the banners Sad

Age : 31 Posts : 716

I personally like the change. Yes, it is going to take some getting used to. Yes, I know a lot of people do not like change - I'm usually one of them. However, as a fellow web designer, I know that even a new theme takes a lot of time and effort. Well done, my dears. However there are a few things that bother me, and so I will address them, while avoiding what's already been stated.

- The main navigation bar. It bothers me a bit because the colors don't seem to flow as well with the rest of the theme. Perhaps 'invert' the colors, and make the middle the blackish color, and the ends the redish color. This is of course personal preference.

- The kanji. I personally like seeing kanji here and there, as this is based on a Japanese manga, but given most of us speak English here, I doubt a lot of people can read it. However, I do know at the bottom of the forum it specifies what represents what and such, so this is more of a minor quirk than anything.

- One of the big things that is bugging me is that groups and usernames colored to their according groups don't look nearly as bold if at all like it used to, and I personally like that because it made usernames stand out more than just blending in with the rest of the text.

- Another thing is the little buttons throughout the site and posts. Like with the navigation bar, they don't seem to match as much. Like, some of them are grey, and some of them are black and red, etc. I prefer consistency. Yet another minor thing.

Other than that, I really like everything. Despite the negative feedback on the spotlight, I think it was a cool idea. Though I do agree the old one gave much more of a spotlight to those involved and seemed much more rewarding. Absolutely love the rollover image and text for the nations and villages, love the new overall text, and the banners are pretty cool too. Keep up the good work guys. <3

Age : 29 Posts : 3145

As far as I can understand, the Locked Kanji is telling me to f*** off, the New Posts Kanji is saying 'Your mother' and the no new posts is referring to a female dog for some reason.... hmmm

Beta Testing the New Theme 815275

Age : 31 Posts : 1637

I'm not sure if it's just me, or if the little icons that show the newest post always make it seem as though there's a new post. For some reason I tend to look on that side of the forum frequently (while looking through new posts) and that just struck me as odd. I mean how the little paper icons are always that red-orange color.

It could just be me, though.