Request for feedback on new Sythe style

Before you get excited, it's only a modification of the existing style:

http://sythe.org/?styleid=11

 

Getting used to it, I feel like it's how it should be, with the market at the top.

 

[Govind]

http://puu.sh/4qQ4U.png

 

[Govind]

I'd help but I'm sleepy

 

[Heads447]

I don't like where the community section is located at the moment. We're trying to increase activity on the forum, not do the opposite...

I do like the new style though.

 

I still think it's not a big enough change. What Sythe needs is a refreshing new brand image. The site looks incredibly dated and off putting.

From what I've managed to gather from working in web development, rounded edges are out. Stick with corners and solid colours, add in some fancy CSS or jQuery to make shit fly about and feel like a more involved user experience. You could also do with having two options for each skin - one fluid, one fixed at about 900px width.

In all honesty, I think it'd be worth opening your wallet and buying a new theme for the site or having a bespoke one created.

http://www.purevb.com/vbulletin-skins/ - I think as far as skins go, these guys are pricey but do a thorough job and their skins are very pleasing to the eye. I think maybe run a donations pledge drive to fund a totally custom skin? That way you can guarantee that it'll be totally professionally made. Not 100% certain if they still do skins for vB 3.X though so it might be worth asking.

Why not just let the community do it, you ask? Well, the current theme is horrible thanks to the community. It's garish, over sharpened and the colour choices are just horrifying. Besides, which member of the community is going to make a FULL skin without wanting money for it?

On a side note: that Zarpor banner is ridiculous, having ads that are over 100kb is going to affect SEO... and that one really takes the piss.

 

[Dave]

The only thing I dislike is where the community section is. That section is the once section that keeps all the people from RS, Wow, Lol, SFA, etc. together to speak about common things. I think that should remain the first thing that a user sees on Sythe because it's what keeps the community together as a whole.

 

I still think it's not a big enough change. What Sythe needs is a refreshing new brand image. The site looks incredibly dated and off putting.

From what I've managed to gather from working in web development, rounded edges are out. Stick with corners and solid colours, add in some fancy CSS or jQuery to make shit fly about and feel like a more involved user experience. You could also do with having two options for each skin - one fluid, one fixed at about 900px width.

In all honesty, I think it'd be worth opening your wallet and buying a new theme for the site or having a bespoke one created.

http://www.purevb.com/vbulletin-skins/ - I think as far as skins go, these guys are pricey but do a thorough job and their skins are very pleasing to the eye. I think maybe run a donations pledge drive to fund a totally custom skin? That way you can guarantee that it'll be totally professionally made. Not 100% certain if they still do skins for vB 3.X though so it might be worth asking.

Why not just let the community do it, you ask? Well, the current theme is horrible thanks to the community. It's garish, over sharpened and the colour choices are just horrifying. Besides, which member of the community is going to make a FULL skin without wanting money for it?

On a side note: that Zarpor banner is ridiculous, having ads that are over 100kb is going to affect SEO... and that one really takes the piss.

I'm not adverse to paying money for a skin but there aren't as many choices as you make out and there's a pretty real risk of getting something new that no one likes.

 

Not of the fan of the rounded edge personally, I suppose I'm very used to this theme though. I'd probably be more open to a complete theme change than a slight tweak to this one, its a bit off putting.

 

I'm not adverse to paying money for a skin but there aren't as many choices as you make out and there's a pretty real risk of getting something new that no one likes.

That's the beauty of paying for a custom skin - they'll keep changing it until they get it right. You show the community their latest version, if they think it's shit then you tell the company and they change it, send you a new version. Rinse and repeat as necessary.

PS: I think make the site less about pleasing the current community and more about bringing in NEW members and you'll be on the road to success.

 

[Dave]

I'd really like to see the community section moved back to the top. This site would die if it wasn't for that section and I truly believe that. That's where things are discussed and suggestions are brought about. It's where the "fun" happens for community members (tournaments and events) and it's also a place for staff feedback and that's something that we as staff rarely get as is, moving it farther away from the front of the forum wouldn't be an ideal idea.

 

It's easily accessible from the top.

I'm worried our guest traffic is just seeing the community sections and not the market sections.

I've added a bit more padding to the new theme to make it look a little less tight

 

Move the news section to the top lol

 

That's the beauty of paying for a custom skin - they'll keep changing it until they get it right. You show the community their latest version, if they think it's shit then you tell the company and they change it, send you a new version. Rinse and repeat as necessary.

PS: I think make the site less about pleasing the current community and more about bringing in NEW members and you'll be on the road to success.

Well if you want to recommend a custom skin designer for 3.6.x I'll have a talk with him/her.

 

Well if you want to recommend a custom skin designer for 3.6.x I'll have a talk with him/her.

Sure, I'll have a look around. My company ended up switching from PHPbb to Xenforo so I never really had the chance to do much research on vB skin developers, but I'll do what I can

 

[Magic Arrow]

Wheres the classic skin manigga

 

[ThePrestigedMuzza]

Community stuff should be above market, therefore people looking for market will have to read to see community events etc which may cause them to view those options prior to engaging in a trade and provide for a larger community

 

I much preferred the CG up the top compared to the market, it just seems odd having the market up the top.
If you have the market up the top it seems people will get the wrong idea, we want people to STAY and get involved within the community, not come for gold and leave.

 

Ok I'll put it back when I'm back at le computer

 

[Govind]

Ok I'll put it back when I'm back at le computer

Done. Updated the stuff in maintenance as well.