AARoads Forum

Meta => Welcome! => Topic started by: Scott5114 on August 11, 2009, 01:48:56 AM

Title: Button Copy: A new theme
Post by: Scott5114 on August 11, 2009, 01:48:56 AM
I would like to draw your attention to a new theme in your theme selector entitled "Button Copy (beta)". This is a new theme I've developed exclusively for this site, and we'd like to make it our default theme. But before we do that we'd like some of our users to try it for a while and let us know their opinions of it. So if you've ever wanted to help make this forum more awesome...well...all you have to do is set your theme to Button Copy and post here about what you find!

There are still a few things left unfinished: the mod links in the breadcrumb at the top and the previous/next links are illegible, the selected tab up top is still a nasty shade of blue, and the Chat link is missing. We hope to have these fixed by official rollout time. Let us know about any other bugs you find.

If you don't like it at all, we will of course continue to make the existing themes available even after the current theme is applied as default.

Thanks in advance for your help!
Title: Re: Button Copy: A new theme
Post by: mightyace on August 11, 2009, 03:05:29 AM
I'm tried it a bit.  The fonts, links, emoticons, etc. are missing in button copy's quick reply.
Title: Re: Button Copy: A new theme
Post by: Scott5114 on August 11, 2009, 03:11:29 AM
Hmm. So they are. Never really noticed that, probably because all the other forums I've been to leave them off "Quick Reply" and reserve the toolbars for the full reply form. :ded:

Title: Re: Button Copy: A new theme
Post by: Tarkus on August 11, 2009, 04:01:56 AM
Seems to be working fine for me thus far.  I really like the look of it as well--excellent job, Scott! :thumbsup:

-Alex (Tarkus)
Title: Re: Button Copy: A new theme
Post by: Chris on August 11, 2009, 05:33:46 AM
It looks nice. Although I'm not sure if the read/unread threads are very good to see.

A sidenote; What I don't like about the current theme (and the others) is that if you read 1 topic in a subforum, the entire subforum gets marked as "read" at the index page, even if there are 10 other unread topics. If you don't keep track, you might think that there are no unread topics, while there actually can be several unread topics.
Title: Re: Button Copy: A new theme
Post by: Scott5114 on August 11, 2009, 05:41:18 AM
Yeah, that is a bit annoying... it's a function of the core software though, not the theme, sorry :-/ By read/unread threads, do you mean the [NEW!] boxes, or the stoplight lenses? I could possibly lighten the shade of green on the stoplights if people are having problems distinguishing between ON and OFF.

I'm glad someone from across the pond likes it.. I was praying I wouldn't get called on being too America-centric :P
Title: Re: Button Copy: A new theme
Post by: Chris on August 11, 2009, 05:54:36 AM
QuoteI'm glad someone from across the pond likes it.. I was praying I wouldn't get called on being too America-centric 

Well, that's why I'm here in the first place ;)

The quoting option doesn't seem to work, by the way.
Title: Re: Button Copy: A new theme
Post by: Scott5114 on August 11, 2009, 06:26:02 AM
Oh, now everything breaks. It was working just fine before I posted this thread :-/

Edit: Well, it's broken on the main theme, too. Hah! Not my fault!  :spin:
Title: Re: Button Copy: A new theme
Post by: codyg1985 on August 11, 2009, 07:02:29 AM
QuoteThe quoting option doesn't seem to work, by the way.

Yep, I tried to do quoting, and it keeps saying "Loading" at the top. The theme looks nice, but I would suggest replacing some of the commonly-used links (quote, reply, notify, mark unread/read, send this topic, print, new topic, post new poll) as graphics with the FHWA font used in those.
Title: Re: Button Copy: A new theme
Post by: SSOWorld on August 11, 2009, 08:51:09 AM
Quote from: codyg1985 on August 11, 2009, 07:02:29 AM
The theme looks nice, but I would suggest replacing some of the commonly-used links (quote, reply, notify, mark unread/read, send this topic, print, new topic, post new poll) as graphics with the FHWA font used in those.
For standard text, the FHWA font won't be recognized as a standard font in browsers because the font is likely not installed on the user's computer.  This will prevent us from using it regularly.
Title: Re: Button Copy: A new theme
Post by: codyg1985 on August 11, 2009, 08:54:46 AM
QuoteFor standard text, the FHWA font won't be recognized as a standard font in browsers because the font is likely not installed on the user's computer.  This will prevent us from using it regularly.

I'm not suggesting using the FHWA font in the CSS for all the text, but to replace the text links with gif images which has text on them that use the FHWA font. That rest of the text would continue to have the Verdana font.

If I had photoshop installed on this computer I'd make a mockup of what I am proposing.
Title: Re: Button Copy: A new theme
Post by: Chris on August 11, 2009, 09:34:17 AM
I think the color light green used in the topics might be a bit too bright. How about a grey vs a little darker grey to make the difference between the posts clear?
Title: Re: Button Copy: A new theme
Post by: SSOWorld on August 11, 2009, 10:13:22 AM
Quote from: codyg1985 on August 11, 2009, 08:54:46 AM
I'm not suggesting using the FHWA font in the CSS for all the text, but to replace the text links with gif images which has text on them that use the FHWA font. That rest of the text would continue to have the Verdana font.

If I had photoshop installed on this computer I'd make a mockup of what I am proposing.
There is another disadvantage there in that the gif images will slow down loading of the page.  Even for broadband, that can get annoying.
Title: Re: Button Copy: A new theme
Post by: Hellfighter on August 11, 2009, 10:18:56 AM
Oohhh, very cool! Haven't had any problems yet!
Title: Re: Button Copy: A new theme
Post by: City on August 11, 2009, 10:54:17 AM
I love it, except for the current Quick Reply layout and the (in my opinion) big "Quote" and "Modify" icons. I also don't like the veto icon in the "Remove" button to be red. I say it should be black. But otherwise, great job! ;)
Title: Re: Button Copy: A new theme
Post by: rawmustard on August 11, 2009, 11:34:36 AM
I've adjusted, and it looks pretty good. Just a few minor tweaks, such as icon size, and you've got a decent default theme.
Title: Re: Button Copy: A new theme
Post by: mightyace on August 11, 2009, 12:29:18 PM
How about using a red arrow for topics with no new posts?
Title: Re: Button Copy: A new theme
Post by: Scott5114 on August 11, 2009, 01:56:36 PM
QuoteHow about using a red arrow for topics with no new posts?

Well, the problem with that is that if you have a red arrow and a green arrow, people with red-green colorblindness will have a hard time distinguishing between them. (Real life stoplights mitigate this by having 3 lenses, and the colorblind know top=red, bottom=green, and Texas=a place to avoid driving).

KDOT has had complaints because their map legend has major roads shown in red, but also includes a relief map in the background, and a lot of eastern Kansas is thus shown in green. So to colorblind people reading the map, the major roads disappear...
Title: Re: Button Copy: A new theme
Post by: yanksfan6129 on August 11, 2009, 02:03:52 PM
Button copy looks nice so far.

However, yeah, there are some things that need to be worked out, as mentioned above.
Title: Re: Button Copy: A new theme
Post by: cu2010 on August 11, 2009, 02:12:51 PM
Looks good so far. Should be quite nice when the final product is rolled out! :D
Title: Re: Button Copy: A new theme
Post by: corco on August 11, 2009, 04:20:39 PM
This is fantastic. Excellent work!
Title: Re: Button Copy: A new theme
Post by: Ian on August 11, 2009, 09:02:46 PM
How do you change the theme again?  :confused:

EDIT: never mind, found it  :crazy:
Title: Re: Button Copy: A new theme
Post by: US71 on August 11, 2009, 09:53:17 PM
I'm not able to get it to come up. :-/
Title: Re: Button Copy: A new theme
Post by: WNYroadgeek on August 11, 2009, 10:23:54 PM
Nice job on the skin! It looks awesome!
Title: Re: Button Copy: A new theme
Post by: Ian on August 12, 2009, 01:11:46 AM
For the read/unread boxes, how about instead of just signal arrows, we include a whole traffic signal? Green for read and read for unread? I think it sounds like a good idea IMHO.

ian
Title: Re: Button Copy: A new theme
Post by: Scott5114 on August 12, 2009, 04:25:52 AM
I had considered that, but ultimately settled on the single lens, as it is easier to see the difference in a large on/off light than the more subtle variance in a stoplight. Also, most forums use some type of on/off metaphor for their index page (heck, look at the default theme), so it's clearer than the stoplights, which might make someone go "Stop? Go? Oh, the green lights have new posts."

I remember one of the old themes during the Cody administration used interstate shields for new posts and US shields for no new posts. I remember seeing that design choice being lambasted on MTR for being "too complex". And this is from a roadgeek...
Title: Re: Button Copy: A new theme
Post by: Scott5114 on August 12, 2009, 04:28:41 AM
QuoteI'm not able to get it to come up. :-/

Where are you having trouble?
Title: Re: Button Copy: A new theme
Post by: US71 on August 12, 2009, 10:28:06 AM
OK, I finally figured it out... I was looking in the wrong place  :pan:

The "quote" function isn't working, BTW, but I think someone already mentioned that ;)
Title: Re: Button Copy: A new theme
Post by: mightyace on August 12, 2009, 11:37:15 AM
I like the font, link and emoticons on the quick reply section at the bottom of the page.  In part because, going that route is the only way that Preview seems to work for me.

If that's added to button copy, I'll use it.  Otherwise, I'll stay with what I've been using.

EDIT:
QuoteI remember one of the old themes during the Cody administration used interstate shields for new posts and US shields for no new posts. I remember seeing that design choice being lambasted on MTR for being "too complex". And this is from a roadgeek...

Personally, I love that.  There is no mistaking one for the other.  That is why I'm still using the Alina theme.
Title: Re: Button Copy: A new theme
Post by: US71 on August 12, 2009, 04:05:41 PM
Just a thought:

Green Arrow: new topic/new message

Red ball: no new posts

Or is that too complicated?
Title: Re: Button Copy: A new theme
Post by: mightyace on August 12, 2009, 04:13:04 PM
^^^

I like it.  And, it should handle the red/green colorblind issue because you'd still see an arrow versus a ball.
Title: Re: Button Copy: A new theme
Post by: Scott5114 on August 12, 2009, 04:42:03 PM
But arrow = "new posts" and ball = "no new posts" is still a non-obvious analogy. You'd have to look at the legend at the bottom to determine which is which. Using an on/off mechanism follows the Rule of Least Surprise1, since most other forums use that analogy to demarcate between "new posts" and "no new posts".

Let's put it this way... is there anyone actually having a problem using it with the way it is now? Any reason to change it other than "wouldn't it be neat doing it this way"?



1. Raymond, Eric S. The Art of Unix Programming. Addison-Wesley/Pearson Education, 2004.
Title: Re: Button Copy: A new theme
Post by: SSOWorld on August 12, 2009, 08:25:32 PM
The chat controls are back in play! :sombrero:
Title: Re: Button Copy: A new theme
Post by: mightyace on August 12, 2009, 08:47:39 PM
I noticed that in the AARoads Info Center at the bottom of the page that Recent Posts is missing.  (It is there in Alina)  Is there some setting I need to change, is it a bug or is it not supposed to be there in Button Copy?
Title: Re: Button Copy: A new theme
Post by: SSOWorld on August 12, 2009, 08:55:34 PM
probably not - we just need to add that back in perhaps... :crazy:

Are you sure? :-D
Title: Re: Button Copy: A new theme
Post by: agentsteel53 on August 12, 2009, 09:18:05 PM
I use "Recent Posts" as my primary view; helps me keep up with everything with the least amount of clicking.
Title: Re: Button Copy: A new theme
Post by: rickmastfan67 on August 12, 2009, 09:24:44 PM
Hmm, now the "Recent Posts" are only showing the most recent 5.  I thought it used to show at least the last 10.

Also, the quick edit ((https://www.aaroads.com/forum/Themes/default/images/icons/modify_inline.gif)) function isn't working on the default theme.
Title: Re: Button Copy: A new theme
Post by: rickmastfan67 on August 18, 2009, 12:46:54 AM
Quote from: rickmastfan67 on August 12, 2009, 09:24:44 PM
Hmm, now the "Recent Posts" are only showing the most recent 5.  I thought it used to show at least the last 10.

I'm now thinking it used to be the most recent 20 posts. lol.  Because 10 just doesn't seem to be right to me.  But, as I said, it just might be me and it might have use to be 10.  If it was 10 in the past, just ignore me. LOL.
Title: Re: Button Copy: A new theme
Post by: roadfro on August 22, 2009, 08:08:02 PM
The bright green used in the box at the bottom of the topic listings would probably look better with the darker green that is used underneath the AA Roads logo--it would tie the rest of the page together. Right now, that bright green is really used in just one place.

Other than that, I think the Button Copy theme looks good.
Title: Re: Button Copy: A new theme
Post by: Ubeans2001 on August 22, 2009, 09:49:48 PM
Wow... Love the theme so far with the loo of the signs being stuck together... anyways it'd be cool if the fonts were actually button copy letterings... I know it may seem like a lot to do but it'd be cool.
Title: Re: Button Copy: A new theme
Post by: Scott5114 on August 23, 2009, 06:15:14 AM
QuoteThe bright green used in the box at the bottom of the topic listings would probably look better with the darker green that is used underneath the AA Roads logo--it would tie the rest of the page together. Right now, that bright green is really used in just one place.

Would you believe those are actually the same image file? It's just in the bars beneath the AARoads logo, they're squished so much you can't really pick out the bright green, but on the box at the bottom it stretches the gradient out over so long a distance you can easily tell the bright green is there.
Title: Re: Button Copy: A new theme
Post by: rickmastfan67 on August 23, 2009, 11:45:15 PM
Alright, I think I just noticed something that nobody else has yet.  In the area for each of the "tabs" that show "Home, Help, Search, ect", when you're on one of those sections, it shows up in Blue.  That's the same as the default SMF theme.  Don't know if that was done on purpose or not.
Title: Re: Button Copy: A new theme
Post by: WillWeaverRVA on August 24, 2009, 01:19:05 AM
Now using this instead of HighWay. Looks sharp. :D
Title: Re: Button Copy: A new theme
Post by: hbelkins on August 24, 2009, 10:14:36 AM
Just how do you change the theme, anyway? I can't find how to do that.
Title: Re: Button Copy: A new theme
Post by: SSOWorld on August 24, 2009, 10:18:10 AM
Quote from: hbelkins on August 24, 2009, 10:14:36 AM
Just how do you change the theme, anyway? I can't find how to do that.
go into your profile, under the Modify Profile box on the left, click "Look and Layout Preferences"

The first item in the page is "Current Theme"
Title: Re: Button Copy: A new theme
Post by: Scott5114 on September 13, 2009, 12:45:13 AM
This is now our default theme. Thanks for your feedback, guys!

If you have trouble getting it to show up do a hard refresh on your browser. Ctrl+Shift+R on Firefox, Shift+F5 on IE, F5 on Konqueror. Mac and Opera users should be intelligent enough to figure it out on their own!