Joined: May 2002 Posts: 12137 Images: 0 Location: Florida Highscores:145 Thanks: 861 Thanked: 378 times in 300 posts
Gender: Country:
What theme should we use for our upcoming upgrade?
What theme should we use for our upcoming upgrade?
Our logo uses green and orange with a bit of blue in the one book on the right side of the painting. But the blue is minimal and I think we should stick with green and/or orange as our main colors.
I've spent hours looking over the 150+ themes available for phpBB3.0 and I'll now show you the themes I like so far. First of all you need to go to http://demo.phpbb3styles.net/. In the upper left corner you will see a drop down box to the right of the word "style." That box contains all the various styles from which we can pick. There is one other site with themes, but let's start with this site. The secret to use this site is to use the drop down box to find the top or first theme. After you are on the first theme you can use the drop down box to navigate to other themes or just click the "Next" button. As I said there are 150 themes so clicking "Next" might drive you nuts. I suggest you click around and look for the themes with the word "green" in them.
Pay attention to every detail of the themes you like. Are the font colors dark enough and easy enough to read? Do you think a light or dark background is best for a book discussion site? What do you think of the icon sets for each theme?
We can use different colors than green and orange so really look around and give me some feedback. Also, if you see someone mentioning a theme they like - give feedback on their suggestion.
This site works the same way as the above site so use the drop down box in the upper left corner for selecting themes. I also notice that this site has a Premium Theme section. I am willing to pay for a theme if it is nice, so explore the Premium Themes too.
List the themes you like please! I will give away some free books to those members that really lend a hand in selecting a cool theme. We need feedback from a dozen or more people here so please speak up and don't be shy. Tell everyone what you like and don't like about any themes suggested.
Thank you! The upgrade will be happening soon.
Last edited by Chris OConnor on Sat Nov 07, 2009 1:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 166 Location: Austin, Texas
Thanks: 0 Thanked: 6 times in 3 posts
Gender:
I really like the Getaway Green theme (http://demo.phpbb3styles.net/Getaway+Green). It is a nice shade of green, and I like the designs at the sides of the header. Would those stay or go?
I also like these:
http://demo.phpbb3styles.net/Avalon+Green = This also has a nice color to it, and I like the simplicity of the design. BT has a lot of stuff going on so a simple template would probably suit it the best.
http://demo.phpbb3styles.net/CA+Vintage = This has a simple color scheme, but it has interesting shapes and edges to it. I'm not sure if I like the tab look though....
_________________ "The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never say a common place thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars..." ~ Jack Kerouac
Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 2129 Location: New Jersey Highscores:82 Thanks: 316 Thanked: 276 times in 227 posts
Gender: Country:
Too many choices!
Wow! There are so many to choose from. While I was browsing, I did hit next, over and over, my eyes landed on those with the lighter backgrounds. For me, the black backgrounds were irritating. I also found I gravitated to the greens and blues, more than the oranges. I also looked for themes that were modern and exciting, but also welcoming.
I love AeroGreen. I like how the sections change color, and it is very vivid. It is certainly eye catching, fresh and new. It's a little busy, but it does say, "Wow".
http://demo.phpbb3styles.net/SkyLineGreen The "SkyLine" theme comes in blue, grey, green and orange. The lines change color, but my favorite feature of this theme is how the screen changes. Very cool.
Serenity green is a bit plain, it's missing the wow factor. "Vintage", I also do not like the tabs. It reminds me of something a professor would use in a classroom.
_________________ I feel like a wet seed wild in the hot blind earth. --William Faulkner
Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 166 Location: Austin, Texas
Thanks: 0 Thanked: 6 times in 3 posts
Gender:
I like the "E-tech Dark Green" one coloring. It's really nice. It definitely feels welcoming to me.
I'm not sure that I like the "Skyline" themes though. The header seems off, and I just don't really care for the overall feel.
I agree with you that I shied away from black backgrounds and warm colors. They just didn't seem right somehow.
_________________ "The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never say a common place thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars..." ~ Jack Kerouac
Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 2129 Location: New Jersey Highscores:82 Thanks: 316 Thanked: 276 times in 227 posts
Gender: Country:
I agree Krysondra, the feel is important. Right now we have a cold grey. Blue can be very cold as well. The right color of green can have a fresh and welcoming feel.
I have not seen anything that appeals to me in the orange tone. I think Chris is on to something with the green. "getaway green", and "avalon green" and "E-Tech green" each offer a pleasant, welcoming theme, and each has a touch of orange.
I really like the way the screen changes in the "sky line" themes, but I do agree, I'm not feeling it. Color does not have to be the end all, but, color does set a tone. Is it possible to incorporate that changing screen into another theme?
"Aerogreen" is impressive, it is bold and I think it should be considered. However, I think we should look past the novelty and look for longevity.
Ok, we need 16 more people engaging in this discussion.
Hmm, is a "cold day in hell" theme something we should consider?
_________________ I feel like a wet seed wild in the hot blind earth. --William Faulkner
Last edited by Suzanne on Mon Nov 02, 2009 11:20 am, edited 1 time in total.
Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 1872 Images: 1 Location: NC
Thanks: 410 Thanked: 468 times in 349 posts
Gender: Country:
Suzanne wrote:
Chris wants 16 more people to be involved in this discussion. Hmm, is a "cold day in hell" theme something we should consider?
ha ha. I like the sound of that, Suzanne.
I'll add my two cents, if for nothing else to be one of 16. I'm not sure if theme is very important if it's only going to get all cluttered up. The current home page has boxes coming out the wazoo. Help us upgrade, About booktalk, booktalk,org links, Find us on facebook, enter our chatroom, etc. It's probably unavoidable, but it makes it difficult to envision various booktalk themes without knowing how it's going to ultimately be implemented, i.e. how much stuff is going to be crammed on the page.
_________________ -Geo Who Knows Only His Own Generation Remains Always a Child Cicero, Orator 120
Joined: May 2002 Posts: 12137 Images: 0 Location: Florida Highscores:145 Thanks: 861 Thanked: 378 times in 300 posts
Gender: Country:
I'll try to simplify the sidebars soon, but the sidebars don't have much to do with this upgrade. We're upgrading the actual forums which are nestled between the sidebars.
I really appreciate all the feedback you guys have provided. As of right now this is what I'm thinking would work nicely. GetAway Green for the bulk of the look, but we can take the icons from eTech Green.
I think we all like the design of GetAway Green, but I have a bit of a problem with those round icons that appear to the left of the forums. After a while we will all know what each one means, but newer members won't have a clue. There is no intrinsic meaning to a green ball vs. an orange ball. This can confuse new people. On GetAway Green there is a green ball for forums with no new posts and an orange ball for forums with new posts. This doesn't make enough sense for people that haven't read the botton of the page that show the legend and description of each icon.
But on eTechGreen it is more self-explanatory. An arrow pointing to a forum means there are new posts. An empty circle means no new posts. A circle with an "x" in it means the forum is locked.
There are a few icons that can be improved and we'll improve them. For instance the icon for "hot" topics (popular) doesn't appear to be any different than the one for topics with new posts. So we'll have to fix that. Maybe a little flame or a blinking icon would work.
Joined: May 2002 Posts: 12137 Images: 0 Location: Florida Highscores:145 Thanks: 861 Thanked: 378 times in 300 posts
Gender: Country:
If you guys have ideas on how to simplify the sidebars and overall design of the site please share them. But keep in mind that everything you see in the sidebars has a reason why it is there. Perhaps the reason isn't very good - so we can discuss that, but there is definitely a purpose.
Purpose of some sections...
1. The "About BookTalk.org" block is needed because certain search engines, such as Bing, always show the first bit of text on a site in the description in search results.
2. The next block of text is a paid ad for book summaries and this is essential. The next block are links that much be located on the home page (top level) with easy access.
3. The next block is Facebook and has proven to be very good for marketing.
4. The next block are Google ads and these damn ads bring in less than $1 per day. if ad sales or donations were higher these could be smaller or possibly gone. But even at less than $1 per day I simply need that revenue to pay for the site. They are ugly blocks for sure. Maybe we can make these 200 pixels tall instead of 600.
EDIT:
I edited the 600 pixel tall Google AdSense blocks on both the left and right sidebar and made them only 200 pixels tall. This should help the look of the sidebars.
5. The next block down are "Featured Book Suggestions" and this is essential too. Authors and publishers donate these books in exchange for us advertising them. These books are given away to members.
6. The donation block should probably be smaller and maybe just an image.
EDIT:
I deleted the donation block entirely. We have the "Help us Upgrade" block so there is no need for both of these blocks concurrently.
7. The FACTS image is nice looking and not sure this is adding to clutter.
8. The Blogs block is too large and we're about to have MUCH improved blogs using wordpress themes. Not sure how we'll draw attention to them.
9. The final block is the globe that links to the map. We are searching for a better map software, but we do want this feature to be visible.
----
That's everything in the left sidebar. Now on to the right sidebar.
10. The "Help Us Upgrade" block will be gone as soon as we generate a bit more in donations. Thats a huge block.
11. Everyone loves the "Recent Topics" block.
12. The block that links to the chat room is necessary too.
13. The next block down is the annoying Google AdSense block. This is 600 pixels tall just like the one in the left sidebar. Maybe we can make it 200 pixels tall. But I don't hear you guys complaining of the size of the sidbars. I hear you complaining about the cluttered look. What can be done about this? Make the colors less varied?
EDIT:
I edited the 600 pixel tall Google AdSense blocks on both the left and right sidebar and made them only 200 pixels tall. This should help the look of the sidebars.
14. The next block down is essential and is the main "Featured Book Suggestions" block. This has to be on the home page as it is the main reason why publishers and authors are willing to send us their books.
15. The final block is the pool block. We could delete this.
Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 1872 Images: 1 Location: NC
Thanks: 410 Thanked: 468 times in 349 posts
Gender: Country:
Hi Chris,
I would suggest cleaning it up as much as possible. Some features can be accessible through the main menu (where it says Forums, About, Advertise, etc.) Maybe 'Member Blogs', 'Show us where you live', 'Enter our chat room', and the 'Poll' (bottom right) could all be relegated to a submenu accessed from the main menu. Just a thought.
Then again, this is a commercial web site and these tend to have a somewhat cluttered look. I've always thought Dawkins' web site has a cluttered look to it too. He's basically self-promoting all of his merchandise.
And so here's another idea. Why not separate the main page from the forums (a la Dawkins)? Just a suggestion with the understanding that I don't know what I'm talking about.
_________________ -Geo Who Knows Only His Own Generation Remains Always a Child Cicero, Orator 120
Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 208 Images: 2 Location: Canada Highscores:1 Thanks: 14 Thanked: 33 times in 21 posts
Gender: Country:
geo wrote:
Hi Chris,
I would suggest cleaning it up as much as possible. Some features can be accessible through the main menu (where it says Forums, About, Advertise, etc.) Maybe 'Member Blogs', 'Show us where you live', 'Enter our chat room', and the 'Poll' (bottom right) could all be relegated to a submenu accessed from the main menu. Just a thought.
Then again, this is a commercial web site and these tend to have a somewhat cluttered look. I've always thought Dawkins' web site has a cluttered look to it too. He's basically self-promoting all of his merchandise.
And so here's another idea. Why not separate the main page from the forums (a la Dawkins)? Just a suggestion with the understanding that I don't know what I'm talking about.
Hi geo, the difference between these sites is, Dawkins site is not centered around the forum, the focal point of it is the content you reach first.
Here, the forum has become the focal point, with much of the other content taking a back seat. It makes sense to keep the forum as the homepage in this case, since it's what most visitors immediately want to access. The forum is also where most new content shows up, we don't have a lot of static pages that get updated on a regular basis.
I think a lot of the sidebar anxiety comes from screen resolution too. I mean, with a lower screen res the sidebars appear to take up more space, and the center content can get a bit pinched. The sidebars do scale with the rest of the page, but I can see how on a 1024 px or even a 1280 px screen this site could look a bit cluttered. On larger screens (e.g. 1650 px wide, or 1920 px wide (which I happen to be using)) the center content doesn't have to scale down as much, it appears more or less how it would without sidebars at all on one of those lower res screens.
One possible workaround for this stuff is to have a portal page (basically the index with all the sidebars/blocks) separate from the forum index. That way people can choose which they want to use/bookmark. After the upgrade this will be easier to do, in fact it defaults to that if I do things as I'm planning to.
Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 1872 Images: 1 Location: NC
Thanks: 410 Thanked: 468 times in 349 posts
Gender: Country:
Thanks Midnight, that all makes sense. My current resolution is 1280 by 800 and the right column is about half offscreen. I have to scroll sideways to get to it, but it's not a big deal.
Thanks again, guys. I'm looking forward to the new software.
_________________ -Geo Who Knows Only His Own Generation Remains Always a Child Cicero, Orator 120
Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 166 Location: Austin, Texas
Thanks: 0 Thanked: 6 times in 3 posts
Gender:
Are the colors of the sidebar boxes going to change when we upgrade?
Getaway Green has such an organic color feel that I'm wondering if some of the box colors we have now will clash...
And I think that a portal would be a great idea. They can really do a lot for a site.
_________________ "The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never say a common place thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars..." ~ Jack Kerouac
Joined: May 2002 Posts: 12137 Images: 0 Location: Florida Highscores:145 Thanks: 861 Thanked: 378 times in 300 posts
Gender: Country:
I change the background colors of the sidebars frequently so I'll be sure to only select colors that go nicely with the new green of the Getaway theme. Indie/MidnightCoder might soon provide a link for some of you to see the work in progress.
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot post attachments in this forum
Love to talk about books but don't have time for our book discussion forums? For casual book talk join us on Facebook.
Support BookTalk.org
BookTalk.org is being upgraded to a totally new design. This upgrade is expensive. Any support would be VERY helpful! See who supports us.
Make a donation
PEOPLE PAYING FOR OUR UPGRADE:
• afv - $10 May
• LevV - $50 March
• Dexter - $10 March
• supernova38 - $25 March
• Oblivion - $20 March
• jheimlich - $20 February
• Robert Tulip - $50 February
• giselle - $50 January
Children here need worming
regularly, and I think I
need to buy more worming
tablets, so while my friends
sit on the beach, I have to
catch bush taxis up to the… more
The children have a long way
to walk to the nearest primary
school. At the moment they are
in temporary accommodation,
with volunteer teachers. There
is community land available,
a… more
The price of The 12th Disciple
has been updated to $3.99 for
Kindle readers. The book is
still available for free to
borrow for Amazon Prime
members. To be
competitive, and s… more
The 12th Disciple has been
reviewed by two different
people on Amazon. They
purchased the Kindle edition;
one in the US, one in the
UK. One review was
5-stars (US) and the oth… more
I'd like to say I've
been reading Harry Potter
since the day the world renown
series appeared on the
scene. Unfortunately,
the truth is I began reading
Harry Potter… more
Easter teaches many of us the
importance of redemption and
resurrection. Regardless of
what faith people follow, the
story of Jesus Christ has been
told in many languages in many
c… more
Our Book Talk will begin on
Wednesday, May 2nd. I look
forward to hearing about your
learning and classroom
experiences with Number Talks
as it all unfolds...
NONOPPOSITIONAL NONVIOLENCE
The minute you conquer the
fear of death, at that moment
you are free. I submit to you
that if a man hasnt
discovered something that he
will die f… more
Yesterday, when I went to feed
Jeni the donkey, I noticed
swarms of bees entering
Ebrimas house through the
cracks in the door. We both
had a look, but he didnt
open his door… more
Whether you want to implement
number talks but are unsure of
how to begin or have
experience but want more
guidance in crafting
purposeful problems, this
dynamic multimedia resourc… more
Do you feel entitled? For
years I have listened to and,
in some instances, complained
that some people in America
feel entitled. For years I
have watched as these people
are portra… more
On Fat Tuesday and Ash
Wednesday of 2012, The 12th
Disciple was free to Kindle
users on both days. In all,
about 550 worldwide Kindle
users downloaded a copy of the
book.
Sacred Are the Brave a
collection of short stories
about the nonviolent
revolutions 1986-1989 is now
available in Kindle. Each of
the nine stories has
characters who are just
… more
The Weekend Trippers is the
true story of Rfn Ted Taylor
and his part in the heroic
last stand in Calais May 1940.
The Weekend Trippers is based
on Teds diaries written at
the… more
Tell your friends when to meet you in the BookTalk.org Chat Room.
If you enjoy business bestsellers and would like to expand your business knowledge check out the quality book summaries offered by the world's leading book summary company.
BookTalk.org is a free book discussion group or online reading group or book club. We read and talk about both fiction and non-fiction books as a group. We host live author chats where booktalk members can interact with and interview authors. We give away free books to our members in book giveaway contests. Our booktalks are open to everybody who enjoys talking about books. Our book forums include book reviews, author interviews and book resources for readers and book lovers. Discussing books is our passion. We're a literature forum, or reading forum. Register a free book club account today! Suggest nonfiction and fiction books. Authors and publishers are welcome to advertise their books or ask for an author chat or author interview.
Tweet This Topic
