Forum looks "too busy"? Try another skin!

[digitalpress]

On another forum earlier this week, a member commented that the Roundtable forums are "too busy" and suggested that the posts themselves are practically overlooked because of all the graphics and eye candy.

That got me to thinking that maybe I haven't pointed out the forum's other templates. These "skins" can be accessed via your control panel and have different levels of clutter.

The default view is subRed, which contains all of the features of the forum, with very light restrictions on signatures and avatars. This is the view packrats prefer - show me everything in a small space.

If this view is "too busy", try subSilver, redIce or ePixel, each of which abandon the inventory icons.

One step closer to corporate "blah" is myApple, which does not display signatures, cutting down further on the sometimes overly graphic nature of our members.

If you want a totally office-friendly experience, try MSSimplicity. You can't get more basic than this. No avatars, no signatures, no inventory icons. If you turn off the smileys from your profile you'll find that the forums almoste appear to be a news site. Great for incognito surfing.

By all means feel free to try out the other skins! You can always come back to subRed.

Game ON, everyone.

[Vectorman0]

I would use those, as they are more visually appealing to me. But aren't there problems with some of the features when you switch from the subRed skin? Such as PM alerts and DP Arcade compatibility?

[stargate]

I like the current look of the site. "busy" is good. lots to look at, lots going on. who the heck wants a bland site?

[digitalpress]

I would use those, as they are more visually appealing to me. But aren't there problems with some of the features when you switch from the subRed skin? Such as PM alerts and DP Arcade compatibility?

There are no compatibility issues, though you can't visit the arcade from those skins. You can, however, do your "business" browsing in those skins, and switch back anytime to subred to PLAY. You won't lose anything by switching back and forth this way.

[donkeykong1]

I saw the comments you are speaking of yesterday on the other site. But I would like to say that I still like the way these forums are set up. I think it's fun collecting items from the forum shops.

[Jumpman Jr.]

I saw that thread over on AtariAge too. I didn't feel like posting my thoughts there for some reason though.
I know alot of people critisize the look here at DP, but I really like it. I don't find it 'cluttery' at all, I just think it looks neat.
I know that some people don't like the colors either, but I love them too.
Keep up the good work ;)

[ManciGames]

I like the current look of the site. "busy" is good. lots to look at, lots going on. who the heck wants a bland site?

Exactly. To each his own, I suppose, but DP's look is endearing. Other sites seem very "lonely" to me, while DP seems like a comfy little cottage that has all your favorite things. Must be the packrat in me.

[SuperShark]

:duh: This is exacly how i fell to. And i love the look of the site and the colors and all as it is :duh:

BTW, when did we get a few new emoticons? I particuarily like a couple of them!

:deadhorse: :image: :deadhorse:

[Famidrive-16]

Goddamn, I was up'ing my avatar and all of a sudden in turns into Chronicle and I'm like "WTF???"

I'll stick to SubRed, thanks. It's much easier on the eyes...

[Raedon]

well then, guess no one can complain now.. you can make DP into '1984'.. blonde and white and boring; safe for your system..

wait.. i'm blonde and as white as they get.. ^^;

[ManciGames]

double post. sorry!

[Kepone]

I didn't think you'd take it seriously, Joe.

Some people just have their preferences. I'm using subRed and I've gotten used to it over time.

[Gemini-Phoenix]

That's all well and good, and I actually prefer SubSilver (Easier on the eyes), but the only thing is, certain things are not accessable in this mode, such as the arcade and anything meseta related...

If only certain links could be incorporated into the other skins...

At the moment it's a case of make do with SubRed and have all the features, or use another and keep switching between th two when you need to, which can get pretty tiring after a week or so, so you usually end up using SubRed out of laziness

[tarheelsnipe]

yeah, i'm a subsilver fan, too. it should be an easy fix to incorporate meseta to the other templates, but it's probably time consuming since there are several templates to choose from. All the phpbb templates have the same basic config.

[drummy]

I'd definitely use subSilver if you added the Meseta thing, the shops thing, and the items thing, and whatever is exclusive only to the subRed skin.

[digitalpress]

yeah, i'm a subsilver fan, too. it should be an easy fix to incorporate meseta to the other templates, but it's probably time consuming since there are several templates to choose from. All the phpbb templates have the same basic config.

If time permits I'll do it... but it does take quite a bit of time!

[Kim Possible]

thanks for the heads up, all those signatures were making me crazy. But I'm also used to the sub-red. What's a girl to do?

[esquire]

I would use those, as they are more visually appealing to me. But aren't there problems with some of the features when you switch from the subRed skin? Such as PM alerts and DP Arcade compatibility?

There are no compatibility issues, though you can't visit the arcade from those skins. You can, however, do your "business" browsing in those skins, and switch back anytime to subred to PLAY. You won't lose anything by switching back and forth this way.

Count me in as another subSilver fan, but besides the issues already mentioned (meseta, etc.), I noticed in subSilver the options for the Online Rarity Guide, DP Wire, Room of Doom, etc. that are displayed in the rectangular bar running across the top of the page are not present and therefore inaccessible. Hopefully those can be added in the future. I don't think they would make the forum "busy" if they were added. :D

[aaron7]

Ok... what? How do I change it? I'm such a newb...

[Flack]

Click on "profile" at the top of the forum. Your board style choice is in there, under preferences.

[aaron7]

<changes it to subsilver> <goes to other forums, does the same> <gets pissed when some of the other forums use some other format and can't change it> <smacks self for never realizing that you can change it in the first place>

[THATinkjar]

Yes, it is official: we need a new theme, with all the trimmings of the default, but with a little more class. There are two - maybe three - themes that, with a little content expansion, would be my preferred choice.

[aaron7]

I like the subsilver one. No inventories, no meseta. It's just a forum. That's all I want!

[sisko]

You can access the arcade in ANY skin, you just have to enter the URL manually.

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/activity.php

[§ Gideon §]

Hey, change is good! Starting with Chronicles, I've decided to use a new theme about every week. At the end, I'll decide which one I like most.

[Kim Possible]

I tried the other skins, and while I have no idea what a mesata is (I must have missed that memo) or any of the other stuff, I find myself back here in the subRed or whatever.

Ah well.

[boatofcar]

After getting sick of not being able to see my cursor in subred, I'm all about the subsilver. I don't get to see meseta or items, but that's all kinda worn off for me anyway.