Aug 13, 2015 6:19:15 GMT -5
I like it.
The only thing that kinda bugs me is the space between the header and the content, but I have this suspicion it is for an ad space.
Aug 13, 2015 14:03:40 GMT -5
There's a couple of tiny things bugging me.
The first one being the alignment of the side bar on the right. I understand it's pushed down so the avatar is in line with the left content's gradient, but to me it just looks a bit odd.
Maybe try a couple of things (if you can be bothered) to try see if it works better:
1) Add a gradient to the right sidebar so the avatar is resting on it - of course keeping it in style and colour with what already exists.
or
2) Push the right side bar up so the start of the rectangle is in-line with the left content gradient, BUT then add a something above it (above the left content). I would have suggested the search bar with some additional little things, but the search is already on the page since it's on the nav bar at the top.
The second thing that's bugging me a tiny bit is, for the right side bar, does it stay at the top next to the first post, does it follow you down the page? If the latter, how about if you DO the above then have it "snap to" each post as you scroll down, so then it remains at the top next to each post. If it's NOT going to following you down the page, then I would personally suggest making that quick reply and all other posts be a wider measurement. Otherwise there will obviously be a massive space there.
Not sure the point of the avatar in the quick reply, even though it is a nice touch - the reason I don't see the point is because of you having it on that side bar. I guess if it does remain at the top, then it does have some value being in the quick reply.
Maybe add some other little elements to the avatar in the quick reply? For example,I know that's for ZetaBoards, but on PB Forums the market is predominantly RPG, so perhaps have a stylish arrow drop down you can select one of your other accounts/characters from? So doing it would do all the automatic stuff you need to - for instance on PB it'd automatically load the "switch account page", it'd auto-select the character based on which one you chose from the dropdown, and then it would log you in and take you back to that post and quick reply.
Lastly, where's the "full reply" option in the quick reply?
But yeah other than those I like it. The above is just things that irk me and aren't obvious necessities - since afterall, it all depends on what you and everyone else prefers.
Aug 13, 2015 17:33:07 GMT -5
FallenSamurai: I intentionally left the space to show off more of the background. In a way, I'm using the background almost as a banner. But lets be real that space is going to be covered with an ad, lmao. Thanks man!
@cowardlydog: Is this stinky666? I assume it is looking at your profile. And wow I've post this on other places and have gotten no criqtue as detailed as this one (and coming from a dead forum too)! Thanks man, it means a lot!
1) Yeah, I intended the avatar to line up with the boards but yeah you're right it looks a lot better with the tables properly aligned. I'm not too sure what you mean by putting something on top of it.
2)I've never thought about having it snap to the posts. Not sure how well it would work live but I'll definitely let my coder know.
3) As for the avatar next to the quick reply, it's more of "the next post can be yours". It gives you a better idea of what you're post would look like, imo. It's something I've seen done on FB but not on most forums for some reason.
4) That's a cool idea but it doesn't fit for the intended forum (design/general)
5) Forgot the full reply.
Overall thanks man,
thomasnguyen.co/cowardly-dog.png <-- those were the changes I made.
Also, I had board mod idea. Not sure how well it would work LIVE but (http://thomasnguyen.co/atrium-mainconcept.png) Tell me what you think
I have 3 concepts
#1) 3 boards per line
#2) 2 boards per line
#3) Traditional....yeah i didnt even bother designing it knowing everyone knows what it looks like.
AGAIN SUPER THANKS BRUH!!!!!!111
Aug 14, 2015 23:19:17 GMT -5
1) The "something on top" was literally as you have done - a reply button, pagination.
2) I think a snap-to option would be so much better so it's not kind of 'all over' the place.
3) Ok, whilst I understand that it just seems to make no sense when you know what it's going to look like anyway, but what's awesome about designs, is it's all opinion based.
4) Not sure exactly which part number 4 is, but I think maybe regarding the switching account on the quick reply avatar? In which case, that was just a little example of what COULD be. Maybe you could have something different, like a pre-defined message. Several ones, for different boards. I dunno, there's lots of possibilities, depending on what you want.
For the board mod, how are you doing it? I mean, is it going to be responsive, so the smaller you get, it changes stages (starting with maybe the 2, followed by the smaller version, then lastly classic "list" style) ?
I did similar on a concept for both the board mod + thread list, but not responsive in the sense I just mentioned. Mine would be like you can have on websites - the user selects which they prefer:
Aug 15, 2015 0:34:19 GMT -5
Oh, read your PM first and then this after...woops, lol.
2) I do too think "snap-to-option" would be nice. Hopefully, it doesn't slow the site as I rather have it run smoothly. But yeah I still need to tell my coder that, haha.
4) I'm not too entirely sure what you mean about switching accounts. I never really use PBv5 but does anyone really have more than one account on a page?
In terms of the screen resolution problem, if it's less than 1024 width than I'll remove the right side and put it on top of the board (in a condense fashion). If screen is narrower than it will display one at a time. SO the boards won't change jsut the amount. [I've decided to pick the 2nd option and then traditional (giving them an option like you said)
And yeah saw your PM about the user selected thing, I think that's f~~king great because while I was designing I was scared the extremely distinct layout would be too confusing/unpleasant for the existing userbase because they have been used to the traditional forum UI for a decade. So yeah this idea is a great middle ground.
BUT YEAH HOLY sh*t THANKS DUDE. MAYBE SI WILL RISE ONCE AGAIN
Aug 15, 2015 1:19:10 GMT -5
I prefer the second info center personally, it's a nicer break up imo. I've always been a fan of users online at the top, which is something else that just makes me prefer it.
This is yet another thing though that could potentially be user selectable - not necessarily using those same 3 similar designs, but different ones.
People obviously these days love choices. That's why for theme's I have done multiple colours of them but have always wanted a quick way to switch between (which thankfully you can do it using just template mods on PB).
Having a new fully customizable section on the profile page where they can choose from, for different things could be great. Already got 3 ideas (Board mod, Thread List, Info center).
You could then go onto styles of post list (mini profile left, right, top, bottom).
SO many different possibilities so everyone can have the same amazing theme, yet it be so completely different for each and every one of them!
What's the number and arrows on the left side for the thread list btw? Is it to upvote/downvote the thread from the thread list?
Aug 15, 2015 1:46:36 GMT -5
For something such as the infocenter, having an option is not necessary, imo. Having options for everything would be overwhelming so in this case, I'll just pick the 2nd one. However, I'll put an option if I feel the layout is too out-of-the-norm and thus I'll have an option to revert back to the traditional UI for people too used to the default. Although, I do see your perspective and I think your idea is more suited to be release as a premade. Obviously more options = more variety for the owner. But this is just a design for one forum. OAgain this is just my opinion and there are no wrong/right answers.
Have you browse reddit? It's the same concept so users can like/dislike thread. I think that's more useful than to have a useless folder/paper icon seen on most forums.
Aug 15, 2015 2:42:07 GMT -5
For something such as the infocenter, having an option is not necessary, imo. Having options for everything would be overwhelming so in this case, I'll just pick the 2nd one. However, I'll put an option if I feel the layout is too out-of-the-norm and thus I'll have an option to revert back to the traditional UI for people too used to the default. Although, I do see your perspective and I think your idea is more suited to be release as a premade. Obviously more options = more variety for the owner. But this is just a design for one forum. OAgain this is just my opinion and there are no wrong/right answers.
Have you browse reddit? It's the same concept so users can like/dislike thread. I think that's more useful than to have a useless folder/paper icon seen on most forums.
Never used reddit, no.
From what I have heard before though - maybe I am wrong - people upvote stuff and then the more it gets upvoted, the higher it will be.
I assume this would use the same system?
Aug 15, 2015 2:54:19 GMT -5
Yeah ideally. Except I just asked and they said something like that wouldn't be possible on ZB. So I guess it would simply be rated while still being laid out chronology.
Aug 15, 2015 3:03:11 GMT -5
Yeah ideally. Except I just asked and they said something like that wouldn't be possible on ZB. So I guess it would simply be rated while still being laid out chronology.
Sucks. Sadly that's always the problem with forums, especially remotely hosted ones - as much as you can do they are still limited
Aug 18, 2015 18:47:23 GMT -5
Based on just $10 per theme, I could have made:
My 4 Themes:
Installs: 8,577 / Downloads: 4,133
$10 per download/install that would have alone made $85,770. If PB just wanted 25% of that, they would have made a nice $3,430.80
And that's JUST from me. On top of that, they could have charged more for extra's.
Imagine all the people with Plugins who no doubt have plenty more downloads and installs than me. Maybe you'd charge a bit less for a Plugin because it's just one feature (potentially), but never the less, PB are missing out on such a huge earner in my opinion.
Sadly, they do still plan to add a sell option/feature but they have no idea when, so it could be 10yrs for all we know
Aug 19, 2015 14:59:03 GMT -5
Oh I didn't know your themes were used by that many people. Impressive.
Wait hold on Stinky666, I think there is something wrong with your math. 85,770 / 4 = 21,442.5? Unless, I read it wrong.
But yeah you are right considering how long it took them to release pbv5, 10 years is a good estimate.
Aug 19, 2015 18:17:35 GMT -5
Oh I didn't know your themes were used by that many people. Impressive.
Wait hold on Stinky666, I think there is something wrong with your math. 85,770 / 4 = 21,442.5? Unless, I read it wrong.
But yeah you are right considering how long it took them to release pbv5, 10 years is a good estimate.
Not sure why you're dividing the total potential earnings by the amount of themes... ?
Aug 19, 2015 19:47:10 GMT -5
Sorry the 4 is not the amount of themes. I used 4 because you said PB would take (25% or 1/4) of your earnings.
Aug 20, 2015 0:21:20 GMT -5
Sorry the 4 is not the amount of themes. I used 4 because you said PB would take (25% or 1/4) of your earnings.
The 4 IS the amount of themes.
I was only basing it on a possible $10 per theme (Total downloads/installs across all 4 themes = 8,577. Multiply that by the $10 per download. It would give us a nice $85,770. Minus the 25% that PB could charge (just another example, maybe it'd cost more/less depending on the pricing of the theme). The more modifications and customization there is on a theme, the more it'd cost (It could be more, it could be less (probably more though).
I'm sure a lot more people would come out the woodwork and design some stuff could they sell it, and more effort would no doubt be put in.
Everyone I know who designs or used to, has the "meh" it's free mentality, so don't put half as much effort into their themes for PB than what they could do. I'm sure even some on here would probably do a few themes (depending on pricing etc). I'm sure you would right
elli, and
Spatula ? (I actually remembered your username elli - wtf!!). Same for plugins, I'm sure lots more would come out with some - like you
サイミ 🐍, righto?
We'll burn that bridge when we come to it.
サイミ 🐍
snake
neurotic + overseer
Moderator
Aug 20, 2015 3:46:57 GMT -5
@cowardlydog I probably would. Any time I take to make free stuff is time away from projects that might earn in the future. And PB is not particularly pleasant to make interesting plugins for, so if it were free I'd want it to be fun and rewarding. It's hard to beat the response I got for the
last free thing I made (almost 150,000 users so far) on a platform like proboards
Aug 20, 2015 4:57:30 GMT -5
@cowardlydog I probably would. Any time I take to make free stuff is time away from projects that might earn in the future. And PB is not particularly pleasant to make interesting plugins for, so if it were free I'd want it to be fun and rewarding. It's hard to beat the response I got for the
last free thing I made (almost 150,000 users so far) on a platform like proboards
Wow! As Peter pointed out to me, which is very true, PB just don't promote the library for plugins and themes. There's many forums out there that don't realize they exist.
Do you make a profit PER download from that mod, or did you get a wage whilst making it, or what?
We'll burn that bridge when we come to it.
サイミ 🐍
snake
neurotic + overseer
Moderator
Aug 20, 2015 5:04:56 GMT -5
@cowardlydog I probably would. Any time I take to make free stuff is time away from projects that might earn in the future. And PB is not particularly pleasant to make interesting plugins for, so if it were free I'd want it to be fun and rewarding. It's hard to beat the response I got for the
last free thing I made (almost 150,000 users so far) on a platform like proboards
Wow! As Peter pointed out to me, which is very true, PB just don't promote the library for plugins and themes. There's many forums out there that don't realize they exist.
Do you make a profit PER download from that mod, or did you get a wage whilst making it, or what?
No, that mod is entirely free (though I got maybe $50 in donations from users). I made it because I wanted it, and now it's the #1 most popular mod on the workshop for that game (not most subscribed though, oddly). My paid stuff is over at
stompyrobot.uk.
PB could do a lot more to promote the plugin library, yes. And a lot more to the API to make plugins more powerful (it's better than v4, but still missing some critical (imo) features).
Aug 20, 2015 11:24:06 GMT -5
@stinky: So how did you get $3,430.80?
サイミ 🐍: LMAO, I downloaded that mod but never thought it would be from someone I would know.
Wait, so just to clarify so does PB have stated that they have interest in allowing paid themes in their directory? Man if so I might join because I jsut checked their directory and all of the themes are crap.
And Oracle still designs?
Aug 20, 2015 11:30:49 GMT -5
I struggle with PB themes these days. v5 has all the control a person could possibly ask for over a forum's appearance, but like, I don't feel creative enough to use it.
It's weird and frustrating. I remember being 15, 16 and having all these ideas, but not knowing the code to implement them. Now I know the code, but don't have the ideas. ):
Aug 20, 2015 11:43:49 GMT -5
I struggle with PB themes these days. v5 has all the control a person could possibly ask for over a forum's appearance, but like, I don't feel creative enough to use it.
It's weird and frustrating. I remember being 15, 16 and having all these ideas, but not knowing the code to implement them. Now I know the code, but don't have the ideas. ):
*cough* Then you can code other people's crazy ideas.
We'll burn that bridge when we come to it.
サイミ 🐍
snake
neurotic + overseer
Moderator
Aug 20, 2015 12:34:28 GMT -5
サイミ 🐍: LMAO, I downloaded that mod but never thought it would be from someone I would know.
Greetings, loyal user! I hope you rated it up and favourited it ;-)
Did you like it?
Aug 20, 2015 13:51:25 GMT -5
@stinky: So how did you get $3,430.80?
サイミ 🐍: LMAO, I downloaded that mod but never thought it would be from someone I would know.
Wait, so just to clarify so does PB have stated that they have interest in allowing paid themes in their directory? Man if so I might join because I jsut checked their directory and all of the themes are crap.
And Oracle still designs?
Man, I have no idea how I got that, when I did it I had been awake for so long haha.
But yeah 21k is how much profit could have been made form that at 25%. Apparently I did 85,770 / 25. Totally missing out the important bit of dividing by 100, lol.
I don't thik
Spatula designs, or for PB at least but I'm sure if there was a decent way to get some good money, he'd give it a shot. Surely?
I struggle with PB themes these days. v5 has all the control a person could possibly ask for over a forum's appearance, but like, I don't feel creative enough to use it.
It's weird and frustrating. I remember being 15, 16 and having all these ideas, but not knowing the code to implement them. Now I know the code, but don't have the ideas. ):
I have a few! I gave one to
Smangii to start on (unfinished theme with lots to do but it's a nice starting point, but I can't do the coding, no way), but obviously not sure if he is still alive lol.
Aug 21, 2015 16:54:48 GMT -5
@cowardlydog I've got two freelance projects rn, but once they're done I could help you code since
Smangii is prob dead.
Aug 22, 2015 3:12:55 GMT -5
@cowardlydog I've got two freelance projects rn, but once they're done I could help you code since
Smangii is prob dead.
Alright sweet.
He does design (and coding I guess) as a career.