New forum design

[Queen Bee]

Well, I personally felt it was time for a change on Webmaster Key. The site needed a face lift, and due to extreme cases of boredom and perfectionism I decided it was time I redesigned.

Please tell me what you guys think of the new design (Or if you can even see it). I'm open to suggestions and comments or whatever you'd like to say.

[SensoVision]

Hurray to Rachel!!! Personally I really like new face, it's look much more clear IMHO.
As for suggestions I have only three: about empty space near avatar(we've talked about it before) and maybe you're right about placing welcome message there to fill it... The second is about partner box is that all links are no centered(but I'm not sure about this yet, would like to hear more opinions on this from others). and 3rd is about these images they are ok, I actually tried to use different things in the past to customize them but failed so maybe current state is actually good solution.
Everything else just rocks, color gamma is perfect to my eyes! Thank's a lot, Rachel!

[Queen Bee]

Thanks Denis.
I am personally really pleased with this design because it's nice and clean. As far as your suggestions:

about empty space near avatar

I have pretty much exhausted my technical abilities in this area, so I'm not sure what to do about it. If you want to try and tweak it, feel free to do so.

The second is about partner box is that all links are no centered(but I'm not sure about this yet, would like to hear more opinions on this from others).

The reason that they aren't centered is because I wanted everything to look clean, straight, and more "left-justified". I like the way they look this way, but if anyone else thinks differently, I will change them asap. Centering them is no problem at all!

and 3rd is about these images  they are ok, I actually tried to use different things in the past to customize them but failed so maybe current state is actually good solution.

I know what you're saying, personally, I didn't like them that much either, but after working with them for awhile, I was at a loss to produce anything nicer.

Now that I'm thinking about it, what about an inverted key hole or an actual key instead? Let me attach examples for this in a second, and we can switch them out if you like these versions better.

[susieq]

Yes, I like it....It is a change for the nicer   It was a good idea, but didn't realise it until after it was done...
Congratulations......Denis and Rachel for the 'new look'

[Queen Bee]

Susie, I am glad you like it!

Also, here is a "screen shot" of the keys I made for the site. Tell me if you guys prefer the keys to the oval "donut" buttons that are on the site right now.

[donecweb]

I think the keys are much better.

DonEc

[SensoVision]

Congratulations......Denis and Rachel for the 'new look'

Sue, glad that you like it but I didn't take part in forum design it's entirely done by Rachel

[SensoVision]

Also, here is a "screen shot" of the keys I made for the site. Tell me if you guys prefer the keys to the oval "donut" buttons that are on the site right now.

BTW I like key images conception more than circles.

[Alchemist23]

Rachel hi,

This is so cool!!!
Thank you for the nice change . The color scheme has a very soothing effect on the eyes.

Also, like everyone else above, I prefer the key image atleast 10 times better here...

[Queen Bee]

Thanks for the pleasant feedback

I changed the buttons to the keys now, I hope these will suit us. If anyone still has problems with them, let me know and I can keep working at it.

[Lampwize]

Again, great job!

[dojo]

Way better then before. Great job.
One thing thouhg .. something the admin could do it ppossible: the post I make doesn't immediatelly show after I post it. Instead of viewing my message as I can in other forum scripts I'm taken to the category instead. This is quite annoying since I want to see my post to be able to edit it and so on. I don't feel like searching th thread and then getting to my post.
I don't know if it's default in SM, but it's the thing I hate most at this forum script. Everything looks OK to me. I could be even convinced to get to SM After the solution is found

Anyway .. the look is more pleasant and I just like the way it is.

Another thing thouhg .. the fonts .. are a bit too small. maybe 1 pixel more? Just another suggestion

[12noon]

Way better then before. Great job.
One thing thouhg .. something the admin could do it ppossible: the post I make doesn't immediatelly show after I post it. Instead of viewing my message as I can in other forum scripts I'm taken to the category instead. This is quite annoying since I want to see my post to be able to edit it and so on. I don't feel like searching th thread and then getting to my post.

Anyway .. the look is more pleasant and I just like the way it is.

You can change your profile so that you return to your post once you've posted a message.

Just click on your PROFILE up top and then click on LOOK & LAYOUT down the left hand side of the page. Look at the tick boxes and put at tick at the side of "Return to topics after posting by default.".

Hope that helps.

BTW i also think this new skin is very good. I like it i'm very happy with it.

[susieq]

Well Rachel,

Sue, glad that you like it but I didn't take part in forum design  it's entirely done by Rachel

I think you have done a wonderful job.  To my mind that kind of job would take ages and ages.....and then there is the competition coming up......It is so nice to have you back, and also it seems, much of your time is going into Weblamp, we should all be very grateful to have you

Oh yes.....Absolutely love the 'keys' .           nice one

[Queen Bee]

I don't know if it's default in SM, but it's the thing I hate most at this forum script. Everything looks OK to me. I could be even convinced to get to SM  After the solution is found

I think Denis could probably adjust it to where the default was "Return to topics after posting." He knows the forum preferences better than I do. When I first started using SMF, I didn't like this feature either.

As far as the fonts, I left most of the sizes with what SMF originally gave me. I'll try and tweak them a bit... Is there any particular area that you think needs a larger font?

[SensoVision]

I think Denis could probably adjust it to where the default was "Return to topics after posting." He knows the forum preferences better than I do. When I first started using SMF, I didn't like this feature either.

It's fixed now, I've changed default settings so now it would return poster to the thread.

[dmcgill]

Very Nice!! Clean, loads fast and easy on the eyes.

Wish I had more time to hang around but the real reason for having a business is to make money and work so I am sorry but my work takes up too many hours.  Love the look though and will keep in touch.  Drop buy our sites someday and see the improvements we have made as well.

[KarlFreeman]

loving the new look ! very well done a much needed improvement to an all ready outstanding site

karl

[dojo]

OK thank you for the hints. Now it's perfect

[AnnaDee]

Hi Rachel, I was in here much earlier but for some reason my browser froze up and I had to wait until my boyfriend got back to see what was wrong. :-(

Replying to that link in my email, obviously I didn't get to see the old format in here, I joined with this one in place so I can't make a comparrison. But I sure can compare your layout with the several others I looked at before deciding on this forum and I think this is really nice! It's taking me a little getting used to but I expected that and it would be the same anywhere, driving a new car takes some getting used to too. LOL.

Now, if only I could think of a really cute signature. :-D

[nafets7ro]

Good job!

I like the new face and the colors are nice. It's clean!

[Queen Bee]

Thanks everyone, for all of the kind feedback.
I am glad to see that everyone is enjoying the new design as much as I am!

It's taking me a little getting used to but I expected that and it would be the same anywhere, driving a new car takes some getting used to too.

Each forum has different layouts and settings, and other ways of viewing and replying to topics, so I know what you mean! I am personally happy with the SMF setup and have gotten used to the way it works.

[dojo]

The old one was OK but a bit too sad and bland, this is light, good feelings and the idea with the keys is quite good for the site. Indeed a good change and I got used to it very nicelly too. And since I'm taken to my post, I'm happier.

[Aji]

I liked the design (Tamuril/Rachel) , great work I was surprised when I visited the forum after some real long time.

[susieq]

The image presented and design are quite refreshing, in contrast to original..  It is very nice and relaxing also to the eyes 
Where would we be without you Rachel
Wonderful job......I couldn't have done it.......

[Queen Bee]

Thank-you Aji and Susie...
I am glad everyone is pleased with the design (For the most part, anyway )

[susieq]

Whose idea was it to have the baby logos' beside the  "topics" section.....nice one

[dmcgill]

OK, I'll comment.  The design is great!!
I'm BACK.
Dennis

[realmetrics.com]

Hi Tamuril,

I feel your sites looks good and professional. But we all are in the situation of redesign our site to the current trend. My opinion is you may need to make your site's caption bigger, since it is not enough clarity. The rest of all are ok man. 

You can use many of the ready made themes which are available as free over the internet, and also one more useful suggestion you can simply make your site in dynamic look by adding some flash images. Make attract the visitors of the site.

Hope my words are helpful to you. 

Good Luck for your future changes.. Have a Good Day.