possible new look and feel

This is a thread view. What do you think?

paul wheaton wrote:This is a thread view. What do you think?

This is nice. Like it.

I like it, too. The "similar threads" section looks like a nice feature.

Jk Robbins wrote:I like it, too. The "similar threads" section looks like a nice feature.

Actually, as a feature, the "similar threads" section is available today -- although admittedly, it is currently not on this particular topic, as the forum is having some issues regarding indexing of topics.

Henry

So why shouldn't everything on the code ranch not look like a ranch?

It looks like what we have here is a classic UI example of "Skeuomorph"[1] and it's getting a really bad rap[2], why is Apple making everything look like the ugly old wild west[3] they say.

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skeuomorph
[2] http://www.fastcodesign.com/1670760/will-apples-tacky-software-design-philosophy-cause-a-revolt
[3] http://gizmodo.com/5849940/ugh-god-why-apple-is-making-everything-look-like-an-ugly-wild-west?tag=apple

Tony, welcome to the forums!

I wasn't aware of the term that you mentioned before reading those articles you posted. I'm curious to know whether you would dislike the new look and feel, that is being proposed, if you hadn't known about the Apple criticism. What about the current looks of our forums? Do you like it?

I see that this is your first post here, but is this your first time at coderanch/javaranch? The reason I ask is because JavaRanch has always been associated with the ranch styled theme. Some like it (many of them are old timers who have been around, either active or lurking, for some years) and some want it to look more "modern".

I think the color of the outer frame is very dark; I'd prefer something much lighter and cheerier.

Ulf Dittmer wrote:I think the color of the outer frame is very dark; I'd prefer something much lighter and cheerier.

+1, It might become bit annoying while reading posts continuously (as this is the main focus of the forums). Might be better and comfortable with lighter color.

Please don't adopt this theme, it reduces page width.I ain't feeling comfortable while reading, i used zoom function of Mozilla to read page easily but now zoom doesn't make any sense with this theme.It will ultimately increase more scrolling overhead nothing else.

meeta gaur wrote:Please don't adopt this theme, it reduces page width.I ain't feeling comfortable while reading, i used zoom function of Mozilla to read page easily but now zoom doesn't make any sense with this theme.It will ultimately increase more scrolling overhead nothing else.

The view is currently in beta and we are looking for feedback. Some other users have also expressed similar concerns about the width of the new pages. We've noted it and are going to consider it while deciding what changes/additions have to be done to the proposed new view.

I like the look and feel but I have some concerns about the usability:

Is there a way to go back directly to the subforum you were in? Let's say, I am in JSP forum, enter a topic, post something (probably stupid) and then I want to go back to JSP forum; in the new view I am only able to go to Java category (or other) and then from there to JSP, am I missing something?

Also would be nice in a topic to have at the bottom of it a "post reply" button.

And as an extra -and not related with the new theme-, would be great to have the quick answer option, very useful if you don't want to quote someone or put code or whatever (even if you need to do so I use it a lot in other forums and put the tags myself manually).

Albareto McKenzie wrote:

Is there a way to go back directly to the subforum you were in? Let's say, I am in JSP forum, enter a topic, post something (probably stupid) and then I want to go back to JSP forum; in the new view I am only able to go to Java category (or other) and then from there to JSP, am I missing something?

This is going to come soon in our next batch of beta view additions.

Albareto McKenzie wrote:
Also would be nice in a topic to have at the bottom of it a "post reply" button.

This one too.

Albareto McKenzie wrote:
And as an extra -and not related with the new theme-, would be great to have the quick answer option, very useful if you don't want to quote someone or put code or whatever (even if you need to do so I use it a lot in other forums and put the tags myself manually).

I'm not too sure about this one. I'll have to check with others.

Great to hear that

Albareto McKenzie wrote:
And as an extra -and not related with the new theme-, would be great to have the quick answer option, very useful if you don't want to quote someone or put code or whatever (even if you need to do so I use it a lot in other forums and put the tags myself manually).

We do actually have this feature, although the user interface is a little strange: it's just an HTML link with the text "Quick Reply" at the bottom of the thread page, right above "This thread has been viewed X times." I bet most people miss it.

Yep. I have missed it also, it took me quite a while to find it even knowing it was there haha, well, good to know that it exists

Thanks for the hint!

The new ranch look is cool. I like the color scheme and layout overall (or will after the navigation's changed as described here). But I'm going to echo the concern about readability. On my monitor (1680x1050px) I see about 50% brown background. After staring at the screen for a couple minutes the contrast between the brown and the post backgrounds is starting to make me focus on the brown rather than the actual post content.

Also potential concern with code length. Looks like long code samples wrap: I counted wrap at 73-characters? My preference is that code should not wrap, ever. It breaks my groove (and the rules of good styling).

Tina Smith wrote:The new ranch look is cool. I like the color scheme and layout overall (or will after the navigation's changed as described here). But I'm going to echo the concern about readability. On my monitor (1680x1050px) I see about 50% brown background.

Would you be able to attach a screenshot please? I'm just curious how it looks on bigger monitors (mine isn't that big).

The screenshot's attached. Hopefully it shows up like Paul's screenshot at the beginning of this post....

Thank you, that helps and I see what you mean.

Another vote for a more responsive design, or at least larger default width.

Also, as Albareto mentioned, the lack of the link back to the sub-forum makes the new look basically unusable for me at present. The sooner you can get that rolled out the better.

Hi,

The screenshot that Paul has posted is quite different from the look and feel that I see on my screen. The brown outer cover is not visible in screenshot while it is there in actual beta release. It would be great if it can be removed and the width of the actual posts increased. Currently, most of my screen space is getting wasted.

Palak Mathur wrote:Hi,

The screenshot that Paul has posted is quite different from the look and feel that I see on my screen. The brown outer cover is not visible in screenshot while it is there in actual beta release. It would be great if it can be removed and the width of the actual posts increased. Currently, most of my screen space is getting wasted.

I wanted to edit my post but I think Edit option is also missing. I think you might be working on that as well. Hope to see it soon.

Another observation is that the button with the links to Java, Java JSRs etc have very small size of the fonts. Merely making it visible. The color combination used is making the words illegible.

Hi,

I am not sure if some of it is already posted but let me put my feedback -

1. The new look and feel is very dark, has less area having useful content.
2. Most of the people use it at work so I think keeping it light (less attractive/less attention seeking) should be the key, IMO. Current is fine.

Will it be possible to run both versions? I think, no.

I'll personally prefer to use current look and feel.

Thanks.

Palak Mathur wrote: . . . I wanted to edit my post but I think Edit option is also missing. I think you might be working on that as well. Hope to see it soon. . . .

Unlikely.

We have a policy of restricting editing after a post has been visible for any length of time. Ans sorry for not noticing your post earlier.

ankur rathi wrote:

Will it be possible to run both versions? I think, no.

We won't be maintaining two different look and feel forever. But your feedback, which has been one of the most requested changes for the beta look, are being considered and will be taken into account when we publish our next set of changes for the beta view.

I miss the like button. Its not part of the new look and feel yet.
Thought that was a good feature & possibly should be expanded!

Another vote for the link back to the sub-forum... but, personally, I like the new look.

The darker look is easier on my eyes. Thanks.

The thing I wonder about is what you have in mind for the new look on the Reply/Posting pages. I notice right now, it still reverts back to the old style for posting.

Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

Regards,

B.Katz

B. Katz wrote:
The thing I wonder about is what you have in mind for the new look on the Reply/Posting pages. I notice right now, it still reverts back to the old style for posting.

Since the development is done by volunteers and since the amount of changes to change the whole site view are way too much, we decided to take it one "view" at a time. So currently only the topic view is being implemented for the new look and the other pages/views will be picked up as we progress.