10.02.13 - Forum Upgrades / Theme changes

PCEngineFX · 10/02/2013, 11:10 PM

Hi all,

I had to upgrade SMF, my SQL DB and PHPBB to fix continued server load issues, which means the forum theme is now totally messed up

BlueBMW · 10/02/2013, 11:14 PM

I'm just happy the forum is up and running

roflmao · 10/02/2013, 11:24 PM

Me too! I'll have some spare time in a couple of weeks if you'd like a hand rebuilding the theme (or building a new one). Unfortunately, I'm buried in work at the moment.

PCEngineFX · 10/02/2013, 11:31 PM

Quote from: guest on 10/02/2013, 11:24 PMMe too! I'll have some spare time in a couple of weeks if you'd like a hand rebuilding the theme (or building a new one). Unfortunately, I'm buried in work at the moment.

No problem - I'll be messing with it over the next week, so expect the look to slowly change.

Arkhan Asylum · 10/02/2013, 11:36 PM

Please make it go faster. This default theme hurts my face.

Joe Redifer · 10/03/2013, 12:13 AM

This looks like a new version of the forum software. Or was the old theme that customized?

I know when we upgraded (not sure if that's an appropriate word) the forum software at Sega-16, none of the old themes worked at all.

PCEngineFX · 10/03/2013, 12:37 AM

Quote from: Joe Redifer on 10/03/2013, 12:13 AMThis looks like a new version of the forum software. Or was the old theme that customized?

I know when we upgraded (not sure if that's an appropriate word) the forum software at Sega-16, none of the old themes worked at all.

Both. I upgraded from SMF 1.x.x to 2.0.5 and old theme didn't work so had to make a new one.

Duo_R · 10/03/2013, 12:54 AM

Looks weird but glad the forums are up

PCEngineFX · 10/03/2013, 01:20 AM

One change that I just made is that Guests are no longer welcome to browse the forum. This will help in preventing spambots/robots/search engines to screw with my forum bandwidth.

As far as the forum theme goes, I know everyone was used to the old look, but I'm not going to go back to that theme/color. The one I have up right now might not stick either depending on how things go.

TheClash603 · 10/03/2013, 02:40 AM

It looks weird because I have been looking at something else for a few years, but I am sure I will get used to it soon.

As long as this makes things run more smoothly, I can handle a little brownish-purplish whatever.

esteban · 10/03/2013, 06:39 AM

STATUS: I am pleased. Things may even get better, and I will then be doubly pleased.

Opethian · 10/03/2013, 09:08 AM

again...legendary forums...return

jlued686 · 10/03/2013, 09:51 AM

I like change! The old forums were looking a bit dated, so I'm excited to see what you have in store, Aaron. Thanks for making the effort!

OldRover · 10/03/2013, 10:28 AM

Dunno, I kinda like this theme. It's minimalist, but it could be worse.

FiftyQuid · 10/03/2013, 11:24 AM

Quote from: OldRover on 10/03/2013, 10:28 AMDunno, I kinda like this theme. It's minimalist, but it could be worse.

It makes my eyes burn.

Ji-L87 · 10/03/2013, 11:25 AM

Fresh! Could do with a bit more contrast tho' and just one step higher in the font size department. Or maybe I just got bad eyesight.

turboswimbz · 10/03/2013, 11:26 AM

It's be better if the background wasn't all white, I do suggest that some contrast would be nice. Excited to N-E-see the new forum theme though.

PCEngineFX · 10/03/2013, 11:46 AM

Quote from: turboswimbz on 10/03/2013, 11:26 AMIt's be better if the background wasn't all white, I do suggest that some contrast would be nice. Excited to N-E-see the new forum theme though.

I see what you did there

I do hear you all about the white. I'll see what I can do about that next.

Bernie · 10/03/2013, 11:49 AM

lol, I dont log in for a week, and when I do I think I am in the wrong place.

Important thing is that its back online.

MotherGunner · 10/03/2013, 12:42 PM

Lol, I just asked myself if I was at the right forum. Cool to see changes.

Arkhan Asylum · 10/03/2013, 01:00 PM

Quote from: guest on 10/03/2013, 09:51 AMI like change! The old forums were looking a bit dated, so I'm excited to see what you have in store, Aaron. Thanks for making the effort!

lol, dated. This is a PCE forum!

Quote from: FiftyQuid on 10/03/2013, 11:24 AMIt makes my eyes burn.

Yeah.

It really is too white/lacking in contrast between clickable things.

If we're totally changing the theme, why not just go with a gray background + blue text so it looks like a CGII or Super Grafx or something?

....

........ errr, isn't that basically what the old forum was?

or go with grays and oranges, or basically any dark background with light text, because it makes people's eyes less bloody.

PCEngineFX · 10/03/2013, 01:07 PM

Yah, I'm looking into it. I'd like to have the colors relate to the TG-16 or something.....we'll see.

Arkhan Asylum · 10/03/2013, 01:56 PM

You mean black with red/yellow/orange text?

I'm down. Do it!

jlued686 · 10/03/2013, 02:48 PM

Quote from: Psycho Arkhan on 10/03/2013, 01:00 PM
Quote from: guest on 10/03/2013, 09:51 AMI like change! The old forums were looking a bit dated, so I'm excited to see what you have in store, Aaron. Thanks for making the effort!
lol, dated. This is a PCE forum!

Hey, just 'cause we talk about a console from the 90s doesn't mean we have to look like a forum from the 90s!

PCEngineFX · 10/03/2013, 03:25 PM

Quote from: guest on 10/03/2013, 02:48 PM
Quote from: guest on 10/03/2013, 01:00 PM
Quote from: guest on 10/03/2013, 09:51 AMI like change! The old forums were looking a bit dated, so I'm excited to see what you have in store, Aaron. Thanks for making the effort!
lol, dated. This is a PCE forum!
Hey, just 'cause we talk about a console from the 90s doesn't mean we have to look like a forum from the 90s!

This is also true - My goal is to bring the modern and retro together in the most pleasing way possible.

Joe Redifer · 10/03/2013, 04:10 PM

Just please, whatever you do, don't make the background darker than the text. That's what really makes my eyes burn. A little darker, definitely. So actually it'd be less contrast.

Also, a "Mark posts as read" or similar button is now missing. I don't read every new post each time I visit so I'd like to be able to click it (as I did before) right before I leave so I can see which topics have new posts the next time I return. And can we increase the editing time to 5 minutes? I always have typos, add a bit of crap right after I submit, etc. It'd be nice to have a small buffer before the "edited" script shows up at the bottom of the post.

MotherGunner · 10/03/2013, 06:19 PM

I just tried it on iOS. There is a Tapatalk app that's optional for it. Not bad so far but learning how to use it.

NecroPhile · 10/03/2013, 06:35 PM

I'm just glad it's working. What it looks like only concerns me if it's hard to read/use.

jeffhlewis · 10/03/2013, 07:12 PM

Ooh Tapatalk - finally!

PCEngineFX · 10/03/2013, 07:43 PM

Quote from: jeffhlewis on 10/03/2013, 07:12 PMOoh Tapatalk - finally!

Please note that the site currently makes zero $ from users accessing the forum via Tapatalk. I thought I saw a monetization option when I signed up last night so I'll be looking into that shortly...in the meantime, don't do all of your forum browsing on your phones if you can

jeffhlewis · 10/03/2013, 07:48 PM

Not a super heavy user of it; just a convenience occasionally. Otherwise I can send a donation ;)

MotherGunner · 10/03/2013, 10:23 PM

Noted Aaron.

Sadler · 10/03/2013, 11:15 PM

Immensely happy for the upgrade! You've got a good eye for design, I'm sure what you settle on will look great. Thanks!

Arkhan Asylum · 10/03/2013, 11:46 PM

This new rainbow colored theme made me extremely hard.

Joe Redifer · 10/04/2013, 01:55 AM

And for the love of Christ or Buddha or whatever you find Holy, if you DO use Tapatalk PLEASE turn off the signature that says "Sent from my shitty phone using Tapatalk".

Tapatalk users are the worst for this reason alone.

Also, the forums seem a little thin. My screen is 1920 pixels wide and the forum is only about maybe 850 pix wide. Anyway to widen this a bit?

Ji-L87 · 10/04/2013, 03:20 AM

Quote from: Joe Redifer on 10/04/2013, 01:55 AMAlso, the forums seem a little thin. My screen is 1920 pixels wide and the forum is only about maybe 850 pix wide. Anyway to widen this a bit?

This is true. It's a bit cramped. As an example, I remember seeing much more of Arkhans pictures in the PC-FX+S-Video thread

Fullscreen forum is best forum : )

Readability on this theme is much better tho'. Except, I have no clue if there's a new post in any of the forums unless I check them one by one? I guess the building's split when there's one?

Edit: I don't mean to discourage you, only want this place to remain awesome!

Opethian · 10/04/2013, 09:13 AM

Quote from: Joe Redifer on 10/04/2013, 01:55 AMAnd for the love of Christ or Buddha or whatever you find Holy, if you DO use Tapatalk PLEASE turn off the signature that says "Sent from my shitty phone using Tapatalk".

Tapatalk users are the worst for this reason alone.

Also, the forums seem a little thin. My screen is 1920 pixels wide and the forum is only about maybe 850 pix wide. Anyway to widen this a bit?

it should scale to the edges like the old layout did
someone plz halp!

jlued686 · 10/04/2013, 09:56 AM

Hey Aaron, thanks for updating the forums!

While we have your attention, would it be possible to add an moderator or two? It'd be really nice to have for when you're too busy to take care of things. I know a lot of people nominated Necromancer for the job.

Thanks again!

OldRover · 10/04/2013, 11:41 AM

What this place needs is an additional admin, someone who is active and knows the ins and outs of the SMF software.

Arkhan Asylum · 10/04/2013, 12:47 PM

Quote from: The Old Rover on 10/04/2013, 11:41 AMWhat this place needs is an additional admin, someone who is active and knows the ins and outs of the SMF software.

nah. What it really needs is more moderators.

PCEngineFX · 10/04/2013, 12:48 PM

Quote from: guest on 10/04/2013, 09:56 AMHey Aaron, thanks for updating the forums!
While we have your attention, would it be possible to add an moderator or two? It'd be really nice to have for when you're too busy to take care of things. I know a lot of people nominated Necromancer for the job.
Thanks again!

Yep, the mod situation is on my list of things to update.

Quote from: OldRover on 10/04/2013, 11:41 AMWhat this place needs is an additional admin, someone who is active and knows the ins and outs of the SMF software.

Thanks......I AM doing my best here trying to update the forum. :\ You don't need an expert to know how to do things with SMF....

Arkhan Asylum · 10/04/2013, 12:52 PM

Yeah, you don't need an expert for any forum software anymore, really, lol.

You just click a bunch of buttons and checkboxes!

and drag/drop themes into folders and make sure they work when you activate them.

Duo_R · 10/04/2013, 12:54 PM

I am no expert on SMF But sounds simple enough. Always willing to help but yeah NecroPhile gets my vote!

;-)

jlued686 · 10/04/2013, 12:57 PM

I'm also willing to take on the Moderator role. I know my way around SMF forums. But Necromancer is my nominee as well.

Thanks again, Aaron. The site's looking good.

Arkhan Asylum · 10/04/2013, 01:04 PM

Quote from: Duo_R on 10/04/2013, 12:54 PMI am no expert on SMF But sounds simple enough. Always willing to help but yeah NecroPhile gets my vote!

;-)

Well, the S does stand for simple...

lol

Arjak · 10/04/2013, 01:16 PM

Hey, what the heck!? The forum looks all cool and stuff all of a sudden!

I like the change; it gives things more...personality.

MotherGunner · 10/04/2013, 02:28 PM

Hi Aaron, I am staying away from tapatalk and using the standard browser on my iOS, I did notice that the feature I use the most (Unread Posts/Replies) is now a pair of tiny icons on the upper right next to my avatar. (It is even smaller on Mobile).

Are these tied to the theme, or would you consider making that feature more prominent at the top?

Thanks!

PCEngineFX · 10/04/2013, 04:01 PM

Quote from: MotherGunner on 10/04/2013, 02:28 PMHi Aaron, I am staying away from tapatalk and using the standard browser on my iOS, I did notice that the feature I use the most (Unread Posts/Replies) is now a pair of tiny icons on the upper right next to my avatar. (It is even smaller on Mobile).

Are these tied to the theme, or would you consider making that feature more prominent at the top?

Thanks!

The icons are tied into the theme, but I'm not liking them either. I think I'll look one more time for a different theme that has everything we are looking for.

OldRover · 10/04/2013, 09:37 PM

You don't have to be an expert, but when you do upgrades, sometimes things break and it's good to know your stuff to know how to do tweaks to keep things running smoothly.

Tatsujin · 10/05/2013, 12:26 AM

Quote from: Pcenginefx on 10/04/2013, 04:01 PM
Quote from: MotherGunner on 10/04/2013, 02:28 PMHi Aaron, I am staying away from tapatalk and using the standard browser on my iOS, I did notice that the feature I use the most (Unread Posts/Replies) is now a pair of tiny icons on the upper right next to my avatar. (It is even smaller on Mobile).

Are these tied to the theme, or would you consider making that feature more prominent at the top?

Thanks!
The icons are tied into the theme, but I'm not liking them either. I think I'll look one more time for a different theme that has everything we are looking for.

Hi aaron,

yeah please do that. i have the very same problem as mothergunner.

and please add some dark skins ;)

10/31/2023: Localization News - Dead of the Brain 1!

10.02.13 - Forum Upgrades / Theme changes