topic Re: Dynamic page view per user in Community Site Feedback

Dynamic page view per user

Thu, 12 Apr 2007 14:11:36 GMT

OK, its probably too much of a biggy to make it worthwhile, but I'd love being able to craft my own layout for aspects of the community site, in a manner similar to a personalised Google page.
Keep the header stuff the same for example, but give me a choice on what order the stuff on the right sidebar appears.
Allow me to increase/decrease the number of items shown in each category. (Perhaps I want to see more 'latest posts' and less 'recent blog entries' because the forums get more new content than the blogs do.
Gradually start to add widgets, so I can stick a PN webcam on my Community homepage if I want, or perhaps so I can add a POP3 email account overview to the sidebar.
Too much work, or a gauntlet that somebody is prepared to pick up...?

Re: Dynamic page view per user

Kelly — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 20:37:27 GMT

I'll see what I can do...

Re: Dynamic page view per user

Penny — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 22:15:35 GMT

Quote from: James_H
OK, its probably too much of a biggy to make it worthwhile, but I'd love being able to craft my own layout for aspects of the community site, in a manner similar to a personalised Google page.
...Too much work, or a gauntlet that somebody is prepared to pick up...?

tbh I'd settle for just dark-colour side-margins to highlight the central bit where the discussions take place.
I find most of the colours here washed-out/insipid (apart from the purple) but I could live with that if there wasn't such a wide expanse of white either side of the insipid central bit. Total lack of definition and it's curiously de-stabilising.
The PlusNet UserGroup forums for all customers at http://usergroup.plus.net/forum/index.php are hardly "colourful" but they're a whole lot easier-on-the-eye than this place, and the pallidity in this "community site" probably has a fair amount to do with the fact that it isn't starting to rack up the level of postings / members that might have been expected, even in a beta site.
Sorry guys, just my take. I *really* don't like the aesthetics of the set-up here as it presently stands.
Regards,
Penny.

Re: Dynamic page view per user

jelv — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 07:06:55 GMT

I think it's the combination of being centralised and the white background to alternate posts not showing them up against the page background.
These forums looks a lot better - it's centralised and the dark background helps a lot.
Perhaps they are trying to get us all to go over there instead?

Re: Dynamic page view per user

mitch — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 11:18:48 GMT

Quote from: Penny
I find most of the colours here washed-out/insipid (apart from the purple) but I could live with that if there wasn't such a wide expanse of white either side of the insipid central bit. Total lack of definition and it's curiously de-stabilising.

I'll be working on defining the threads/posts a lot more, thats definetly a problem on the forums at the moment.
we could hope to introduce a few preferences in the future though, so you can choose layout/colour e.t.c - as i don't think one option will suit everyone.
personally i prefer it minimal, and once the posts are defined and seperated more with some styling i'd be happy with it

Re: Dynamic page view per user

Penny — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 14:34:39 GMT

Quote from: mitch
we could hope to introduce a few preferences in the future though, so you can choose layout/colour e.t.c - as i don't think one option will suit everyone.
personally i prefer it minimal, and once the posts are defined and seperated more with some styling i'd be happy with it

I'm inclined to think that what appeals to the majority of customers has to be the criteria. The lack of sign-ups / posts other than from mods/staff, tells its own story. Sorry Mitch but the present set-up doesn't work as it stands, in terms of appeal to customers.
As per the parallel thread at http://community.plus.net/forum/index.php?topic=77.0 there is perhaps a need for a bit of a re-think - and something better also has to be done with the colours overall, to get some contrast/definition.
I've visited quite a few forums and never before been disinclined to re-visit by what it actually "looks like". I don't have any problems with "minimalist" per se but this just looks washed out and a long way from the "hive of activity" I assume it was always intended to be.
Somebody fix it please

Penny.

Re: Dynamic page view per user

Kelly — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 15:02:00 GMT

Quote from: Penny
I'm inclined to think that what appeals to the majority of customers has to be the criteria. The lack of sign-ups / posts other than from mods/staff, tells its own story. Sorry Mitch but the present set-up doesn't work as it stands, in terms of appeal to customers.

I don't think it's quite that bad. Quite a few sign ups that are non staff/mods. it's just a bit work in progress at the moment.
Mitch will sort the colouring of this skin and I'll all up for producing a bunch to choose from. I quite like this layout, but it does need more post definition.
Patience. It should start moving again next week once Colin is back

Re: Dynamic page view per user

jtn — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 19:22:31 GMT

Hi Penny.

Quote
I find most of the colours here washed-out/insipid (apart from the purple) but I could live with that if there wasn't such a wide expanse of white either side of the insipid central bit. Total lack of definition and it's curiously de-stabilising.

I find this site without garish borders and other stuff I don't need to see whilst reading posts most refreshing but then I must admit, in Open Office I have quite wide margins as well so I feel sort of at home here
Also the way my monitor is set up ( old crt thing) the "insipid central bit" is very easy on the eyes
Cheers
Jon

Re: Dynamic page view per user

jelv — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 20:25:26 GMT

Do you not think the attached looks better?
[attachment deleted by admin]

Re: Dynamic page view per user

billbo — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 20:26:46 GMT

As I've said in another thread - white on white does not work.......

Re: Dynamic page view per user

jtn — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 20:32:25 GMT

Quote from: jelv
Do you not think the attached looks better?

Tell you the truth.... no
Cheers
Jon

Re: Dynamic page view per user

Kelly — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 22:33:06 GMT

Shall we get on topic? "Dynamic page view per user"

Re: Dynamic page view per user

Penny — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 09:26:00 GMT

Quote from: Kelly
Mitch will sort the colouring of this skin and I'll all up for producing a bunch to choose from ...
Patience. It should start moving again next week once Colin is back

Well thanks I haven't said what I have with the intention of upsetting anyone (and sorry if I have) but there seems to be a huge difference-of-opinion here, in terms of what "works", visually, for this "community site", and what doesn't.
Personalised individual view-choices (dynamic or otherwise) may well sort things, but it would be good if the "standard" colours/layout/definition were vaguely appealing to all customers regardless.
"a bunch to choose from" sounds like a good way forwards - is a vote planned?
Regards,
Penny.

Re: Dynamic page view per user

Kelly — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 10:08:26 GMT

Quote from: Penny
"a bunch to choose from" sounds like a good way forwards - is a vote planned?

I'm thinking having a load which you choose from a drop down in your profile page and it saves them with your profile.

Re: Dynamic page view per user

arlehaven — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 16:00:08 GMT

Hi all,
The dark background used on the header down both sides looks good. The posts really stand out and it goes well with the purple.
But giving everybody a choice is good.

Re: Dynamic page view per user

Oldjim — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 18:22:23 GMT

I just switched my colour temperature on my monitor to 6500K and the nice soft background makes it much easier on the eye. However that is no good for anything else so back to 9300K.
I really don't like this colour scheme I'm afraid.

Re: Dynamic page view per user

Kelly — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 11:02:40 GMT

We are working on alt stylesheets so that you can choose how you want it to look.

Re: Dynamic page view per user

Oldjim — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 12:22:55 GMT

Great - thanks.
Probably too difficult but how about making the centre column width dynamic so it fills the screen on a higher resolution and also works well with a reduced size window - if you want to compare have a look at the PUG forums which work well in this regard

Re: Dynamic page view per user

Tamlyn — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 10:42:32 GMT

Quote from: Kelly
We are working on alt stylesheets so that you can choose how you want it to look.

In the meantime, create a user stylesheet containing the following:


#header-wrap + #content,
#header-wrap + #content .tborder {
  width: 100%;
}

bingo! (note: might not work in IE)

Re: Dynamic page view per user

Oldjim — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 11:14:55 GMT

Finally managed to get it to work.
Working code is

Quote
#header-wrap + #content,
#header-wrap + #content .tborder {
width: 100% ! important;
}