Updates to Forum Designs

Here we go again, most people don't like it, but the mods all mysteriously think it's absolutely amazing.

The Disability Discrimination Act 1995, Mods should know all equality legislation

You've only quoted three mods. Two of those three actually said something negative (as well as positive) so not "absolutely amazing". Moderators are individuals and have criticised changes to the site in the past.



As you probably know, Morgsie, this is something I am sympathetic to and will discuss with the appropriate people. However, it is not the moderators who develop and approve changes to the layout and design of the site. Also, as far as I'm aware, there's nothing in the website which limits accessibility for people with disabilities. Admittedly the font and size is not ideal (people have brought this up on this thread and these concerns will hopefully be listened to and acted on) but it is a plain font, Arial, which many disability organisations recommend.

Things like moving text aren't used, which would cause a problem for text to speech readers. If you can think of anything other than the font and colours then please let me know.

Its growing on me tbh. I like some of the main ideas. I think the font should be increased in size, or changed back. I also find the colours are a little blue-heavy... Just too much pastel and blue gives the "childish" impression people are complaining about. Here are another few comments:

Also are the default avatars now the red and green talk bubbles? Not that I'm particularly against them, just wondering.

Also are the default avatars now the red and green talk bubbles? Not that I'm particularly against them, just wondering.

Apologies, I should have known that! I've been on this site for under three years!!

I think I'll join the testing team

On the last point, yes, that is one of the default avatars - there are now several different ones with different coloured speech bubbles.

Well, there's several different colour variations, but yes.

That's exciting! Any rhyme or reason as to who gets what colours?

I actually don't know what decides that. Maybe a question for Dez as I think he implemented that bit of code. It might...

x

This is looking more and more like a CBeebies home page with every site amendment that takes place.

Thanks for the helpful feedback from both of you and the other guys who've posted.

On the last point, yes, that is one of the default avatars - there are now several different ones with different coloured speech bubbles.

Possible bug report:

Font size for Subforums reduced within forum pages.

I'm sure the subforum titles used to be in the same font as thread titles (with the description etc in smaller font). Even if they didn't used to be it seems a shame to demote their importance (it's not like most sub forum titles are so long they'd distort the page).

Most of these changes are positive or neutral but the change in font really overshadows this for me. Why change it? I don't recall any complaints over the readability of the previous font. It feels smaller/narrower and less readable from where I'm sitting.

Aside from that, I like the new quote box and the associated speech bubbles, I think it's easier to now distinguish different parts of a persons post. Not sure about the username colour within the quote box though, why not use the default blue that the post bit uses? Light blue on lighter blue doesn't make much sense to me

The new rep gems better fit the overall layout of the site (finally!) and the spoiler boxes are very neat. Are the ''submit reply'' and ''go advanced'' options supposed to be in different shades of orange? I'm guessing not I can live with the shadowing on the buttons, though.

The stars and blobs do look a bit childish, but I can live them. As others have said the balance of the rep icons could do with adjustment in colour, but the design is an improvement in my opinion.

I spy quite a few more rep gems. Will black, yellow and grey be implemented in the near future?

And if you haven't seen already (my suggestions):

It is reassuring that some acknowledge this issue but it should have raised during the design stage, not me kicking up a fuss like this.

I am short sighted in one eye and this new layout is straining it aswell being too bright which is my main gripe.

This is looking more and more like a CBeebies home page with every site amendment that takes place.