Anyone else find 3SGTO hard to visually parse?

[Intropy]

Something has been bothering me about this site compared to 3si. I've been telling myself that it's just because it's new, but after a couple weeks now I'm thinking there might be more to it. I'm wondering if anyone else feels the same way.

Basically, I find it hard to navigate visually. When I look through a list of threads, I have a hard time picking out the thread title, poster, forum, etc. I can't explain it, but it seems to take more energy here than on 3si. I've been trying to nail down exactly why this is.

Take a look at these screencaps. The first two are 3si, the second are 3SGTO (light and dark). Thoughts?

http://i440.photobucket.com/albums/qq124/intropy/cap1.png

http://i440.photobucket.com/albums/qq124/intropy/cap4.png

http://i440.photobucket.com/albums/qq124/intropy/cap2.png

http://i440.photobucket.com/albums/qq124/intropy/cap3.png

[DocWalt]

I agree, there's not really enough contrast on light, which exacerbates the problem. There's too much information on the screen, IMO.

[HilbillyHomeboy]

I tend to agree with Kenny, above. I'll get Alan in here and see what we can work out. :)

Jeremy

[Alan92RTTT]

I can't see the pics from here (pohotobucket block) but I think you described the issue well enough.

I'll put it on my list of things to review for the styles.

[Maximal]

Anyway we can get a style that looks like the older VBB (like 3SI)?

[Alan92RTTT]

That would require a ton of time.

Light is the stock vb 4.0 look

Dark is a style I downloaded and tweaked/fixed.

Getting a 3rd running that looks like the vb 3.x style would be a ton of work.

[beepbeep]

IMHO, the large envelopes take a lot of attention away from what you are searching for or trying to read. Dunno if that makes any difference or not.

[Intropy]

I also don't like the "Started by:", "Forum:", "Last Post:" on each listing. It's just more words to parse. Just the OP, forum name, etc is fine, no need to state the obvious.

[Alan92RTTT]

It only shows "forum" on searches where the threads you see could come from anywhere.

I tend to agree that the folders are not distinct enough. Anyone willing to make some new ones?

[DocWalt]

I like the icons there, but they're kinda big...

[vr4_rider]

Oh, thank you.

I thought I was only the one with slanted eyes and can't see very well (I'm asian..lol).

[Intropy]

This is one place where it's perfectly OK to be like 3si. :) In general I just like that format a lot better. It's easier for me to use.

[Chris GTO TT]

In general i just don't like VBB 4.0, Norcal3s.com just moved to it aswell and even after a few weeks of using it i find its too cutesey

[Alan92RTTT]

better or worse?

[Maximal]

Doesn't look as good but it's a ton easier to read so I say it's an improvement.

Alan, I'm not sure if it's on your to do list or not (and is a bit off topic here) but the forum links don't show up in search results. You lose the new posts, private messages, etc under the main navigation bar. For a post whore like myself who uses new posts like its his job it makes it difficult to refresh the new posts search.

[HilbillyHomeboy]

I like it a lot better. The threads have more separation now and stand out from one another.

Jeremy

[Alan92RTTT]

Any suggestions to make it look better and keep it easy to parse?

I know about the menu getting lost on search.

[Intropy]

Yeah it's easier to look through. The darker font on the light theme helps a lot. I think you could accomplish the same thing as the bars just by adding more padding (sort of speaking in CSS now). Basically, if there was more dead space between the top and bottom of a cell and the thread title / info, that would do the same thing and not look ugly. Does that make sense?

[DocWalt]

Easier to look through, but IMO, it's ugly, lol.

[Alan92RTTT]

IF your commenting on the change please note which style you are using.

[DocWalt]

I'm using light :) I'm getting used to it. It's definitely easier to read, and not as ugly as I made it sound in my first post. Definitely a change for the better.

[IronmanTT]

OP you read my mind... it's been hard to transition from 3si site to this site.. seems like there's to much going on. IMO the simpler the better and light > dark and muted > bright icons.. just my 2cents.. :D and may be I'm just so use to it but "Active Topics" is easier to understand then "New Posts" if that what it takes the place of.. :confused:

[Alan92RTTT]

While I do plan to add Active topics there is a huge difference between the two.

New posts is any thread containing posts you have not read.

Active topics is a list of threads with "activity" Things that show in new posts may not show in active topics because they don't meet the preset "activity" criteria.

[Alan92RTTT]

Tweaked light a bit

[Intropy]

Really digging the improvements, it's already easier to use, thanks.

[jrod]

Yes, light is much better.