Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

ankle_brains · Mar 9, 2004, 10:58 PM

it seems like all other mac related sites have had a makeover/upgrade of their software or site since the last time macnn changed theirs. why is that? anybody else think the forums could use a new ui? any plans for that to happen mods?

d4nth3m4n · Mar 9, 2004, 11:02 PM

THATS IT, I GIVE UP. a_b just started a worthwhile thread.

id imagine that the response youll get is the same old "if it aint broke..." one

Lateralus · Mar 9, 2004, 11:03 PM

The design is a bit assy... I do like the colors though.

awaspaas · Mar 10, 2004, 12:49 AM

At least update the pinstripes to be Panther-compatible!

Zimmerman · Mar 10, 2004, 01:09 AM

Hey, I -like- these forums. I can't stand Spymac. Even though I have 256k dsl, its a slowass loading site and it rarely renders properly. It was bad before and 3.0 is worse. Keep MacNN Lean and Clean!

-obligatory- If it aint broke... -/obligatory-

Demonhood · Mar 10, 2004, 01:46 AM

it's very possible.

::maroma:: · Mar 10, 2004, 02:08 AM

I agree that MacNN Forums could use a good redesign. And I also agree that it should be clean and lean. Maybe one of the many talented UI designers out there could lend a hand? You know who you are!

awaspaas · Mar 10, 2004, 02:16 AM

Just a little face-lift! Fix the pinstripes and I'll be great.

Link · Mar 10, 2004, 02:19 AM

I think I'm happy with the whiteness of the way it currently is. :|

Lateralus · Mar 10, 2004, 02:24 AM

Originally posted by Link:
I think I'm happy with the whiteness...

Racist.

Link · Mar 10, 2004, 02:41 AM

Originally posted by PowerMacMan:
Racist.

LOL No I mean it's easier to read.. sheesh. For some reason macnn is simple and quick, no bloat all over the place like spymac

Lateralus · Mar 10, 2004, 02:44 AM

Well, I don't want it all bloated and craptacular like SpyMac's forums either. But I would like some 'widgets' on the BBS here that don't look like something dragged out of Windows 98.

Link · Mar 10, 2004, 02:49 AM

Agreed! A more modern theme would be awesome as long as the layout stays unchanged

nobitacu · Mar 10, 2004, 04:38 AM

I agreed with new design needed for this forum.
Mods, can you tell us if this is even being done right now? As thinking about new designs for this forum? I think a lot of us would love to know more about it if it's in process.

Ming

- - e r i k - - · Mar 10, 2004, 07:50 AM

The #1 reason why the forums needs a redesign is exactly why some of you oppose it: You don't want it to become slower. Well, I counter that with that it's already damn slow, what with the nested tables and stuff.

A clean well-trimmed CSS-based layout would probably speed page rendering anything from 150-400% just by keeping the same general design. I like the colors and the general layout even if it feels a bit old-fashioned. I would definitely upgrade the stripes to the Panther-kind first though

Mediaman_12 · Mar 10, 2004, 07:56 AM

Originally posted by - - e r i k - -:
A clean well-trimmed CSS-based layout would probably speed page rendering anything from 150-400% just by keeping the same general design. I like the colors and the general layout even if it feels a bit old-fashioned. I would definitely upgrade the stripes to the Panther-kind first though

I asked about this in the sticky 'new fonts' thread. Apparentely this version of vBulletin doesn't allow this (the next does). Although I agree that a switch to a CSS tableless aproach would reduce the sizes of the pages and allow for faster downloads.
Other than that I have no real problem with the colours or layout of the forum.

philzilla · Mar 10, 2004, 08:00 AM

Originally posted by - - e r i k - -:
A clean well-trimmed CSS-based layout would probably speed page rendering anything from 150-400%

yes, erik, css layouts are very nice indeed, but when you find one compatible with vBulletin's messy tables and font tags, please let the rest of the world know.

question: is MacNN planning on upgrading to vBulletin 3.0 when it goes final? it's up to RC4 now, so i don't imagine they're far off releasing the final. it's 2.3.4 now, and this board is still at 2.2.9, which is why i'm asking. maybe coincide a new look with v3.0?

- - e r i k - - · Mar 10, 2004, 08:10 AM

Originally posted by philzilla:
yes, erik, css layouts are very nice indeed, but when you find one compatible with vBulletin's messy tables and font tags, please let the rest of the world know.

That's the whole point. Abolish tables altogether. Surely there exists bulletin-board software that supplies only data, leaving the layout and design up to the implementer?

philzilla · Mar 10, 2004, 08:32 AM

Originally posted by - - e r i k - -:
That's the whole point. Abolish tables altogether. Surely there exists bulletin-board software that supplies only data, leaving the layout and design up to the implementer?

you can't seriously expect a board with traffic like this to just up and switch to a different system, just to abolish tables? unfeasible.

don't get me wrong, i'd love to see such a board, if one exists. waiting for pages to load (especially if zimphire has taken over the thread with his quote-o-matic button), is a pain i'd rather not have to suffer. if you do know of such a system, please share, as i'd be interested in seeing it.

this isn't a pros/cons of css/tables debate though, so back to the thread.

John F. Smith · Mar 10, 2004, 08:33 AM

i like the design. if it ain't broke...

voodoo · Mar 10, 2004, 08:37 AM

I'm a natural conservative, so I say keep the forum as it is.

Amorya · Mar 10, 2004, 08:54 AM

Originally posted by - - e r i k - -:
That's the whole point. Abolish tables altogether. Surely there exists bulletin-board software that supplies only data, leaving the layout and design up to the implementer?

PHPBB's templating engine will do that. (The default skin uses tables, but it'd be easy enough to make it use CSS).

It has an import feature to convert from vBulletin too.

(Although if you switch, wait for PHPBB 2.2 - out soon!)

Amorya

rjenkinson · Mar 10, 2004, 08:56 AM

i could go for new icons and losing the wasted space at the top and bottom of posts.

-r.

philzilla · Mar 10, 2004, 09:00 AM

Originally posted by Amorya:
(Although if you switch, wait for PHPBB 2.2 - out soon!)

awesome news. i use phpBB on one of the site i run. i'll be ditching the old version as soon as i get time to convert the skin.

(-r, your text-only posts always freak me out. the lack of images is almost disturbing.)

Cipher13 · Mar 10, 2004, 09:04 AM

Originally posted by awaspaas:
At least update the pinstripes to be Panther-compatible!

Just don't go brushed metal...

Link · Mar 10, 2004, 09:04 AM

Heheh I've been using invision for the longest time now and it seems to be a hybrid between tables and css

gorickey · Mar 10, 2004, 09:22 AM

Originally posted by Demonhood:
it's very possible.

That's it? We already know that silly...come on, give us more details/hints or something! I'm not asking for a whole production studio movie trailer and 3+ months worth of hype (SpyMac)...

TheIceMan · Mar 10, 2004, 09:44 AM

Originally posted by Zimmerman:
Hey, I -like- these forums. I can't stand Spymac. Even though I have 256k dsl, its a slowass loading site and it rarely renders properly. It was bad before and 3.0 is worse. Keep MacNN Lean and Clean!

I guess I'm in the minority here because I love the "look" of the new SpyMac design. I would love to see a fresh new design for the forums at MacNN without sacrificing speed. Although it is slow to begin with, especially on dial-up.

fromthecloud · Mar 10, 2004, 11:12 AM

Originally posted by Cipher13:
Just don't go brushed metal...

Yes, dear God, whatever you do--no brushed metal.

vmpaul · Mar 10, 2004, 11:37 AM

No. Don't change just for change's sake.

I love this design. It's one of the most legible boards on the Web. I even like the color scheme. Much better than most. Look at Ars for chrissakes. That's a horrible color scheme. And I hate Slashdot's organization. It gives me a headache no matter how I configure it. SpyMac is OK but not as nice as this.

The only change I would suggest is to move the Sig's from the bottom of the posts to the left box. That way they don't take up as much space and don't distract from the messages.

mitchell_pgh · Mar 10, 2004, 12:10 PM

I wouldn't mind a bump (a star redesign, perhaps an emoticon upgrade, logo redesign, pinstripes modernized...)

but must second the anti-spymac look...

Keep it the same, just give it a slight upgrade. It's starting to look very 90's. I would also rather have the current version over a version that is less stable or requires a few days of downtime.

ghost_flash · Mar 10, 2004, 01:19 PM

I say snapinate it.

BTW: I'm an unatural-natural conservative, if you know what I mean, and I think you do.

COFFEE. NEED. COFFEE.

Mmmmmmmmmmm.

ryju · Mar 10, 2004, 02:28 PM

I think it's fine the way it is.

Demonhood · Mar 10, 2004, 03:25 PM

the front page will probably change in the coming months.
after that, i can ponder what changes need to be made to the forums.

as for CSS, i'd love to replace all the tables. but, as phil said, vb doesn't support that very well. so we'll wait for the 3.0 release (which we will upgrade to in due time) and see what we can do from there.

:XI: · Mar 10, 2004, 03:28 PM

Originally posted by Zimmerman:
Hey, I -like- these forums. I can't stand Spymac. Even though I have 256k dsl, its a slowass loading site and it rarely renders properly. It was bad before and 3.0 is worse. Keep MacNN Lean and Clean!

-obligatory- If it aint broke... -/obligatory-

Break it?

Superchicken · Mar 10, 2004, 04:26 PM

VB costs money doesn't it? I've never understood why people pay for VB when phpBB is free and has lots of really cool features.

brapper · Mar 10, 2004, 05:08 PM

Originally posted by d4nth3m4n:
THATS IT, I GIVE UP. a_b just started a worthwhile thread.

id imagine that the response youll get is the same old "if it aint broke..." one

ive gone cross-eyed.

awaspaas · Mar 10, 2004, 06:01 PM

Originally posted by Zimmerman:
Hey, I -like- these forums. I can't stand Spymac. Even though I have 256k dsl, its a slowass loading site and it rarely renders properly. It was bad before and 3.0 is worse. Keep MacNN Lean and Clean!

-obligatory- If it aint broke... -/obligatory-

Something about the Spymac design really rubs me the wrong way. The whole thing looks dirty, like they dragged their hands over a penciled drawing and smeared the graphite dust everywhere. It feels like I want to take an eraser to the whole thing and clean it up! So yeah, none of that here, keep it simple. I think a little face-lift is in order though.

mitchell_pgh · Mar 10, 2004, 06:11 PM

Originally posted by awaspaas:
Something about the Spymac design really rubs me the wrong way. The whole thing looks dirty, like they dragged their hands over a penciled drawing and smeared the graphite dust everywhere. It feels like I want to take an eraser to the whole thing and clean it up! So yeah, none of that here, keep it simple. I think a little face-lift is in order though.

It reminds me of a 27 year old designer...

They are smart enough to make something technically beautiful, but rather ugly as a whole.

I would rather keep it the current way as compared to that monstrosity!

I was just looking for a small bump or upgrade.

macintologist · Mar 10, 2004, 07:42 PM

No no no no no! DOn't change the way MacNN looks! I try going to Spymac, macrumors and other forums and the text is so big and the colors are ugly and the pages are bloated.

Pleeeeease just keep MacNN the way it is. I love the smile faces

They are way better than those annoying custom SpyMac 007 ones

Anyway...for the love of

please keep it the way it is. Also...less work for you

zachs · Mar 10, 2004, 07:51 PM

Meh. I don't care. As long as it doesn't look like SpyMac...or Windows.

MacsGalor · Mar 10, 2004, 09:04 PM

I don't like ankle_brains because he never posts more than once in a thread, I asked him a question once and he didn't answer

So I am hereby Boycotting this thread.....Whatever

gorickey · Mar 10, 2004, 09:06 PM

Originally posted by MacsGalor:
.....Whatever

United States Of Whatever - Liam Lynch

Kenneth · Mar 10, 2004, 10:38 PM

Yes... I feel like in the 90s here.
Change the smily too

TheMosco · Mar 10, 2004, 11:11 PM

I like the macrumors forums, nice and new looking...

zachs · Mar 10, 2004, 11:13 PM

Originally posted by TheMosco:
I like the macrumors forums, nice and new looking...

The AppleInsider ones are cool too.

gorickey · Mar 10, 2004, 11:16 PM

Originally posted by zachs:
The AppleInsider ones are cool too.

Wow, I see both of those are vBulletin as well; however, AI's are much better than MacRumors if you ask me...

nforcer · Mar 10, 2004, 11:37 PM

I think the color scheme and general layout of the forums is fine the way it is. Speeding up page loading, and perhaps changing the pinstripes to something lighter and more panther-like could be areas of improvement. The biggest improvement would probably be doing something about the stability of the site; while I visit these forums more frequently than other mac forums, they also seem to go down due to technical reasons a lot (database problems, etc.)

As for spymac, I can't stand the design. That smoking dumbass everywhere is the worst.

RGB · Mar 11, 2004, 01:22 AM

Originally posted by - - e r i k - -:
That's the whole point. Abolish tables altogether. Surely there exists bulletin-board software that supplies only data, leaving the layout and design up to the implementer?

I'm best buds with the owner of OpenBB . The next revision of OpenBB will allow complete control of the content via CSS.

d4nth3m4n · Mar 11, 2004, 01:48 AM

Originally posted by gorickey:
United States Of Whatever - Liam Lynch

would you stop making me giggle already? my roommate already thinks im nuts.