Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

phillryu · Dec 29, 2003, 09:53 PM

There's been a lot of people on this board who seem to be planning mac theme websites, something that is sorely needed. What would such a site have? What would be needed? What would be nice? What would be cool? What would make the ultimate Mac Theme site?

Personally, I nominate:

-news
-a searchable database of current themes
-reviews
-previews

User reviews would be cool, as would be some interviews with themers and software developers!

Anyone agree? Want to add?

NetworkShadow · Dec 29, 2003, 10:08 PM

"-a searchable database of current themes"
Is the best thing you could have... A links page that links to all the theme developer's sites also would be great. A snapshot page might be nice to have too.

phillryu · Dec 29, 2003, 10:17 PM

Good idea. A full screenshot of themes would be something that hasn't been done before... useful for those afraid to try a theme.

timdorr · 10:45 PM

Well, if anyone has the ambition to start it, I have the server space to donate to the cause

Edit:
MacTheme.net and OSXTheme.net are available

Edit #2:
Let me rephrase that: If anyone has the ambition to maintain it, I have the server space and technical skills to set it up and run it. I can do a layout and coding, I just don't know if I've got the free time/energy to maintain something like that...

chris v · Dec 29, 2003, 10:32 PM

Wasn't there a movement a year or so ago to start a "ThemeTracker" website? I seem to recall a bunch of very excited people in a thread here a while back, then nothing.

I'd love to see a central database of available themes, with previews, links to the themer's pages, and direct download links.

Don't look at me, though...

CV

phillryu · Dec 29, 2003, 10:38 PM

There were indeed previous attempts... and the rest of course is history. (In other words, they all failed mysteriously.)

And now, there is another round of attempts. I've heard from several people planning or attempting theme databases, and more. When the current offerings are a subcategory at macupdate.com and the messy ResExcellence archives, this community deserves something better. I think theming might be poised for a small breakthrough, the evidence being a flurry of activity on these boards with new themers, programmers, and releases by old timers... and a website would really help.

timdorr · Dec 29, 2003, 10:57 PM

Ok, I'll do it then

Now, I just need a name. Pick one:

ThemeOSX
OSXTheme
ThemeHead
ThemeLink
ThemeUpdate

Or make something up. Catchy slogans would be cool, too

mac15 · Dec 29, 2003, 10:57 PM

there is something coming, xtheme.net

Fluid · Dec 29, 2003, 11:07 PM

http://guistock.com

Theme Database, Konfab widgets, everything.

fireside · Dec 29, 2003, 11:11 PM

it should also have icons. maybe some theming tips.

phillryu · Dec 29, 2003, 11:32 PM

Theming tips is a good one... but are there themers here willing to contribute their time to write tutorials, etc.?

olorin15 · Dec 30, 2003, 12:24 AM

Originally posted by Fluid:
http://guistock.com

Theme Database, Konfab widgets, everything.

Ummm maybe it's just me, but the link appears to be dead ...

Nebagakid · Dec 30, 2003, 12:35 AM

So, how 'bout this. Every theme has a content thing, so the preview page and the actual theme page can be the same. It has an author link, which links to listing of all the author's work and contact or link to website.

Just add a "comments" to each theme for reviews.

Also, XHTML and CSS all the way!

phillryu · Dec 30, 2003, 12:38 AM

Originally posted by Nebagakid:
Just add a "comments" to each theme for reviews.

Also, XHTML and CSS all the way!

Hear hear.

Nebagakid · Dec 30, 2003, 01:51 AM

OH OH OH

and then let people submit CSS styles for it, like CSS Zengarden, and then have some contests
and have them rigged so I win.

Jan Van Boghout · Dec 30, 2003, 06:20 AM

Originally posted by Nebagakid:
OH OH OH

and then let people submit CSS styles for it, like CSS Zengarden, and then have some contests
and have them rigged so I win.

Fluid · Dec 30, 2003, 07:46 AM

Originally posted by olorin15:
Ummm maybe it's just me, but the link appears to be dead ...

It's just you.

phillryu · Dec 30, 2003, 11:48 AM

Originally posted by Nebagakid:
OH OH OH

and then let people submit CSS styles for it, like CSS Zengarden, and then have some contests
and have them rigged so I win.

Contests for a new site design via CSS...? That sounds... neat!

Cerbero · Dec 30, 2003, 11:54 AM

Originally posted by phillryu:
Hear hear.

Oh yes. XHTML and CSS is a must for any modern site. Especially when we have the browser that's best at interpreting CSS of them all.

Nebagakid · Dec 30, 2003, 12:31 PM

Originally posted by Jan Van Boghout:

Oh quiet Mr. Make a Great Program to Capitalize on the Growing Trend of CSS in Web Pages,

So, who is making this thing? Who is writing the scripts? Who is making the design?

MacDog · Dec 30, 2003, 12:37 PM

Originally posted by Fluid:
http://guistock.com

Theme Database, Konfab widgets, everything.

Ummmm, it's a beautiful looking site. I love the layout and graphics. But as far as the content goes, it's horribly incomplete.

Cerbero · Dec 30, 2003, 03:05 PM

Originally posted by Nebagakid:
So, who is making this thing? Who is writing the scripts? Who is making the design?

I would do the design/xhtml/css, but unfortunately I don't have the time

I have to make a complete online store system as a school project, and a personal portfolio site to show when applying to college/university, (don't know how to translate it really

) all in the next few months.

Twister · Dec 30, 2003, 03:24 PM

Here you go. I don't know if I'm supposed to say anything but what can i hurt?

http://www.macthemes.net/

Just what you want, coming 2004!

Thomas

timdorr · Dec 30, 2003, 03:25 PM

Something simple I whipped up. Should be doable entirely with CSS, actually

1c3 · 04:44 PM

I know some XHTML/CSS adn PHP & MySQL.
I am kinda good at Photoshop too. I have made several atempts to make a MacThemes site. But there have never been enough interest there for me to finish it.

My suggestion for the name is "mTm | Mod That Mac"

themes, wallpapers, icons and everything would fit under that name^^

Edit: Consider that a "I will help if someone wants me too!"

Edit2: Maybe it should be a separate PHP file or something containing URLs to pics and stuff if the site is to be themeable..

Edit2: I definatly think that it should be reviews and so on. And that every themer has there own little profile. Check here on the project I started. Note: I made that before I learnt XHTML. http://217.211.11.55/

Synotic · Dec 30, 2003, 06:30 PM

Originally posted by Twister:
Here you go. I don't know if I'm supposed to say anything but what can i hurt?

http://www.macthemes.net/

Just what you want, coming 2004!

Thomas

Tables, flash, javascript... looks like you guys are already off to a bad start

Seriously though I'm interested in what turns out. I'll wait till then and see how it pans out. I think part of the problem is that there about a hundred people who want to create a theme site and everyone is out of sync and nobody knows what everyone else is doing. I think it'd be better if everyone was informed and it could be a more of a group thing... But we'll see if mactheme, xtheme etc... are any good.

Otherwise, as someone who was part of two (three if you count a somewhat experimental one) theme sites I can offer some advice if these theme sites all they're cracked up to be. I can also contribute some xhtml/css experience if it's needed.

phillryu · Dec 30, 2003, 07:06 PM

Originally posted by Synotic:
Tables, flash, javascript... looks like you guys are already off to a bad start

Seriously though I'm interested in what turns out. I'll wait till then and see how it pans out. I think part of the problem is that there about a hundred people who want to create a theme site and everyone is out of sync and nobody knows what everyone else is doing. I think it'd be better if everyone was informed and it could be a more of a group thing... But we'll see if mactheme, xtheme etc... are any good.

Otherwise, as someone who was part of two (three if you count a somewhat experimental one) theme sites I can offer some advice if these theme sites all they're cracked up to be. I can also contribute some xhtml/css experience if it's needed.

Well, now that I guess this page is out... there will not be a single table or flash on the rest of the site. The javascript is necessary however, to make png's work on IE for PC.

1c3 · Dec 30, 2003, 07:32 PM

I've had no probs with png's and IE. Except they can't handle transparancy...

timdorr · Dec 30, 2003, 07:33 PM

The alpha blended PNG support in IE is buggy. We tried turning it on at neowin.net and got a lot of crash complaints. I would advise against using pngs with transparency...

Twister · Dec 30, 2003, 07:38 PM

Originally posted by phillryu:
Well, now that I guess this page is out... there will not be a single table or flash on the rest of the site. The javascript is necessary however, to make png's work on IE for PC.

I'm sorry. Was i not supposed to tell anyone? I was all excited.

Cerbero · Dec 30, 2003, 07:47 PM

Originally posted by timdorr:
The alpha blended PNG support in IE is buggy. We tried turning it on at neowin.net and got a lot of crash complaints. I would advise against using pngs with transparency...

On the other hand, the website is targeted at the OS X crowd, so I don't think the creators of the site should have to compromise in order to make IE/Win happy.. But that's just my opinion

Synotic · Dec 30, 2003, 07:51 PM

Originally posted by phillryu:
Well, now that I guess this page is out... there will not be a single table or flash on the rest of the site. The javascript is necessary however, to make png's work on IE for PC.

I wasn't attacking the site or anything... I don't have a site of my own nor have I made an attempt to keep up with the upcoming theme sites. I look forward to seeing what the site has to offer

NetworkShadow · Dec 30, 2003, 07:56 PM

We may end-up with too many theme sites soon... lol

http://macthemes.net/ and http://xthemes.net/ should be opening soon, from what I hear. Both sound great BTW.

1c3 · Dec 30, 2003, 07:58 PM

I don't want to be offensive or make anyone sad. But I think that that site looked a little "messy". But maybe that's just me...

chris v · Dec 31, 2003, 12:55 PM

No wonder nothing much gets done in the theming community. (swiz and max aside) You're all too busy jumping down one another's throats to actually get any work done...

CV

Tulkas · Dec 31, 2003, 01:38 PM

Originally posted by NetworkShadow:
We may end-up with too many theme sites soon... lol
http://macthemes.net/ and http://xthemes.net/ should be opening soon, from what I hear. Both sound great BTW.

No, each site serves its purpose. MacThemes has news, reviews, interviews and previews. Mine has news and a theme archive.

No wonder nothing much gets done in the theming community. (swiz and max aside) You're all too busy jumping down one another's throats to actually get any work done...

Hehe, we're keeping our hands on our sites and of each-others throats