A new forum layout I completed.

[labrocca]

So I spent my weekend working on a new forum called Support Forums which is of course geared toward technical support but also features other categories too like programming or graphic design.

I have 4 total options on the layout. You have to join to actually made the change via the usercp but here are some screenshots.

The 4 options are blue, green, yellow, and orange (default).

Here are screenshots of the non-default themes.
http://image-host.com/images/n9mk2kjaqgueah37bwa.gif
Image-Host » Image Viewer
http://image-host.com/index.php?module=thumbnail&file=e06hyxhu13o2fl7r4kh7.gif

So I am happy to hear your opinion on the design. I think the postbit is very nice. In case you are wondering the forum is using MyBB software. It's my preferred forum software.

I know the logo could be better and some have commented they have not liked the green background. Just to let you know what I have already heard.

Thank you.

 

[labrocca]

11 days and no comments?

Love it or hate it I'd like to hear it.

 

[mis_chiff]

Nice layout, and the colors work well.

Didn't like the images in the sigs...makes it very busy.

Overall very nice :tu:

 

[labrocca]

I think you're just used to no sig images.

But overall my members like sigs and if you're a member you have the option to turn them off along with avatars. So if you feel they're too busy you can do that.

 

[mis_chiff]

I think you're just used to no sig images.

But overall my members like sigs and if you're a member you have the option to turn them off along with avatars. So if you feel they're too busy you can do that.

I am used to no images, agreed

Having the choice is great feature for the members to be able to turn them on/off.

 

[GeoOwners]

just me but I dont like dark forums with light text...hard on my eyes



.

 

[andr69]

To my mind the coloration is unlucky Try to replace green color by dark reg - and look what will result

 

[gblack]

Color combination looks pretty good, , but I agree with GeoOwners. It is difficult on the eyes.

 

[Erdy]

It should be possible to start a thread with a guest account.

The logo isn't good. It's too ordinary and doesn't create a professional impression while the rest of the website does (colour combinations and site background are nice).

I would like to see some sort of animated header. It could be a slide show explaining that I can start a new thread without registering and maybe some other messages you would like to say to your visitors.

Check 99designs.com. They have this slide show on homepage explaining the steps. For instance you could say "step 1: find the correct support section", step 2: post your support request", "step 3: an expert from our community or support team will help you shortly". etc.

There is no search box on homepage. Putting the search box behind the search button is a bad idea. In a site like this people want to do a search all the time. The search box should be the major focus point of the homepage, let alone hiding it from visitors.

"Emotional Support" does not fit the site concept. It gives a confused image. Instead trying to do everything average I would do one thing very good. If I was a microsoft or apple expert I wouldn't want to post here.

You have allowed images in signatures. The forum is full with kids who want to show of their favorite game characters.

If I were you I would ditch the forum software and look for another software that is more suitable for the job. There should be an "accept solution" button. Solved tickets should be market differently Only active tickets should be displayed on main directory. In other words, people who are looking for open tickets should see a list in front of them either for a specific support topic, or for multiple support topics or for all support topics. You should be able to customise what open ticket list you see in front of you.

The focus should be on closing tickets and solving problems, not on small talk and building a talkative small community. Solved tickets should be archived and displayed in a different area but still be searchable.

You have the correct domain name. You have the technical skills or access to technical skills and skills to organize and run such a project. You have good design taste. You have the wrong software and the wrong community. If I need technical help your website is the last place I'm going to visit. I couldn't care less on how a 14 year old spoiled game boy is going to help me with a technical problem. I would rather spend days and learn the subject myself than asking those kids for help. I don't like the way they talk. I don't like the things they spend time on. I don't like how you ruined that project. I don't like forum software to be used everywhere.

You wanted feedback. There you have it.
Bye
Erdinc

 

[labrocca]

Erdinc I like all your comments but it sounds like you would just take the site into a direction I had not planned on.

You are right about many things.

One thing I don't agree with is MyBB software. It's great and I see no reason to change software. I am able to do a lot with it.

Judging by your response I get the impression you feel the site should be geared toward adults and has a juvenile quality to it. This is probably true but I don't see it completely as a negative. Teens actually use the internet much more than adults and I have found many of them to be valuable and very loyal forum members.

The focus should be on closing tickets and solving problems, not on small talk and building a talkative small community. Solved tickets should be archived and displayed in a different area but still be searchable.

You are making me completely rethink my approach with the site. Realize I am a MyBB pro and I do custom plugins for the software. MyBB Central so I am completely capable of doing whatever I need with it.

Thanks for that great and detailed response. I really appreciate it.

 

[creativecoder]

here is a tip: the icons look good but they could have been looking even better if your green box container had a special fx made out of images and repeated at x level in css instead.. try some photoshop tutorials for special fx in the green box. im sure you could make even more beautiful design on your existing forum.

 

[Erdy]

Judging by your response I get the impression you feel the site should be geared toward adults ...

Not necessarily only adults. What I was suggesting is to keep the site limited to one function (providing technical support for people who need it) and not mixing other things (like creating a small community where people chat and know eachother more).

I'm an expert on adobe illustrator and css subjects. I could answer any question in these fields. But this doesn't mean I want to chat with people or people chat with me. If it was possible to avoid small talk I would be more likely to post there.

The motive for people to provide technical support should not be socialising. I think your website looks very confused at the moment. The motive can be financial gain, showing of your skills, promoting yourself, or personal satisfaction. None of these requires a social networking environment. In fact many people like me find those places too tiring and unprofessional.

 

[christo]

what i feel is that the icons looks good but they can be made even eye catchy and if your green box container had a special fx made out of images and repeated at x level in css instead it would look more beautiful