New layout? Is there a way to swich back ?

[nepatsfan]

Originally Posted by Kiril

Who ever is responsible for web design here .....

1) Use the W3C validator please. html -> http://validator.w3.org/ css -> http://jigsaw.w3.org/css-validator/

2) Give some strong consideration for using CSS drop down menu instead of JS.

Also, you should consider setting up a test site so your not making changes to/breaking a live site.

I like the new site, and I like the new setup and drop downs. I like the old logo though.

[gcbailey]

Originally Posted by Michael J. Donovan

agreed and we do appreciate all "helpful" suggestions and/or "constructive" criticism when it comes to the new layout, color scheme, etc.

Not bashing, but it's like you went from a trade oriented professional "field" tested layout to this neutral Pinterest inspired "daytime" theme that really doesn't go along with the green grass, brown dirt, whatever else... The "night" colors aren't too bad as there is a decent contrast between everything and things look to be in their place. Maybe just some color tweaking on the "day" theme... I'm trying to like it...

[Kiril]

Originally Posted by nepatsfan

I like the new site, and I like the new setup and drop downs. I like the old logo though.

I don't know what the new site looks like, I am just making some suggestions based on what I see in the code.

[tonygreek]

Originally Posted by Kiril

Who ever is responsible for web design here .....

1) Use the W3C validator please. html -> http://validator.w3.org/ css -> http://jigsaw.w3.org/css-validator/

If you can find an install of vBulletin or WordPress that validates, or you actually take the time to make the site do so, you win the internet...

Also, make sure the membership upgrades their IE versions. Some older browsers (IE8 comes to mind) don't like some of the strictly valid code.

[tonygreek]

Originally Posted by Michael J. Donovan

we have changed the color of the heading for each post to be a bit darker...let us know if that looks better to you

thanks

Speaking strictly in usability terms, and with a blend of the subjective and objective for you, Michael...

I still think it's a bit too ethereal and dream state'y with the pastel palette and each color marginally transitioning to the next. Until we naturally get use to it, there's a focus change that rests solely on the membership's ability to do so. And we've been conditioned to breathe high contrast here for [looks at join date] a reeeeally long time.

Color palette aside, I don't "get" the daytime/nighttime change. No offense to whoever pushed for that, but it's 10-15 yr old gimmicky. It's akin to adding a visitor counter to a site. If the revision idea came across my desk, the question I would simply ask is "Why?" and "What does it really add?". To me, it only adds to the lack of comfort of visually reorienting to the site when a member returns. Some will look at is as "That's super cool!", while others will say, "Something's not right.".

Obviously, drastic color change is difficult and everyone will eventually adjust but, ultimately, do the visual changes that have been made function in the best interest of usability and readability? I'm all for evolution, but I don't think it's where it should be...yet.

[Kiril]

Originally Posted by tonygreek

If you can find an install of vBulletin or WordPress that validates, or you actually take the time to make the site do so, you win the internet...

The suggestion was in hope of fixing broken layout and the perpetual horizontal scroll bar. Wouldn't hurt to do full blown overhaul to get site design/layout properly coded with CSS.

Originally Posted by tonygreek

Also, make sure the membership upgrades their IE versions. Some older browsers (IE8 comes to mind) don't like some of the strictly valid code.

You can write valid code for all browsers. Now whether or not some browser versions will support cutting edge versions of XHTML, XML and CSS is another issue altogether.

[Duekster]

I have not set up a V Bulletin site but there are some valid points Tony makes as it is a can program.
I also agree with Kiril that most browsers will just ignore code it can not parse.

[Kiril]

Originally Posted by Duekster

most browsers will just ignore code it can not parse.

A.K.A quirks mode. IE 4 & 5 are notorious for being non-compliant, but you can still write valid code for them, even if you had to jump though some hoops to get some of the CSS 2 markups to work properly. Admittedly, some of those CSS workarounds made the CSS invalid, strictly speaking.

[tonygreek]

Originally Posted by Kiril

Admittedly, some of those CSS workarounds made the CSS invalid, strictly speaking.

Circularly maddening, ain't it?

[Kiril]

Originally Posted by tonygreek

Circularly maddening, ain't it?

Yes, yes it is. Just like flash only sites, sites that don't gracefully scale to window size, inline formatting, etc........................................................................