New PS3Forum.com Templates

11-21-2005

In order to get some useful & constructive feedback we (the admin) have decided to give you guys a preview of the new forum template(s), to help us make you guys the best possible PS3-themed forum.

As part of this we would like everyone who participates in this thread to post constructively to give us ideas and clearly explained ways to improve the template(s). This means no “it sux/rox!111!!” for example.

To preview the new forum you must visit:

http://www.ps3portal.com/ps3forums/index.php

Once registered, login and preview all three templates using the 'Board Style:' drop down. Check all three templates before posting.

We think the general colour themes are fairly set in stone White, Silver and Black + the current theme for those who prefer the current look, however you may suggest colour modifications to sectional shades and tones for each template if you think it would improve the templates.

Also bear in mind that we have not installed any of the current forum modifications like the shop or skill points (and there’s a lot of ‘em!). So please don’t ask why we got rid of them – we haven’t installed them yet! Also the domain is merely a test URL – we are not moving the forum either…

It would also be appreciated if those participating in this thread could answer the poll question regarding which theme should be made the default. Thank you – we look forward to your comments.

Seb Hayes
Aspire Enterprises Ltd

**Hunnter** · 11-21-2005

All the themes look great!

Only problem i have is with the black theme, i cant see text in message boxes or buttons....it could just be because my browser, im not sure...

As for what one to be defaut...
I'd have to say the silver one, im not too keen on white websites really, kinda sore on the eyes lol
I prefer darker sites, but i cant seem to see the writing on that, any text in a message box or on a button is white...

**Voice Of A Riot** · 11-21-2005

I think the black theme looks quite stylish, but I found it difficult to find the message boxes as they are kind of camoflaged in black. I can't see where the "Board Style" Drop Down is so I only viewed the black one. What section is this under? I registered and everything.

EDIT: I found it

**FmanFORPS3** · 11-21-2005

Originally Posted by Voice Of A Riot

I think the black theme looks quite stylish, but I found it difficult to find the message boxes as they are kind of camoflaged in black. I can't see where the "Board Style" Drop Down is so I only viewed the black one. What section is this under? I registered and everything.

You must go to your profile, then near the bottom there is a drop down list of the styles

Out of those three choices, I liked black the best because it wasn’t that hard on my eyes as much as the others, but IMO the current one is much better because it’s much easier to read the posts.

**Voice Of A Riot** · 11-21-2005

Okay...on closer inspection I'd have to say I prefer the Silver one. I really like the font you used on the title, I think its a nice improvement on this forum. But only just. I really like the white template too because its quite fresh looking. But Silver just wins in my opinion. Nice work Morpheus!

**spiderman** · 11-21-2005

The black one rules change it two that.

**Lp Chris XII** · 11-21-2005

I would prefer Black to be the default theme for the website, I found it th easiest to read and navigate through. The white and silver ones felt somewhat brighter than the black one. Silver was very good too, but the white one looked plain for some reason.

A couple suggestions:

-At the top where it says "PS3Forums" in the PS3 font, I think it should be reflected downwards rather than upwards, it looks out of place like that.

-Been mentioned a couple times, on the black background when choosing your settings, the text is white and is invisible unless highlighted.

-Maybe keeping the text entry box at the bottom of a thread for posts rather than having to click 'Reply' all the time. Not a major thing, just something I prefer.

-An option to make the font larger or smaller for all users (as a default font size for reading, I found the font on the new templates was very small, especially if I get into a long post or topic).

Other than that, I thought everything looked and felt great. It will certainly go over well with the majority of visitors to these forums. Nice work Morph.

P.S. When does Rebon plan to upload the new template for PS3Land.com? I thought it was supposed to be coming sometime soon...

**acecombatfan** · 11-21-2005

The black is reeeeally nice
i chose that
it just goes with the flow....

**Stoffinator** · 11-21-2005

Don't go with black as defult guys trust me. You will scare people away. So I choose silver, but even white will be good. Black backgrounds don't work for alot of people and makign that the defult is very hard on some people.

But they do all look awesome.

**pacman326** · 11-21-2005

Don't go with black as defult guys trust me. You will scare people away. So I choose silver, but even white will be good. Black backgrounds don't work for alot of people and makign that the defult is very hard on some people.

I agree. I used to have a message board, and I got complaints after I changed it from a white them to black. People complained they couldn't read it very easily.

**Perfect Sin** · 11-21-2005

I made 3 topics in the test forums. For suggestions. I doubt anyone would want to post in there, but it gives you a sense of what it would be like to post in those forums.

**Lp Chris XII** · 11-21-2005

I suppose that's true, I see that most people that know these boards inside and out would prefer the black one, but I forgot about the newcomers. On second thought, I'd agree that Silver would be a better default colour, but I'd still change it to black once logged on.

Edit: Maybe if it's possible then some of the buttons like Quote and Delete Post could resemble the PSP's clear buttons? Just a suggestion.

11-21-2005

These are some great suggestions so far guys! I will be keeping a list of all the best suggestions to be given back to the designer. Keep it up - the more feedback the better

.

**soldier one** · 11-21-2005

well i liked the black out of the three. it wasnt that hard on the eyes and eveything was easy to read and see on it. it looked really slick and professional. the only problem is the logo doesnt look as good and the pics for new unread arent showing as great. the silver one was hard and bright on the eyes and doesnt really look good. the white would be my second pick because it looked really nice, and not as hard to read. what i wold change is kinda throw in another color like this sites template its blue and white. it kinda helps get around and would help with the eyes. need more just ask.

**Stoffinator** · 11-21-2005

Originally Posted by Lp_chris12

Edit: Maybe if it's possible then some of the buttons like Quote and Delete Post could resemble the PSP's clear buttons? Just a suggestion.

That would be very cool. Would it be possible to also have the PS3 hardware picture along the top of the forum?

**sonofsam** · 11-23-2005

The black one hurts my eyes; also there is something about dark forums that makes them feel unfriendly. I selected the silver one because to me it looked the best ( wished you had a skin that is the same color as this site). my only complaint is the font used for ps3forums.com it looks too plain it needs more pep to it and also is that ps3 pic going to be part of the site or will another pic be used because it looks like it was just placed there because there was no other place for it to go.IMO the banner should be more eye catchy. last are the rectangle boxes around the top nav links, IMO maybe they should be curved.

hope I was not too harsh..

**Perfect Sin** · 11-23-2005

Morph, can we only choose one template? Or can the user pick which one he/she wants?

**Stoffinator** · 11-23-2005

Originally Posted by Perfect Sin

Morph, can we only choose one template? Or can the user pick which one he/she wants?

You will be able to chose which one you want. The poll is for the defult, what guests will see. I hope it isn't black. Such a bad color for guests.

**MiThRaZoR** · 11-23-2005

I'd say Silver since it's like black/white thing. I'd prefer black, but I voted Silver. It's smarter.

**Lp Chris XII** · 11-23-2005

Anyone who is having trouble adjusting to the new templates for PS3Forums should know that the current one will be available as well, just in case you're wondering.

**SE fanboy** · 11-23-2005

Soo when is this update you are doing

**c.a.p** · 11-24-2005

I love the black one, it looks very nice.

**Rebon** · 11-24-2005

The update will be coming - no fixed date yet but it will be soon. We need more ways in which it could be improved to send off to the designer; do you guys like the way the header section is full width, however the main section is a smaller width? Would it be better if it was all full (like current site), or all fixed? Do you feel its too plain? Is the black one too dark thus making it too hard to read things? Anything else? Your feedback is needd to make this THE best PS3 forum on the net!

**hoverbike** · 11-24-2005

I would say keep the size all the same and the colors all the same IMO. When you do put the black or Silver up where can we change it?

**Perfect Sin** · 11-25-2005

Originally Posted by Rebon

The update will be coming - no fixed date yet but it will be soon. We need more ways in which it could be improved to send off to the designer; do you guys like the way the header section is full width, however the main section is a smaller width? Would it be better if it was all full (like current site), or all fixed? Do you feel its too plain? Is the black one too dark thus making it too hard to read things? Anything else? Your feedback is needd to make this THE best PS3 forum on the net!

This is what i have to say about black

http://ps3portal.com/ps3forums/viewtopic.php?t=2

As far as all 3 designs go...

I do agree the headers to seem a little plain. But now that you think about it the PS3Forums header is plain, just has big text... Maybe add something to fill it up...

As far as Silver and white go it feels a bit hard on the eyes because both silver and white are really light. On these Forums we have that offset silverish blue. The text stickes out really well though in all 3.

I personally like the main page being a shorter width than the header.

I think that all the icons (being different) shades might be hard to distinguish what is new what is old, etc.

How will the new format handle avatars and sigs?