Post Layout

[Dazz]

So we've received a lot of comments regarding post layouts. Some people like it, some people don't mind it.

Which do you prefer, Classic, or Modern?

Vote now, and we'll look at how we might change it back to the classic style.



(For those unaware:
Classic = Information on the poster to the left of a post
Modern = Information on the poster displayed above a post)

[Vipershark]

Classic has always been better on every forum I've been on. Having user information between every post breaks up the content and instead of having all user info in its own area and posts in theirs, it alternates and, in my opinion, is kind of dumb.

Unless it's like on gomobile where the area is very small, I'd much rather have the different page sections be in their own defined areas.

[Kosheh]

Classic. Classic is better. Classic is superior.


RIP Apart Dark ;___;

[Vipershark]

Apart Dark is coming back, d/w

[Kosheh]

Apart Dark is coming back, d/w

it better


also is it just me or did sig sizes shrink again

(ooh i love how the new posts feel more like wordpress, with the option to switch back to bbcode mode


'Code 'Mode

[PatientZero]

Having poster details on the left seems to make more sense, thread is easier to follow and there's a lot less wasted space.
Though it could do with a bit of CSS reworking from the looks of it, that little info panel looks like it should span the height of the whole post and sig (minus the bits of padding at the top and bottom) to make things look less detached on longer posts.
(edit: like if you look at this post vs kosh's above, see how the sig just kind of juts out at the bottom?)

Also, the alignment of user information in the classic panels is a bit unstructured, the little dividing line should really be centered, along with the icons for external sites at the bottom, you could even make the thing narrower and pad the post count and other stats closer to the center, you already know the max width of avatars so anything above that is gravy.

(can't help but wonder if there's a better way to do the online/offline indication too, but I'd have to think on that one)

[Vipershark]

I'll take a look at the CSS and see if I can make things look not-so-crazy when I get some time to do it.
I haven't even been able to really touch anything in the ACP yet due to work/homework but I'll get on it when I can.

[[robo9]]

I don't know, something just seems really off after the whole forum update, even when I have it in classic. It could be a small change, but when you've looked at the same thing for 6 years...

[Vipershark]

That's because it is off.
There's still a lot of work to be done.

[E-Man]

While you're working on implementing the changes to the layout, you wouldn't mind bringing back the Skype icon, would you?

[Vipershark]

Yes, I'm going to put that back.
The new software has been up for less than 24 hours, everyone. None of us have really been able to change things yet so give us some time to get stuff back under control.

[Dazz]

Don't put the skype icon back. Skype is now a part of the contact information.

[Vipershark]

Oh, I hadn't even realized that was changed, my bad.
Good change, thanks.

[Kosheh]

Now that I've switched over to Classic Mode it's a little more tolerable. It looks weird now, but I'm sure I'll adjust.

Is there any way you guys can bring back the alternating post_body1/post_body2 back? (so that it matches the alternating forum section colors like on the forum index?)
And maybe make the post_info a little darker to compensate
The forum is so white my eyes are straining hardcore @__@

[Petie]

Classic has always been better on every forum I've been on. Having user information between every post breaks up the content and instead of having all user info in its own area and posts in theirs, it alternates and, in my opinion, is kind of dumb.

Unless it's like on gomobile where the area is very small, I'd much rather have the different page sections be in their own defined areas.

Having poster details on the left seems to make more sense, thread is easier to follow and there's a lot less wasted space.

Usually, the argument for classic consists of "it's always been like that and change is bad so put it back" so it's nice to see some actual logic being applied. I get what you're saying and actually sort of agree, though the counter-point is that the horizontal layout gives you a clear start and end to each post and can make things easier to follow.

I was originally going to let this poll run until tomorrow before deciding to switch the default back or not but I think the answer is clear now so I'll be switching it back now. I think I'll even give it a shot myself - it's been a long time since I've had it like that. As long as the left side is a fixed width (it tends to look really ugly and defeat the clearly defined sections you're going for when its width varies from post to post), it should be fine. I think it will work here since the layout takes up most of the width of the browser but I still think the modern layout makes more sense on a site like VGFacts, where the entire forum is a fixed width.

For those who want to keep the modern look, you'll be able to switch back from the "Edit Options" section of the user control panel.