black or dirty background

[Chris]

What do people think of having the margins be black instead of dirt? I think it makes the screen overall less busy, being darker it will make it easier on the eyes, and it makes the content pop and frames out that new header image well.

But I know some people like the dirt (mainsite still has the dirt, by the way, and it'll keep it).

On the bottom left of the page, all the way down, you can choose your own style. Right now I have this black as the default, but a dirty version is available too.

Which do you prefer? Which do you think is most attractive to new users?

[Pocomoonskyeyes3]

Personally, the "Dirt" or Topo background add's "warmth", while the black seems cold. While it may be less "busy" it is just something to be ignored. The original background(Dirt or Topo) adds interest and "personality"... but that's just me.....

[crashdive123]

Either way looks OK. On a personal preference note I think the dirt background gives a unique personal touch. Besides - YCC will have withdrawls if the dirt goes away.

[Ken]

The black, combined with the new colors, really makes it easier to read.

[Ken]

You guys want dirt? Come over and wash my truck!

[BENESSE]

Agree with Poco.
Black is harsh and comes out of no where. Feels more intrusive than dirt.
Dirt, on the other hand, feels more harmonious with everything else and is in keeping with the overall color scheme as well as the theme of the forum.
It's more unique.
Chris, you can play with the contrast/exposure of the dirt visual if you feel it overpowers the rest.

[Chris]

I could exactly do that... play with the contrast or brightness, or even use a different "nature" background.

But dirt is still available right now, I just didn't make it the default.

[BENESSE]

Dirt just makes sense to me and I like how it looks.
If you want something that recedes/blends in more, a mossy background as seen on the rocks in the top photo would look pretty cool and in keeping with the overall theme.

[BENESSE]

Here are some examples of what I think would work extremely well.
I actually placed each one of them right against the photo above and the sides where black is now, and it looks great.
But of course, very subjective.

[COWBOYSURVIVAL]

Well since you asked....I like the dirt.

[Chris]

It has to be a special kind of picture that can tile (repeat) to infinity with no noticeable seams.

[BENESSE]

Something like mossy rock 3 (attached above) image would do that.

[2dumb2kwit]

If we're voting, I'll vote for the dirt.

Side note; Since this last update, I only have a sliver of the black, on the left side. I have to slide the page over, to see the boarder on the right side. (Like the page is too big for the screen.) If I center it, I have no boarders.

[Rick]

I'm running 1034 X 768 on a 19 inch monitor and the "forum" pretty much fills the screen. I only have black at the left and at the very bottom and between the upper command bar and the "forum". The colors are pretty pleasing to the eye. Very soft. It does seem to be off centered.

[RangerXanatos]

I thought I liked the black, but then I tried the dirt. Dirt looks more pleasing. Though it makes it hard to read the bottom info:

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[Winnie]

I like the dirt too, it gives the forum personality. One other thing, earlier, the "sticky" threads were highlighted. It was much easier to see them as such.

[Chris]

Well, Sticky things are still labeled... and they are also always at the top.

[Chris]

the mossyrock background benesse found is now an option to choose at the bottom left.

[BENESSE]

I like the mossy rock the best. It pretty much hits on all points--unique to the forum (nature, knapping, etc), dark enough to recede and showcase everything inside it. It also allows for reversed-out type.

[Pal334]

I have chosen the mossy background . Seems to be "comfy" :)

[Rick]

I do like that mossy. Can the screen be centered or left justified? It's moved to the right a smidge too far. You have to move the windows bar on every post to read the whole post.

[crashdive123]

Mine is centered. don't you just love it when things move to the right. :innocent:

[BENESSE]

But then you already knew that.

[COWBOYSURVIVAL]

Apparently we are seeing differences maybe related to users operating systems. I was on a Windows 2000 laptop today with my desktop extended onto a large monitor things were centered but font was small and avatars were blurry. I am now on a Windows 7 operating system on a laptop with my desktop extended onto a large monitor, font is great and avatars aren't blurry, but I am now along way from center to the right when viewing or actual left of the monitor. Hope this helps.

[LowKey]

I'm on a mac with Firefox at the moment and have to scroll right just to read the forum entries. It doesn't resize for my monitor.
I cannot see the backgrounds at all.

[BENESSE]

I'm on a Mac with Firefox as well and I see it all--no scrolling left or right.
Go figure.

[Rick]

I think it's related to screen resolution and size.

[Rick]

If you hold down the CTRL key and turn the mouse knob it will reduce the size of the screen and everything will fit. Of course, the writing is much smaller.

[COWBOYSURVIVAL]

I think it's related to screen resolution and size.

I am running 2 screens at 2 different places with differing sizes and resolutions. If you find a fix post it please.

[Rick]

I just did. See post 28

[LowKey]

Benesse, don't you have one of those fancy wide screen designer-type monitors? ;)
Mine's an old 17" CRT.
And gawd, I don't need the text any smaller! I'm in denial about the glasses as it is.

[RangerXanatos]

If you go to Settings and point at the tabs at the left, they become hard to read because of the colors.

[Rick]

Well, don't point at the tabs. Wave at them.

[COWBOYSURVIVAL]

I just did. See post 28

Thanks Rick! That did it~! The large font was nice while it lasted~!

[Rick]

You have to read the posts, don't just look at the pictures. Sheeeeesh.

[RangerXanatos]

At the top of the screen, "Welcome" blends in with the water.

[Chris]

I set the minimum width to 1000px which could explain why some of you have to scroll.

Statistically less than 3% of people use a resolution with a width less than 1024.

If it is a problem, I can lower that minimum width, but... ask yourselves this... is it time to get a bigger resolution? Many websites no longer support the lower ones.

But if for whatever reason you can't/don't want to change your resolution, let me know and I'll decrease the minimum width down to say, 800.

[Sarge47]

I like the idea that we can choose the background we prefer, I went with the "Mossy Oak." I decreased my screen size to get rid of the troublesome horizontal scroll bar and it seems to be working ok. :thumbs_up:

[your_comforting_company]

You know where my vote stands on that one.. Gimme Dirt!!
I live it, breathe it, eat it, play with it, love it, embrace it, dream it, and one day I will be it.

The black is a little too contrasting with the natural tones of the page IMO.

[Rick]

Ditto. Now I'm all jiggy with it.

[crashdive123]

You know where my vote stands on that one.. Gimme Dirt!!
I live it, breathe it, eat it, play with it, love it, embrace it, dream it, and one day I will be it.

The black is a little too contrasting with the natural tones of the page IMO.

Scroll down to the bottom of the page and look at the bottom, left of your screen. There you will see a drop down menu with three options. - vB4 Default Style, Mossy Rock Background and Dirty Background. Select the one you want, and voila!

[Winnie]

I just did that, Crash. Guess what? I got dirt!

[Rick]

You are a dirty, dirty girl.

[Winnie]

Have you been peekin'?

[crashdive123]

I just did that, Crash. Guess what? I got dirt!

Well, I'm no rolling stone, so it seems I've gathered a wee bit of moss.

[beetlejuicex3]

Mossy is nice. Updates look great, Chris.

[Chris]

I've made mossy the default, so you may need to change your settings. (I switched the moss and black ones)