Joined: 6/25/2006
Posts: 138
Location: Fort Collins, CO
Now that I actual have two columnns with internet explorer, I like it. It makes everything closer and easier to access. I never had any objections to the old layout but this new one works fine for me.
If I had a choice I would probably go back to the old layout because I was used to it, but after a whille I will probably start liking this one more.
nfq: Wohoo, English spelling, my favourite subject!
Substituting thru for through is completely sensible to me. It also has some precursors which sadly never caught on.
Using slang for the purpose of using slang, such as 4ever, is not very clever tho(ugh), and makes it harder to understand for people who do not have English as their first language (and there are a lot of us here).
Upthorn> Opera is non-compliant in several ways, last I checked.
With risk of derailing this thread, which ways, and when did you check (t.i. which version)?
If the browser window is big enough (at least 1000 pixels wide) it looks ok. If the browser window is too narrow, it's cluttered.
Purists have always said about web design that all webpages should be designed so that they work ok in very small screens. Although that sounds like nitpicking, it's actually quite relevant nowadays, and becoming more and more relevant as we speak. This is because cellphones are starting to have very good web browsing support, as well as many other handheld devices (such as the PSP), and people *do* surf the net with them in increasing numbers.
Of course this doesn't mean we should make pages that look perfect on a 128-pixels wide screen. However, it's a good idea to check that the webpage is still decent and usable with small browser sizes (although it doesn't have to look perfect).
Of course it's not like it's not possible to browse pages which require a certain width (like so many do) in a handheld device. However, it just makes it difficult to browse the page in a handheld device because you have to scroll sidewise to see the contents of the page. (Many handheld device browsers have a zooming option, but the problem with that is, naturally, that zooming out is only useful for navigating the page; you can't *read* the page when zoomed out.)
I promised you an opinion a couple of pages back, now I have one, and I'm prepared to share it. run while you still can.
my work computer has 2 screens @ 1600x1200 each. With seamonkey streched over both, each column has it's own screen and it obviously looks ok, but I don't do that. ;) at 1600x1200, it's all neat and tidy, I really like it. Finding forums with new posts to read and opening them in new tabs works quite fast.
same computer, now on windows, @ 800x600 on one screen (this windows-installation is for gaming only, if I put it higher than 800x600 the 60hz-bug will strike)
It's cramped, but I can still find forums with new posts fast enough and open them in new tabs, probably faster than on the old layout.
so, double-plus from me on my work-computer.
watching it on 800x600 shows that the layout can be overwhelming and unclear for new-comers though. If you're not visiting to read all new posts like I did, but are looking for a specific forum (to find a specific thread or post a new one), the new layout will make you search longer.
one minus.
now my notebook is a different story. The screen is 1400x1050 and big enough for the layout. It's just that my trackball died, and I'm stuck with either a pain-inducing "notebook-mouse" that won't fit anything bigger than a rat's hand, or the touchpad. I go with the touchpad. those things are notoriously hard to aim with, so I usually position the pointer somewhere left, and use the arrow keys to move the link under the pointer, then ctrl-click. This doesn't work with a 2-column-layout of course. But I guess that setup is exotic enough to ignore.
so, yeah, an option to change the layout would be nice. Having to maintain two different style-sheets can be avoided by using just the right amount of symlinks. :)
I'd prefer the original layout for guests, as it works in every configuration and is a layout everyone is comfortable with. IMHO having a working and clear forum layout for everyone is more important than raising comfort for the select few with high resolutions and working mice.
I'm aware that this would lead to some users never noticing that there's a second layout - wo looks at the "board style" option anyway? changing the registration / profile-editing template to add a noticeable question along with two thumbnails should help.
somewhat like this.
I'll probably add a two-column-layout to my own forums soon. Thanks for the idea.
That's not just true for small screens. a 640px-fixed-width-table layout looks as ugly on 1600x1200 as it does on on a handheld.
at least give me some banner ads on that freaking black space!
edit: pictures added
Joined: 4/21/2004
Posts: 3517
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
I think its pretty good that you dont have to scroll down as much as before to get a glimpse of the bottom threads.
I am not afraid of you!
I have 1440x900 monitor
In retrospect, I did grow to like the forum layout. Although it looks very different on monitors of different resolution, and I don't like the fact that the two columns are asymmetrical on my monitor, I have gotten used to it. If you were to change it back, the chances are I'd complain, :P.
Hey how about you put all the stuff that's on the top onto the bottom so I won't have to hit my scroll wheel four times to have every message board in the same window? Because I like having all the board forumsesa in the same window.
put yourself in my rocketpack if that poochie is one outrageous dude