SOFTWARE UPGRADE Discussion

[Randall Flagg]

On Saturday 11/06/2010 at 2:00 P.M. PDT (GMT-7) the site will close down for an upgrade to V Bulletin 4.0 Software. Michael, Matt and Joseph will work together to implement the upgraded software.


Along with the new 4.0 software we will have a NEW LOOK!


As we speak the staff is discussing several new “Skins”.
We discussed the following pros and cons prior to making this decision. The upgrade is inevitable (like moving from Windows XP to Windows7-sooner or later it will happen).
Pros

-Very new and slick with tons of bells and whistles
-A renewed license will make future upgrades lower cost
-The new version should fix security issues
-New look to go with new site
-More up to date and comprehensive support

Cons

-Cost (Over $200!)
-Time to do it (I'll help switch it over)
-Member shock (new skin and features)
-We may lose a few modules (like DTbay)
Learning curve


Feel free to go to the VBulletin site, and look around.

[Tito_Villa]

Looks good RF!

[biomieg]

Looking forward to it. One thing though... PLEASE don't use a skin that features light text on a dark background. The current black lettering on a non-intrusive light background is perfect.

[Randall Flagg]

Looking forward to it. One thing though... PLEASE don't use a skin that features light text on a dark background. The current black lettering on a non-intrusive light background is perfect.

We are looking at a dark background with light text. The reveal will be after the upgrade.
If you see a skin that looks good, feel free to post a link and a screen shot, but the decision will be made by the staff.

[candy]

ooooo new skin

eeek its so exciting

[biomieg]

PS the link in the marquee (that's what the moving text on top of the page is called, isn't it?) doesn't work - it leads to the homepage.

[sarah]

cool this is all very exciting. Can't wait to see the final product.

[jhanic]

I hope the light text and darker background (if that's the way you go) are fairly readable. My old eyes aren't what they used to be!

John

[biomieg]

Well, I guess I'll just have to wait and see. But I know that for me personally reading light text on a dark background is very tiring - not because I have bad eyes but rather the exact opposite. It's one of the reasons I don't read and post over at The Collector's forum very often (no offense, Tomas).

Would it be possible, as a user/forum member, to choose between different skins in the control panel? Many forums offer the option to choose from different colour schemes.

[Randall Flagg]

Easy to request, but tough to do.
True technical suggestions and help can be PM'd to Matt or myself.

[biomieg]

I know you guys are doing your best, I'm not trying to be annoying here this is the only vBulletin-based forum I visit so I have no clue how customizable it is. Good luck with the upgrade!

[Rahfa]

I'm def. NOT a fan of dark background, light text.

But, you're in charge, so whatever you want...but I agree that it gives me a headache.

[Patrick]

What's this about cost, partner?









Thanks for all your work on this upgrade, Jerome, Matt, Michael and Joseph!

[Chap]

It's pretty easy to enable more than one skins. IIRC you just have to upload the files of the skin and check a button in the admin control thingy.
That might have changed in later versions though
Looking forward to the new look!

[Matt]

It is an easy thing but the site has not classically opted to give users a choice on skins. Mostly because we only had one and the default (which looks like shit).

I think Jerome is planning one skin for all.

[Jean]

Looking forward to it. One thing though... PLEASE don't use a skin that features light text on a dark background. The current black lettering on a non-intrusive light background is perfect.

Looking forward to it. One thing though... PLEASE don't use a skin that features light text on a dark background. The current black lettering on a non-intrusive light background is perfect.

We are looking at a dark background with light text. The reveal will be after the upgrade.
If you see a skin that looks good, feel free to post a link and a screen shot, but the decision will be made by the staff.

Please please no light text on a dark background. I am afraid it will be very hard for many, and for at least some percentage of people/animals (me including) impossible to read. I've tried it on several sites, it's atrocious. I know that many people do not experience this problem, but even if a few of us do, please please let it be dark against light, not the other way.

[ICry4Oy]

I have to chime in about this as I also detest light text on a dark background. There are quite a few sites I won't even go to any more because of it.....and it is because I have old eyes

[Jean]

Hear us. Hear us, we beg.

[Iwritecode]

I guess I'm confused. I've been on numerous VB message boards and not a single one had light text on a dark background.

[ChristineB]

Please, please, please... NO light text on a dark background.

My eyes are fine and I still get headaches when reading that kind of site. Most of the time I just give up on them. I don't want to give up on this forum. I like it here.

[turtlex]

Unfortunately, we can't keep this skin with the updated software.

[Cixelsyd]

Readability should be first and foremost in your design.

Dark-colored text on a light-colored background is easier to read than light-colored text on a dark-colored background.

I tend to get after images and ghosting when reading a site using an inverted color scheme and then going back to a site with a normal scheme. It's fairly annoying.

[Patrick]

Thank you for all the input, everyone, and we encourage continued feedback.

Personally I do not yet know full range of choices, but your input will be a factor in the final decision when choosing from the available options.

Thanks again.

[Randall Flagg]

We have a good idea what we want to use (no I'm not telling you-it's a surprise ), but we are waiting for technical consulting to be sure it is viable.

[Patrick]

Now that I'm up to speed: Yes. What RF said.

The new skin we hope to use (if viable) should please those who have provided input.


On a side note, please notice that the time (2pm) Jerome posted above for the temporary shutdown on Saturday is Pacific not Eastern. It's stated in his post, but I wasn't sure everyone would catch that. He and I are both on the west coast.