Comments on new SMF theme

[Paracelsus]

Just want to thank you guys for correcting that <h5> on the child-boards font issue .

As for the theme, I have to say that although it was strange in the beginning, I'm starting to like it... I still feel that there are some elements which seem a bit lost "floating" around , and there are still some bugs that need to be corrected, but I'm starting to feel confortable with it.

P.S.: Please put back the forum path in the bottom like the one on the top. It's so much easier to click on it and not having to search in the list which forum should one click on or to scroll the whole page up to do it.

[davomex]

hello, anybody tell if its released already and can we upgrade ?

[vbgamer45]

hello, anybody tell if its released already and can we upgrade ?

Not released waiting till SMF 2.0 is released.

[Col]

Does simplemachines.org own the copyright to the graphics on SMF forums or the person who actually develops them?&nbsp; Can they be modified?

I was wondering because it would seem to me that if the Photoshop files (assuming that is the program used) were released that it would be easy for someone to change the color of the graphics to fit their theme.

Just wondering...

I was think the very same thing a day or so ago - I'm glad that you raised this. Adjusting a layer in PS is pretty simple, even for a complete novice. However, creating completely new images can be complicated, and time consuming. I'm sure the if the psd files were released, people would also be far more willing to help others out with colour variations of a theme, as it would probably only take two ticks.

[bloc]

As its really in the midst of creation still, there will be no PSD files out before everything works as it should.

That applies ONLY if it was SMF default theme - which it isn't.

[ormuz]

As its really in the midst of creation still, there will be no PSD files out before everything works as it should.

That applies ONLY if it was SMF default theme - which it isn't.

This new smf theme will be the new default theme our something near to the default?

[bloc]

Current "core" theme is the default theme, in 1.1 as in future versions. That hasn't changed.|

[Col]

I was speaking in general terms, not just of this SMF theme. For those with limited abilities and/or resources, providing the PSD files would enable simple alternative colour schemes to be developed, that might better fit in with a website's overall design, but without having to to go the whole hog of a new theme being developed. Is SMF or the developers of these default themes really that in love with their own design that wont allow others to tweak them to better suit their sites? I don't need this myself now, but I'm sure it would have made a big difference to me a couple of years ago.

This theme would seem to simplify matters somewhat, now that images are not needed for the menus, but being able to just add an adjustment layer to gradients, rather than having to start from scratch, would help many. Actually, it would be nice to see developers of themes to at least consider releasing the psd files for others to play with (maybe some already do so - I don't know).

I do think doing away with images is a step in the right direction to allow people to individualise their forum without technological knowhow or required software - this makes sense to me.

I agree with the comments about the header area, it's a bit of a mess, but I understand that for whatever reason, SMF have decided to go ahead with a half-developed theme, and tweak it on a live forum. I'll wait to see what happens before making a final judgment about what I think of it.

[bloc]

Generally I think many designers like to keep their PSD files to themselves, and that isn't really a sign of "being difficult"- but a way to protect their creations. Too often rip-offs are being made, and many times its really hard work put into those files, often more than the html stuff actually.

[Col]

I guess I can understand that in general terms, but in an open source environment? I'm wondering just how popular a good theme would become if it was easily tweaked to match an individual website! Yes, people should keep any notices that are required, and my guess is that most would honour such requests/requirements, but it might be the case that the developer's theme is hugely more popular by being easily tweaked. Isn't it just this type of thinking that open source models rely upon after all!? Of course such a decision is up to the developer, and I totally accept that, but I do wonder if it's the best position to take.

As for SMF itself, I find the past decisions to not release the psd files a bit strange, to say the least. I see releasing the files as fitting in completely with the open source ethic.

[Harro]

The images that phpBB uses are also not "Open source".
It's not allowed to use those images anywhere else.

[青山 素子]

May I note that this is also the policy with graphics from products released by the Mozilla Organization. The Firefox and Thunderbird logos are not only trademarked, they are not free to use and the artwork isn't available except flattened and rasterized (unless you know where to look).

However, there has been no decision made as to if this will be the new default theme for SMF 2, or if any kind of artwork will be given to allow people to make adjustments.

BTW, it isn't too difficult to re-draw the associated graphics. I've done it for the main parts of Core quite easily. The problem is getting the gradients exact, but if you are changing it anyway, being that perfect likely isn't a goal.

[Trekkie101]

I know what you mean Col, we don't seem to be in an open world sadly, but that's ofcourse entirely up to the artist/organisation.

[Col]

Of course I'm not not talking about the logo, but still, I fail to see what harm it would do. The main thing would be gradients and especially more complicated images. Of course the issue now is not so great since it looks as though the only images in the new theme will be gradients. Still, just adding an adjustment layer to an existing psd file would be easier.

If someone really wants to copy an image, they will just copy it, what's to be gained by not distributing the psd files? The only result of distributing the files (and the psd file to old themes) would be to make it easier for individuals to customize the look of their SMF template to match their site. Surely this is a plus; another reason to use SMF!

Since it will be so much easier, why not be proactive about this, and supply the gradients in a variety of shades so that people can mix and match to something that will be a better match for their site!? Many would like this kind of flexibility, I'm sure, but without the complication of applying a new theme to their forum. There are loads of people who use forums that cannot code (such as myself), or even have any real knowledge of HTML and CSS.

The easier to make the default theme look individual, the easier SMF will make it for those thinking of installing SMF that cannot code or write HTML.

[青山 素子]

As I said:

However, there has been no decision made as to if this will be the new default theme for SMF 2, or if any kind of artwork will be given to allow people to make adjustments.

So, please have patience. Your input is appreciated, and certainly it will be considered. No decision has been made as of yet.

[Dannii]

I'd like to see a CC-by licence used for the default theme. Might be a little more complex using two licences, but at least it wouldn't cause the current confusions, all distributed themes being illegal.

[LiroyvH]

If you mean the really old site theme (the one used prior to NDT), that one was never made public, although I'm still not exactly sure of the reasons behind that.

Well, really old... nah
It always was still available... untill it suddenly got trashed a few days ago to make place for this theme, which I find pretty unfortunate as it was one of the best theme's imho

But yes, the white with grey thing,
it never got released,
but I was hoping it would be now this theme replaced it.

[Joshua Dickerson]

Although I agree that the navigation bar should be at the bottom, you can still use the jump to box.

[青山 素子]

Well, really old... nah
It always was still available... untill it suddenly got trashed a few days ago to make place for this theme, which I find pretty unfortunate as it was one of the best theme's imho

The default theme here previously is "Core" which is the default theme for the 1.1 series. The default theme for 1.0 is "Babylon" which is also included in 1.1.

[Daniel15]

Well, really old... nah
It always was still available... untill it suddenly got trashed a few days ago to make place for this theme, which I find pretty unfortunate as it was one of the best theme's imho

The default theme here previously is "Core" which is the default theme for the 1.1 series. The default theme for 1.0 is "Babylon" which is also included in 1.1.

I think he means the old site theme... We used to be able to choose "Old Simple Machines site" in our profile here.