If SMF wants to be successful

[SleePy]

I use it

Why can't we use a custom theme here? Is it not ok for us to do this.

[goldenboy48]

In my opinion, if SMF wants to be successful and take place of PHPBB then it must have a more elegant and professional looking DEFAULT skin. People turn their face away from SMF by looking at the ugly [no hard feelings] default skin. What do you guys say?

Have to agree, having one fantastic default skin could be the biggest push SMF could ever ask for but alas the current one does look like a slapped bum.  People seem to forget alot of noobs don't really look at the feature list they look at what they see.

What I don't get is SMF does have alot of theme designers so why do they sit back and do nothing when they have so much creative talent around?

I agree. A lot of noobs are starting to use forum systems. Every other dude who knows Microsoft Word thinks that he can build a forum and is. Lets say you are standing at this place and there are 5 books in front of you. You are standing 10 feet away from them. Which one would you choose? The one with the impressive cover of course. I'm talking noobs. When a new person has to choose from a number of forums, he will tired of reading the features list and will just look at it and choose.

[babjusi]

In my opinion, if SMF wants to be successful and take place of PHPBB then it must have a more elegant and professional looking DEFAULT skin. People turn their face away from SMF by looking at the ugly [no hard feelings] default skin. What do you guys say?

Have to agree, having one fantastic default skin could be the biggest push SMF could ever ask for but alas the current one does look like a slapped bum.  People seem to forget alot of noobs don't really look at the feature list they look at what they see.

What I don't get is SMF does have alot of theme designers so why do they sit back and do nothing when they have so much creative talent around?

I agree. A lot of noobs are starting to use forum systems. Every other dude who knows Microsoft Word thinks that he can build a forum and is. Lets say you are standing at this place and there are 5 books in front of you. You are standing 10 feet away from them. Which one would you choose? The one with the impressive cover of course. I'm talking noobs. When a new person has to choose from a number of forums, he will tired of reading the features list and will just look at it and choose.

And what would you do if you start reading this book with a fancy cover and after reading through the first lines you realize that its contents is full of rubbish?

[goldenboy48]

And what would you do if you start reading this book with a fancy cover and after reading through the first lines you realize that its contents is full of rubbish?

What if the fancy cover book is OKish and the person is good enough with it and that is what is happening with PHPBB. Its like satisfying for a lot of people.

SMF should try to create a win-win situation. If SMF is the book with an impressive cover and its content is more than amazing, then wouldn't it better than great?

[青山 素子]

You know, constant complaining about SMF's theme just irritates the team and makes them less likely to even respond to topics like these.

Believe me, we hear you all, we've heard you all for months and months now.

Continuing to complain only takes time away from actual work while the team responds here.

[goldenboy48]

Ok Sorry Dude. It was just Site Feedback.

[riker]

Obviously not. But just saying that the designers including myself just sit around doing nothing isn't exactly great either.

I didn't say they were I was referring to the talent of all the designers who contribute to the theme section.  The point was with all that talent they could come up with one killer default theme that would make SMF really stand out compared to the dull and gloomy default theme now

[riker]

And what would you do if you start reading this book with a fancy cover and after reading through the first lines you realize that its contents is full of rubbish?

That's over to the goods in the book as you know.  The point is the theme has done it's job

You know, constant complaining about SMF's theme just irritates the team and makes them less likely to even respond to topics like these.e.

But you have to admit it's funny that the home SMF forum doesn't even use it

[Jpg]

I can't believe people are actually arguing against the fact that the current default theme isn't up to par.

We need to improve it just like how coding gets revised and upgraded, so does the theme.
The default theme is just as important as any other script.

And the longer we wait, the worse it's going to get.
2.0 is a call for change.
Change/Upgrade the default theme. There's no need to fight about it.

And changing the theme doesn't consist of changing mods to fit it, get your facts people!!
CSS, controls the themes by a majority!

<br />You know, constant complaining about SMF's theme just irritates the team and makes them less likely to even respond to topics like these.<br /><br />Believe me, we hear you all, we've heard you all for months and months now.<br /><br />Continuing to complain only takes time away from actual work while the team responds here.<br />

Sounds like you want it avoid the fact that the default theme needs revising. 

[青山 素子]

But you have to admit it's funny that the home SMF forum doesn't even use it

There are reasons for the theme revision, actually. In addition, the theme here is part of an experiment we have been doing in making more semantic code (there is more work done than on here, but that work would break the site right now).

Sounds like you want it avoid the fact that the default theme needs revising. 

No, it's just that a new topic about "SMF's default theme is crap" once a week is very tiring.

Imagine you made something and you're very proud of it. Now, you are in the workshop working on improving that thing. You've heard a lot from those who have seen and used it and are taking those things into consideration in your new edition.

However, you have some people that keep asking you about the new design. Every time they come by, they make a point to talk about how ugly that older edition is. Every. Single. Time. They. Visit.

Surely, you'd get tired of that and just ignore the comments and not bother to respond. Maybe you are working on a better design, but don't want to say much on it. Maybe you actually don't care about the design but want to make sure that others who design for your thing will have a better time doing so. Maybe both. Maybe neither. Either way, you're not going to say anything because the people making constant complaints won't shut up anyway.

That's what I'm on about. Basically: We get it. You don't like the default 1.1 theme. You think an ape throwing paintballs at a canvas can do better design. Your constant bringing it up only makes us less likely to say anything about any possible work in that area.

[Gargoyle]

Why dont yall just build your own themes, Put some effort into your sites, learn how the theme system works, and stop expecting the people that make this excellent code for free to wipe your butts and make it pretty like you want too ??

Seriously...

[riker]

Seriously...

Seriously?,  most professionals like honest input but if you aren't up for that then perhaps it's best to leave it and add something to rules about it.  Perhaps "only positive criticism allowed" ?

edit: apologies just noticed he isn't even crew    He's obviously not thought it through

[Gargoyle]

I'm not a part of SMF... I'm a big boy and learn the code so I can make it what I want.. Not a phpBB noob looking for momma on the internet.

The posts on this topic are pretty disrespectful to the team. Instead of whining why not make one yourself and offer to help, show work, effort, a means to an end, be constructive. Not a little whiner...

Lots of people don't like what I say when I get going. Lots of people don't like the truth. I'm just calling this like I see it.


P.S.  I've said what I need to. I'm out of this topic.

[Jpg]

<br />

<br />But you have to admit it's funny that the home SMF forum doesn't even use it<br />

<br /><br />There are reasons for the theme revision, actually. In addition, the theme here is part of an experiment we have been doing in making more semantic code (there is more work done than on here, but that work would break the site right now).<br /><br /><br />

<br />Sounds like you want it avoid the fact that the default theme needs revising. <img src="http://www.simplemachines.org/community/Smileys/simple/lipsrsealed.gif" border="0" alt="" title="" onresizestart="return false;" id="smiley_1_lipsrsealed.gif" style="padding-left: 6px;" /><br />

<br /><br />No, it's just that a new topic about "SMF's default theme is crap" once a week is very tiring.<br /><br />Imagine you made something and you're very proud of it. Now, you are in the workshop working on improving that thing. You've heard a lot from those who have seen and used it and are taking those things into consideration in your new edition.<br /><br /><i>However</i>, you have some people that keep asking you about the new design. Every time they come by, they make a point to talk about how ugly that older edition is. Every. Single. Time. They. Visit.<br /><br />Surely, you'd get tired of that and just ignore the comments and not bother to respond. Maybe you <i>are</i> working on a better design, but don't want to say much on it. Maybe you actually don't care about the design but want to make sure that others who design for your thing will have a better time doing so. Maybe both. Maybe neither. Either way, you're not going to say anything because the people making constant complaints won't shut up anyway.<br /><br /><i>That's</i> what I'm on about. Basically: We get it. You don't like the default 1.1 theme. You think an ape throwing paintballs at a canvas can do better design. Your constant bringing it up only makes us less likely to say anything about any possible work in that area.<br />

The fact that people say that the theme needs revising doesn't necessarily mean that they don't like it.
I agree with what a lot of people on this site say though, that change is essential for a business to prosper alongside it's competitors.
Me, being a web designer knows how easy it is to customize a theme and at the same time, how hard it is to make it perfect.
I can probably pop out a nice theme in about a full day of work.

So just because an ape throws paintballs, doesn't mean that the ape can't shoot them.
Just give him the gun.

Edit-
In other words, I'll be happy to help SMF anyway I can.

[goldenboy48]

^^^^^ I love your themes Jpg and am using one of your themes currently. It would be great if you could come out with a nice theme, which could be used for SMF default theme.

I'm not complaining. I love SMF as much as you guys do. I'm only saying this because I actually care about SMF. SMF team please don't take any offense of this topic. Its only cuz I care.

[Ol' Wombat]

skins are a matter of taste and personal perception - the default skin is plain looking and everyone can modify it by installing skins or changing code. Personally, I hate blackish skins, others love it...there is no way to attract everyone.

my 2cents

[goldenboy48]

http://community.mybboard.net/

Those guys have a pretty nice balanced theme which most of the people will find attractive. Some nice vibrant colours.

Once again, I'm not criticizing. Just my 2 cents.

[Ol' Wombat]

http://community.mybboard.net/

Those guys have a pretty nice balanced theme which most of the people will find attractive. Some nice vibrant colours.

Once again, I'm not criticizing. Just my 2 cents.

if that was meant for me, thanks, I customised my forum skin on code level
I am so picky in what I want it's nearly impossible to serve me right

[goldenboy48]

That wasn't meant for anyone particular. I can't keep track of who is talking in this topic or not

[spottedhog]

jpg, my facts are straight....  When a SMF Mod wants to put a link in the navigational tabs, it looks for code exactly like is in the function template_menu.  If you change how navigation links are made in a new default theme, then the current Mods who need links will need to change their xml install files.  Of course this only pertains to current 1.1.x versions.