New "Official" OLB Forum Theme

[Michael]

Hi everyone,

I would like to get your feedback on a new theme and style for the forums. We will be making this new theme the default theme soon. You will still be able to use the current theme, or the default theme. We take usability and readability seriously, and this has gone through quite a bit of iteration, but it needs your input!

Why are we updating?

1. We are rebuilding the Mobile Apps and this theme is compatible
2. Better responsive design
3. More readable and usable interface
4. Additional features to expand with our community

I'd love to hear of any usability issues you have or any suggestions for better visibility. The theme remains dark, since we received the feedback on multiple occasions that our members are reading the forums at night while exploring epic locations :)

To try out the new theme, go to the bottom of this page and you will see the currently selected theme. Tap the theme name, and change it to "OLB Dark Responsive Official". If you prefer a light theme, choose "Default Style".

This is a bit off topic here, so this thread will find its way to the "Off Topic" or "Behind the Scenes" forum in a few days.

As always, thank you for the support!

Michael

 

[GoXplore]

Much respect for what you're attempting, Michael. I operate several forums one of which has approximately 30,000 members, and no matter what I change with the style to improve the sites, I am never able to please everyone. My intake of bourbon increases noticeably when I am working on things like this.

 

[Jeff Graham]

My impressions of OLB Dark Responsive official: it's generally is very good. I have just a few negs: I prefer the square vs the round Avatar window, the badges are hard to recognize, and the light field around the likes in each post is a bit out of place (with the general dark theme). I do like how crisp everything looks. It is very clean looking. Writing this post, as my wife takes a turn at the wheel, heading to a state park. The dark nature of the theme is nice in the dark car.

 

[Michael]

My impressions of OLB Dark Responsive official: it's generally is very good. I have just a few negs: I prefer the square vs the round Avatar window, the badges are hard to recognize, and the light field around the likes in each post is a bit out of place (with the general dark theme). I do like how crisp everything looks. It is very clean looking. Writing this post, as my wife takes a turn at the wheel, heading to a state park. The dark nature of the theme is nice in the dark car.

Great! Good feedback, and these changes I can make easily. I'll make these changes tonight!

 

[Chadlyb]

Wow...someone should have warned me to put on shades to view the default...holy cow that is brightdefinitely like dark responsive official ...feels clean and crisp

 

[Joey83]

Mine seems to be stuck on "OLB Dark Responsive", but that's ok with me.

 

[Terry Pickens]

On the "dark responsive official" will there be icons for alerts and inbox notifications like the "dark responsive"?

Never mind I found them. I should search more before I question.

 

[Steve]

Oh, Don't like it! To me, there's way too much emphasis on the member's profile panel on the left, and the text area is much smaller for a given size window. All the info on likes, posts, etc. is available with a quick tap on their avatar or name now.

Regardless, I'll still be using the light background default style anyway, because my eyes hurt if I use a dark background format. I simply don't participate on any forum that doesn't offer a black text on light background option. I do wish that the member number would be visible on the default style, though, because that's one thing that doesn't show in the pop-up profile.

Just my two cents...

 

[Jimmy P]

I'll still be using the light background default style anyway, because my eyes hurt if I use a dark background format.

I agree with this...I prefer black text on a white background. I stare at a screen all day, and there's just something about white text on a dark background that bugs my eyes out. Beyond that, I do like the new theme

 

[BerettaMato]

Ain't broke dont fix it. LOL

This is one of my favorite forums to visit. It is intuitive and easy to read. Thanks for such an awesome place.

 

[Chadlyb]

I'm a vampire....i like the dark...love all the yellow accent

 

[Murphy Slaw]

I thought I knew which background I preferred, but now...

I can't decide.......

 

[Kent R]

I like the default style

 

[Daryl 32]

Ain't broke dont fix it. LOL

This is one of my favorite forums to visit. It is intuitive and easy to read. Thanks for such an awesome place.

With BerttaMato on this one.

 

[robrtsmtn]

Just changed over to the dark responsive official, and I do like this.

 

[Chadlyb]

Just changed over to the dark responsive official, and I do like this.

Welcome to the Dark side....

 

[Winterpeg]

I like the fact that the floating bar is gone, that made it tough to zoom in and click on a mobile device.
The mobile chat and top of page arrow is pretty big though.

 

[HoneyBadgerXJ]

It's a hard pick for me between the Dark Responsive and Dark Responsive Official. They both have their own advantages, but I like Official better I think. It really pops out at you and I really like that it's still dark. I also like the thread controls on the top.

 

[dstock]

Dark Responsive for me!

 

[archee29]

I like the Dark Responsive Official! Always preferred designs based off of the Google material design.