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rspassey · 10-27-2005, 06:12 PM

Okay - I have been here at PcMech for a while; and I will continue to be here for a long time - but myself and a few friends who are really into computer security decided to make a forum - Secure PC - http://s14.invisionfree.com/Secure_PC/index.php?act=idx

I was hoping to get some advice on how to make it more appealing.. and feel free to sign up. We are looking for more knowledgable members as well to help out. I will be making buttons - but would also like some input on what you think the buttons should look like. Also any category and Forum ideas would be great... We are new at the whole thing and would really like if it could be used as a secondary to PcMech - post your problems on both if you like etc.. Of Course i will be adding in a large link to PcMech's site - if that is okay by the PcMech team...

Note - working on a banner and side borders.... just so you know.
TIA,
Ryan124712

blue60007 · 10-27-2005, 06:56 PM

One thing I would suggest is making the text a slight bit lighter. It's a bit hard to read on that background.

rspassey · 10-27-2005, 07:00 PM

Thanks, Will do.

**mairving** · 10-28-2005, 09:26 AM

Not a big fan of black backgrounds. It is more difficult to read and on a forum where the main purpose is reading, it is not so good. It is also difficult to really give a review of a forum since you are somewhat limited by what you can do on a forum.

Stryker · 10-28-2005, 09:35 AM

Seems like the idea is great. Many people out there with computer security questions. I'm in agreement thought, that it's just too dark. Just about everything on the site is either black or dark grey.

Also (just personal opinion), although cool graphics and divider bars are fun, they take up a lot of space on the forum. It takes away from the content of the forum, which is why people will be visiting... for the content.

Stryker

rspassey · 10-28-2005, 02:11 PM

thanks for the input - I will work on the skin later - also some plain buttons - but I agree - if / when people go to it they will go to it for help; not fancy buttons.
Also, I would not mind if anyone has any input on other forum topics that I shouhld create before I go into writing the stickies and so on...

TwoRails · 10-28-2005, 07:57 PM

I'd like to see a bigger font. I'm running at 1600x1200 and dang near need a magnifying glass to read it.

rspassey · 10-28-2005, 08:48 PM

I was thinking about that while editing the skin, but then I thought 'what if someone is running at a lower resolution and the font will be collosal for them'. Maybe I can find code to make it auto adjust due to resolution - do you know if that is possible?

TwoRails · 10-28-2005, 08:54 PM

Sorry... I don't

- never got around to learning how to do Web sites.

rspassey · 10-28-2005, 08:58 PM

I took html a while back - remember a bit - part of the reason I wanted to the forum as to help jog my memory; and I am already trying out new code I never learned before - so I consider it a good learning experience too.

blue60007 · 10-28-2005, 09:09 PM

Don't think you can do that without some complicated JS... What you want to do is set relative sizes like <font size = "+2"> instead of abesolute, like <p style = "font-size: 16px;"> Just as long as you don't define it in pixels, the size should be relative to the screen resolution.

EDIT: Fiddlesticks! Didn't want it to parse the HTML code lol
There that's better

If you are running on a 1600x1200 resolution, you should really up the font DPI, any normal sized font is going to be small.

rspassey · 10-28-2005, 09:17 PM

Okay - Thanks Blue. I am actually thinking about a new skin - A few have mentioned the black is over kill... I will look for a nice whitish/greyish one with black fonts.

Stryker · 10-28-2005, 11:03 PM

Why not have a selection for font size at the top of the page, or in the user options. Here's a VERY simple example and by no means should you use it on your site. It's just a demonstration that I threw together in Notepad a few minutes ago. Just save the attached .txt file and change the extension to .htm and open it with a browser to see it work.

PHP Code:


			
<html>



<head>



<style>

.font8pt {font-size: 8pt;}

.font10pt {font-size: 10pt;}

.font12pt {font-size: 12pt;}

.font14pt {font-size: 14pt;}

</style>



<script>

function changefontsize() {

    var selectedsize = document.getElementById('fontchanger').value;

    var gotoclass = "font" + selectedsize;

        document.getElementById('pagecontent').className = gotoclass;

}

</script>



</head>



<body>



<select id="fontchanger" onchange="changefontsize();">

<option value="8pt"> 8pt</option>

<option value="10pt"> 10pt</option>

<option value="12pt"> 12pt</option>

<option value="14pt"> 14pt</option>

</select>



<label id="pagecontent">Here's some text</label>



</body>



</html>

Stryker · 10-28-2005, 11:07 PM

By the way, you can also use pretty simple script to change entire style sheets as well. You could make it site-wide, or just an individual page.

Giver 'er a google and you'll get plenty of results.

rspassey · 10-28-2005, 11:28 PM

Great, Thanks So much...
How would a light grey background and borders look with black font - keeping the same style as I have now? I think I will try that out.

Note - it may appear that I haven't changed anything yet, but I am taking it all in and will make the changes soon - first I have been designing buttons and working on the admin stuff (like restrictions and writing the stickies). I will test out all suggestions - tomorrow hopefully - at the moment (with only 5 members) I can stil experiment and change stuff w/ out it interfering w/ browsing.

rspassey · 10-29-2005, 02:51 PM

http://s14.invisionfree.com/Secure_PC/index.php?act=idx
Here it is so far - i wil work on the font size selector later. Thanks to a member here Alfred 137 - I got that nice banner at the top.

Jsut created a short URL
http://www.securepc.vze.com/

TwoRails · 10-29-2005, 07:23 PM

Sorry, ryan1247124, but I've been so freakin' busy that I haven't looked at it since my last post.... and just now, only briefly: Sure looks a lot better!

MaxRat · 10-29-2005, 07:28 PM

That looks really nice....good work and good job...should be a fun experience..

Jaggannath · 10-29-2005, 07:40 PM

Not too bad... perhaps a little bland all in grey... perhaps make those crosshatched things at the top beside the header bar on the post blue and green or something

btw, nice avatar Stryker, I like it

rspassey · 10-29-2005, 07:51 PM

The colors are an improvement from the black, I might play around with them a little more.... but like I said, I wanna get up so information and stuff first ... only got 6 members so far, and most of those people who have viewed it so far (you guys) get post what you wanna ask right here... but it might take off in the future if I keep working away at it.

TwoRails · 10-29-2005, 08:19 PM

Hey! I joined, ryan124712

... besides here, at home at PC Mechanic, that's the first non-"technical support" forum I've suscribed to!! I even did a post

TR

Stryker · 10-29-2005, 08:21 PM

True ryan, you are probably best to get the function and everything done early on. Changing colours and images doesn't really affect anything once there are people logged in.

----
Thanks Jag. It was tough to come up with an idea that said a little about me, but I think that does it quite well. I also waited until I had 1024 posts... guess I'm just a sucker for the old rules, even with the "Supporter" status.

Jaggannath · 10-29-2005, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stryker

Thanks Jag. It was tough to come up with an idea that said a little about me, but I think that does it quite well. I also waited until I had 1024 posts... guess I'm just a sucker for the old rules, even with the "Supporter" status.

I did notice that, I thought it was cool of you... I'd do the same. I didn't realise supporter status let you change the comment under the name too until I saw apollos

blue60007 · 10-29-2005, 09:49 PM

Looks very good now.

One thing though, is there supposed to be a little "hook" thing on each end of your image above each block. Looks like it's a background that isn't quite wide enough. If you don't see what I'm saying, I'll get you a screenshot

rspassey · 10-29-2005, 11:08 PM

Sorry blue, I am not quite sure I understand what you mean...

blue60007 · 10-29-2005, 11:20 PM

It might just be me, but here's a lovely picture. There's a css property that will stretch that background image to fit the cell. Shouldn't hurt anything since it's only a few pixels off. Sorry I don't know the property off the top of my head though

Lol, we both have the same unlucky number of posts 1313

rspassey · 10-29-2005, 11:25 PM

I do believe you are on to something... I will check the original skin... http://s4.invisionfree.com/Robb_Skin_2/index.php

~It is the same on the original - perhaps it is supposed to be that way.
Thanks for pointing it out though.
Phew 1314*

blue60007 · 10-29-2005, 11:51 PM

Yeah, that's not as bad though. Don't know if it's supposed to look that way, but it looks a littly funny.

Jaggannath · 10-30-2005, 08:20 AM

I don't actually see it on his skin, only on yours... not that it matters, it's barely visible

TwoRails · 10-30-2005, 09:50 AM

I just thought they were little antennae

10-27-2005, 06:12 PM	#1
rspassey ~ Ryan ~ Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Jackson TN Posts: 3,516	New Forum by me - What do you think.. Okay - I have been here at PcMech for a while; and I will continue to be here for a long time - but myself and a few friends who are really into computer security decided to make a forum - Secure PC - http://s14.invisionfree.com/Secure_PC/index.php?act=idx I was hoping to get some advice on how to make it more appealing.. and feel free to sign up. We are looking for more knowledgable members as well to help out. I will be making buttons - but would also like some input on what you think the buttons should look like. Also any category and Forum ideas would be great... We are new at the whole thing and would really like if it could be used as a secondary to PcMech - post your problems on both if you like etc.. Of Course i will be adding in a large link to PcMech's site - if that is okay by the PcMech team... Note - working on a banner and side borders.... just so you know. TIA, Ryan124712 Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter __________________ RiotCats.com, an internet domain specifically fabricated and visually erected for the appreciation of the feline kingdom! Last edited by rspassey; 10-27-2005 at 06:14 PM.

10-27-2005, 06:56 PM	#2
blue60007 Wx geek Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 6,638	One thing I would suggest is making the text a slight bit lighter. It's a bit hard to read on that background. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter __________________ "It is the way of man to make monsters and it is the nature of monsters to destroy their makers."

10-27-2005, 07:00 PM	#3
rspassey ~ Ryan ~ Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Jackson TN Posts: 3,516	Thanks, Will do. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

10-28-2005, 09:26 AM	#4
mairving Staff Premium Member Join Date: Jul 1999 Location: Arlington, TN Posts: 5,538	Not a big fan of black backgrounds. It is more difficult to read and on a forum where the main purpose is reading, it is not so good. It is also difficult to really give a review of a forum since you are somewhat limited by what you can do on a forum. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter __________________ Want to Make $$$$ with your Computer? No Risk! Simply press shift-4 four times in a row

10-28-2005, 09:35 AM	#5
Stryker It can never be too quiet Join Date: May 2004 Location: Burlington, Ontario Posts: 1,090	Seems like the idea is great. Many people out there with computer security questions. I'm in agreement thought, that it's just too dark. Just about everything on the site is either black or dark grey. Also (just personal opinion), although cool graphics and divider bars are fun, they take up a lot of space on the forum. It takes away from the content of the forum, which is why people will be visiting... for the content. Stryker Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter __________________ Athlon XP 2800+ • Asus A7N8X (nVidia Nforce2) • Radeon 9600 Pro 256MB • 2x512MB KVR DDR PC3200 Dual Channel • 120GB Seagate 7200RPM 8MB • 160GB WD 7200RPM 8MB • Liteon DVD±RW DL • AOpen DVD±RW DL • Vantec Ion2 350W PSUSend me your picture for the Member Photo Gallery

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10-28-2005, 02:11 PM	#6
rspassey ~ Ryan ~ Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Jackson TN Posts: 3,516	thanks for the input - I will work on the skin later - also some plain buttons - but I agree - if / when people go to it they will go to it for help; not fancy buttons. Also, I would not mind if anyone has any input on other forum topics that I shouhld create before I go into writing the stickies and so on... Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

10-28-2005, 07:57 PM	#7
TwoRails Member (14 bit) Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Great NorthWest Posts: 12,594	I'd like to see a bigger font. I'm running at 1600x1200 and dang near need a magnifying glass to read it. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

10-28-2005, 08:48 PM	#8
rspassey ~ Ryan ~ Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Jackson TN Posts: 3,516	I was thinking about that while editing the skin, but then I thought 'what if someone is running at a lower resolution and the font will be collosal for them'. Maybe I can find code to make it auto adjust due to resolution - do you know if that is possible? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

10-28-2005, 08:54 PM	#9
TwoRails Member (14 bit) Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Great NorthWest Posts: 12,594	Sorry... I don't - never got around to learning how to do Web sites. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

10-28-2005, 08:58 PM	#10
rspassey ~ Ryan ~ Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Jackson TN Posts: 3,516	I took html a while back - remember a bit - part of the reason I wanted to the forum as to help jog my memory; and I am already trying out new code I never learned before - so I consider it a good learning experience too. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

10-28-2005, 09:09 PM	#11
blue60007 Wx geek Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 6,638	Don't think you can do that without some complicated JS... What you want to do is set relative sizes like <font size = "+2"> instead of abesolute, like <p style = "font-size: 16px;"> Just as long as you don't define it in pixels, the size should be relative to the screen resolution. EDIT: Fiddlesticks! Didn't want it to parse the HTML code lol There that's better If you are running on a 1600x1200 resolution, you should really up the font DPI, any normal sized font is going to be small. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Last edited by blue60007; 10-28-2005 at 09:12 PM.

10-28-2005, 09:17 PM	#12
rspassey ~ Ryan ~ Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Jackson TN Posts: 3,516	Okay - Thanks Blue. I am actually thinking about a new skin - A few have mentioned the black is over kill... I will look for a nice whitish/greyish one with black fonts. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

10-28-2005, 11:07 PM	#14
Stryker It can never be too quiet Join Date: May 2004 Location: Burlington, Ontario Posts: 1,090	By the way, you can also use pretty simple script to change entire style sheets as well. You could make it site-wide, or just an individual page. Giver 'er a google and you'll get plenty of results. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

10-28-2005, 11:28 PM	#15
rspassey ~ Ryan ~ Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Jackson TN Posts: 3,516	Great, Thanks So much... How would a light grey background and borders look with black font - keeping the same style as I have now? I think I will try that out. Note - it may appear that I haven't changed anything yet, but I am taking it all in and will make the changes soon - first I have been designing buttons and working on the admin stuff (like restrictions and writing the stickies). I will test out all suggestions - tomorrow hopefully - at the moment (with only 5 members) I can stil experiment and change stuff w/ out it interfering w/ browsing. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Last edited by rspassey; 10-28-2005 at 11:36 PM.

10-29-2005, 02:51 PM	#16
rspassey ~ Ryan ~ Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Jackson TN Posts: 3,516	http://s14.invisionfree.com/Secure_PC/index.php?act=idx Here it is so far - i wil work on the font size selector later. Thanks to a member here Alfred 137 - I got that nice banner at the top. Jsut created a short URL http://www.securepc.vze.com/ Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Last edited by rspassey; 10-29-2005 at 03:20 PM.

10-29-2005, 07:28 PM	#18
MaxRat Tweak Monster Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: indiana Posts: 2,966	That looks really nice....good work and good job...should be a fun experience.. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter __________________ MSI 890GXM-G65 mATX/1075t/G-Skill DDR3-1600 2x4gb /WD 640 aaks 95mb/s /XFX 5830/Zalman9700nt/ Thermaltake TP750w modular ECS P55 Black Edition/i7-860/Geil Black Dragon 2x2gb 12800-ddr3/Asus 5970X2 vid card/2x640 AALS-Raid-0/Corsair TX-850w

10-29-2005, 07:23 PM	#17
TwoRails Member (14 bit) Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Great NorthWest Posts: 12,594	Sorry, ryan1247124, but I've been so freakin' busy that I haven't looked at it since my last post.... and just now, only briefly: Sure looks a lot better! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

10-29-2005, 07:40 PM	#19
Jaggannath Gremlin Overlord Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 2,382	Not too bad... perhaps a little bland all in grey... perhaps make those crosshatched things at the top beside the header bar on the post blue and green or something btw, nice avatar Stryker, I like it Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

10-29-2005, 07:51 PM	#20
rspassey ~ Ryan ~ Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Jackson TN Posts: 3,516	The colors are an improvement from the black, I might play around with them a little more.... but like I said, I wanna get up so information and stuff first ... only got 6 members so far, and most of those people who have viewed it so far (you guys) get post what you wanna ask right here... but it might take off in the future if I keep working away at it. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

10-29-2005, 08:19 PM	#21
TwoRails Member (14 bit) Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Great NorthWest Posts: 12,594	Hey! I joined, ryan124712 ... besides here, at home at PC Mechanic, that's the first non-"technical support" forum I've suscribed to!! I even did a post TR Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

10-29-2005, 08:21 PM	#22
Stryker It can never be too quiet Join Date: May 2004 Location: Burlington, Ontario Posts: 1,090	True ryan, you are probably best to get the function and everything done early on. Changing colours and images doesn't really affect anything once there are people logged in. ---- Thanks Jag. It was tough to come up with an idea that said a little about me, but I think that does it quite well. I also waited until I had 1024 posts... guess I'm just a sucker for the old rules, even with the "Supporter" status. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

10-29-2005, 09:49 PM	#24
blue60007 Wx geek Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 6,638	Looks very good now. One thing though, is there supposed to be a little "hook" thing on each end of your image above each block. Looks like it's a background that isn't quite wide enough. If you don't see what I'm saying, I'll get you a screenshot Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

10-29-2005, 11:08 PM	#25
rspassey ~ Ryan ~ Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Jackson TN Posts: 3,516	Sorry blue, I am not quite sure I understand what you mean... Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

10-29-2005, 11:25 PM	#27
rspassey ~ Ryan ~ Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Jackson TN Posts: 3,516	I do believe you are on to something... I will check the original skin... http://s4.invisionfree.com/Robb_Skin_2/index.php ~It is the same on the original - perhaps it is supposed to be that way. Thanks for pointing it out though. Phew 1314* Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

10-29-2005, 11:51 PM	#28
blue60007 Wx geek Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 6,638	Yeah, that's not as bad though. Don't know if it's supposed to look that way, but it looks a littly funny. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

10-30-2005, 08:20 AM	#29
Jaggannath Gremlin Overlord Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 2,382	I don't actually see it on his skin, only on yours... not that it matters, it's barely visible Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

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10-30-2005, 09:50 AM	#30
TwoRails Member (14 bit) Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Great NorthWest Posts: 12,594	I just thought they were little antennae Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

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