Custom site theme (come see, feedback needed)

[kirkmc]

I like it a lot, except for the red font. Red fonts are hard to read for people with limited vision - not to mention those who are color-blind - when it's not on a white background. It works well against the white, but against the beiges it's not ideal. I think there's too much red all around, and I'd guess there will be other contrast problems in other areas. I'd strongly suggest ditching the red and going for something a bit more eye-friendly.

Also, I'm not a big fan of background images...

[fwiffo]

The background image will look fine with a variable width - I've done this before. The stones/board images will be anchored to the upper right and lower left corners of your browser window. I'm hesitant to remove them because the layout would have no go character at all at that point. I might make a "lite" version of the theme that is less image-heavy, however.

I did some math on the width of the profile section of posts and the sizes of diagrams and SGF editor, and a two-column layout won't really be possible. So I'm glad everyone is happy with the one-column layout.

Kirk, I think you're right about the red. I want to match the logo, but I think there's just too much of it. I think I'll reserve it just for certain highlights or headings and find something different for links and such.

[schultz]

The background image will look fine with a variable width - I've done this before. The stones/board images will be anchored to the upper right and lower left corners of your browser window. I'm hesitant to remove them because the layout would have no go character at all at that point. I might make a "lite" version of the theme that is less image-heavy, however.

I did some math on the width of the profile section of posts and the sizes of diagrams and SGF editor, and a two-column layout won't really be possible. So I'm glad everyone is happy with the one-column layout.

Kirk, I think you're right about the red. I want to match the logo, but I think there's just too much of it. I think I'll reserve it just for certain highlights or headings and find something different for links and such.

As for background image: yeah that makes sense. I thought of that after I posted. And as long as it is subdued, don't have too much problem with it.

And I agree with the colors stated above, which you've already addressed...

[deja]

Nicely done, fwiffo. I really like the way the L19 logo fades and then blends seamlessly with the background on the right-hand side. How did you do that?

[fwiffo]

Nicely done, fwiffo. I really like the way the L19 logo fades and then blends seamlessly with the background on the right-hand side. How did you do that?

I used my mad PhotoShop skillz.

Just a quick update on the status of this: I have had about 20 minutes total to work on it in the past couple days, so nothing new to report. I think maybe I found a shade of blue that looks good in place of most of the red you see on that mockup.

[Solomon]

How is this coming along? Any hitches?

[fwiffo]

It's not coming along at all. Yes, many hitches. Not with the design, but with my life. I've just had no time at all to work on it.

For one, I've had an unusual volume of projects at work, so I've been working really, really long hours and getting no sleep.

Also, my workstation at home gave up the ghost. I've been limping along with my laptop, but it's just not suitable for that kind of work. So I spent last week going through the hassle and expense of ordering parts and building a new computer. The new box is very nice, but the very night I get everything assembled and up and running my monitor up and dies. Really! So now I have to deal with the hassle and expense of getting that repaired or replaced. I'm working with a loaner right now, but it's not ideal. I'm still just getting everything installed and set up.

On top of that, I've had a couple different, very serious family situations come up at the exact same time. I got some 3 am phone calls within minutes of my monitor breaking. I may have to fly up to Michigan soon, which will put me further behind at work...

I do intend to get back to it, but if there are other web designers on the forum that have more time than me and feel like working on it, they should feel free.

[fwiffo]

I've actually gotten a little work done on this this weekend:
Sneak preview

[Jordus]

Looks really good!

[apetresc]

I'm literally drooling. That looks great!

[flOvermind]

The design looks great, but I don't really like it when a page uses only half the space available on my monitor

[fwiffo]

There is a max width set for development purposes. Once I get all the main screens working, I'll make sure it works with a flexible width.

[fwiffo]

Shouldn't be. What browser are you using, and what screen resolution?

[hyperpape]

I use IE 7 on XP at work on breaktimes, Chrome or Safari at home right now.

I don't know what the received opinion is, but a multicolumn layout actually might work better on a smartphone. You just double tap and the posts or text zoom to fit the screen--the shorter lines are then more readable.