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New-Look WDF


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#1 Ben

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 06:23 PM

Hey!

As you may have noticed WDF has gone through a make-over, felt it needed a change from the "Standard" look template that comes with the forum software. Plus after a few years, it needed an overhaul! - So here it is! (Sorry it took a while!) :)

Currently it's in BETA, so there's some minor styling issues, but nothing major to stop me from putting the new-look live, i'm still ironing out some things in the back-end.

Don't Foget to Refresh (Clear cache)
Let me know if you spot anything drastic (after refreshing).

The new design will pave the way for some interesting things planned for WDF, hope you like it, any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

I've also added a drop menu so forums are now much more easily accessible.

Cheers.

#2 Ste Hughes

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 06:24 PM

like it :)

#3 don4365345

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 06:26 PM

pretty awesome!

#4 Richard King BWP

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 06:27 PM

Are you ok using the icons and imagery? (from a copyright point of view)

#5 Ben

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 06:28 PM

Are you ok using the icons and imagery? (from a copyright point of view)



Hmmmmmm, I think so, if I get any complaints I would certainly take them down without hesitation.

I would have thought from their point-of-view it would help promote them if anything! :)

#6 Preemo

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 06:29 PM

I love it! Brilliant design!:)

#7 andy9l

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 06:30 PM

Are you ok using the icons and imagery? (from a copyright point of view)

Promotion of their products/services, for free, on a PR4 site? I think we'll be ok ;)

As for the design, it's absolutely brilliant. Love every last bit of it so far.

Edited by andyl, 22 February 2011 - 06:30 PM.


#8 Bomb

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 06:31 PM

Good stuff - very nice!!

#9 KCooper

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 06:32 PM

I'm liking it so far - talk about adding a splash of colour :p


Kyle

#10 MikeChipshop

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 06:34 PM

Looking good man.
Not sure about the white space above the forum list.

You're a braver man than me re-designing something frequented by designers lol

Edited by MikeChipshop, 22 February 2011 - 06:43 PM.


#11 kensha

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 06:36 PM

Hehe very different would need to get used to it,
There 1 issue.

When I click with the wheell to tab open a link from the latest discussion I get this sceenshot.

http://www.virtualr-...n.com/issue.png

Anyway it looks sweet.

Edited by kensha, 22 February 2011 - 06:36 PM.


#12 andy9l

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 06:38 PM

Hehe very different would need to get used to it,
There 1 issue.

When I click with the wheell to tab open a link from the latest discussion I get this sceenshot.

http://www.virtualr-...n.com/issue.png

Anyway it looks sweet.

Ha! IE has already ruined the moment.
Why, kensha - why do you use that junkware?!

Edited by andyl, 22 February 2011 - 06:38 PM.


#13 Ben

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 06:38 PM

Hehe very different would need to get used to it,
There 1 issue.

When I click with the wheell to tab open a link from the latest discussion I get this sceenshot.

http://www.virtualr-...n.com/issue.png

Anyway it looks sweet.


Hmmmm, could you please " Ctrl+F5" please? Does the problem go?

#14 kensha

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 06:40 PM

It keeps reapearing, I treid it several times:) even reopen it.

It's just in IE8.

And it's because I like junk it's the history treasure.

Edit; when I posted a reply it seems to be corrected, so it's only when you tab open the page.

Edited by kensha, 22 February 2011 - 06:41 PM.


#15 STWebDesign

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 06:41 PM

Like it :)

#16 zed

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 06:41 PM

well done!

It does look a little webdesignerdepot.com ?

Can the top graphic be smaller? On my laptop I'm now having to page down more to see the start of anything?
Is the site now sponsored by Adobe? ;) or Apple or Firefox? ;)

The right hand side (eg. Latest Discussions etc) could do with some font colour adjustment. The black draws my eye away from anything else.

In IE9 and compatibility mode, when you click on your name top right and get the drop down it appears under the Search box

#17 Ben

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 06:42 PM

It keeps reapearing, I treid it several times:) even reopen it.

It's just in IE8.

And it's because I like junk it's the history treasure.

Edit; when I posted a reply it seems to be corrected, so it's only when you tab open the page.


Typical, my IE8 isn't doing that, ok, could you try upgrading your browser please..does the problem go.... ;)


I've made a note and will try to get this resolved. Thank you.

#18 Ben

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 06:43 PM

In IE9 and compatibility mode, when you click on your name top right and get the drop down it appears under the Search box




Thank you, added to the snag list :)

#19 charliesaidthat

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 06:44 PM

Fantastic stuff!

Good work on the redesign (although the logo shifting to the right is a tad confusing)

#20 zed

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 06:45 PM

it also seems to go to My Profile automatically in IE9 and compatibility. Sadly not on my main PC to test it properly and only have IE9 RC on my laptop. Well I have Chrome and Safari but can't remember my password to logon with those lol

#21 MikeChipshop

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 06:46 PM

Tehehe i promise i'm not looking for bugs buuuuutttt.....

  • The white-space below the menu seems quite large
  • To the left of the menu where it says 'Web Design Forum' you can't click the link all the way across as it's blocked (i assume by a transparent PNG?).
Maybe a bug watching bit on the forum so that we can list any bugs and help fix them to save you pulling your hair out? (or just for me cos i like finding and fixing bugs... just not in my own projects :p)

#22 zed

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 06:51 PM

and this may not be a bug, could be something I've just not noticed before lol

In latest discussions there seem to be multiple entries for the same thread. has it always been like this? have I just woken up?

well I would attach a screen capture but I can't find see the upload image facility now :S

#23 Renaissance-Design

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 06:51 PM

I like. Very much in the style of Webdesigner Depot.

#24 j05hr

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 06:54 PM

I really like it.

Is the logo meant to not be there when you aren't logged in or is it a bug?

#25 daveb

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 06:55 PM

+1 from me! Liking it.. Was actually thinking a couple of hours ago why you don't have a funky website for a forum based on such a topic :-)

#26 Ben

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 06:55 PM

I really like it.

Is the logo meant to not be there when you aren't logged in or is it a bug?


LOL, that would be a bug...added to the list... (And I thought I was getting some sleep tonight)

Cheers!

#27 chtyrone

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 07:00 PM

Excellent. I do like the pastel shades.
No nonsense.

#28 ayoungh

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 07:26 PM

+1 from me - Nicely done! Looking forward to the new extras you have in store for the forum and its valued members hint hint lol

#29 AndyDesigns

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 07:47 PM

Looks nice and clean, especially like the new drop-down menu giving quicker access to all the forum threads.
Maybe needs a bit more contrast between the different sections of the forums.

Overall nice job though :good:

#30 RobertG

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 07:59 PM

Alot better to look at. Some nice effects also!

#31 mebo

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 08:05 PM

Love the balance of the dramatic graphics in the header and the subtle muted tones in the rest of the site - nice use of gradients!

#32 Lev

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 08:28 PM

Vivat WDF!

#33 cibgraphics

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 08:38 PM

Very good. Love it.

#34 dap

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 08:54 PM

wow looks great!

"i'm still ironing out some things in the back-end." sounds painful :)

#35 Dizi

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 08:58 PM

Its nice to see WDF with its own identity instead of having the default theme.... nice work Ben :clapping:

#36 Acrylic

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 09:46 PM

GREAT!!! Just GREAT :yr:

#37 NeRo

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 10:05 PM

Hmmmmmm, I think so, if I get any complaints I would certainly take them down without hesitation.

I would have thought from their point-of-view it would help promote them if anything! :)


You would think so, but from my experience with BMW car forums this was not the case. BMW Corporate sent out Cease & Desist letters to a number of forum owners telling them not to use the BMW Roundel Logo.

Anyway back on topic - loving the new forum design :)

#38 alzer81

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 10:11 PM

WTF!

not bad! not bad at all! fair play

#39 sash_oo7

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 10:26 PM

i like the new design

#40 Dave

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 10:31 PM

Really Well Done Ben. As said within all the comments above, great to free a fresh lick of paint on the walls.

Also great to see the new logo, very nice!

I'm a bit surprised you went for 2 468x60's at the top, especially with the trend of 125x125 elsewhere online - plus helps get you additional advertising.

I'm really loving the vibrancy of the masthead and although it has similarities to webdesign depot... it's has its own style.

Looking through the length of each post, is it worth removing the 'Interests' section under the avatar? They seem to increase the height of each post significantly leaving alot of white space within the post itself. Just a thought.

Lastly the Briefcase and InDesign Logo's are a bit odd but whatever eh? ;O) Kudos to the Dribbble, HTML5 Logo and Like button's.... Very contemporary.

I'm really looking forward to seeing the new changes soon.

Well done!




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