What updates can we expect for the new PF website style?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Greg Bernhardt
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The Physics Forums (PF) is set to unveil a new website style next week, marking a significant update after 12 years. The design will maintain a color palette of blues, greens, and grays but will appear brighter and more modern, aiming for improved speed by utilizing CSS instead of images. Users are advised to update their browsers, as older versions may struggle with the new CSS3 features. App updates will follow shortly after the website launch, enhancing the overall user experience. Feedback on the new design has been mixed, with some users expressing nostalgia for the previous layout while others appreciate the fresh look.
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Now that PF is 12 years old (52 in web years) I think it's time for a little snip here and a little snip there. We've been working on a new style for the past couple months and we should be ready to present it sometime next week. We still used a palette of blues, greens and grays so there won't be a complete "where am I shock". It is though brighter, crisper and more fresh than the current style while keeping a professional feel! It should be a bit faster too as we've replaced a few images with CSS. I think the majority will enjoy it and the rest will learn to love it eventually :D

In the meantime, please update your browsers if you haven't in awhile. The new style uses CSS3 in a few spots and older browsers such as IE 7/8 won't handle it so well. Most versions of FF/Safari/Chrome will render it perfect, but it's always a good idea to check if there is an upgrade. For IE I know 10 just came out and it has much more support for CSS3 than IE9, so that is a highly recommended upgrade!

App users: once the style is released I will also update the style and graphics of the apps. They should be ready for update a week or two after the style is released. Thanks!
 
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Good to see improvements coming. I use Chrome and keep it up-to-date and am looking forward to the tweaks.
 
I can't wait to see the result!
 
Go easy on the Botox!

Zz.
 
Keep your sunglasses handy!
 
52 in web years? Since on the internet nobody knows your a dog, is this really 364 web years?
 
Greg Bernhardt said:
...The new style uses CSS3 in a few spots and older browsers such as IE 7/8 won't handle it so well...

Poor Evo.
 
jhae2.718 said:
Poor Evo.
It actually works quite well with IE7. :frown:
 
Evo said:
It actually works quite well with IE7. :frown:

Good to hear! :)
 
  • #10
Are you eliminating the [STRIKE]bannedmember[/STRIKE] strike out?
 
  • #11
dlgoff said:
Are you eliminating the [STRIKE]bannedmember[/STRIKE] strike out?

Yes, banned members will be unbolded with italics.
 
  • #12
Greg Bernhardt said:
Yes, banned members will be unbolded with italics.
I think they should have an avatar of a fork. (stick a fork in it - done) :-p
 
  • #13
Evo said:
I think they should have an avatar of a fork. (stick a fork in it - done) :-p

lol that would be hilarous!
 
  • #16
Is this part of the makeover?
attachment.php?attachmentid=57006&stc=1&d=1364039903.png


I would prefer the one we had earlier.
 

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  • #17
mishrashubham said:
Is this part of the makeover?
attachment.php?attachmentid=57006&stc=1&d=1364039903.png


I would prefer the one we had earlier.

I prefer this one better.. It also seems faster.
 
  • #18
mishrashubham said:
I would prefer the one we had earlier.

The makeover has not been rolled out yet. Wait until that happens in its entirety, then you can judge on which you prefer.
 
  • #19
mishrashubham said:
Is this part of the makeover?

In fact it is, .0001% of it :) Unfortunately there is a particular css file that is hard coded and it affects all styles.

Good progress has been made and so the new style will be released on Monday.
 
  • #20
Greg Bernhardt said:
In fact it is, .0001% of it :) Unfortunately there is a particular css file that is hard coded and it affects all styles.

Good progress has been made and so the new style will be released on Monday.

Can we have a sneak peek or something? Perhaps a screenshot?
 
  • #21
x2791258 said:
Can we have a sneak peek or something? Perhaps a screenshot?

No, I'd rather keep my weekend "complaint" free. :smile:
 
  • #22
Greg Bernhardt said:
No, I'd rather keep my weekend "complaint" free. :smile:
Poor Greg, you have been working non-stop on changes for over a week. You've done a good job.
 
  • #23
Everything looks cleaner, crisper, more inviting. Posts seem easier to read, quotes stand out more. Overall it looks a lot better. Great Job guys!
 
  • #24
Not bad. I kinda like it. Just takes sometime to get used to it.

When I first clicked on my PF book mark, there was a moment of "wtf?". It had the same layout for as long as I can remember, so you can understand the initial shock!
 
  • #25
Nice job! It always takes a while to get used to new things, but I feel that I like the new layout.
 
  • #26
I really like it Greg! It is all brave new world esque xD. Just one question, is the signature supposed to be "grayed" out relative to the actual text? Maxwell's equations look depressed ;)
 
  • #27
WannabeNewton said:
I really like it Greg! It is all brave new world esque xD. Just one question, is the signature supposed to be "grayed" out relative to the actual text? Maxwell's equations look depressed ;)

Yeah I dabbled with lowering the opacity of signatures to lessen the visual pressure they have on post content.
 
  • #28
Greg Bernhardt said:
Yeah I dabbled with lowering the opacity of signatures to lessen the visual pressure they have on post content.
I'll pretend I understood what any of that meant :wink: Cheers!
 
  • #29
ZOMG!

Awesome work Greg!111!
 
  • #30
Personally I hate this, I think the old look was really distinct and made PF unique. There's a million internet forums out there that look nearly identicle to this one now.
 
  • #31
Greg Bernhardt said:
Yeah I dabbled with lowering the opacity of signatures to lessen the visual pressure they have on post content.

WannabeNewton said:
I'll pretend I understood what any of that meant :wink: Cheers!

:smile:
 
  • #34
Apologies if this has been addressed already, but when I click "My Posts" I see none of mine and all of your posts, Greg. Not sure if this is a bug unique to me or...

I do enjoy your writing though. :P (And the site does look really nice now)
 
  • #35
middleCmusic said:
Apologies if this has been addressed already, but when I click "My Posts" I see none of mine and all of your posts, Greg. Not sure if this is a bug unique to me or...

The same happens here.
 
  • #36
middleCmusic said:
Apologies if this has been addressed already, but when I click "My Posts" I see none of mine and all of your posts, Greg. Not sure if this is a bug unique to me or...

I do enjoy your writing though. :P (And the site does look really nice now)

Thanks for the bug report. I will have it fixed in a few minutes! :)
 
  • #37
To tell the truth, I preferred the previous wide form. But I am an old person confused by new things.

But:
About one quarter of the screen width is empty, so I have to scroll down more then before.
If I use visible size letters, the Quick Links and the search box are merged, texts go out from their boxes, and the proportions do not look nice.
Previously, I could see at once the posts I have replied and new. There is a small faint icon now I can hardly see.

And the awards have been removed:cry:

ehild
 
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  • #38
ehild said:
And the awards have been removed:cry:


That was temporary only.
 
  • #39
It looks pretty refreshing and overall a good design. I would be perfect if I could widen it like echild said, because right now there's a lot of empty space on either side of the screen. Otherwise it's very good
 
  • #40
middleCmusic said:
Apologies if this has been addressed already, but when I click "My Posts" I see none of mine and all of your posts, Greg. Not sure if this is a bug unique to me or...

I do enjoy your writing though. :P (And the site does look really nice now)
Unrelated to the (fixed) bug: I think the https://www.physicsforums.com/usercp.php is easier to use - you directly see which threads (you are interested in) have new posts, if you use the right settings.
 
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  • #41
I am already very curious to see how much space is left available for text when viewing this on my 7" eeepc screen.
 
  • #42
Is it just me, or does the "Remember Me" option not show up anymore whilst logging in? I find myself logging in every time. I am using Chrome.
 
  • #43
Speaking of "face lift". Are you going to be changing "www.physicsforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=20611&d=1253297871" 's face lift? :devil:
 
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  • #44
mishrashubham said:
It looks pretty refreshing and overall a good design. I would be perfect if I could widen it like echild said, because right now there's a lot of empty space on either side of the screen. Otherwise it's very good

You can widen it from the browser. I use Firefox, and can zoom in and out the page from the "View " menu.

ehild
 
  • #45
I haven't encountered any problems, but I'm old and stuck in my ways. I prefer the old format. Thanks for this forum, Greg.
 
  • #46
I don't like change :/
I kind of like the "star" effect in the main banner though.
 
  • #47
OOPS this is a duplicate post
it's in Science Advisors Forum also..

Server errors last night, I wasn't sure whether it'd got through.

..............When viewing subforums and forums top level

the blck at right showing last post need a space between name and "Y" or "T", click
"PFLOUNGE" above for example.

Minor thing, but when first saw it I said I said "who's BernhardT and BorekY ?"

old jim
 
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  • #48
dipole said:
...I think the old look was really distinct and made PF unique. There's a million internet forums out there that look nearly identicle to this one now.

While I do like the new look, I agree with you on that one.
 
  • #49
dipole said:
I think the old look was really distinct and made PF unique. There's a million internet forums out there that look nearly identicle to this one now.
You took the words right out of my mouth! I liked the old version, and even if it's being replaced, it might be better to maintain the old color scheme more.
 
  • #50
Another possible browser oddity

this appeared within last couple hours...

1e9, win 7

in login boxes, the one for password is covered up by "auto login" button and I am unable to log in that way.
Have to click "reply" on a thread to get to an older style login page, and if that one gets 'fixed' i'll be locked out..

(or am I missing a hint?)

old jim
 

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