New Forum Theme Competition

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Lord Wilmore

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New Forum Theme Competition
« on: March 11, 2012, 03:00:50 PM »
Okay, so the current theme is basically very ugly, and nobody really likes it. We need a new one.


Now, I've long felt that given how many people here are handy when it comes to design, it might be an idea to ask the members to come up with theme proposals. I'll set a deadline for submissions (say a month from now), at which point we'll ask everyone to tell us which theme they like best. The winning entry will become the site theme.


In terms of rough guidelines, personally I think something that is akin to the old theme would be best, but who knows, someone might come up with something different that looks better. The only set-in-stone criterion is that it match the current FES logo (which means the colour-scheme probably shouldn't be very different).


Now, to absolutely clear, the administration and Daniel has the final call. So if you make a penis theme and it's overwhelming popular, don't expect us to upload it. Furthermore, admins/mods are also allowed to contribute, so don't be too bummed if one of them gets the nod. I don't have any aptitude for visual design, but I know John is already doing something, and some of the other mods may be interested. Basically, it's not members-only.


So yeah, that's about it. I look forward to viewing the place without sunglasses at some point in the near future. GO FORTH AND CREATE
"I want truth for truth's sake, not for the applaud or approval of men. I would not reject truth because it is unpopular, nor accept error because it is popular. I should rather be right and stand alone than run with the multitude and be wrong." - C.S. DeFord

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Lord Wilmore

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Re: New Forum Theme Competition
« Reply #1 on: March 11, 2012, 03:02:18 PM »
Some inspiration for all of you:


"I want truth for truth's sake, not for the applaud or approval of men. I would not reject truth because it is unpopular, nor accept error because it is popular. I should rather be right and stand alone than run with the multitude and be wrong." - C.S. DeFord

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Thork

Re: New Forum Theme Competition
« Reply #2 on: March 11, 2012, 03:11:11 PM »
???

How do we create a theme? You would need to give us dimensions for banners, backgrounds, buttons etc etc.

In short I'm handy with a computer brush, but I don't even know where to begin. What is required?

Are you expecting us to modify the html of a theme.css file that we can't see?

« Last Edit: March 11, 2012, 03:23:10 PM by Thork »

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Lord Wilmore

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Re: New Forum Theme Competition
« Reply #3 on: March 11, 2012, 03:24:32 PM »
Well to be honest with you, I really don't have any more of an idea than you. Having no aptitude for this sort of thing, I've simply never done it. However, given that different themes usually have different dimensions for all of the above, I assume there aren't any set figures. I mean, lots of the standard themes you can dowload have different banner/border/button sizes.
"I want truth for truth's sake, not for the applaud or approval of men. I would not reject truth because it is unpopular, nor accept error because it is popular. I should rather be right and stand alone than run with the multitude and be wrong." - C.S. DeFord

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Thork

Re: New Forum Theme Competition
« Reply #4 on: March 11, 2012, 03:27:24 PM »
Yeah, I'm not sure how anyone who doesn't own their own server with smf on it to test, will be able to enter.

As the dragons say ...

« Last Edit: March 11, 2012, 03:29:27 PM by Thork »

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EnglshGentleman

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Re: New Forum Theme Competition
« Reply #5 on: March 11, 2012, 03:29:35 PM »
Some inspiration for all of you:




Saying, "I'm on the weird part of youtube, again" does not even begin to describe this video.

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Lorddave

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Re: New Forum Theme Competition
« Reply #6 on: March 11, 2012, 03:42:55 PM »
Thork.
http://www.simplemachines.org/

Find the forum software.
Download it.
Go to the themes folder.
Edit to your heart's content.

You may want to start an SQL server and ftp server so you can have a live visual while altering the theme.
You have been ignored for common interest of mankind.

I am a terrible person and I am a typical Blowhard Liberal for being wrong about Bom.

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Thork

Re: New Forum Theme Competition
« Reply #7 on: March 11, 2012, 03:45:56 PM »
You may want to start an SQL server and ftp server so you can have a live visual while altering the theme.
And here my quest ends. I'll look forward to your entry.
« Last Edit: March 11, 2012, 03:51:13 PM by Thork »

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Lorddave

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Re: New Forum Theme Competition
« Reply #8 on: March 11, 2012, 04:48:22 PM »
You may want to start an SQL server and ftp server so you can have a live visual while altering the theme.
And here my quest ends. I'll look forward to your entry.
Why? It's easy. I've done it.
You have been ignored for common interest of mankind.

I am a terrible person and I am a typical Blowhard Liberal for being wrong about Bom.

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Thork

Re: New Forum Theme Competition
« Reply #9 on: March 11, 2012, 04:51:35 PM »
I'm not installing all that crap onto my PC. I'll look forward to your entry. If you need a banner or background or something, let me know.

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Lorddave

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Re: New Forum Theme Competition
« Reply #10 on: March 11, 2012, 05:08:40 PM »
I'm not installing all that crap onto my PC. I'll look forward to your entry. If you need a banner or background or something, let me know.

Then use a virtual machine.
You have been ignored for common interest of mankind.

I am a terrible person and I am a typical Blowhard Liberal for being wrong about Bom.

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Parsifal

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Re: New Forum Theme Competition
« Reply #11 on: March 12, 2012, 03:02:53 AM »
Yeah, I'm not sure how anyone who doesn't own their own server with smf on it to test, will be able to enter.

I'll see if I can install SMF on my server, such that any idiot can upload a theme to it. I'm no good with design, so it'll be my contribution to this shindig.
I'm going to side with the white supremacists.

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Thork

Re: New Forum Theme Competition
« Reply #12 on: March 12, 2012, 04:17:50 AM »
Okay, so the current theme is basically very ugly, and nobody really likes it.


The only set-in-stone criterion is that it match the current FES logo (which means the colour-scheme probably shouldn't be very different).


So the theme must have a bright white background, be blue and use green or yellow? Text in black?

It is unfortunate that the logo is such a heinous piece of crap. Its child-like and garish. By dictating the forum must look like the hideous logo, the forum will continue to look as though it dressed itself in the dark.

How about ... just going out on a limb here, the theme only needs to include the logo. I recon I could do something pretty cool, but I would probably inset the logo into the steel hilt of a Crusader's sword or carved into the knocker of some magnificent doors or something. I wouldn't leave it looking as though it was crayoned on by Zippy and Bungle.

I'll tell you what. If Parsifal makes it so that indeed an idiot can create a theme on his server, I'll make something that does not offend the eyes. If it can't be the main theme for fear 5 year olds mightn't like it, maybe just upload it so as those who want a darker less offensive theme can select it as a preference?

I'll see if I can install SMF on my server, such that any idiot can upload a theme to it. I'm no good with design, so it'll be my contribution to this shindig.
If it means I can easily get on with it and not be messing about installing god knows what, then I would accept your most generous offer.
« Last Edit: March 12, 2012, 04:20:17 AM by Thork »

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Blanko

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Re: New Forum Theme Competition
« Reply #13 on: March 12, 2012, 06:05:48 AM »
It is unfortunate that the logo is such a heinous piece of crap.

Please keep the trolling in the lower fora.

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Username

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Re: New Forum Theme Competition
« Reply #14 on: March 12, 2012, 06:14:30 AM »
Well Thork as far as creating a theme fast and easy this is what I would do:

Design the theme or a mockup on paper and/or photoshop
Export necessary Placeholder images from ps
Code the CSS / HTML for a few pages
Edit it for the template engine to use by adding in whatever additional markup you need

As far as a white background no.  You could use a .png with a transparent background. 

I'm not crazy about the logo myself (hence commissioning my own years ago), but there is a lot of room to work around it.

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Lord Wilmore

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Re: New Forum Theme Competition
« Reply #15 on: March 12, 2012, 08:09:06 AM »
Yeah, when I said the colour scheme shouldn't be very different, I probably could've been clearer - I meant it probably shouldn't be too different to the old theme, rather than exactly the same as the logo (after all, the old theme didn't have any green or yellow in it). However, as I say, I have absolutely no artistic skill or aptitude, so I can't really say what colour schemes will or won't work.


That said, I really like our current logo. I think it's bright and colourful, and gives the right impression.
"I want truth for truth's sake, not for the applaud or approval of men. I would not reject truth because it is unpopular, nor accept error because it is popular. I should rather be right and stand alone than run with the multitude and be wrong." - C.S. DeFord

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Username

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Re: New Forum Theme Competition
« Reply #16 on: March 12, 2012, 08:31:24 AM »
Personally, I'm going to pitch a different colour scheme all together.  This blue is extremely dated.

If you do this or something like this, just make sure it works.  If this is your first time attempting something like this, I'd start with photoshop or gimp and choose a similar structure and style.  That way you won't have to rewrite all the css and start from a brand new fresh empty template.

You can also find a free to use and modify theme online and alter it appropriately.   This is a great idea if this your first attempt at anything like this.

I'd suggest against this if you plan on winning instead of just having your theme one of the choices available;  I hope to unify the theme across the site to solidify our design and identity.  So if your choice wins, I will likely alter it to create the front page site and I hope that will also be reflected in the judging.  I believe Daniel gets final say though.

Obviously, by entering you are agreeing that we can use your design however we want and see fit for this site or organization for as long as we want.





« Last Edit: March 12, 2012, 09:21:42 AM by John Davis »

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Thork

Re: New Forum Theme Competition
« Reply #17 on: March 12, 2012, 12:59:41 PM »
Mmm. Could just blend the logo with other things to make it look a bit less cartoon-like and set a theme around that.



Dunno. I might leave this for Jon. It seems a huge waste of someone's time if theirs isn't picked.
« Last Edit: March 12, 2012, 01:10:44 PM by Thork »

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Lorddave

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Re: New Forum Theme Competition
« Reply #18 on: March 12, 2012, 03:29:55 PM »
Why not just use the logo but with no color?  That way whatever theme is decided on, we can match the logo to the colors?
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Parsifal

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Re: New Forum Theme Competition
« Reply #19 on: March 13, 2012, 05:15:55 AM »
Update: I've got SMF up and running: http://smf.steven-mcdonald.id.au/

However, there's currently no way for you guys to upload themes. I was hoping to hack up something crude but functional tonight, but then I had to give my attention to an unexpected problem that arose at work. I'll keep you posted; hopefully there'll be some way you can use this to test your themes by the time the weekend rolls around.
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Username

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Re: New Forum Theme Competition
« Reply #20 on: March 13, 2012, 07:13:51 AM »
It seems a huge waste of someone's time if theirs isn't picked.
I was under the impression that even if you don't win, if your theme isn't crap it will still be a user option, just not the default.

On the otherhand, looking through all the code for each theme for malicious code would be a daunting task depending on the number of entries.

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Lorddave

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Re: New Forum Theme Competition
« Reply #21 on: March 13, 2012, 01:16:27 PM »
Update: I've got SMF up and running: http://smf.steven-mcdonald.id.au/

However, there's currently no way for you guys to upload themes. I was hoping to hack up something crude but functional tonight, but then I had to give my attention to an unexpected problem that arose at work. I'll keep you posted; hopefully there'll be some way you can use this to test your themes by the time the weekend rolls around.

Can't admins upload new themes?  All they need to do is download a theme, unzip it, alter it to their heart's content, then rezip it and upload it via the admin page.
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Parsifal

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Re: New Forum Theme Competition
« Reply #22 on: March 14, 2012, 12:11:20 AM »
Can't admins upload new themes?  All they need to do is download a theme, unzip it, alter it to their heart's content, then rezip it and upload it via the admin page.

Possibly, but giving arbitrary users admin privileges isn't something I'm keen on doing.

I'll see whether SMF's privilege system allows me to do something a bit more flexible.
I'm going to side with the white supremacists.

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Parsifal

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Re: New Forum Theme Competition
« Reply #23 on: March 14, 2012, 04:02:32 AM »
The upload functionality on my board is ready to roll. I've written an explanatory post here: http://smf.steven-mcdonald.id.au/index.php?topic=2.0

As per that post, please PM me either here, or on that forum, to obtain login credentials to upload your themes. Just a heads up though, I'm unlikely to respond until about 20 hours from now, as I'm about to go to bed and work thereafter.
I'm going to side with the white supremacists.

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Lord Wilmore

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Re: New Forum Theme Competition
« Reply #24 on: March 14, 2012, 08:43:15 AM »
Thanks for doing this Steve, I'm sure anyone designing a theme will appreciate it.
"I want truth for truth's sake, not for the applaud or approval of men. I would not reject truth because it is unpopular, nor accept error because it is popular. I should rather be right and stand alone than run with the multitude and be wrong." - C.S. DeFord

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Thork

Re: New Forum Theme Competition
« Reply #25 on: March 15, 2012, 12:51:46 PM »
Just want to say I have been using Parsifal's new set up and it is really easy to use.

All you need is a text editor (I use notepad ++, its free) and a paint program (I use paint.net also free). Its surprisingly easy to take an old theme and chop it up. I have a bunch of ideas but won't be able to do them all. Maybe some other people would like them.

Complete nonsense has a theme. Angry Rantings doesn't. That might be a really fun one to do. Also a phone version as we only have one phone option.

Anyway, just wanted to say parsifal has made it really easy and has made this theme thing possible for the great unwashed to participate in. Hopefully we'll have a bunch of good themes to choose from and if you steal a ready made theme and just adapt it to look FESsy you don't need to know anything about coding.
« Last Edit: March 15, 2012, 12:55:02 PM by Thork »

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Thork

Re: New Forum Theme Competition
« Reply #26 on: March 15, 2012, 05:08:45 PM »
We are only one day in, so I have only had time to make a banner, but wondered if people liked what I was doing? I want a kind of moon light feel to the theme. the bright white will go as will writing across my banner and a whole heap of other changes, but essentially its just the blue background and RE/FE banner that I did today.


*click for full size.

Also did I pitch it right? I didn't fill it with moonshramp but I wanted to make it look interesting and friendly - like the people here. :P I should say its Isaac Newton on the left and Rowbotham on the right to save any embarrassment. :D

Maybe someone else will do a moonshramp theme?

I thought I'd ask as there is no point ploughing on doing something if everyone will hate it and not use it at the end. :(
« Last Edit: March 15, 2012, 05:21:04 PM by Thork »

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Coconutface

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Re: New Forum Theme Competition
« Reply #27 on: March 15, 2012, 05:57:32 PM »
We are only one day in, so I have only had time to make a banner, but wondered if people liked what I was doing? I want a kind of moon light feel to the theme. the bright white will go as will writing across my banner and a whole heap of other changes, but essentially its just the blue background and RE/FE banner that I did today.


*click for full size.

Also did I pitch it right? I didn't fill it with moonshramp but I wanted to make it look interesting and friendly - like the people here. :P I should say its Isaac Newton on the left and Rowbotham on the right to save any embarrassment. :D

Maybe someone else will do a moonshramp theme?

I thought I'd ask as there is no point ploughing on doing something if everyone will hate it and not use it at the end. :(
Why is there money?
Dann is the prettiest moonshramp!

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Thork

Re: New Forum Theme Competition
« Reply #28 on: March 15, 2012, 05:59:05 PM »
Because there is a conspiracy? don't give me crap about there is or isn't a conspiracy. We discuss it a lot and have a bizillion threads about conspiracy - or it could be NASA's dirty slush money if you like. The money is on the RE side of the moon.

Do you actually liek how it looks? tell me or I crey! :'(
« Last Edit: March 15, 2012, 06:01:38 PM by Thork »

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Coconutface

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Re: New Forum Theme Competition
« Reply #29 on: March 15, 2012, 06:05:58 PM »
Because there is a conspiracy? don't give me crap about there is or isn't a conspiracy. We discuss it a lot and have a bizillion threads about conspiracy - or it could be NASA's dirty slush money if you like. The money is on the RE side of the moon.

Do you actually liek how it looks? tell me or I crey! :'(
My Opinion doesn't matter I'm new here. am i doing it rite, Nomud?
Dann is the prettiest moonshramp!