(06-06-2023, 12:41 AM)RELLGAR Wrote: It's looking better, I changed to the colors I prefer.
I looked to see which theme that you chose to go with, and you chose the default theme.
For me, the primary problems with the
RoundoDarko theme (which is actually only a temporary or test theme to gauge feedback) is that it is a substantially less functional theme. For instance, when I view the
Member List, options that I previously had are eliminated. From time to time, I
View the member List in different ways. It aids me with detecting possible spam accounts (to see who the most recent
Registrations are). It also lets me see who the most recent visitors to the forum is (which helps me to gauge whether activity on the forum is increasing or decreasing).
And on the left hand side of the
index.php, which I often refer to as the
Forum Index page, what used to be present in the middle of the page has now been shifted over to the left hand side, and placed under the title of
Categories. Thus resulted in no net increase of functionality or usability, and only added to the
Confusion Index that naturally rises, anytime a perceived dramatic change is implemented.
Set the colors and looks (aesthetics) aside, and what were the
Net Benefits that the RoundoDark them added? In essence, what was gained? A new color scheme could have been implemented without moving
where the links were located that forum users were accustomed to. I'm not opposed to change, per se, as we can either be agents of change or victims of change, but what is
gained versus what is
lost, in the process of
implementing change?
Having just one theme for the forum likely translates into it being
easier to track down theme-related problems that arise, from time to time. However, it may well be that having
more than one theme will translate into a more
user-friendly approach, since not everyone is likely to like the same thing -
and especially where aesthetics are concerned.
On the RoundoDarko theme, where are the links to
Join A Game and to
View Games Forming? To me, those are crucial links, yet where are they? Certainly, they can be added, but when implementing change, at least some of the confusion which change tends to bring can be successfully averted. beforehand. This tends to take time, effort, and thought prior to implementation and execution.
How do you please everybody? You don't. The more important consideration, perhaps, is how do you avoid alienating people unnecessarily? At least part of that can of alienation can be remedied upfront.
Why the creators of the RoundoDarko theme basically converted the index.php page into a quasi-portal, instead of just using the included portal.php page, is beyond me. What were the net gains for doing so? From my perspective, more was lost than was gained. I'm still; trying to figure out what, exactly and specifically, was gained? What does the RoundoDarko index.php page offer that the portal-php page offers?
The name RoundoDarko is basically a play upon
rounded corners and
dark colors. These considerations do not address issues of functionality or lack thereof. So, again, what as the net gain? From my perspective, there wasn't any actual net gain in terms of functionality or usability for the end user. Yes, it looks different. Beyond how it looks different, what do the end users of the forum now gain from the switch to it? If you don't have an answer to that question, then that, in and of itself, is the wrong answer.
Trying to update multiple different themes going forward, can be a bit of a pain in the ass. So, too, can trying to adjust to a theme that your eyes and your perception just don't like. As a general rule of thumb, I think that giving users options is better than not giving them options.
Just my off-the-cuff opinion of the moment.
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