New link in the top of page "IRC Chat".
Register | Login
Views: 122486796
Main | Memberlist | Active users | Calendar | Last Posts | IRC Chat | Online users
Ranks | FAQ | XPW | Stats | Color Chart | Photo album
03-28-24 01:19 PM
0 users currently in Muses' Sanctuary.
Xeogaming Forums - Muses' Sanctuary - What's with the small text boxes here..? (Layout Observations...) | | Thread closed
Pages: 1 2Next newer thread | Next older thread
User Post
Astrophel
Fear will kill your mind and steal your love as sure as anything;
Fear will rob you blind and make you numb to others suffering









Since: 10-03-04
From: Azul Lux Orbital, Kirin Beta

Since last post: 2241 days
Last activity: 1092 days
Posted on 01-17-06 01:40 AM Link
Numerous layouts that I've seen here have text boxes that take up less than 50% of the post area (horizontally), and worse, most of them are scrollbar layouts, meaning that the small text area is all that we get.

Seriously, people, make them wider or make it a stretchable layout or do SOMETHING to prevent having a scrollbar in a two-paragraph post. I'd rather not name names, but Katana, Drizzt, and Elara's layouts are good examples of this. Kaijin's and Rogue's would be if they scrolled.

The other observation is that some of you don't have a background on your text area, and you really need one. Specifically, all of you that have no background on your text box, notably Elara, Drizzt, and to a lesser extent Vulkar. If you want transparency, there's a way to do it without CSS, but only one seems to work at a time (with CSS, you can use them all I think), outlined below.

table width=95% height=* bgcolor=000040 border=2 style="opacity: 0.75" for Firefox (1 is opaque, 0 is completely transparent, I think)

table width=95% height=* bgcolor=000040 border=2 style="filter:alpha(opacity: 75)" for IE

And of course remember the < and >. You can replace width, height, bgcolor, and border with whatever, that code's just copied from two versions of my layout.

I can block layouts, yes. But honestly, this is a major problem here; the layout issues have gotten so bad that someone has referred to Xeogaming as "where all the horrible layouts gather." I've seen the main problem (well, main problem in my eyes), and I'm offering some constructive criticism.


(Last edited by Tanis Rotheran on 01-17-06 04:58 AM)
True Flight

The One








Since: 08-21-04

Since last post: 2663 days
Last activity: 2648 days
Posted on 01-17-06 06:08 AM Link
Gah I didn't know 390 pixels was too less for you Tanis. Besides I increased the opacity from like 75% to 80 so people could read the layout in Explorer. I don't care about Firefox. XD

Look if you really have a problem with certain people's layouts you should pm them. I've done that on several occaisions when I couldn't read the texts.
Bitmap

#1 Enhancement Shaman US Ravenholdt








Since: 09-05-04
From: His Laughin' Place

Since last post: 4318 days
Last activity: 4312 days
Posted on 01-17-06 02:37 PM Link
Well really it all depends on if they WANT to change them. Mine for example I had several IM's telling me to change my font and layout because its "Christian" (Names wont be mentioned)

All I can really say is that if you dont like it, why dont you just block the layouts?
Astrophel
Fear will kill your mind and steal your love as sure as anything;
Fear will rob you blind and make you numb to others suffering









Since: 10-03-04
From: Azul Lux Orbital, Kirin Beta

Since last post: 2241 days
Last activity: 1092 days
Posted on 01-17-06 02:42 PM Link
Originally posted by True Flight

Look if you really have a problem with certain people's layouts you should pm them.


I would, but I don't have the time to PM half the board. And actually, since you use a slightly smaller font size, the smallish text arean's not that big a deal.

And actually, 75 opacity should be fine on your layout. Mine's got 75 (Firefox-only, AFAIK) and I can read it fine.

Saijin: I know I can block layouts. Yours was the first.

Edit: ... no apostorphe there.

Edit2: Adding a comment


(Last edited by Tanis Rotheran on 01-17-06 05:52 PM)
01001000
Slow Ride
Take It Easy









Since: 01-10-05

Since last post: 6288 days
Last activity: 5638 days
Posted on 01-17-06 03:16 PM Link
Heres what I use for my transparency...

<div style="opacity: 0.8;x: alpha(opacity=45)" onmouseover="this.style.MozOpacity=1;this.style.filter='alpha(opacity=100)'" onmouseout="this.style.MozOpacity=0.75;this.style.filter='alpha(opacity=45)'">

This means that if you put your cursor over my table the background changes from a 75% visible to 100% visible thus creating a black background behind the white text.
BBQMissile

ChaoticDeath









Since: 08-16-04
From: New York

Since last post: 4699 days
Last activity: 687 days
Posted on 01-17-06 06:48 PM Link
I noticed the same thing: ridiculously small textboxes. I especially hate those without textboxes and a ridiculous background that makes it impossible to see the text. So basically, what I did was, i practically blocked every single layout that bothered me.I thought there was a rule in the layout rule announcement that said your textbox had to have a limit to how small it can be. If not, then Tanis, you should probably edit it.

EDIT: Oops, you're not the local moderator for General Art. Well, maybe you should PM an administrator and have them edit it. I'd do it...but I don't know enough about making textboxes anymore to make a reasonable rule.


(Last edited by Sparda on 01-17-06 09:50 PM)
Elara

Divine Mamkute
Dark Elf Goddess
Chaos Imp
Penguins Fan

Ms. Invisable








Since: 08-15-04
From: Ferelden

Since last post: 73 days
Last activity: 73 days
Posted on 01-18-06 01:43 AM Link
My excuse is quite simple: It's old code, I don't know how to make layouts, and I don't want to bother anyone to make one for me because I don't want to make them take time out of their schedule for it.

Also, while I wish that the textbox was bigger, I like the scrollbar layouts better because I think they look a lot better than pictures repeating over and over and over again.

As for the transparency, no matter what code Kaijin used it didn't show in Firefox (at least from what I've always seen in every layout I've had). So in order for me to have a transparent text area I always had Kaijin alter the picture right there to make a faux transparency box. I sorta made this layout myself after Kaijin's hosting went down for his layout images last spring, and I don't have any such photoshopping program to do such things.

Not everyone is a whiz with layout making and not everyone wants to bother the people that are. We do the best we can, and whoever said that comment can go fuck themselves. If people than can make "good" layouts want to offer their help that is fine, but otherwise what else is there for us to do?
Astrophel
Fear will kill your mind and steal your love as sure as anything;
Fear will rob you blind and make you numb to others suffering









Since: 10-03-04
From: Azul Lux Orbital, Kirin Beta

Since last post: 2241 days
Last activity: 1092 days
Posted on 01-18-06 02:49 AM Link
I gave you code that works in Firefox, Elara. Check my first post. I know it works in Firefox, because I'm using it now. =/
Stitch

Roy Koopa
Holy crap, it is the RoboCoonie!








Since: 08-20-04
From: California

Since last post: 695 days
Last activity: 695 days
Posted on 01-18-06 05:06 AM Link
Bah, I could care less. Disable the layouts (like I do) and you don't see that. So, you have to scroll, big deal. Quit yer whinin', youngin.

We just want everything handed on a platter to us, don't we? "Where the bad layouts gather" Well, I spit on whomever said that. Why the hell do you care about what other people think?

Why does everyone seem to care about what other people think? I say, screw them, I'm going home. So there.
Astrophel
Fear will kill your mind and steal your love as sure as anything;
Fear will rob you blind and make you numb to others suffering









Since: 10-03-04
From: Azul Lux Orbital, Kirin Beta

Since last post: 2241 days
Last activity: 1092 days
Posted on 01-18-06 05:33 AM Link
Hm.

So this is what I should expect when I provide some constructive criticism, then? People saying some variation of "too fucking bad" or "it's too hard to fix it"? So is that laziness, arrogance, ignorance, or just stubbornness?

It's not that hard to fix these problems...

The picture Elara's using is quite simply a poor choice for a layout because it's too small - if she could find a larger version (maybe not so easy) and resize the text box accordingly (which shouldn't be very difficult), there wouldn't be as much of a problem, but as it stands there's a text box that is quite literally smaller than her signature image. There's also the text being hard to read, a problem I've mentioned more times than I care to try to remember.

Shaddow's layout has a similar (but nowhere near as bad) problem; his picture's just not wide enough, about one third of the width of the post space is sitting there empty.

Kaijin's layout (oh, you thought I was just commenting on scrollbar layouts?) similarly doesn't fill the post area, and has an image that tiles horribly. Although, his posts are generally rather short from what I've seen, so the tiling issue is rarely seen. Not that big a deal, but it's just something I figured I'd point out.

Drizzt's layout's just got one problem, a lack of room for text. The text box could be widened a bit without any real issues, and maybe a smaller font.

Makura... white text on pale background just doesn't work.

And shit, as for the rest of the board... just read the above four and see where your layout fits. If you have one, it probably falls under one of 'em.

But to make this post not entirely complaining, lemme point out a few good examples of layouts.

Xeogred - A simple stretchable layout with an easy-to-read text box, a background that doesn't leave a big ugly space next to the post, and to top it all off it even loads fast.

Sparda - Not quite as simple as Xeogred's, but still easy to read and not very cluttered.

Shuyin - See Sparda.

Vulkar - I know, I made a comment about your layout having a slight issue. It could still use a text box BG, but there's no major readability problems and it seems to be the best scrollbar layout on the board.


(Last edited by Tanis Rotheran on 01-18-06 08:35 AM)
Stitch

Roy Koopa
Holy crap, it is the RoboCoonie!








Since: 08-20-04
From: California

Since last post: 695 days
Last activity: 695 days
Posted on 01-18-06 05:51 AM Link
Or, you could just disable the layouts if they're bothering you so much.

Like I tell my mom, if the mess bothers you, don't look at it.
Cairoi
This isn't about you and your loud mouth,
This is about me and my fucking beard.








Since: 08-29-04
From: PA

Since last post: 4610 days
Last activity: 4233 days
Posted on 01-18-06 09:33 AM Link
Boo freaking hoo. If this person thinks that this is the place that bad layouts gather, than why not take matters into your own hands and make us all new layouts instead of whining? Look, I don't see how you can get so annoyed at these layouts. I could honsetly care less about how my post looks, just the post itself. You're putting way too much importance on this.

And sides, Like it was said most of us don't know how to make layouts, so unless someone of your "skill" can help us, deal with it.
True Flight

The One








Since: 08-21-04

Since last post: 2663 days
Last activity: 2648 days
Posted on 01-18-06 12:09 PM Link
OKay okay people, this is getting a little too extreme here.

Tanis is stating a fact that's all. He's putting his opinion out like every good person does and points it out. I'm thinking he probably blocked my layout as well. =P but that's okay. I have no big problems having a blocked layout.

Anyway wht I'm trying to say is please stop with the boo hisses.

Sparda you have a good point too. Infact I used to have a Gravitation layout with a ridiculously small text box. My Last Exile one was ridiculously small.

Shouldn't this thread be in Help/Suggestion?
Astrophel
Fear will kill your mind and steal your love as sure as anything;
Fear will rob you blind and make you numb to others suffering









Since: 10-03-04
From: Azul Lux Orbital, Kirin Beta

Since last post: 2241 days
Last activity: 1092 days
Posted on 01-18-06 03:37 PM Link
Originally posted by True Flight

Shouldn't this thread be in Help/Suggestion?


Uh... no. Layout stuff goes in General Art. This is related to layouts, most specifically the fact that there's quite a few that are, shall we say, "lacking in quality." But since there's a lot of people here who quite simply cannot take any constructive criticism at all without getting defensive and/or just plain stupid about it, I'm starting to wonder why I posted it.
Stitch

Roy Koopa
Holy crap, it is the RoboCoonie!








Since: 08-20-04
From: California

Since last post: 695 days
Last activity: 695 days
Posted on 01-18-06 05:00 PM Link
Most people (myself included) don't have the time nor energy to dedicate to having a layout that would be outstanding merely because...we have lives offline. For the purposes of bandwidth and the fact that I don't care about people's layout (I just think you want attention), I disable all layouts. If you don't like a select few, block them.

I have work and school and other obligations that can't let me take the full five minutes to change a layout so that some whiney crybaby can't stop his ranting. I don't cater to that. Erkdog, maybe, but I have standards.

If my layout is sub-par, despite the fact that it has not been mentioned, then so be it. I don't have the energy to look for a new image...my aunt just died.

I don't have the time to recode it...my guy I like told me to go to hell..
Makura









Since: 01-22-05
From: The restaurant at the end of the universe....

Since last post: 5648 days
Last activity: 4913 days
Posted on 01-18-06 07:46 PM Link
I really don't see what the big deal is. If you don't like the layout disable it.

My layouts change pretty often but they are always simple and pretty easy to read.
Elara

Divine Mamkute
Dark Elf Goddess
Chaos Imp
Penguins Fan

Ms. Invisable








Since: 08-15-04
From: Ferelden

Since last post: 73 days
Last activity: 73 days
Posted on 01-18-06 08:10 PM Link
The original picture actually is much larger, I had to cut it down to be able to see her in the textbox because, as I stated, it's old code that I didn't write and don't know how to change. I want my layout to be bigger, but unless someone can show me how to do it I can't fix it because I don't know how.

And don't link me to a site that tells me how to make code, I work 40+ hours a week on top of school, I don't have the time to learn it all. I mean just someone show me where to change it or what to put.

As for the comments here being heated, I think that is more because of the insult to the board than anything Tanis has said.
Rogue
If you're reading this... You are the Resistance











Since: 08-17-04

Since last post: 395 days
Last activity: 204 days
Posted on 01-18-06 08:27 PM Link
Originally posted by Tanis Rotheran
I can block layouts, yes. But honestly, this is a major problem here; the layout issues have gotten so bad that someone has referred to Xeogaming as "where all the horrible layouts gather." I've seen the main problem (well, main problem in my eyes), and I'm offering some constructive criticism.

Just out of curiosity, who's this "someone" and why does their opinion matter so much?

I understand you want to improve things, but so long as you can block layouts, it's up to the individual to care how they feel about what people say about their layout.

The only other person I remember getting this pissed off about layouts was Erk.

EDIT: Just correcting a couple of typos.

Look, if you want to critique my layout, that's all well and good. I feel it could stand some suggestions on improvement, but if this so-called "someone" doesn't come forward themselves, I just can't respect their opinion.


(Last edited by Rogue on 01-18-06 11:31 PM)
Astrophel
Fear will kill your mind and steal your love as sure as anything;
Fear will rob you blind and make you numb to others suffering









Since: 10-03-04
From: Azul Lux Orbital, Kirin Beta

Since last post: 2241 days
Last activity: 1092 days
Posted on 01-18-06 08:38 PM Link
Hey, fine, you don't respect their opinion, I don't give a fuck. I mentioned that only because that's what finally made me say something; I had thought that me disliking a lot of layouts here was just me being too picky, but then people started agreeing with me about that so I decided I'd try to help.

And then you all make excuses and ignore the point. Great fucking job, guys, real mature. I'm ending this post here, and hoping that maybe someone might stop being such a goddamn asshole about this, but I'm not expecting any such miracles from you all anymore.
Elara

Divine Mamkute
Dark Elf Goddess
Chaos Imp
Penguins Fan

Ms. Invisable








Since: 08-15-04
From: Ferelden

Since last post: 73 days
Last activity: 73 days
Posted on 01-18-06 08:42 PM Link
*sigh*

I'll I said is that if someone would help me I would change mine, that's not ignoring, that is asking for help. I'm planning on using the transparency code you posted as soon as I can figure out where it goes in the code.

And again, anonymous insults will piss people off and make them not listen. Basic human nature.
Pages: 1 2Next newer thread | Next older thread
Xeogaming Forums - Muses' Sanctuary - What's with the small text boxes here..? (Layout Observations...) | Thread closed



xeogaming.org

AcmlmBoard 1.92++ r4 Baseline
?2000-2013 Acmlm, Emuz, Blades, Xkeeper, DarkSlaya*, Lord Alexandor*
*Unofficial Updates
Page rendered in 0.221 seconds.
0.043