New look GC...Front page...

The page IS fine.

The new Logo graphic includes large areas of white on either side (no idea why, seems unnecessary to me, but that's a different matter!)

When it was originally included in the first post it widened the post - but it may not have been obvious why as the extra space is white. So ANY graphic that wide would have done the same thing, but it appeared to break the layout.

You would have to narrow your browser to see the effect - and it is now cured as the image in that first post has been resized.

 

"This is why we do not get ourselves invovled in any discussions about the presence of Google ads."

I think its just another example of where changes have been made, no announcement made, no (in this case) or very little (in other cases) discussion entered into.

I think its the wrong way to run this site, but at the end of the day its up to the folk that Own and Run it.

 

If you want to change the colours you should ask the advice of a web designer. I expect there are some floating around here, or known to people here - its a diverse community.

Changing things without that sort of design knowledge leads to all sorts of unforeseen problems.

Alternatively provide alternatives, so folk can choose. Then you can't offend anyone because they can always stay-put with the old style. Although the more choices the more there is to test and go wrong - e.g. when you upgrade and forget that there is still that wacky colour scheme that you didn't know that anyone used!

Personally I don't care too much about the colours, but I am dyslexic and for sure certain colours and layouts will make comprehension of the text harder (or indeed easier). For example, all the statistics wibble about each post is a huge negative for me. As would be all the moving pictures in signatures and avatars, but I am able to turn them off so that isn't actually a real problem for me (except when folk object when I refer to them by their UserName rather than Signature name - probably unaware that I've never known their real name!!)

All in all I reckon "Yer can't win"!

 

Nor will there be in matters involving routine upgrades and such. This is a free forum and therefore, whilst our members are valued, we maintain the right to make changes as and when we choose. Those changes that directly affect the member's usage of the forum (such as rule changes) will be announced, others won't.

 

It must all be down to individual monitors. The logo shows a few pixels wider than the forum frame on my laptop but on jjordie's is exactly the same width! :skp: Odd!

 

I agree, it`s lovely to be a members garden-and a lovely garden too might I add.


Perhaps by using different photos from different members gardens every now and then too-there are so many gorgeous pictures here, and it`s very inclusive and does go a long way to showing that the members are valued.


As far as the width of the screen-it is slightly thinner but personally I prefer it.

 

I'm logged on at work now, so using a different PC but the "quick reply" box is still slightly off kilter...not a problem though

I must say the white background looks fine - its clean and easy on the eye.

Fab idea Claire for sending in pics as well, so we get a bit of variety.

 

As widescreen monitor prices fall, I wonder if going to a narrower setup is the right thing...here's how GC looks on my widescreen screen resolution = 1680 x 1050



Incidentally, I dont see or notice anything thats not centred here, all looks fine to me.

The new banner is sized at 961 x 183 with attached white space either side of it, fixing the forum width at 961 size, kind of odd as the majority of web designers opt for 800x600 or 1024x768 resolutions. IMO (and it is only my opinion) it would look far better if the banner went as wide as the forum beneath it, ie 961 pixels wide with no whitespace either side.

Similar to this..



Steve...

 

So it is Pal's Garden, How Fantastic is that :gnthb: and wouldn't it be great, as Lolli said, if different photos of members gardens were used, say Monthly or each season,..
I would just like to add i remember the first changeover we had last year(Ithink) There was loads of Member Participation, Hurray's, and Announcments, I felt more a part of GC then, part of a garden family if you like.. Dee..

 

I agree with you Dee I am amember of another site which has photos of members garden sor plants at differetn times going along the top and it loks great.

As for the narrow size much prefer on my eyes how it was.

 

"I think its just another example of where changes have been made, no announcement made, no (in this case) or very little (in other cases) discussion entered into. I think its the wrong way to run this site, but at the end of the day its up to the folk that Own and Run it"

Kristen,
I completely agree with your sentiments.

Daisees,
Whilst no ones denying the site owners rights to make changes, what we are suggesting is that announcing the changes would prevent posts such as this and the confusion that arises. Ive suggested this before publicly and by PM.

As a suggestion perhaps the monthly photo competition winners pic could be used as the banner pic with it changing each month.

 

I thought there was something wrong with my computer when I put it on.
It looks very odd on my Mac.
The Same as in Steve R's post, very narrow down the middle of the screen..
Nice garden though.

 

That's a good idea.