Check out our new look!

[kopper]

I implemented a new, simplified theme on the Hideout today. It's one that I've been working on for several days. The old theme was cool and worked for a while (over three years, I think), but it was just time for a change. I didn't like how cramped everything felt on the old theme. The left- and right-side graphic borders always made the network feel claustrophobic, and the old three-column layout just added to the overabundance of CRAP that was on the Main page. With this airier, simpler, more minimalist two-column layout, it's a lot easier to find things, I think. And the stuff that's most important (forum, groups, events) are more front and center now. Also, the menu at the top is a lot more prominent now, too (I think it got lost in the chaos of the old theme). Anyway, I'm really liking it and I think you all will, too, even though it may take a while to get used to as change often does.

[Les Jujes]

I don't care about the theme, I just really digged the fact that you can change your page's header "GaragePunk Hideout" by a header of you choice (only possible with html/css), for exemple the name of your band... Looked like a real personal website !... on grgpnk.com ! And I don't think It's more complicated, if you don't want to use it... then you just don't use it. Anyway that's just details... This place could rock even in braille...

kopper said:

I haven't looked into the individual customization yet. The problem with customization of pages is that the header often looks ridiculous when used in different themes (not to mention people often customize to the point where their page looks completely ridiculous). I chose the theme for the network, and adjusted the header image to fit *that* specific theme, not a dozen of others. Frankly, I don't see the problem with leaving your page theme the same as the network's. You can still add content to your text box, move the modules around where you want them, and so on, but who cares if you can't change the theme of your page or adjust the colors and add backgrounds? Is that really that important?

It's ironic. People all along complained that the Hideout was always too complicated or that there were all these bells and whistles that they didn't care about. They bitched that the simplicity of the old GaragePunk Forums message board was gone (and on that old board you didn't even have your own page), and many never returned for those reasons. So I simplify things quite a bit, go with a more minimal theme and try to clean/straighten things up and what happens? People bitch that the pages all look the same now. This just goes to prove that you can't please everyone. Either you like the site for what it has to offer and you come back often, or you don't. It's your decision.

Les Jujes said:

Pages all look the same now ( ? ) and we don't have a html/css customization no more... So I don't see the point, except maybe for "larger banner ads".

[IDON MINE]

For quicks: Diggin it buddy!

[kopper]

No, we had ads on the old layout, too. Small ones on the main page and then skinnier ones in the sidebar on the right. The new ones are just bigger, so maybe they're catching your eye more now. And, again, less clutter makes 'em pop out more, too.

Mina said:

Are the Hideout Ads new? I like it!

[ash]

hey, it's your taco stand sir, so I reckon you can do whatever you like to it!!! might still try & colour my page up a bit though if that's OK. nice one Kopper...

[Tris Burns]

don't lose too much sleaze tho...

[Amarilis Gibeli]

Hi kopper, I did like that, everything looks great, it favours people with impaired vision like me especially. Tank u! 

[sleazy]

I dunno......I seem to have liked the other layout...it's true, it's easier to find things now though:):)

ROCK ON:)

[trashman]

I think the front page looks much more organzized.  I felt the old was a bit hard to look at.  like it

[Brett Weiss]

I like the brown - it stands apart from the crowd - but I also loved and miss the graphic side borders!

[trashman]

Is there any way to have the discussion thread page numbers up on the front page widget so we can just jump to the last page instead of starting on the front page?  No so significant of an idea but wanted to throw it out there.

[kopper]

No.

trashman said:

Is there any way to have the discussion thread page numbers up on the front page widget so we can just jump to the last page instead of starting on the front page?  No so significant of an idea but wanted to throw it out there.

[kopper]

Clicking on the "last reply" link will take you to the last page of a discussion, though, obviously.

kopper said:

No.

trashman said:

Is there any way to have the discussion thread page numbers up on the front page widget so we can just jump to the last page instead of starting on the front page?  No so significant of an idea but wanted to throw it out there.