[Adam]

Well guys, this is a moment that I've been awaiting for several months now. I'm very proud to finally be able to unveil the new PentaxForums.com Forum look, developed by myself as well as one of the best forum designers in the business!

Work on the project began back in May, when I decided that the new skin should primarily focus on readability and easy of browsing. Thus, you will notice bigger fonts, more quick-access links, and better organization throughout the skin. Despite this, we've left the fundamental site layout largely unchanged, meaning that forum veterans will feel just as comfortable browsing the new PF as the old one.

Below, you will find screenshots the new skin's highlights.

Header

The header has been redesigned to be easier to use. Among the innovations introduced is the home icon, which clearly differentiates the link to our homepage from internal forum links.



Header Quick Links

The header has been made more intuitive while maintaining the same functionality as before. A new feature will also be available: a quick link to any new threads which have not yet gotten replies.



Translation Dropdown

Shown only to guests or users who use the translation system, extra page real-estate will no longer be wasted to show flags, and it will be easier for you to find and select your desired page language.



Stylish User Information

User information beside each post will now be displayed in a pleasing yet compact way. Avatars have gotten a beautiful border and a drop shadow, making them blend in with the post. And, best of all, if you just want to focus on post content and nothing else, you can choose to hide all this information via your User CP Options page.



Clear Thread Icons

Now you won't need to look at the icon key ever again! Thread icons are big and very easy to discern. From the top down: an unread hot thread, an unread thread in which you've posted, an unread thread, and a read thread.



Large Fonts

The base font size in posts has been increased from 8px to 14px, and a custom font has been applied. This will make reading posts easier than ever before! Also, notice how post signature are now clearly differentiated from the main text.



New Forum Listings

The forum listings are now much easier to browse and read.






Rounded Corners, New Icons

The pagination system and thread icons have gotten a beautiful face-lift.



Likes System

Alongside the new skin, we're also launching a revamped Likes system, which will replace our old reputation system. Among the new features will be a way to check who liked each post, a more intuitive "Like This" button, number of likes in the main thread listings, and a search page listing all posts that have gotten likes.



Stylish Editor

Even the post editor will look better and feature large fonts!

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FAQ

When will the new style be launched?
-We can't say for sure, but expect to see it before the end of July.

What browsers will be supported?
-All modern browsers that support CSS3 will be supported by the new skin. This includes Firefox 3, Firefox 4, Firefox 5, Google Chrome, Opera, Safari, and Internet Explorer 9.

What screen resolutions will be supported?
-A minimum screen width of 1024px will be required (thus supporting practically all laptops currently in production). If you have a smaller screen, you may opt to use the "Simple Skin", which supports VGA screens.

What colors will be available?
-Green, Red, and Gray/Blue

Will there be a fixed and a fluid version?
-Yes, there will be both a fixed and a fluid version of the skin in each of the above colors

Will the default skin color become red, in order to match the colors of Pentax?
-We will open a public poll to decide this one the skin launches. In the past, the vast majority of voters preferred the green color scheme.

What if I'm running an old version of Internet Explorer?
-The new style is only supported by Internet Explorer 9 and above. We recommend you upgrade your browser, if possible. Internet Explorer 5, 6, 7, and 8 users will automatically be shown our current "Simple Skin".

What about mobile users?
-We feature a mobile skin which is automatically shown if you open our site from a mobile device. If you have a smartphone, you may choose to disable this skin in your User CP Options. We also support TapaTalk, a native forum-browsing application for iPhone, Andriod, and BlackBerry.

Will the current Green, Red, and Gray skins remain selectable?
-Likely so, but we will no longer add new features to those skins.

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Enjoy, guys! I hope you're now just as excited about the launch of the new skin as I am!

Adam
PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide | Site Help | My Photography)



PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

[deadwolfbones]

Looks good to me. The black and green is very "Pentax" and the usability changes look nice too.

[séamuis]

not a fan of the color scheme, but then I've been staring at the same default forum theme for years. I'm the type to get attached. besides I early find the current, to be as clean, simple and easy to use as any forum I've ever been a part of. so I'm worried about changing whats already so good! I will however reserve my full judgement until I get the chance to use it.

[manishved]

Seems like a good change....

[boriscleto]

Nice to see you picked out Nash to be the example

[uccemebug]

Nice! Can't wait. In particular I like the "clear thread icons".

[Adam]

not a fan of the color scheme, but then I've been staring at the same default forum theme for years. I'm the type to get attached. besides I early find the current, to be as clean, simple and easy to use as any forum I've ever been a part of. so I'm worried about changing whats already so good! I will however reserve my full judgement until I get the chance to use it.

The layout of the old skin has been carried over to the new one- so it's the same stuff with enhanced aesthetics

Adam
PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide | Site Help | My Photography)



PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

[séamuis]

The layout of the old skin has been carried over to the new one- so it's the same stuff with enhanced aesthetics

'enhanced' is very subjective description my friend! Ill give it a good go, before I decide. I have to say that I really love the current design. very simple aesthetics. to much enhancement can be a spoiler! ill probably be in the minority though.

[Frogfish]

Looks great - looking forward to seeing it up !

[Rees]

Hooray, bigger fonts, easier to read, quick access links all looks good to me.
But I reserve judgment until you go live.

[LeFanch]

I think it looks great, I really like it. :-)

[nezih]

Hooray, bigger fonts, easier to read, quick access links all looks good to me.
But I reserve judgment until you go live.

Same here without reserve!

[Steve.Ledger]

I'm a definite fan of Dark UI's - looks like a top design, I look forward to it

[bezuidar]

Looks good! Cant' wait!

[DebLewis]

I'm a pretty happy camper either way.. but I will throw out some food for thought..

more colors.. harder to make it blend in at work.. :P not that anyone would have to worry about such things..