Help Shape Sythe's new theme & re-organization [Community Input][Tech Core]

Moving forward, there will be a new Sythe theme. Currently, you can check out "SytheFlat" and "SytheXenModern" on the bottom left hand side of the website. Tech Core is also working based on a different theme, to preserve the current look and feel of Sythe while also moving toward a more modern theme that takes advance of all Xen features and makes it easy to navigate and use the site.

In addition to a theme change, there are currently discussions for some category changes and other forum changes. These include, but are not limited to:

• Bringing sub-sections together using a tagging system - this thread is an "example" of that; notice how I did not create this thread in the community input section. We will be testing around with the possibility of cutting down sub-forums, and using some sort of tag system. Instead of creating this in the "Community Input" subsection, which further breaks down categories, reduces overall views, and makes it hard to decide, you would be able to click a "Community Input" tag. Popular tags could then be sorted by clicking on them. This could be used in the markets, for example, to filter for "buy runescape 2007" gold. This would also allow sub-categories to be shaped by the community.
• Re-arranging sections to focus on community, gaming, and discussions - we want to move away from just being specifically a Runescape blackmarket. We will still embrace this fact and bring in visitors, we will just re-arrange sections to focus more on discussions and make it easier to jump in discussions, just like how it is on the spam forums. Have a section easily accessible, easily explained, and more "general" sections in plain sight to participate in gaming discussions and other popular discussions.
  
• Fixing dead sections - some "dead" sections will be given a bit more exposure and others will be merged in other sections and the entire forums will be a made more user-friendly. There shouldn't be so many different sub-sections that are dead, just to have something super specific to talk about. For example, using the two changes above (re-arranging, merging sub-sections) we can use the tagging system as well as a higher exposure in the general gaming discussions section, to discuss various games in gaming general. The gaming general section can merge in all the other sections posts, or vice versa.
• Better top navigation bar / main site - you can currently jump to different sections. We want to add the ability to quick / advanced search markets, integrate some gameservers and other features we add, and help new users jump into what they want more quickly. You should also be able to jump straight into the most recent and popular discussions, versus checking in the most recent single thread in every single category.

Below are some category change mockups, on the "SytheFlat" theme, using the same amount of space.

Spoiler

The current layout - no changes


Layout option #1 - display more recent threads, compact sections


Layout option #2 - keeping the same side-by-side view, but expanding on recent threads


Layout option #3 - a bit more drastic, but just move all categories to sidebar with just discussion in main section

Below are some compact user bar change mockups, on the "SytheFlat" theme.

Spoiler

Below are some mock-ups for a new theme, without any category changes, but some color changes, in order of changes

Spoiler

We need feedback on all these as we go. Please give an constructive criticism. We understand you might not like change, but please help improve the changes so the end product is something you may end up considering. I'm sure the old themes will be there for you to use for some time to come after these changes, so don't worry about being forced into the change. Just help shape it.

 

I thought this was a great idea, but then i took off the blindfold.

 

Would you be willing to setup: Quark for XenForo by Audentio Design

I'll pay for the premium theme by donating to one of you $30 to pay for it. If it cost any extra fees, I'll cover it to a certain point.

I'm not a huge fan of the themes the site has the setup right now. I've never liked the website's color theme; I always have a dark theme running for my browsers, text editors, and anything that has access to a black version. Since I'm spending every day on Sythe, it would be a lot better experience if we could get a suitable black/gray/blue theme. The Quark has a perfect combination of colors and functionality.

 

Look for a nice Lavender theme

 

Layout option 1 no, 2 is okai reminds me of VB, layout 3 no. idk the mockup with user bar... and all the colour changes discussed on discord for the 3rd pic colour changes.

 

Holy shit this has nothing to do with that, do you just find threads to insert your keyword spam?

 

@Grave

Spoiler: Something like this

Didn't mean to grayscale everything, just take the two colors for example.

 

Everything is smooth on this design, the placement of navigation and the forum's front page. The left column moves with the page, giving different statistics similar to the SytheFlat. The package comes with social media icons, useful widgets at the bottom for advertisement space; it has numerous color combinations and backgrounds to choose which make modifications simple. Ads can be placed where the "Welcome to Our Community" is setup on the image above.

The important part to me is that it's visually appealing and modernized. To me, it is far more attractive than the other options I've seen. The animations and crisp lines make highlights, and actions look beautiful.

I'll buy the theme when I can get money into my PayPal.

 

I prefer layout #2/mockup #2. I really like Audiento's themes and I've even bought a few myself, but I don't think his themes suit sythe.org

After some searching I found this theme for only $25


Page: Legendary 1.5.9 | Pixel Exit - XenForo Styles and Add-ons
Live demo: Pixel Exit XenForo Styles Demo : Legendary

 

Although it isn't perfect, I like what Killswitch posted; that's really the only one I've seen so far I like.

I think the biggest problem is that the current layout is what makes Sythe.... Sythe. I can't imagine Sythe in any other layout and everything I've seen would make the site feel like one of those cheap-hosting, quickly-thrown-together forums.

If i find one I really like,I'll post it, and I'd be down to pay for it.

 

I have to admit I don't like any of the proposed ideas but nor do I have any to suggest.


I just am having a hard time seeing sythe anything majorly different than it is.


I'll think and look at these more, but if it came down to a vote and u showed me this thread I would of voted to stay as it is.

 

Okay! These 2 are epic af. I personally would use 1 100m years, then die, then resurrect then use the another.

OP, I wouldn't use SytheFlat it's too dead for me.. However the last one. Is nice, would use it. There's some actual good looking..

Refrain from using plain themes that's step one.

 

I would like to add that the green could be changed to blue or any color. I don't mind it much but it does look kinda out of place.

 

Am I the only one who likes the current SytheXen theme? I mean, there's nothing wrong with it, and the other themes looks like the same kind of themes 70-80% other forums uses.

 

You should recreate the classic design from 2007.

 

Apparently richard deleted it just to spite marrow and didn't give a fuck about the rest of us that preferred it.

 

You guys do realize that you have the option to keep these themes whether or not they add more, right? You can continue to use these blue themes, even if other people are using the new ones.

 

Exactly. Anyone who can't picture change, no need to post on this thread. You'll still have your old theme to switch back to; no worries.

As for all the suggestions: guys, we can keep suggesting single themes to start off the base with; I can try testing them all out on my developer install and see how customizable they are and such. But try to stick to suggestions based on what we have so far; not starting over. I can already see everyone still suggesting different themes several months into the project.

 

Am I the only one who wouldn't mind a general color change?

SytheGrey/SytheBlack

The logo would also look better above those colors.