I'm using frames to create side and top menus, specifically for navigation and advertising. I know it's not the best way to go about it, but without being able to nest catagories under each other, it was the only solution I could come up with considering I have hundreds of boards, with more to add. If you'd like, take a look at it and tell me what you think (http://www.yourvacationdreams.com). I don't think it creates too much of a crowded look, but I haven't received a lot of feedback yet as it's still very new. The "lean look" might be an option that could be of benefit to my type of interface.<br /><br />http://www.yourvacationdreams.com

Vik,<br /><br />I took a look at your site. It is certainly an ambitions project!<br /><br />As a rule, I don't like frames, since they cut down on compatibility. And yes, I understand that you really don't have many choices available to you.<br /><br />Have you considered perhaps opening a table in the header file and closing it in the footer? I know a number of people here use that method to get menus and additional information in and around their forums. With the type of nesting you are doing, however, I'm not sure that that would work for you. Still, it might be worth a shot (others have dealt with the problem by running multiple instances of wwwthreads). Unfortunately I am not the best person to ask about this. I'm sure others will be happy to help, however.<br /><br />Your site looks good. The only additional suggestion I might have would be to integrate the look of your home page with that of the rest of the site. Something I probably don't need to say because you are probably already working on that.<br /><br />Derek<br /><br />

I'm not really sure how to do the menus in the header, but the real problem there is the header scrolls off the screen, thus hiding any navigation aids. I looked at Pers' web site, he says he's using tables, but I couldn't see how that would improve my situation at this time. I'm certainly open to suggestions.<br /><br />As far as the home page, I haven't really touched that since I've been working on the forums. I definately have in the plans to spruce that up much.<br /><br />Thanks for your input, it is appreciated. []/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/]<br /><br />vik<br /><br /><br />http://www.yourvacationdreams.com

My hunch is that a lot of users simply accept all the defaults and never even go into their Profile to see the alternatives. Also at present, you can't see Userpics in 'top' view.<br /><br />I do like your idea of a lean look but not by putting the 'message header' at the bottom. By its very nature it should be at the top. But we could put the Userpic in there and the message pane would be wider so we'd have more room for the extra buttons. There would be no wasted space at all and nothing omitted to achieve it. It would also make it easier for people to frame their forum with their own stuff down the side.<br /><br />Seen in this light, 'side' view has nothing to recommend it at all. <br /><br />[]http://www.wopr.com/w3tuserpics/Eileen-sig.gif[/]

<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr><p>So, if at all possible it would be best if we can keep the icons in the post body area, since there is plenty of room for more icons to be added. We just need to find a way to separate it a bit like Brewskie was talking about.<p><hr></blockquote><p>Try putting the links right-hand justified but still in the message area.<br /><br />That may look nice and easily found.<br /><br /><pre>Brew<br />CustomShowCars.com<br /></pre><p>

Eileen,<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr><p>I do like your idea of a lean look but not by putting the 'message header' at the bottom. By its very nature it should be at the top.<p><hr></blockquote>I agree. I do think, however, that this 'message header' should remain as narrow as possible, merely a demarcator between posts. Adding too much information to this header, IMO, would detract from the aesthetic appeal of a thread, and serve to break up the visual flow of discussion.<br /><br />My preference would be to keep the header as narrow as it is now, containing the post title and perhaps a couple other identifying items, and to have the user information, and Post Icons, moved to the bottom of the body of the message itself.<br /><br />As an example, your personal gif certainly does not detract from your posts. In fact, it actually grabs my attention when I am reading threads in flat mode. I think you would agree, however that moving your gif, as small as it is, into the header row and putting it below the title say, would result in a significantly thicker header which would begin to compete with other aspects of the page for the reader's visual attention.<br /><br />In flat mode, for example, I would keep the header information just the way it is, and merely add the user info and Post Icons to the bottom of the body. It definitely would make for a more attractive layout.<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr><p>It would also make it easier for people to frame their forum with their own stuff down the side.<p><hr></blockquote>Agreed. It certainly would give us many more options when it comes to site design.<br /><br />Derek<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />

Spent several hours trying to find a new way of displaying posts... was really hard. Quite different from what you are talking, but come and see if this seems cool or not []/w3timages/icons/wink.gif[/]:<br />A new suggested design for showing posts.<br /><br />Mateo Byler<br />CruceDeCaminos.com

MTO,<br /><br />There's no arguing with the coolness factor []/w3timages/icons/wink.gif[/] You have made the post meta data dance !!<br /><br />Of all your examples, I like the last one best. I think, however, that I prefer the "posted by," post date and time, IP, and user info at the bottom of the post. When it appears immediately below the post header/title, it tends to lead to some temporary visual confusion on my part, not knowing whether the post header is the beginning or the end of a post.<br /><br />Since you have already invested several hours learning how to move data around the display. How about giving a shot to what I am suggesting so we can see what it might look like?<br /><br />Thanks for posting your work. I can see that you really did spend a lot of time on it, and my comments in no way diminish the "coolness" of it []/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/]<br /><br />Derek<br /><br />

I'm not sure who to actually reply to on this, so I'm just gonna pick Brewskie[]/w3timages/icons/wink.gif[/]. Since it may take a little while to come up with a solution that is pleasing to everyone on where to place the icons I'm gonna just leave them as is for now. I've played with various locations for a couple of days and until people actually download it, set it up on their site and play around with it I don't want to spend too much more time on this area because it'll delay the release. So, I'm gonna concentrate on getting the features finished and get this thing out and then we can work on placement and such.<br /><br />Hopefully that sounds ok to everyone, but of course if nobody thinks this is a good idea then I'll spend more time with reorganizing, but you'll have to wait longer for the next release[]/w3timages/icons/wink.gif[/].<br /><br />-------------------<br />Scream<br />WWWThreads

Beautiful! I'd like to keep the picture column so the shape is constant otherwise it could look bitty. Also don't forget Attachments. See the attachment for my suggestion:<br /><br />[]http://www.wopr.com/w3tuserpics/Eileen-sig.gif[/]

Yes... attachments...<br />OK, I have a new page full of designs... some improvements... The final designs (bottom of page) are probably the best looking ones.<br /><br />I gave them all names for easy reference (B1- B8).<br /><br />Click here to view them.<br /><br /><br /><br />Mateo Byler<br />CruceDeCaminos.com

I prefer B1 and B2. I don't like the introduction of another color and I'd rather have the 'in reply to' on a separate line. <br /><br />[]http://www.wopr.com/w3tuserpics/Eileen-sig.gif[/]

I really like your layout MTO.<br /><br />I, personally, think the added color looks better (what was it? B8?). It sets the subject off from the rest of the post and adds a little more color to the whole scheme of things. This setup also sets w3t apart from the competition too......I don't think I've seen a layout such as these.<br /><br />I also think it would be cool if you added the domain lookup hack that's in the hacks board.<br /><br /><pre>Brew<br />CustomShowCars.com<br /></pre><p>

Scream,<br /><br />I just went to your Changelog for the Perl version and noticed that you added the notify moderators of new posts hack (Thanks!!!) but it left me wondering if you were aware of a bug in the new Dev site.<br /><br />I know you warned that all the bugs weren't taken care of but I thought I would bring this one to your attention in case you didn't see it.<br /><br />There's a 1024x768 screen shot of it in the attachment......Look under Favorite Forums.<br /><br /><pre>Brew<br />CustomShowCars.com<br /></pre><p>

Actually, this isn't the hack that was added. What I added was the feature to notify a moderator of a post. This works with the little circle icon that MTO made. Not sure if I'll get the hack you are refering to into this version. This will probably be when I work on the admin/mod stuff some more.<br /><br />As for the error, do you have any favorite forums added?<br /><br />-------------------<br />Scream<br />WWWThreads

Yup! I did add a board to the favorties.<br /><br />I don't recall which board I added tho.<br /><br />I just clicked on the link and it gave that error.<br /><br />What type of addition is that in the changelog iffin it ain't the notify moderators thingy?<br /><br /><pre>Brew<br />CustomShowCars.com<br /></pre><p>

i was thinking more of the lines of...<br />http://www.extremeforums.org/test2/<br /><br />[:red]--------------</font color=red><br />http://extremeforums.org

I also have that same error, since the first day you gave us the link to the devel, as soon as I clicked on adding the General Feedback Board to the favorites... when it was clicked from showflat (thinking it was for adding the thread..).<br /><br />Content-type: text/html<br />System Error: DBD::mysql::st execute failed: You have an error in your SQL syntax near 'B_Approved = 'yes' AND B_Board = 'feedback' ' at line 6 at /home/httpd/cgi-bin/devel/controlpanel.pl line 540. <br /><br /><br />Mateo Byler<br />CruceDeCaminos.com

Same error here..also added the first day...<br /><br />

Looks great - but will it 'list new messages only'?<br /><br />