Forum Change - Fixed Width ???

[JFS77]

Maybe its my browser but did the forum change from full screen to a fixed width?

I really don't like the fixed width at all

[packin23]

Mine's doin' it too. Not a fan either.

[Puppy]

Ditto, I too am not a fan of the fixed size.

[Tinamil]

Mine as well, I'm on a wide screen laptop and there are huge gaps to each side of the forum now.

[Slab]

I think he is just trying new things. 1st the colors now the screen width. Good Grief!!!

[LinuxKnight]

Mine too. Please go back to dynamic width!
Have lots of space on the sides.

[janice6]

I didn't like the page size either, so I pushed the lower left control key and held it while I moved the up/down mouse control and thereby change the size to anything I like.

[Targettarget]

I didn't like the page size either, so I pushed the lower left control key and held it while I moved the up/down mouse control and thereby change the size to anything I like.

Thanks for that.

[Eric]

Folks, there are a number of compelling reasons to use a fixed-width format on a website. A couple of these reasons is better search engine optimization potential and better control over page payout. It is hard to lay out a page that can view properly in different resolutions. The fact is that there are very few big websites that don't use a fixed-width format. This sort of thing shouldn't be new to anyone.

For a number of reasons, I need to implement a fixed-width format here. I know some of you won't like it, but it needs to happen. To start with, I am using a fixed-width formatted for 1024X768 resolution. This is more or the less the standard right now. When I am done with the series of upgrades and improvements I am working on, I will also add a theme for people using 800X600 res. and a larger one, for higher resolution monitors, although it will maintain the current aspect ration, One of the problems with modern wide-screen monitors is that they don't accommodate the aspect ratio of web browsers and they stretch the page out of aspect. If I can find a way to make a fluid-width theme work, when I am done with these upgrades, I will add such a theme as well, but I am not making any promises on that.

I know the blank space may be off-putting to some of you, but to me, it is a lot like watching a wide-screen movie on a regular TV. The dead space above and below the movie bugs me at first, but as soon as the movie starts are forget about it. I focus on the content.

Folks, I am working hard on a sweeping set of upgrades and improvements here. There may be some inconvenience to you along the way occasionally, but I think the end result will be well worth it. Please cut me a little slack during this time. Thanks. Eric

[Epic Ed]

Regardless, here's another voice of dissent. This format absolutely sucks. Please change it back.

Ed

[Eric]

Regardless, here's another voice of dissent. This format absolutely sucks. Please change it back.

Ed


Look Ed, I am working my ass off on these changes and if that is the extent of the feedback you have to offer, why don't you keep your opinions to yourself? Eric

[LinuxKnight]

Well if you can at least put it in the pipeline to have a fluid width or at least larger resolution theme at some point, that sounds good to me. For now I'll use the zoom function as mentioned (ctrl-mouse scroll wheel).

Keep up the good work Eric.

[Yo]

Hang in there Eric. I run a web-site so I know some of the design/formatting issues Eric must balance.

People ALWAYS react adversely to something new. If they'd give it a try they might find it is actually easier to read. Many, many studies have been done showing that narrower columns are easier to read. The current text column is about 800 pixels which is plenty wide.

This should also be easier for those with laptops. I would simply suggest moving everything over to the left and that will give Eric room for vertical banners on the right.

[JFS77]

Folks, I am working hard on a sweeping set of upgrades and improvements here. There may be some inconvenience to you along the way occasionally, but I think the end result will be well worth it. Please cut me a little slack during this time. Thanks. Eric


How about putting in a non-fixed with template into the forum software? One where users can opt-in to its display.

IMO, any changes to an existing site shouldbe opt-in for a period of time, evaluated and then changed to a standard.

... but I'm new here and can see the hard work that goes into this.

[Epic Ed]

Look Ed, I am working my ass off on these changes and if that is the extent of the feedback you have to offer, why don't you keep your opinions to yourself? Eric


I can very much appreciate the effort that goes into making these kind of comprehensive changes. I think, overall, you're getting some positive feedback about most of the stuff either planned or already implemented. I'm sorry if the only comment you've received from me is negative, but I feel very strongly about disliking the format width. Based on your reply to the many posts above the concur with my opinion, it sound like you're not hearing it.

Ed

[Glock 19 God]

The people complaining simply are not with the times. This is the standard for many modern and popular websites. I thoroughly like this format. I would also like to thank Eric for upgrading this website into the modern times. Your work may be going unnoticed to some of the older people that are resistant to change, but with people that are with the times you are being thanked. Keep up the good work.

[Eric]

I can very much appreciate the effort that goes into making these kind of comprehensive changes. I think, overall, you're getting some positive feedback about most of the stuff either planned or already implemented. I'm sorry if the only comment you've received from me is negative, but I feel very strongly about disliking the format width. Based on your reply to the many posts above the concur with my opinion, it sound like you're not hearing it.

Ed

Ed, you might have noticed that I did not solicit anyone's opinions on these changes. This site is not run by committee. Even so, I always welcome feedback on my efforts, when that feedback is constructive and delivered in a polite manner. As I have already said, there are a number of reasons these changes are being made, reasons that you are not privy to. Obviously, you feel strongly about this, but from my perspective, what you feel strongly about is the presentation of the resources I am providing freely for your use. Under those circumstances, I think I would exercise a bit more tact and consideration when voicing my opinions in a case like this, strongly-held though those opinions may be, if I were you. I think it is pretty damned rude to tell the guy whose hospitality you are enjoying, that the product of his efforts 'absolutely sucks'.

[epsylum]

If they'd give it a try they might find it is actually easier to read. Many, many studies have been done showing that narrower columns are easier to read.

Kind of why there are columns in a newspaper and not just writing all the way across the page. Narrower columns of writing makes it easier to find the next line of text while reading among other things.

As for the changes, as long as I can still see text, I am happy. :thumbsup:

BTW, I like the new background to the GT logo.

[Epic Ed]

The people complaining simply are not with the times. This is the standard for many modern and popular websites. I thoroughly like this format. I would also like to thank Eric for upgrading this website into the modern times. Your work may be going unnoticed to some of the older people that are resistant to change, but with people that are with the times you are being thanked. Keep up the good work.

I visit a couple of dozen sites on a regular basis. Not one of them has the content of the forums running down the middle 3rd of the page, with margins equally as wide. Not a single one. And it's not that any of his hard work is going unnoticed -- I think, in general, there are some very nice changes. But none of them has had as big an impact to the experience of visiting this website then how the margin width has changed. It does over shadow the other stuff at this point because it makes a huge visual impact on the user experience.

Ed

[JASV.17]

I don't want to sound ungrateful...but the color scheme that's going on here....

[Eric]

I visit a couple of dozen sites on a regular basis. Not one of them has the content of the forums running down the middle 3rd of the page, with margins equally as wide. Not a single one. And it's not that any of his hard work is going unnoticed -- I think, in general, there are some very nice changes. But none of them has had as big an impact to the experience of visiting this website then how the margin width has changed. It does over shadow the other stuff at this point because it makes a huge visual impact on the user experience.

Ed

Man, you just will not let this go, will you? I think I could install a one-hundred dollar bill dispenser here and someone would ***** about the fact that they weren't getting the money in twenties. I have been running this site for a decade and I have upgraded the site many times, during that time. Every time I make changes, the segment of the site that simply cannot abide change, no matter what, bust my chops about it. Many of these same people are complaining on the next round of changes, because they don't want to lose the existing look, which they complained about during ITS inception! This is a basic part of human nature I guess, but it is a damned frustrating part.

http://www.ebay.com/
https://www.paypal.com/
http://www.new.facebook.com/home.php
http://www.myspace.com/
http://www.msn.com/
http://www.yahoo.com/
http://www.youtube.com/

Do I need to go on? I will say again that most big sites are using a fixed-width format and as you can see, from the many links I just provided, most of them center the content. They are doing so for some compelling reasons. I've already covered a couple of reasons for using a fixed-width format and a couple of members have pointed out others. As for centering the content, people tend to center themselves on their monitors and if the content doesn't fill the screen, it makes more sense to center it, so they don't have to sit there looking to the side. I am done debating this with you. These changes need to happen and they are going to happen.

Folks, as I have said, you are welcome to post feedback on my progress here, but please keep it polite and please understand that I do not intend to debate the changes I am making. They are happening for a reason and each change is part of a much larger plan. I am hoping that most of you at least, will refrain from passing judgment on my efforts until you can see them completed. Eric

[JASV.17]

Ahh, no more yellow.

No complaints here. Thanks, Eric.

BTW, my bill dispenser can be all singles, it all spends the same!

[SFLglock]

The site looks great Eric. :wavey:

[KusoJijii]

Eric, I too fear change. That is why I'm posting from my Commodore 64 with an extension cord running into the closet.




Thanks for letting me into your home, I got no complaints here.

[Cclass]

The fixed width seems to stand out more on Glock Talk then the other sites you listed. Is there a way to play around with different outer edge colors to make it blend in better? White seems to work well for Ebay and YouTube IMO.

[Oldskoolfan]

I didn't like the page size either, so I pushed the lower left control key and held it while I moved the up/down mouse control and thereby change the size to anything I like.

Any suggestions for those of us on laptops? I dont have a regular computer as my laptop serves all of my needs.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Eric, the site is looking good.

[Eric]

Guys, the size of the content on the site is exactly the same size as it was before. The text, the pictures, it is all unchanged. It just got drawn together a bit. Eric

[Daynja]

http://www.ebay.com/
https://www.paypal.com/
http://www.new.facebook.com/home.php
http://www.myspace.com/
http://www.msn.com/
http://www.yahoo.com/
http://www.youtube.com/


But those are not forum websites. I'm sure there are some popular ones, but I can't think of any forum websites that use a fixed width. I have seen forum websites that use a sidebar for a menu or ads and they did not use a fixed width. I don't know what exactly you are planning, but I would like to think there would be a way to do it while using the entire width of the window.

[Eric]

But those are not forum websites. I'm sure there are some popular ones, but I can't think of any forum websites that use a fixed width. I have seen forum websites that use a sidebar for a menu or ads and they did not use a fixed width. I don't know what exactly you are planning, but I would like to think there would be a way to do it while using the entire width of the window.

Look, have you read the rest of what I have had to say about this? I've covered this topic pretty thoroughly. I only dragged this thread in here to give everyone benefit of what I had already had to say on the subject. Eric

[Rabbit994]

Are you going to fill these sides with content? Or you just leaving these blank because other sites have fixed length? That's like saying Glocks should be wooden finish because some shotguns have wooden finish. I've posted numerous forums that are variable length.

[Glock 19 God]

*waits to see the response of Eric when people just keep pushing him*

[Eric]

Are you going to fill these sides with content? Or you just leaving these blank because other sites have fixed length? That's like saying Glocks should be wooden finish because some shotguns have wooden finish. I've posted numerous forums that are variable length.

Good grief! Have you read ANY of what I said on the subject? I don't know what you do for a living, but this is what I do for a living, OK? I don't really give a crap what other sites do. THIS site is going to have a fixed width and if you don't know any more about the subject, or are too lazy to go read what I have said about this, you go right on thinking I am doing this because everyone else is doing it. Smartass/dumbass comments like this is what turns this sort of upgrade into a PIMA. Eric