Fixed width vs variable width

[rumatt]

The new format seems to be fixed width. It fills a vertical column that consumes about 50% of my monitor's real estate. Is there a way to relax this and make it variable width? Some frames / pictures overflow the bounds anyway.

If some prefer fixed, can it be a user option?

Thanks.

[bmwpower]

The new format seems to be fixed width. It fills a vertical column that consumes about 50% of my monitor's real estate. Is there a way to relax this and make it variable width? Some frames / pictures overflow the bounds anyway.

If some prefer fixed, can it be a user option?

Thanks.

+1...what he said.

[bmwpower]

I just realized the other boards (HAMB, etc.) are the same fixed width.

[shopking68]

+1 here also

[Ryan]

sorry fellas... not going to happen anytime soon.

[Bradley Miller]

Some of those pics causing issues need resized -- I like the fixed width. 800x600 is the norm, despite larger monitors. If I ever think about complaining on the size, I'll just open up a few other browsers and read multiple sites rather than griping about any "blank space". :-)

[rumatt]

I like the fixed width. 800x600 is the norm, despite larger monitors. If I ever think about complaining on the size, I'll just open up a few other browsers and read multiple sites rather than griping about any "blank space". :-)

If it's variable width, everyone can make the window whatever size they want. Nobody loses.

Fixed width is a huge step backward. Welcome to 1990.

What the hell is this new guy going to do to us?
Put shortly, nothing that you fellas don't want.

sorry fellas... not going to happen anytime soon.

Well that didn't take long. At least I called it first (http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=42284&postcount=66).

Sorry to be blunt, but the attitude throughout this changeover rubbed me the wrong way. "I don't do anything you don't want. Then again, I don't ask what you want, and I dismiss complaints immediately without even polling the user base or watching how the discussion among the users unfolds."

[Ryan]

Rumatt... here is a a full refund. Sorry we couldn't make you happy.

[number3]

The fixed size makes the site too hard to read.

The font is too small and the light gray letters against the white background are hard on the eyes.

The quoted text is MUCH easier to read. Why can't all the text be like that?

Why is the new board this way? Is there a good reason other than "just because that the way I wanted it"?

[nova65ss]

I agree it's way too small. I have perfect vision and find it very hard to read the print. I don't see any practical reason to have it this way:confused:

Jimmy

[Ryan]

The fixed width is done in an effort to give the largest percentage of our users the best experience without losing design control. It is a standard on the internet. For more examples, see:

yahoo.com
msnbc.com
msn.com
ebay.com
myspace.com
etc...

As for fonts and colors, I am working on those next...

[Bradley Miller]

I agree it's way too small. I have perfect vision and find it very hard to read the print. I don't see any practical reason to have it this way:confused:

Jimmy

I do, the other site design (no offense to the former owner) sucked. This format allows people to have some semblance of order and a clean look. The site before looked very cluttered.

As Ryan said . . . take your refund and move on. :thumbup:

[number3]

Thank you for changing the front color to black from gray.

That is a great step in the right direction.

[Ryan]

We also bumped the size from 11pt to 13pt. We have a ton more optimization stuff to do, but my real job keeps getting in the way!

More soon...

[nova65ss]

I do, the other site design (no offense to the former owner) sucked. This format allows people to have some semblance of order and a clean look. The site before looked very cluttered.

As Ryan said . . . take your refund and move on. :thumbup:


I'll try and keep this civil, but nothing was anymore cluttered before than it is now. Only thing that's changed is it's narrower. It only looks neater to you because you are used to the other boards. I don't visit the other websites probably never will so nothing is in order just different to me. I been on stevesnovasite.com for a looong time and it fills the full screen w/o complaint from anyone.


On another note it does look better with the larger font and darker color.

Jimmy

[Ryan]

Fellas... things are going to change and change always takes some getting used to...

I realize you guys don't know me and doubt my intentions and all that, but you also have to realize that I am making changes to get this site more inline with my others so that updates and new functionalities are easier to impliment in the future.

It's really your choice. If ya stick around and give it a shot, you aren't risking anything... right? It's all free to you guys... And it's certainly better than nothing.

[bmwpower]

The fixed width is done in an effort to give the largest percentage of our users the best experience without losing design control. It is a standard on the internet. For more examples, see:

yahoo.com
msnbc.com
msn.com
ebay.com
myspace.com
etc...

As for fonts and colors, I am working on those next...

I hate to be a stickler, but maybe it's worth looking at...

Ebay is actually fixed on the home pages, but the listings are full width. Much easier to browse and buy stuff when you can see multiple things at a time.

Similar to here... Would it worthwhile to look at making only the threads full width and your home page, etc. fixed? Would that make it any easier? I certainly don't want to make it harder for anyone admining the site. Maybe it something that would appeal to everyone.... I don't know. I really only care about the threads since that's where my eyes are fixated 95% of the time.

[bmwpower]

I do, the other site design (no offense to the former owner) sucked. This format allows people to have some semblance of order and a clean look. The site before looked very cluttered.

As Ryan said . . . take your refund and move on. :thumbup:

Your the first person in about 5000 people that complained about the old site. I spent about 4-5 hours a day on the old site and had no problems doing what I needed to do.

[Ryan]

Understood fellas... When I have time to design a nice 100% template for you guys to use as an alternative, I will... Until then, PM me if you must have a 100% template right now...

I'll do what I can to make y'all happy with the time I have...

[Ryan]

Your the first person in about 5000 people that complained about the old site. I spent about 4-5 hours a day on the old site and had no problems doing what I needed to do.

Not quite true... I've fielded a bunch... These design changes were made after consulting a number of different long time users as well as the guys that were mods before I got here. I'd guess about 80% of them preferred my standard fixed width to the old 100%.

Regardless, this matter is closed and in time everyone will get exactly what they want... I'll do a 100% as an alternate template for those that don't understand design principles! :) (that was a joke fellas)