ForumSupplies.com - Review Please

[SaintDog]

It's honestly been quite some time since I opened a new community and I've been pondering this idea for quite some time, so it's time it went from paper to web :).

ForumSupplies allows members to list their vBulletin Styles, vBulletin Services, Web Hosting Specials/Deals and other related services for a small fee**. They are also welcome to participate in general discussion through the non-service forums.

The purpose of this forum was to centralize such offers and make it easier for community owners and administrators to navigate such available offers instead of having to hop from one community to the next. Having a centralized area for such allows for more control over what's happening and what's going on within the community.


So What's Been Done?

1). We've customized the display of the first post in each of the "PPT" forums. This draws more attention to the first thread and overall is better for the OP.

2). We've created a custom design for the forum as a whole from design to buttons. We still have a few buttons lacking, though they will be completed as we progress.

3). We've optimized the overall display as much as possible so the forum loads as quickly as possible. We're still continuing this stage to ensure all loads as quick as it possible can.

4). We're working on the index/portal. This is to be our custom solution, one we'll continue to develop as time passes on and as the activity level increases with member registrations.

5). More to come :).


...And What's the URL?

http://www.forumsupplies.com


** This is not what I am looking for comments on. I am not looking to turn this into a commercial thread. I am simply looking for a review on the idea, the design and the community as a whole. I know quite a few are against the idea of making money through their forum, which is why I have this small notice. I would prefer contructive feedback, so please keep this in mind.

[Shelley_c]

I'm likeing the colour theme but unsure about the diagonal pattern on the gradients (.tcat & .thead) as when you scroll it gives off that icky feeling. The same kind of feeling when people use scanlines on backgrounds and you get that awfull feel when you scroll. I would personally remove the diagonal pattern.

The logo looks mediocre. Nothing great but not bad, Maybe scale the text to a higher setting to give it a more prominant look?

The tcat collapse markers would look better scaled down with a bevel added for perspective. I would also opt for a white marker against the blue gradient instead of the yellow.

Again, with the collapse marker (this time the thead collapse) scale it down and add some kind of bevel and possibly go with a white marker, maybe.

I noticed you've still go a vast majority of default vb images which I think you should replace for some custom images (starting with replacing the images on the index page).

I would work on the style (more importantly) the graphics that compliment them to get a better feel and more consistent look. Love the colour, I just don't like the patterns you intergrated on the gradients.

Goodluck with your site. ;)

[Snake]

Not a bad skin. I like it but a better header won't be a problem.

[SaintDog]

Thanks thus far everyone :).

I am working on a logo, though my logo creation skills are limited. I can design around quite a bit, however logos are not my specialty :).

I will see what I can do about the gradients as well.