chossing a style

[Steven Avery]

Hi Folks,

(I have not found the basic thread or page for this discussion, so here goes.)

Choosing a style seems a bit complex. What are the parameters ?

First what is available.
Do we have a group available with the vBulletin purchase, and are those here on vBulletin.org ? Then there are private ones, many free, with some sort of rating system set up by vBulletin. org ? Other than designers who have their own layout of four or eight on a page, is there any system for looking other than thread navigation. Is there any list of say the top 50 designs, with number of installs and numbers of pics, thumbnail and links ?

I am not trying to be too cutting edge, yet clearly the design on this forum, e.g. is quite superior to the default.

And what am I looking for, my ISP will download from here and install for free, so that is nice.

Full width ? - seems to be nice

Color contrasts - big difference between soft colors and more sharp contrast, many different variables

Cost, Support, Security, Reputation .. things like that that consider the source.

Right now I was just poking around the 3.8 thread, yet that is not the most convenient method, lots of foreign language and lots of stuff of minor interest. Earlier I looked at a couple of specialty sites (not all that impressed on a quick glance, and not neccesarily worth the $ on the non-free styles). And discussed a bit with the host, Global Gold, and decided I would try to use this site as my search base.

Any overall thoughts and helps appreciated. If there are threads in another section, simply point me there as well.

Thanks !

Shalom,
Steven Avery

--------------- Added [DATE]1252666803[/DATE] at [TIME]1252666803[/TIME] ---------------

Hi Folks,

This forum has a nice style (It would also be nice in a tan or a soft green theme for a slightly softer edge). The tabs on the top are excellent (is that a control panel mod or addition ?). So is something along this line available free or inexpensively ?

Navigating the style - theme - world is rather unusual. A lot of companies start something, and then change, questions are raised about code. On the practical side Themesbase does look worthy of consideration, I am not looking for exotic or super-distinctive, just pleasant, functional and utilitarian, from a company or individual with a good track record. To offer the least future headache for my host (GlobalGold) and me and any tweaking at all to be quite a bit in the future. (Maybe add an image or two, in the short run.)

Shalom,
Steven Avery