Navbar

[filburt1]

Originally Posted by Boofo

Youy think the navbar is too complicated but css and javascript aren't? LOL

CSS by itself is not complicated compared to non-semantic markup like using tables for layout (yes you should use them for tabular data...i.e., data that is naturally represented as a table in other mediums). I only used a bit of Javascript (none for rollovers, CSS for that) and that Javascript is for entirely nonessential functionality.

I do agree that for those who browse default vB layouts in their sleep that it would be more difficult to use. However, those people are a tiny minority of forum users. And yes, I did a survey (no I didn't).

My new layout is just as functional as the old one. It simply presents the options in a clearer manner for more inexperienced users, IMO.

edit: next I'm going to gut headinclude as much as possible. My current design already doesn't use a single line of standard vB CSS, just all my own selectors. I suppose that is a bigger challenge. I haven't looked at the visual style editor yet for this new design and don't really plan to, given I'm doing it all manually. I can't wait to see how much bandwidth I'll save, probably over 50% per page.

Originally Posted by sabret00the

it's sweet in my opinion, of course i have my greivences (sp:?) with your simplcising (word:?) mehtods, as i think some make it harder to nav, especially for vB-experts, but i like the overall idea, and it's not too close to my next overall idea

Grievances, simplification. I use big words.

[filburt1]

I regret to inform you that it is now 7 lines of code. I write such bloat.

<if condition="is_array($navbits)">
	<div id="framework-breadcrumbs">
		<strong>You are here:</strong> <a href="index.php?$session[sessionurl]">$vboptions[bbtitle]</a> <span class="breadcrumb-separator">&raquo;</span>
		<a href="$vboptions[forumhome].php?$session[sessionurl]">Forum Listings</a>
		$navbits[breadcrumb]
	</div>
</if>

Needed that <div> in there for some styling.

Hint: here's part of the CSS:

div#framework-breadcrumbs
{
	padding: 0.5em 0px 0.5em 0px;
	border-top: 1px solid #CCCCCC;
	border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC;
	margin-bottom: 1em;
}

span.breadcrumb-separator
{
	font-weight: bold;
	font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;
	font-size: 12px;
}

And here's the top of my master framework style sheet:

@import url('framework-links.css');
@import url('framework-search.css');
@import url('framework-navbar.css');
@import url('framework-infobar.css');
@import url('framework-footer.css');
@import url('framework-adsense.css');
@import url('framework-messages.css');
@import url('framework-awards.css');

Modularity == good. Most of those CSS files are only 20 lines or so. The one controlling vB's frustrating tables is a whopping 125 and named wittingly (and does not bear repeating here, although wait until the final version).

I like reading my own comments:

span.postbit-counter
{
	padding: 5px;
	width: 18px;
	height: 15px;
	
	font-size: 12px;
	font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;
	font-weight: bold;
	
	position: absolute;
	left: 57px;
	
	text-align: right;
	
	border: 1px solid gray;
	
	background-color: white;
	color: black;
}

span.postbit-counter[class="postbit-counter"] /* stop freaking using IE, people, and you won't SEE hacks like this */
{
	border: none !important;
	background-color: inherit !important;
	color: inherit;

	background-image: url(../images/postcounterbg.png);
	background-position: right center;
	background-repeat: no-repeat;
}

[Andreas]

Saving bandwidth is nice. However, I think it is not that important keeping in mind that most users will have broadband access anyway.

[filburt1]

True, especially for my forum. I'm more concerned with the bandwidth savings that I'll enjoy. I recently upgraded my hosting plan to 29 GB/month and hopefully won't have to do it again for a very long time.

(edited your post by accident, Kirby, but restored it...I'm such a jackass)

[Andreas]

29 GB/month is not much ... i'v got 100 included with my crappy VPS.
Our board produces approx. 200 GB/month.

[Erwin]

My site uses more bandwidth than that in a day.

I really do need to cut down on my menu options though. However, the moment I remove one link, my members complain.

[Princeton]

Regarding vBulletin:
I agree the navbar is BLOATED.
The search dropdown is a huge MISTAKE.

Regarding your modifications:
Your target audience understands the function of "breadcrumbs".

The "You are here" prepended to the breadcrumbs will only confuse people. If you really want to add such a feature I recommend that you append "You are here" to breadcrumb; also, you may want to style it different from the breadcrumbs. On your site, the "You are here" looks like it is part of the breadcrumb. eg. Am I at "You are here" or "WDF v5 sneak peek, part 5"?

I would actually leave "You are here" out of the "breadcrumbs". Now-a-days, breadcrumbs are standard and visiible on all big sites. In other words, people understand what "breadcrumbs" are or could easily intepret the function of the "breadcrumbs". (repeat)

The 23k CSS file is a bit bloated don't you think? I do understand that it is needed especially for something like a vbulletin-run site. But, you may want to split it and use what is necessary. In this manner, the initial load for a dial-up user will not be as bad. (First impression is important.)

Overall, I think the project looks great and applaud your effort. :up:

[Logikos]

I've always admired your work and congratulate you on your new project. Keep it up!

[Andreas]

Originally Posted by princeton

The search dropdown is a huge MISTAKE.

I disagree on that.
Most users don't need nor understand the Standard (Advanced) Search Form.
So why making it more complicated for them when the simple Keyword Input is enough?
I had zero complaints from my Users (about 35K at the moment) when we Implemented the dropdowns - in fact we got many congrats about the much cleaner/easier layout.

[soniceffect]

I would agree with Kirby on the search ..... I do understand the advanced search as with every other part of the board ... And I woud rather use the dropdown menu .. No other reason that it saves me waitin for the next page ..

Lazy I know LOL