Do you like the current forum layout?

[Opace]

Pretty much what the title suggests, do you like the current forum layout?

If you could specify the reasons as to why you voted such and such, that'll be extremely helpful.

Thanks for the feedback.

[Apple Jack Anarchy]

Not really cause at times, I am in a public place, and ppl see the anime character with the gun to her head, laughing, and one person asked me to change it. And the default is the only one I use.

[swordsman]

I am not much of a active user, but know A4 like it was, its great to watch this forum; at least, as a wiever, for me A4 is a classic so it should stay like that forever!^^

[Prism]

It's right about perfect. It's not pretentious and dark (as such other Forums use and just end up looking unwarm), but it's not completely lifelessly default.

I'm kind of against a change simply because it may not look nearly as good.

[KT Samurai]

Not really cause at times, I am in a public place, and ppl see the anime character with the gun to her head, laughing, and one person asked me to change it. And the default is the only one I use.

We've gone over this before. You can simply change to the Khaki skin, each forum skin has their own unique forum banners.

[Shannon Apple]

It's a drawing of a girl with a gun to her head, a fictional character. It can't be that disturbing and I doubt anyone is going to get a gun and commit suicide because they saw an anime character on a forum.

However, when the next series of banners go up, we will look into removing it. There is only one person with the access to change them and he is pretty busy. This complaint has been noted before, but as you can see none of the banners have been changed yet. We will decide what to do about it then.

[J.CoolKid1412]

The default setting looks simple and clean...

And the character with the gun is really noticeable, I remember a teenager was amazed when he saw that...

[Oh Snap.]

If you could specify the reasons as to why you voted such and such, that'll be extremely helpful.If you could specify what your thinking of changing it too that would be extremely helpful as well.

Its alright, not too juch burn on the eyes, stuf is readable, things are clickable and the subforums work well.

[Opace]

We haven't really thought about changing it yet, we just wanted a general poll to see what the users think about the current layout. If most of them like it, it's unlikely we'll change it. However, if many users dislike the current forum layout then we'll look into changing it so its easier to browse through the forums etc.

So no, we don't have any changes planned unless the users want it changed.

[Apple Jack Anarchy]

We've gone over this before. You can simply change to the Khaki skin, each forum skin has their own unique forum banners.

Just stating my opinion. I personally don't like it, but I am not an admin, so there really isn't anything I can do.

[Ian the Korean]

Just stating my opinion. I personally don't like it, but I am not an admin, so there really isn't anything I can do.

Not the appropriate place to complain about this issue. The banner is unrelated to the forum layout.

[D Morning Star]

The layouts are great and all

i just think it's time for a new

layout but the color is good don't

change the color.

[Shadow Fox]

Its OK! I don't like it and I don't hate it. If it changes I'll get use to it.

Maybe shift some of the clusters of forums around a bit. What I mean by that is by taking the block of Forums like Community and Anime Genre and shift them around. Maybe have something like it going in the order of
Announcements
Community
Anime General
Anime Genre
Entertainment Media
General
Support

So pretty much the only difference is that the block of Forums called Community is pushed up a little bit. That way the welcome Center and the other stuff like events and fun and games are near at the top and easier for new people to see we have a welcome center for them to say hello.

Other then that I cannot think of anything that could make things better..
As for improving the forums overall.

I dunno. Maybe Rename the forums Anime Chit-Chat and Manga Chit-Chat to something more...Sophisticated and different. Seems like they have been called that forever since the dawn of time. I doubt it will make the forums better but it would be a nice change to rename some of those old forums to something a bit nicer. Maybe have a thread and ask for suggestions and you guys in the admin and mod teams can pick the name you like best.

Like..."The Lounge" or something like that could be that could be in place for the manga or fun and games etc. Is that a great name? Well probably not! That was just something I pulled off the top of my head as I am typing this but at least its something.

Maybe have more contests or something like that. No prize is needed it could just be for fun. Like maybe a Trivia question about general anime that people here read or watch. Person with the highest points or whatever could maybe be the Anime Guru of the week! Have quick and easy Weekly polls on certain things about the forum like service, forum skins or topics that discuss other members or the staff here and such.

[Ian the Korean]

Its OK! I don't like it and I don't hate it. If it changes I'll get use to it.

Maybe shift some of the clusters of forums around a bit. What I mean by that is by taking the block of Forums like Community and Anime Genre and shift them around. Maybe have something like it going in the order of
Announcements
Community
Anime General
Anime Genre
Entertainment Media
General
Support

So pretty much the only difference is that the block of Forums called Community is pushed up a little bit. That way the welcome Center and the other stuff like events and fun and games are near at the top and easier for new people to see we have a welcome center for them to say hello.

Other then that I cannot think of anything that could make things better..
As for improving the forums overall.

I dunno. Maybe Rename the forums Anime Chit-Chat and Manga Chit-Chat to something more...Sophisticated and different. Seems like they have been called that forever since the dawn of time. I doubt it will make the forums better but it would be a nice change to rename some of those old forums to something a bit nicer. Maybe have a thread and ask for suggestions and you guys in the admin and mod teams can pick the name you like best.

Like..."The Lounge" or something like that could be that could be in place for the manga or fun and games etc. Is that a great name? Well probably not! That was just something I pulled off the top of my head as I am typing this but at least its something.

Maybe have more contests or something like that. No prize is needed it could just be for fun. Like maybe a Trivia question about general anime that people here read or watch. Person with the highest points or whatever could maybe be the Anime Guru of the week! Have quick and easy Weekly polls on certain things about the forum like service, forum skins or topics that discuss other members or the staff here and such.

Yeah we tried having an arrangement more like this previously, and it only seemed to hurt the forum on the whole. Activity drops and stuff if I remember; it was definitely better after we moved the anime sections up top. I think Shian can probably throw out some actual figures, but I'm pretty sure I'm remembering correctly.

[Shadow Fox]

Yeah we tried having an arrangement more like this previously, and it only seemed to hurt the forum on the whole. Activity drops and stuff if I remember; it was definitely better after we moved the anime sections up top. I think Shian can probably throw out some actual figures, but I'm pretty sure I'm remembering correctly.

Really? Well I don't know what the other stuff is but if its activity drops than maybe do stuff like that during the time we have lowest members maybe?
Not sure how the forum maintenance thing works so I probably do not know what I am talking about.

Does it just cause stuff to stop working?

[ChatterboxZombie]

No we need another 20 weaboos in that corner, 20 emos over there, and flirty loose-lipped girls everywhere! and some mood lighting!

no seriously though no problems for me

[Ian the Korean]

Really? Well I don't know what the other stuff is but if its activity drops than maybe do stuff like that during the time we have lowest members maybe?
Not sure how the forum maintenance thing works so I probably do not know what I am talking about.

Does it just cause stuff to stop working?

Well one of the reasons we changed the layout around last year or the year before, I forget when it happened exactly, was due to a trend in activity dropping if I recall correctly. And the current layout went through a few months of fine tuning back then to it's current condition; including the removal of series specific and replacing it with genres and whatnot. We also moved like, the 'forum rules' and 'FAQ' up to the header below the top banner instead of leaving them as their own forums. Also had some name changes, like 'The Symposium' and some others. There was a lot more to it than simply rearranging the order of the actual forums and subforums.

Previous thread about the reordering though: http://www.anime-forums.com/showthread.php?t=99449 and renamings: http://www.anime-forums.com/showthread.php?t=99984

Not trying to discourage further change if enough people think we should make some, just trying to lay out the reasoning as I remember it, for why the forum looks how it does right now.

[Shian]

For a very long time, the "Anime Specific" forums were dead, minus Bleach, Naruto and One Piece.

Then we changed it around to Genre Specific, but there were still dead forums and eventually, we got huge overlaps and ambiguity that weren't resolved.
So we started to combine genres forums and the names got very long... like
Slice of Life, Romance, Sport, Drama... the list got long for a Forum name.

The names got changed to something that described it a bit, which is what it is now.

The community section was redone a bit, some things got renamed to make better sense and the "Entertainment Media" section was created to make better sense. We had Music in a completely different section, Gaming had 3 sections and all sorts of other random things.

Essentially, from that time period to now, we eliminated 10-15 forums that were no longer active. Some of the threads in it were 2+ years old with maybe 2-3 new threads in that span.

Sections were also rearrange in order of importance.
Things we want you to see show up higher on the forum index.
Things that you don't necessarily care for or eventually will get to after all the other stuff is towards the bottom.

[Opace]

Yeah, the activity for Series Specifics was next to nil for some series; it was more like a "trophy" for an anime people liked and stored away for no greater purpose. It got to the point that you were recommended, when writing up a review for an anime, that you post somewhere dead in Series Specifics (mostly in Ah! My Goddess since it was first) until you reported it and a mod moved it for you.

Would be nice to get some more votes on this poll though.

[Animeace]

Everything looks good, just needs some new banners.

[Cmpunk]

Yea it goes over pretty well for me and I actually am pretty fond with the banners and the wall colors available. Better than it was in 2008, but I don't find myself against possible changes in the future.

[Animeace]

I like the current ones as well, I wolud just like to see a couple of new ones thrown in with the current rotation.
Maybe a "Caugh" Ble "Caugh" Bleach one.

[Prince of Thieves]

We haven't really thought about changing it yet, we just wanted a general poll to see what the users think about the current layout. If most of them like it, it's unlikely we'll change it. However, if many users dislike the current forum layout then we'll look into changing it so its easier to browse through the forums etc.

So no, we don't have any changes planned unless the users want it changed.

If thats the case, I agree to leave it how it is. Its efficient, looks good, and overall has all you need in a forum.

[lil_princess]

its alrite......................kinda quick n easy 2 use....but u cud change the toolbar options.

[Batman]

I like it but I am ok if any changes are made.

[Neji195]

Its okay, but it would be nice with something new and fresh

[Ren]

I like it a lot, especially the specific anime type forums. I do think F & G would be better suited in the same parent forum as PLD/General though.

[Foxyknoxicle]

I'm down with the current layout. I'd kind of like to see Anime Recommendations as its own forum rather than a subsection, but that's about it. Or Anime Recommendations could just be switched with Anime Reviews. It's a minor change, but I think the amount of activity in Recommendations compared to Reviews warrants the switch.

[Bieberhole69]

No. Banners are way too old. Everything sucks. This forum needs to be revamped every one or two years.

[Lieutenant Lollipop]

And please, signature limits.

[VampiricCentipede]

With all honesty, I hate it.

I hope it turns into something darker it hurts my eyes. >.<

[AoX]

Darker? You change skins in User CP -> Edit Options furthest down. Blackhead skin is much darker.

[aichanA4]

i love it i think it's more organized and a little easier to get around than the old one.

[sCam]

yes i love it. smooth and not too bright.

[Kewkehtsu]

We the people of the F&G sub forum officially announce our succession from the community sub-board. I know I can count on our comrades within the staff to carry out this action.
Glory to the people's republic of Fun and Games.

Comrade President PRFaGs,
-Tova

[Ian the Korean]

>succession

[Kewkehtsu]

>succession
We plan to succeed at becoming the greatest sub-forum in the history of all A4.

>Implying I don't know the difference between "Succession" and "Secession."

/quickcovermyass

[Kouketsu]

We plan to succeed at becoming the greatest sub-forum in the history of all A4.

>Implying I don't know the difference between "Succession" and "Secession."

/quickcovermyass

As one who has already attempted secessions here before:

http://i56.tinypic.com/67hxt1.png

My only advice would be: don't fail. Carry these words of wisdom with you.



OT: No.

[Rom]

Complete overhaul. Give us something fun to play around with. We're all bored.

[Ian the Korean]

Complete overhaul. Give us something fun to play around with. We're all bored.

Feel free to suggest some new designs then! Just saying it's boring doesn't really give us any idea what would improve it.

[Rom]

Feel free to suggest some new designs then! Just saying it's boring doesn't really give us any idea what would improve it.
A new color scheme.....maybe a couple new sections. I don't know. I'd be fine with anything.

[Struggler]

A new color scheme.....maybe a couple new sections. I don't know. I'd be fine with anything.

Admin: "Everything but the chat thread will then be removed, and an ancient version of vBulletin will be used. Thank you for your input."

[HappyTheCat]

Maybe a change of the seasons layout? Like season to season have a layout color bounce. It's not like it'd be too flashy or dull. Or have a month to month color scheme change, like birthstone colors I guess? It'd be interesting to see that small layout change. For the most part, the setup is easy to manage, and everything is viable. Kinda wish you had the option of your threads you've posted in wouldn't just up and disappear from only a 12 hour period in your settings. Like when you click settings. :x

[Struggler]

What I'd like is a more frequent change of the headers. Maybe rotate new ones in every month or so? Even if there aren't brand new ones to put up, rotating in old ones that haven't been seen in a while is still somewhat fresh.

[Struggler]

Flash games, ew.

There's a gaming section to talk about games, but we don't need one to actually play them. This is a forum.

[Van Pistol]

A nice black default skin, with sprinkled neon colors would give the forum a nice atmosphere. And maybe an live chat box right on the side or underneath the forum index page

[Gamma]

Chatbox/squawkbox/chatterbox/shoutbox whatever has been suggested before. I'm sorry but I don't see it happening.

[Animeace]

A4 is long over due for a new skin imo.

[Cal]

I like it, but I haven't been here very long...

A problem though might be that the side quick linked posts (of the latest posts on forums). Apparently is doesn't show spoiler tags, it just shows the spoilers.....just a thing I noticed..

[Cal]

^^ Now that I've been here long I saw many flaws, of course none major, nut nevertheless i will be back on this week giving my complete ideas. (a lot of them)

[Best.Sora554]

I personally, like it the way it is. But I wouldn't mind if it changed. Only issue: Readjustment. =)

[Daywalker]

Hi A4 team, It has been such a long time since I got myself on here and posting/looking around and I just want to say that since the last time that I was here the place is looking wonderful. It just inspires me to get active on here some more and gave me a resource to actually blog about anime and all my other nerdy hobbies xD

[Qeez]

I dunno all forums look the same it would be good to see something new and sexy ;)

[MoSteel]

I don't care for a change in the forum layout, but how would we go about changing this, I mean there isn't much that can be changed is there...besides color.

[Shian]

Keep in mind that this poll was taking pre- A4 Skin Beta

[saramohebmosa]

if I could add the answer I am going to choose in the poll it would be :-
''the current layout is nice..+ I don't mind changes +I don't really have a current opinion ''
see I am missed up ..and I dont know what to choose .

[|Trunic|]

not that much,it really need to be updated,and changed,like all other websites it have to change from its look, so it can make more people register I think!

[Ian the Korean]

Changed to what? Like what other websites?

[|Trunic|]

Changed to what? Like what other websites?
there alot of other forums like this,that have better looking,there in no need to say names, they have better look,we just want something new may be other color,any thing new,I am sure that there alot of other good ideas that people have,we have to think as someone want to register in a forum, what makes him register in A4,and not in one from other forums that have better looking?

[Ian the Korean]

You're not giving any specific examples of anything you want changed! We can't change it how you think it should be changed if we don't have any clue what exactly you want changed and how you want it changed.

[|Trunic|]

You're not giving any specific examples of anything you want changed! We can't change it how you think it should be changed if we don't have any clue what exactly you want changed and how you want it changed.
I just want it to change,any way that is your job,you are the person that have to give ideas,and we vote for it,I dont have any ideas,I hardly change my profile,and it is ugly,any way,I will think in something,but give me time.

[Ian the Korean]

You haven't given me any ideas. You've given me a really vague generalization that doesn't actually give me anything to base these "changes" you want of of.

[|Trunic|]

You haven't given me any ideas. You've given me a really vague generalization that doesn't actually give me anything to base these "changes" you want of of.
I said to you before,I dont have really good ideas now at least,something like that need time,but I am sure that there is alot of people that have good ideas,I may give you in a later time,you cant ask me about idea,and you want answer in minute?

if I gave you a good idea,will you use it,think of it maybe?

[Ian the Korean]

Of course. I can't guarantee it'd be implemented, but if you come up with some really killer ideas to make the forum look nicer the staff would certainly give it consideration.

[|Trunic|]

Of course. I can't guarantee it'd be implemented, but if you come up with some really killer ideas to make the forum look nicer the staff would certainly give it consideration.
well,I will try to think in something,even I amnot sure of what I can give to you.



I think I have some good ideas,but it need maybe two days,to be finished,any way I know it will be ugly, but that deserves a try!,I really dont know how I can introduce it you.

[Ian the Korean]

You could just describe it, or if you have seen websites similiar to what you'd like to see on A4, then link to those. If there's any vbulletin themes or skins you'd like us to use, you could link to those too.

[|Trunic|]

ok,but I need more time.

[Ian the Korean]

You have all the time in the world, no rush.

[|Trunic|]

after thinking red color wont be bad,and we can use orange,yellow,brown,they will be good,and there other things,but hard to describe,I know this will be bad,but it deserve a try.



like I see,you didnot like the idea,right.

[Ian the Korean]

Listing some colors you think would look nice isn't really helpful. :( Linking to something like this: http://www.completevb.com/product/22 or this: http://www.vbstyles.com/vbulletin-4x-skins-c1.html or actual websites you visit with the kind of changes you want to see so we have an example to go off of is what I was looking for. Sorry if I didn't make that very clear!

[|Trunic|]

I like the red theme,it will be better if we made all of the page red,and the place where threads is white or brown or orange.

[Gamma]

Again, could you please link to a place where you've seen this? It's not that we're poo-pooing you're idea, but we need something to see an example of what you're talking about. The admins might find that it's not compatible with the programs we're using.

[|Trunic|]

Again, could you please link to a place where you've seen this? It's not that we're poo-pooing you're idea, but we need something to see an example of what you're talking about. The admins might find that it's not compatible with the programs we're using.
it from IAN THE KOREAN links,but have some differences which I said.

[Gamma]

Ok, one more time...Can you, Montovent, find a forum that shows the color differences you suggested based on what Ian the Korean posted? Unfortunately, unless you can find a place where someone can see some code based on your color suggestions we can't see if it will work for the forum. Perhaps the forum that Ian linked doesn't have the capability to make those changes.

Do you understand what I'm saying? Just suggesting color changes doesn't help. The admins need to see code. If this doesn't make sense, please let me know your native language and I'll try to find someone to translate for me. I realize English is not your first language.

[|Trunic|]

Ok, one more time...Can you, Montovent, find a forum that shows the color differences you suggested based on what Ian the Korean posted? Unfortunately, unless you can find a place where someone can see some code based on your color suggestions we can't see if it will work for the forum. Perhaps the forum that Ian linked doesn't have the capability to make those changes.
Do you understand what I'm saying? Just suggesting color changes doesn't help. The admins need to see code. If this doesn't make sense, please let me know your native language and I'll try to find someone to translate for me. I realize English is not your first language.
I understand most of your words,but if u want more than color,ok,I think I have,but how can I describe it,I want something that other forums dont have some thing special,but if we did like other forums,we didnot do anything new.

[Gamma]

I'm sorry. I don't understand what you mean. Do you mean that you want us to have things other forums don't have, or that if we are like other forums we will never do anything new?

[|Trunic|]

I'm sorry. I don't understand what you mean. Do you mean that you want us to have things other forums don't have, or that if we are like other forums we will never do anything new?
that is correct.

[Lu The Great Space Pirate]

that is correct.

Dude she asked an A or B question, not a yes or not question. :/

[Gamma]

No no, I understand. He means both. I've got it.

[|Trunic|]

No no, I understand. He means both. I've got it.
again you are correct


Dude she asked an A or B question, not a yes or not question. :/
sorry,seems I didn't see or!

[Darke]

This is so lols.

On topic, I would like this layout completely fixed before any new one comes out. For example, when viewing the "Site leaders" page, the "send PM" get shaded with black, and the words can't be seen. The two banners on the top don't stretch when we hide the "recent blogs", both are really minor glitches that don't matter, but nothing's wrong with perfection. :)

[the1who0nethewest]

i love the forum skins, banners, and general set up but i would apreciate it if guns were made a topic. there are few things i like as much as anime but the few things i do like as much are godzilla, game consoles, and guns so to have guns as a topic would be nice.

[MsBloodyFallen]

I actually like the current format, if the buttons and options are changed, I might have trouble figuring and adjusting.
I think the blue background of the forum is a bit boring though.