Post by myke on May 31, 2006 15:55:47 GMT -8
One of the nicest features of ProBoards, is that virtually every aspect of it can be customized from images, to the actual layout.
But should you customize your ProBoard, and if so, just how much customization should you do to it?
Coding
As stated above, virtually every aspect of a ProBoard can be customized. There are tons of PB Hacks out there that will customize the layout of your board, either by changing the layout, or adding or removing something.
First, I would like to make it known, the more codes you use to customize your ProBoard, the longer it will take to load. You cannot have night without day, good without evil, ect. It's just the nature of the beast.
However, before you get discouraged, let me point out some of the positives in customizing your forum code wise
With more then One million ProBoards out there currently, it is very important to attempt to make your forum as distinctive as possible. I mean isn't that why we change our colors, add custom gradients, ect? The more distinctive, and original your board is, the better chances it stands of sticking out from all of the rest, and the better chances it stands for success.
Like mentioned above, distinctiveness is very important. However, no matter how distinctive and original the board is, that will almost mean nothing if it does not look good as well. There are many customizations one can make to their Proboard to enhance it's appearance.
For example; It is always a good idea to make sure the width of the board, and the width of the banner match. There are some exceptions to this rule, but for the most part, this usually looks best.
Again, in most cases, a 'fixed' background (A background image that is fixed in one spot, and doesn't move with your forum as you scroll through it) looks better then a non fixed one.
Switch-it codes can be used to make your forum more personal, to actually change the messages displayed to members, such as 'Welcome Member, you have x message, x are new' can be changed to better match your forum's theme with a 'switch-it' code.
You can add music to your ProBoard, change the colors of the scrollbar, ect.
Like I said, there is virtually nothing you cannot customize on a ProBoard.
Here are a few links where you can find custom PB Hacks and support for using those hacks on your board:
Your First Stop: The FAQ
ProBoards Code Database
Code Requests
Support using ProBoards Codes
Images
You can also customize all of the images on your ProBoard. To do this, it is very simple. Almost every image can be customized in your admin area, under 'customize' board images. You simply add the URL of the the image into the text box next to the image you would like it to replace.
But should you do this?
In my personal opinion, yes. Even if you want your ProBoard to remain very basic, and very simple, you could still customize all of the index page images (Add a banner, menu buttons, post indicators, gradients, and info center icons). The images ProBoards use by default are fine, they are nice images, but remember what we discussed up on the coding section of this thread, we want our boards to be as distinctive as possible. What does it say to users when we are using menu buttons that can be found roughly on 500,000 other ProBoards? Not very original, not very distinctive.
A few tips to keep in mind when designing and using images on your ProBoard:
Always make sure the images match you color scheme. I mean why have a nice blue color scheme if you are going to use hot pink menu buttons?
NEVER use .bmp formats as your images. .bmp's were not designed for Internet use, and can a ridiculously long time to load on people's browsers. They are HUGE files.
NEVER EVER Hotlink your images off of someone else's account. Not only is that a crime, but violates the Proboards TOS (Terms of Service) you agreed to upon registering your forum. If you need a free image host, there are a few quality ones listed in the FAQ thread linked above in the coding section of this post.
Always try to make your images as unique and original as possible. Don't use the same design that can be found on a ton of other boards, remember: originality, distinctiveness, uniqueness, ect.
If you are unable to design your own custom images, you can check out the ProBoards resources listed below:
Premade Graphics for your forum
Graphics Request Board
There are also many graphics design forums out there that would be glad to make your graphics for free. You can easily find a graphics board by visiting the Get Opinions About Your Board forum here or either by searching for "graphics requests ProBoards" in google.
_______________________________
So in the end, is it a good idea to customize your ProBoard? I would have to say yes. Of course that is only my personal opinion, others will disagree, but luckily we are all free thinking individuals who are able to make up our own minds.
Just remember when customizing your forum, not to go overboard with it, and make sure the shoe fits before putting it on.
---------------------------------------------
Now, before I ask for user feedback, please allow me to remind everyone that we are not allowed to post links to our forums, or anyone else's. That means do not come in here posting links to your designing or coding forums. I have provided virtually every link there is here on ProBoards that leads to outside design sites. There is no need to post links here. If you feel there is some type of link that is missing from this post, please PM me the request to add it.
This also incudes no: Code requests, no image requests. All coding questions belong in the Code Support Board and all Tech Support Questions belong in the Support Board
-----------------------------------------------
OK, now that we have all of that out of the way:
Any comments, suggestions, questions?
But should you customize your ProBoard, and if so, just how much customization should you do to it?
Coding
As stated above, virtually every aspect of a ProBoard can be customized. There are tons of PB Hacks out there that will customize the layout of your board, either by changing the layout, or adding or removing something.
First, I would like to make it known, the more codes you use to customize your ProBoard, the longer it will take to load. You cannot have night without day, good without evil, ect. It's just the nature of the beast.
However, before you get discouraged, let me point out some of the positives in customizing your forum code wise
- Distinctiveness
With more then One million ProBoards out there currently, it is very important to attempt to make your forum as distinctive as possible. I mean isn't that why we change our colors, add custom gradients, ect? The more distinctive, and original your board is, the better chances it stands of sticking out from all of the rest, and the better chances it stands for success.
- Appearance
Like mentioned above, distinctiveness is very important. However, no matter how distinctive and original the board is, that will almost mean nothing if it does not look good as well. There are many customizations one can make to their Proboard to enhance it's appearance.
For example; It is always a good idea to make sure the width of the board, and the width of the banner match. There are some exceptions to this rule, but for the most part, this usually looks best.
Again, in most cases, a 'fixed' background (A background image that is fixed in one spot, and doesn't move with your forum as you scroll through it) looks better then a non fixed one.
Switch-it codes can be used to make your forum more personal, to actually change the messages displayed to members, such as 'Welcome Member, you have x message, x are new' can be changed to better match your forum's theme with a 'switch-it' code.
You can add music to your ProBoard, change the colors of the scrollbar, ect.
Like I said, there is virtually nothing you cannot customize on a ProBoard.
Here are a few links where you can find custom PB Hacks and support for using those hacks on your board:
Your First Stop: The FAQ
ProBoards Code Database
Code Requests
Support using ProBoards Codes
Images
You can also customize all of the images on your ProBoard. To do this, it is very simple. Almost every image can be customized in your admin area, under 'customize' board images. You simply add the URL of the the image into the text box next to the image you would like it to replace.
But should you do this?
In my personal opinion, yes. Even if you want your ProBoard to remain very basic, and very simple, you could still customize all of the index page images (Add a banner, menu buttons, post indicators, gradients, and info center icons). The images ProBoards use by default are fine, they are nice images, but remember what we discussed up on the coding section of this thread, we want our boards to be as distinctive as possible. What does it say to users when we are using menu buttons that can be found roughly on 500,000 other ProBoards? Not very original, not very distinctive.
A few tips to keep in mind when designing and using images on your ProBoard:
Always make sure the images match you color scheme. I mean why have a nice blue color scheme if you are going to use hot pink menu buttons?
NEVER use .bmp formats as your images. .bmp's were not designed for Internet use, and can a ridiculously long time to load on people's browsers. They are HUGE files.
NEVER EVER Hotlink your images off of someone else's account. Not only is that a crime, but violates the Proboards TOS (Terms of Service) you agreed to upon registering your forum. If you need a free image host, there are a few quality ones listed in the FAQ thread linked above in the coding section of this post.
Always try to make your images as unique and original as possible. Don't use the same design that can be found on a ton of other boards, remember: originality, distinctiveness, uniqueness, ect.
If you are unable to design your own custom images, you can check out the ProBoards resources listed below:
Premade Graphics for your forum
Graphics Request Board
There are also many graphics design forums out there that would be glad to make your graphics for free. You can easily find a graphics board by visiting the Get Opinions About Your Board forum here or either by searching for "graphics requests ProBoards" in google.
_______________________________
So in the end, is it a good idea to customize your ProBoard? I would have to say yes. Of course that is only my personal opinion, others will disagree, but luckily we are all free thinking individuals who are able to make up our own minds.
Just remember when customizing your forum, not to go overboard with it, and make sure the shoe fits before putting it on.
---------------------------------------------
Now, before I ask for user feedback, please allow me to remind everyone that we are not allowed to post links to our forums, or anyone else's. That means do not come in here posting links to your designing or coding forums. I have provided virtually every link there is here on ProBoards that leads to outside design sites. There is no need to post links here. If you feel there is some type of link that is missing from this post, please PM me the request to add it.
This also incudes no: Code requests, no image requests. All coding questions belong in the Code Support Board and all Tech Support Questions belong in the Support Board
-----------------------------------------------
OK, now that we have all of that out of the way:
Any comments, suggestions, questions?
