[Debate] Pre-Made Skins

[myke]

We're going to try a new direction, covering topics that isn't necessarily the correct, or incorrect things to do, but topics which are a matter of opinion.

Pre-Made Skins

A pre-made skin is a template that has been pre-designed, often including colors, a banner, gradients, post indicators, menu buttons, specific coding ,etc. Design forums (a link to a list can be found in the GOAYB table) and some websites offer these pre-made skins for free for users to use on their ProBoards.

So, what do you think of using pre-made skins?

Thumbs Up
One side of the coin can say they are good for members to use. I mean not everyone knows how to design a complete forum, or they simply not have the time too. Some people like to use a pre-made skin while they learn how to use coding, and learn how to make graphics in an image editor. Others simply see a pre-made skin they like, and want that look for their forum.

Pre-made skins definitely are convenient, and there are many good looking pre-made skins out there.

Thumbs Down
The other side of the coin is that when using a pre-made skin, you loose the originality that a custom design would bring. If you use a popular skin, then your board may look like dozens, or hundreds of others, therefore it may not appeal to guests hitting the forum who have seen that skin before.


So, what are your thoughts on pre-made skins. Do you recommend them, or not.

Also, should design and graphics boards use a pre-made skin from another forum?

Debate.

[Artemis]

Do you recommend them, or not?

Very rarely do I reccomend them. I only reccomend them to people who are just getting started and need a jumpstart on how to customize their board. For everyone else, I reccomend making their own. It takes more time, but if makes the board unique, and exactly how you want it yourself.

Also, should design and graphics board use a pre-made skin from another forum?

This is a definite no in my opinion. To me, if you start a design and graphics board, you should be prepared to set an example that you can make your own skin; by using someone else's, it's not so much your design site anymore, it's more of a 'wannabe' design site.

[Ímþ®óvîšâ†ó®]

Hmm pre-made templates ey? That's a tough one lol, however not so tough that I can mention what I have to say though. Before I mention my positives and negatives of pre-made skins let me just mention first that, I don't mind a forum (or a website for that matter), using whatever skin they want (pre-made skin or not), it'll most like become something all members will enjoy . I think that using pre-made templates shouldn't really be an issue. As it depends on the intention of using it (if you know what I mean) .

Positives

Negatives

Gives them a good outlook temperarily until they figure out how to get a better customized skin Having a pre-made skin shows that you appreciate their fine work (by putting it on your site ) They have been uploaded to a design-hosted site for people to downlaoad for free.

When users view a forum with the same skin, they'll think that the forum is trying to 'out-do' a popular forum that they already been too, which is not good. Furthermore to that, some sites require you to pay for templates that you use. Copyrights almost take away the sense using the very cool ones. Really shows that you can't create graphics and are just kidding yourself if you think that people will believe you did it when you really didn't.

Now I'm not really against the fact that design templates are copyrighted, they have to be, just in case a member has foolishly decided to pretend that it's theirs.

Also, for the question, "should design and graphics board use a pre-made skin from another forum?", my answer to that would be...

No because that's becoming a real show-off, having a graphics and design board should be more than enough. Having your own skin in areas like that, can possibly allow members to realise that they can make proper skins themselves (eventually).

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Overall, I think that I would never recommend a pre-made template to ANYONE, those who would use it, wouldn't be a show-off and claim it to be their regardless if it's on their site or not

[bsf1002]

I think pre-made skins for people who can't do graphics are great, I would much rather look at a pre-made than some of the skins people come up with.

As for graphic forums I don't think they should, I usually base if I want to request on a graphics forum if the site looks good, because I assume they made it. When they use pre-made skins it can confuse people.

[Ћ€ Dog Monst€Я]

       My opinion is that premade skins are absolutely horrid! I actually hate them. I might have liked them if they were on one or two sites, but after seeing them on more than a dozen forums, I can't stand them anymore.
It's like seeing a good movie. It stops being good when you see it too many times.
       My point is, premade skins are never good, even for people that have just started. I think that people that have just started should give it a try, go on GOAYB and learn from the rates.
       I usually don't even think of joining sites with premade skins, because it just destroys all the fun.        When a person uses a premade skin on his site, it stops being his site.[/b]

~The Dog Monster

[Drewz]

I think your own imagination and creativity is the greatest thing for your forum. I'm running two and in my opinion, both are the greatest looking forums I've ever seen. I've never used a pre-made skin myself.

[∞ ConqueringWolf ∞]

I am HIGHLY against premade templates. For one the design usually does not match the theme of your forum in the slightest and to me the design and topic of your forum should flow together. Don't have a nature forum with a hi tech dark grey design or something silly like that. Not to mention that as an admin you shoudl know all facets of runnign your forum which includes being able to design it. I feel if you aren't willing to learn how to design the skin yourself then you won't put the time in to be a good admin either.

[andyy]

if you dont know how to make a skin you can request a free skin, which means your site will be unique rather than copying a free skin. I got a guy to help me with mine, then someone else to make some changes, then I worked it all out, so my skin is now unique. I sometimes get requests form people who would like to use my background etc, I have to say no as i try to keep it unique for my site.

[mrsyukisohma]

I think that if someone is going to use a skin, they should use it temporarily until they learn how to make a skin of their own. If someone is going to be an admin of the forum, this is something very important that they should know. It's not impossible to get when it comes to making a skin. If you're having trouble, I'm sure many here at ProBoards can give you tips. It's always better to find out how to make them yourself, or find someone you know that knows how to make them, and have them help you work through it.

This is something I have noticed when it comes to skins. I've seen a lot of forums that either don't know how to match colors, or they're using what appears to be the same skin over and over. Gray and black have been the most popular colors that I have seen. After a while it tends to get dull. Then again, there are only so many colors so many people can use to make their forum different.

[GEO]

I'm also highly against them. When I see an amazing forum, I take a while to look over it. Then, when I see the copyright at the bottom, I exit right out. If anything request your own, unique images.

If I see a forum that is amazing, and it's not a template, that forum has just scored a point in my book.

[Raven]

Content is more important imo, but it all depends on what your forum is based on and what you're trying to do.
For a small personal forum and you don't care how many members you get, pre-mades are fine. Pre-mades also work wonders for beginners, just like it did for me.
But if you're looking for something professional and you want thousands of members, custom designs are a must. You have to remember there is always a lot of competition, why would I join a forum that has good content when there is another forum with good content and it's own unique design? Designs are very important as well and for the most part, it's what people look at. Get something people don't want to take their eyes off of and you have yourself a winner. It can also be compared to food. Would you want something you just had three days in a row or something entirely new and looks tasty?

[Remixed ???]

They are great for forums who want to cover topics instead of the design, yet still bring people to the site.

Another great reason to use them is because a lot of people aren't great at images to make (no offense to anybody) and just use a premade, and there ya go... great start on a forum.

I think though, that the forums that gain activity and are really active should get their own skin, that way more people will join, and plus, having your own skin is awesome for a forum.

[Lost in a Jungle]

I'm running a forum, and I'll admit to using a pre-made layout.
However, the reason for this is I only recently got Photoshop, and I haven't really been able to create something myself that I'm satisfied with putting on the forum.
Yes, I could probably ask another designer to help me create one, but I like having the ability to do it myself, and I desperatly need the practice!
As soon as I create something better, the premade one is gone!

[Slacker]

For the people who find ProBoards and want a quick and easy way to make their site appealing and invite their friedns to join it, pre-made skins are great. If the person is going to take the board seriously (wants it to become very active, incorporate it into a website, wnats to get the full expereince of creating a forum) then they should take the time and effort to make the skin themselves. It doesn't have to be the most amazing skin either. Simple gradients and buttons can really make the difference in a boards look and they aren't that hard to make. Only basic knowledge is required in a graphics program or you could use a website to make them.

The time it takes to sit down and make your own images is worth it in the end to say "I made that and it looks great". There isn't any fun to saying "Wow, that was alot of copying and pasting!". It adds to the feeling of accomplishment when you finally finish working on your forum.

[.the werewolf!]

I like them. Some of them are the prefect look for you board theme. It gets more people interested if the skin and theme look great but i like creating my own skins and images. It makes me feel proud of my work.

New people who dont know how to make skins its good for them. It helps make there life a little easier with learning and things.

So my conclusion is that Pre-Mades are good for new people learning because it makes it alot easier and you know what is what etc.