Layout matters

[alexandral]

Flexible Squares problem

I had a look in the Flexible Squares community and couldn't find any information as to why posts with the large pictures started to break indecently starting from the beginning of April 2007. They have an information about the known issue with the breaking of the large-image page, but the way they describe it seems to be the way it used to happen, when only the part of the post from the large image onwards was shifted below the sidebar. But the way it happens now is that ALL post containing the large image is placed below the side bar.

New Layout style and colours
I gave up and moved to the more generic and free of bugs Component Layout style. A little bit of fiddling (OK, it only took me 4 hours) and I have got it the way I like, with the header and all. I changed the colours slightly..

Problem with Component layout I can't figure out how to get rid of is that background is stripy and I want it plain coloured. I will appreciate very much if anyone who knows how to get rid of stripyness let me know. I feel there is a simple way to do it and I saw layouts without strypiness, but it is eluding me. I will appreciate any HELPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!

Layout speed Hmm, the other thing is that the old layout seemed to upload faster. But may be it is just me. Update: GGGGGGGGGGGRRRRRRR! It is too slow, I had to return back to my old layout. GRRRRRRR!

Dark layout vs Light layout
I was thinking about Layout Colours recently. I notice that icons look much better on the dark layout. This is why I often see dark layouts used for icon communities; it makes colours look so much brighter. BUT!! I find it difficult to read white text on dark background, but it could be just me because my eyes are not as they used to be.

What do you think?

[Poll #968339]

Comments

[semyaza.livejournal.com]

I prefer a pale background (yellow, off-white, beige) with black text. The layout you're using now is lovely. But if I had to choose between white bg/black text or black bg/white text, I'd choose the latter as I don't like the brightness of a white screen. It's a question of finding a balance between too much contrast and not enough.

I like Flexi Squares, but it had too many bugs when I first used it. Component can be a bit buggy as well and now The Boxer has started causing me problems. That's why I'm using Mixit.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

But if I had to choose between white bg/black text or black bg/white text, I'd choose the latter as I don't like the brightness of a white screen. It's a question of finding a balance between too much contrast and not enough.

I agree! I like light layouts but not "too light" and black-on-white is a killer too.

I had to return back to Flexible squares for now because I really didn't like the speed in Component. Your layout is lovely. Is it your own header? I'd love to use my own header….

[bzoppa.livejournal.com]

I will actually agree with both of you that a white screen is too bright. It's a big reason I almost didn't pick the one I have now.

Grr. You're making me want to play tonight ;)

I should find myself a cool header too. girlfromsouth commissioned a Doctor Who-Rose one and I like yours too. I should find something I love and try to get someone to make me something.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

White-on-black is not too bad for me when there are things of different colour, like sidebars and headers. But I rather prefer it of neutral colour.

EEEE! Headers are cool, I am considering to re-make mine for the new layout wight.

[semyaza.livejournal.com]

The header on my layout is the default for Mixit. I thought it was perfectly suited to in_tenebras, but I liked some of the layout's features (and it's bug free) so I decided to use it for my own journal. The grey bg is a bit drab but it's quite good for icons.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! I guess I am more and more thinking that I should just stick to my old LJ until IE7 is out, may be this will look better in IE7 because FireFox manages it quite well. I will try and restrict the image length.

[bzoppa.livejournal.com]

I used to like dark bg with light text, and I think I had a good one for a while, which was dark blue/light blue. When I go to other people's layouts that have like the black background and white or red text, I go a little blind.

I switched the last time I changed the layout to white background-black text. I was having problems finding something good and spent far too much time dicking around with the styles so I just landed on the one I have.

I like these neutral shades on your current layout.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Like trailer_spot I think I am looking for usability first and then for the beauty.. I like your layout, it is clean and simple.

I loved Flexible Squares but this problem with the large images is troubling me.

[bzoppa.livejournal.com]

My only beef with this layout is that the title/subject lines won't read html. When I put a show or book title in the subject line, it doesn't show it in italics. I know on other people's layouts it does, but it offends my sensibilities to see a title un-italicized. And I don't like how when there's no subject at all, it puts in the date.

But, this layout doesn't cause my mom (whom I sometimes point here when I write a movie/tv thing) or Mr. Quick to complain that they can't read it, and it's got purple.

It suffices.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

My only beef with this layout is that the title/subject lines won't read html. When I put a show or book title in the subject line, it doesn't show it in italics. I know on other people's layouts it does, but it offends my sensibilities to see a title un-italicized. And I don't like how when there's no subject at all, it puts in the date.

Oh, I didn't know you can do this. I will try mine!

[trailer-spot.livejournal.com]

"Layout speed"

I noticed that problem a lot in recent months here on LJ. I suspect that it has to do with all the enhancements that they make. Some functions and layouts get more and more bulky. It constantly freezes my computer for a few seconds, so annoying. But I certainly won't buy a new PC because of that.

As for your background question. I personally prefer light background and black text although I've seen other high-contrast versions that are easy to read.
However, I sometimes see layouts that just make me cringe. Small fonts, low contrast colour-combinations, hidden navigation buttons and other things that maybe (but just maybe) look good but make it impossible to read and navigate a journal. I understand that not everybody wants a simple and dull layout like mine, but in my view readability should always be more important than looks (just like in real life, sort of ;) ).
/rant :D

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

"Layout speed"

I noticed that problem a lot in recent months here on LJ. I suspect that it has to do with all the enhancements that they make. Some functions and layouts get more and more bulky. It constantly freezes my computer for a few seconds, so annoying. But I certainly won't buy a new PC because of that.

EEEE! Any reason for a new PC is good in my book! :D I am such a geek in this sense!

I think I am quite spoiled because both my home and especially my work computer are very fast. My work computer is faster, but I think this is not because of the PC itself but because of the way University network is set up. But I couldn't t cope with Component. It seemed to wait for entire page to upload before you can start doing anything where with my present layout I can start looking and scrolling before all the images appear.

However, I sometimes see layouts that just make me cringe. Small fonts, low contrast colour-combinations, hidden navigation buttons and other things that maybe (but just maybe) look good but make it impossible to read and navigate a journal. I understand that not everybody wants a simple and dull layout like mine, but in my view readability should always be more important than looks (just like in real life, sort of ;) ).
/rant :D

I am so with you on this rant!!! The workability and usability are always top priorities in my book!

[endlessdeep.livejournal.com]

I love the colors you are using right now for your layout. They are soft and about a medium shade which I like.

I think white or black are good for icons. :)

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much!!

I think white or black are good for icons. :)

I am in dilemma here - I don't like to use my LJ only for icons, I like posting other things like reviews and pictures. I don't want to make a separate icon journal because I see icons has a part of "discussion" and like to discuss things even in my icon posts.

Someone answered me in Flexible Squares community and said that things are looking up for the page breakage in IE7. I think I'll wait until then.

[endlessdeep.livejournal.com]

I think the colors you are using are fine for icons and pictures. I wouldn't worry about the black and white thing. :)

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much!! I really value your opinion! After Trying different layouts I have realised how much I like "Flexible Squares"!

I haven't seen "Dresden files" finale yet, today was so busy. I'll do it now!!

[endlessdeep.livejournal.com]

OMG, you are going to love it. :)

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Oh MPH!! I am well and truly dead!! What a good episode to end the season with and EEEEEEEE!

[endlessdeep.livejournal.com]

It was, wasn't it?! :D

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

And it was such a nice kiss, absolutely with full feeling. What amazed me was that Murphy looked so surprised!

[endlessdeep.livejournal.com]

She looked like she was about to fall over after that kiss. Not that I blame her. :)

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I totally would. I was saying to meganbmoore that it seemed that Murphy didn't have a clue that she likes Harry in "that" way, but he obviously did. ** sigh ** Now we have to suffer and think if this is going to be renewed or not.

[endlessdeep.livejournal.com]

Arg! The sooner they tell us the better.

I'm going to the Romantic Time Convention in Houston tomorrow. It's a book convention. Jim Butcher is going to be there so I'm going to get my copy of "White Night" and I'm really tempted to ask him if he has any inside info on whether or not the show will be renewed. But he probably doesn't know, so I won't bother him with it.

But I'm excited about the Con tomorrow. :)

[endlessdeep.livejournal.com]

I'm going to get my copy of "White Night"

"autographed" should be after that.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

WOW! That convention sounds fabulous! (I have read more about it in your post!!)

[wildtiger7.livejournal.com]

I definitely prefer light backgrounds with dark text - I just changed my layout to a new one, and I like it a lot, particularly the thick line of color around the icons. Maybe you could do something like that, if you wanted your icon colors to pop. I like your current layout, though, it looks good.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much!!! I like some of the pretty new layouts but quite often you can't change the header in them and I like to have a custom header. ** sigh ** . It seems that in IE& page breaking is looking much better, I'll wait until then and persevere!!

[miss-dian.livejournal.com]

Yes, component takes longer to upload than flexible squares. I find that it's a problem for me, too >_> However, as I mentioned already, the advantage of component is that it doesn't break :D

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much for letting me know!! I was thinking that it is just me imagining things at first!!!

Someone told me in Flexible Squares community that in IE7 the page breakage looks better. I'll wait until then and try to use smaller images for now.

[allbloomedout.livejournal.com]

I really don't know much about layouts to help you! Sorry! I don't really have a preference but I think I do like lighter backgrounds. I do like something that would make icons stand out more though. :) I hope you'll find something that will suit you! :D

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

EEEE! Thank you!! I quite like my current layout and I think I will use it for now and try to use smaller size images. Someone told me in Flexible Squares community that big images look better in IE7, I'll wait.

[teh-haley.livejournal.com]

I don't really know how to help you with the images problem, I thought that the images only were shifted below the sidebar, but the matter seems to be more serious :-\
about light and dark, I definitely prefer lighter backgrounds, but not too white or too bright, it hurts my eyes, but maybe it's just me ;)

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

By what I was told in Flexible Squares community, post breakage looks much better in IE7. Fingers crossed, IE7 is coming soon!

Thank you so much for your opinion, I am the same as you - I like light backgrounds, but not too light!