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.