Template System Ideas+Changes

[ezForum]

Thinking about doing three different type of themes/styles that will be supported for ezForum

1. Default SMF based php templates with improvements.

2. CSS/image replacement only themes/styles. Currently have done this with a couple forum hosts that we run and have been pleasantly surprised how much can be done with just changing the css and replacing images.

3. Smarty? based templates with .htm files breaking down each of the template php functions into it's own seperate file. Would make it easier for newbies  and non php coders to create themes

Thoughts ideas?

[Shadow]

I don't know that much about this kind of area. I just be good about writing tuts, and the admin center.

So, I might be wrong here.

Chang the default theme around some.  Maybe change the font, icons.

I think its would be great for you do that with new software.

[ezForum]

Plan to make tweaks and maybe a new skin at some point

[Shadow]

What would be great about that.

Are you going to add some in built mods?

[ezForum]

Yes more features are planned check out the features forum details some ideas/plans

[Shadow]

Sure, Will

[motorhed]

To add unsolicited commentary, it would be nice to have a very basic default theme. I mean... NO "fun" styling, no CSS tricks, no images used at all unless necessary. (IE: No background images, but icons for actions are okay.)

The main/only thing I hate about SMF is how much time you have to dedicate to template editing trial and error.

Like... "Oh, here's catbg, that must be what I have to edit. No, wait... that didn't change the category background. Okay, I quit."



It would be nice to use a forum system for once that actually lets the end user have a blank canvas to style, instead of only putting in what the Devs think looks good, as that sort of judgement is highly subjective.

[ezForum]

Good ideas

Also thinking about maybe a css editor/image editor built it something like colorizethis from cyberAlien which I thought was a pretty cool idea.

[lordbaron]

It would be great if it had the Xenforo approach to theme design. Xenforo allows admins to change colors and other theme related settings straight from their CP.

Also, I think it would be beneficial in ezForum had a basic theme and a very sleek modern theme out of the box. Although the modern theme could wait till the feature, I think ezForum defiantly needs a basic theme that is customizable by noob admins as well as pros.