I noticed that if I visit the 'Web development' forum index, the background turns blue (and ugly).

That's all for today!

yeah, i noticed that... hmm... GREAT new layout though! it looks really nice!

Fixed, thanks!!

Nice job, Dani!

But, where's vBulletin 3.5 (Ajax)? Different colors for each category? And please increase depth of forums shown on forum index. This new layout has a bit of a learning curve for those who are used to the old one. Even for me, I sort of had to go "whoa" and blink my eyes to re-coordinate myself. I mean, it definitely looks like and less like vBulletin and more and more like a corporation's forum, which in a way is nice. In my opinion, I prefer the more professional look than the more cartoony look, anyways.

Also, there is quite a lot of wasted white space. Why not let those who have much higher resolution to be able to use it all in all its glory? Expand to 100%?

Who made the new layout?

And finally, I dislike the really light-gray text. It's hard to read, since the white background sort of jumps out at you, and it's like a blinding light (okay, not THAT strong), especially when you are really tired and reading Daniweb at 4 in the morning

The old smilies (and present ones) are sort of annoying as well. They need less animation, and need to be less cartoony, and more like the simple, default vBulletin ones, for instance, or the Dark Project smilies.

I really commend you on working hard on this layout, though, and to whomever else helped to get this layout released. You really took apart the vBulletin and made it into something entirely different. It is more a part of Daniweb than an independent forum, now.

Groovy!

Hey Gary! Thanks for the comments ... yes, this design has been in the works for a long while now. I worked with a design firm on it who I would prefer not to release right now ... perhaps when it's finished.

As far as section specific color schemes - that is still being worked on and will be integrated into the style by this upcoming weekend.

We've been fixed width for quite a long time, and I'm pretty content with it ... haven't really gotten complaints, and it seems to be working. This design is the same fixed width we've had for nearly a year now.

And it's still the same smilies as we've had since 2003.

Wow, this is a radical change! But once I got over my intial shock and poked around, I have to say it looks good. Nice, lean and clean looking. I'm not particularly enthralled by the curved corners everywhere, but that's a minor quibble. I really, really like the way the discussion threads look now. Very readable. Nice work!

And where IS vBulletin 3.5 anyway? The upgrade more of a challenge than anticipated?

I think the space between the last post of the thread and the Quick Reply box is too far. There are the ads, and then the Similar Threads. I suggest making the Google ad a leaderboard instead, so that it stretches horizontally and saves space, and move the similar threads below the quick reply box, since repliers are not typically the ones who will be going to the similar threads.

In conclusion, I think that Daniweb is going in the right direction nonetheless. Good job, and I truly commend you and the "team" for working so hard to get this looking how it is now, and as far as it is now

I think they started designing before 3.5 final was out.

Also, the homepage Featured Blogs? They don't show who the author is for them. Show the author. The Featured Forum Threads should also show the Date Posted and the Author. Show a rating for the threads, as well, so users can quickly see which are reputable. Otherwise, it seems that you are suggesting that they ALL are top notch articles. If you show the thread ratings, then at least people have a say.

The tiny font looks unprofessional to me.

Yes, this design project started at around the same time 3.5 was being announced, long before it went into RC. I didn't want to reskin the site based on an RC, and so I decided to stick with 3.0.7 for now. It was a large enough task doing the skinning that I didn't want to have to be recoding all of the hacks as well! That is soon to come this winter most likely. I graduate from school in a month and two weeks.

Hey, Great new look for the site, especially the logo. Nice job

Thanks! It's still in "beta" phase so be sure to let me know if you spot any problems.