Show me a vBulletin that doesn't look like this!

[OoTLink]

This is one of at least 10 forums I have, or still do hang out at over time that uses the vBB system, or as they call it, vBulletin.

vBulletin® - Instant Community

Aside from the "Vote now!" button coming up in quick edit instead of "edit post" there's not a ton to complain about, except that well, it's vBulletin, and that's almost as uninspired as a Toyota Camry.

I can provide you 10 examples of vBB that look exactly like the 300C board (minus a different color scheme), and I have a feeling I'm breaking the rules by posting a thread like this, but I'm curious if anyone here is into design and has made their own vBB and/or knows a vBB that actually looks.. sexy and different.

I've been doing that sorta thing to SMF for ages (I can't afford vBB and I still don't see a reason to pay for it), but meh. Whatever.

Makes me wonder though if the admins think we're only worth changing the add reply/post new buttons and the general color scheme. XD I mean there's 2 galleries

[skeletonizer]

Good luck.

We asked for more/different smilies over on the charger board over a year ago.

[Rambit]

I actually like vBulletin and as a matter of fact I don't feel comfortable on sites that use other systems. I haven't got a clue what the software costs, but it seems to me it's the industry standard.

As far as adding features goes, it's the supporting vendors who pay to keep this and all other boards up. That and to a much lessor extent those of us who choose to pay for premium membership.

Just a thought here, but perhaps if more of us who are in a position to do so paid the measly $30 to become premium members more features could be added. I honestly don't know what else could be added though cuz I like it as it is, including the colour scheme. This is purely voluntary and no one pushes it, but at least no areas have restricted access to paying members like some other sites do. Next month I'll be renewing for the 4th time.

Bernie

[OoTLink]

It is a careful line to walk with a topic like this between falling into a complaint pool (and thus, pissing people off), and actually having a discussion Dare I say it, I don't think there's much I CAN say to help my point.

Honestly, I'd think of it more as a form of constructive criticism; There are many car sites on the internet, and about a half dozen for LX owners. Every single one of them that I can think of uses vBulletin, and thus there's a bit of a level playing field.

However, because of that - and the disadvantage of the "industry standard" rambit, that can give a particular forum an advantage (one of these boards I refuse to use because it has damn near 800 pixels of crap before you actually see the forum index!)

I've been on many boards - and you're right that this one's "nice" in not locking users out of certain areas, however the paid memberships aren't common either. Maybe I'm just speaking this as a european would if they came to a restaurant here in the US and realized they had to pay a tip (hehe), but I definitely don't intend to support the site.

To provide a suggestion? Sure why not. I wouldn't disagree with ya if you suggested that there's quite a few ways to make the forum worse, but there's actually a few ways to make it simpler and more efficient as well.

Meh, whatever.


I think in the end people just prefer ugly commercialized designs. Maybe it makes them feel important, when I try to design things people hold me to ridiculous expectations and then refuse to use my sites. LOL.

[kevenj]

Never occured to me to care about what the forum "looks like".... ???? Isn't that beside the point?

Oh and by the way, Ootlink..... There is no such word as "Meh"

[300CAWDDUB]

What, besides supporting, does being a premium member do?

[OoTLink]

Get a little image below their avatar saying they supported this forum, and apparently the right to complain.

Let me spin that thought a little - attention to detail, or how a forum looks, yeah it might not seem important, but it's also a little nudge in the direction of how much attention the owner gives the users, that or how much consideration he gives them anyway.

[Rambit]

Originally Posted by OoTLink

Get a little image below their avatar saying they supported this forum, and apparently the right to complain.

Let me spin that thought a little - attention to detail, or how a forum looks, yeah it might not seem important, but it's also a little nudge in the direction of how much attention the owner gives the users, that or how much consideration he gives them anyway.

Jeez, I don't see an image below your avatar and you're allowed to complain...haha. That's what I'm saying, nothing is taken away and nothing is excluded from those who choose not to support this site. I'm sure you're aware that's not always the case on other sites.

It's like John F. Bulletin once said, "And so, my fellow 300cforums.com members, ask not what your forum can do for you; ask what you can do for your forum."

And the Lord said, "Let there be Premium Members"... and there was!!!

Bernie