The Username, PSN, Location space of posts getting to large?

  • Thread starter Azuremen
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Azuremen

Azuremen

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With the addition of the PSN-ID, I'm starting to notice more and more posts that are stretched out by the space that the avatar, username, location, etc are contained in.

Shorter posts that aren't vertically tall are eating more screen real estate because of this, leaving large dead spaces under some users posts. Its not really a big thing at all, just looks a little unclean. And I love the clean look this place has maintained by enforcing signature rules and such, unlike other *cough* crappy *cough* forums.

Not sure what can be done, but just removing some of the spacing between the Location, PSN-ID and IM icons would help I think Perhaps removing the online/offline line (awkward sounding) and just putting an indicator light up by the name or around the avatar maybe?

So, yeah. And this place rocks, and stuff like that, ya know :dopey:
 
You do have a point, but it's never really bothered me. That section doesn't really get filled up unless you've got lots of badges and have everything filled out. Personally I don't notice it, and even if I did I quite like it (I much prefer to have it weighted to the left side - almost like a margin).

But hey, that's just me. Maybe we need longer posts instead :sly:

Mista Kellah
Umm... What? Unless the post is very large, the size doesn't change all that much.
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Read what he's saying. He thinks the left column is becoming too long and dragging out the other column along with it.
 
Haha, Jondot, that is one thing I was thinking of suggesting :sly:

Mista, this is what I am referring too. Its a bit extreme an example, but it clearly illustrates what I am referring to.
Space.jpg


Like I said, its not a major issue or anything, just a cosmetic thing that detracts from the general clean look of the place.
 
I think it's fine as-is. Just another incentive for people to flesh-out their posts with well-developed thoughts, ideas, and opinions, I guess. ;)

The only thing I don't get myself is the PSN-ID entry. I mean, yeah, this place is a Gran Turismo website and with the next entry in the series appearing on the PS3, it'll be perhaps more relevant than other contact info in our profiles, but I don't see why the relatively few PS3 owners around here can't just open each others' profile pages to see what their PSN-IDs are. I would assume that you can place each other on buddy lists anyway, meaning the PSN-ID is only of use once per person.
 
Wolfe
I think it's fine as-is. Just another incentive for people to flesh-out their posts with well-developed thoughts, ideas, and opinions, I guess. ;)

The only thing I don't get myself is the PSN-ID entry. I mean, yeah, this place is a Gran Turismo website and with the next entry in the series appearing on the PS3, it'll be perhaps more relevant than other contact info in our profiles, but I don't see why the relatively few PS3 owners around here can't just open each others' profile pages to see what their PSN-IDs are. I would assume that you can place each other on buddy lists anyway, meaning the PSN-ID is only of use once per person.
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The thing is, we don't know who has a PS3 unless they outright say so. Having the PSN-ID the way it is now makes it easy to tell who has a PS3 at a glance.
 
I suppose you're right, but it still doesn't have much of a case in taking precedence over XBOX Live tags or Wii numbers (just the GT website bit that I mentioned), and all three could be taken care of with threads like so.
 
I've noticed this too... It's only really apparent when people post short answers or one-line responses, like the example of me shown above... I wonder if the 'Current Status' thing is really needed, since there is a list of online people on the main forum page.

What's also a bit strange is that you could see the "Please Don't Call Me Reg" thing under my username... it's strange because I can't see it, since I have the option in my profile set to 'Do not display user title'... but obviously you can see it... :confused:
 
I don't see any problem with the way it is whatsoever, the amount of people now using the PSN-ID field is huge and I would rather have that info any some page inconsistencies here and there rather than not have it.

I worked through trying to make this playstation network field added to gtplanet and when it got put in I was really pleased that we could now easily see add people to PSN to play online with. I would be a waste to remove such a useful feature.

As for the rest I don't think anything like the online offline status need removing.

Robin

Actually also having a large user sidebar thing give you presence like your a veteran of GTP and I like that!
 
TM made a good point – why do we need the "Online Status" gig under the avatar anyway? I can't even think of one scenario of which I used it.
 
And oddly, you're Current Status is blank anyway (because you're using invisible mode presumably?)...
 
Where's your PSN-ID went, Chris?

If you want to take up less space, we can always -rep you so you lose the Quality posts badge....
 
I would like to know who is on and offline, I use it all the time!

Also it gives the sense of community, not just an empty website....

Robin
 
The posts will be changing a bit with our new style. I can't justify changing our old, current style at the moment, but please keep expressing your opinions, thoughts, and ideas as they may definitely be integrated in the future. :)
 
Jordon, I'll through together an idea I have regarding an adjustment to the area that would clean it up and keep all the info there perhaps... I'll post it up when I get it put together, since I'm at work, not sure when I'll get the time to do it today.

EDIT: Mkay, so I got a rough and ugly idea of what I would try to do...

Testing.jpg


Basically, have icons for GT Premium, Quality Posts, Mod/Admin, and Guides Editor. On hover over, have them display their respective elements, kinda like the IM icons do. On the right side of these icons, there is the little grey button. Just something I found real quick, but it would be red if the user is online. Due to formating issues, it can't go up by the names because they can get too long. Hmm, I guess it could go at in the bottom, next to the AIM, MSN, etc icons.

The Playstation, XBOX, and Wii logos are for their respective network ideas. Hover over would reveal the respective ID number/name. The icons I got are just shrinks of the console's logo, I'm certain something better could be. I was thinking of putting them on the same line as the Admin and Quality posts icons, but that would be a bit too cluttered and they aren't related...

Its kinda ugly and cluttered, the whole thing right now... but some icon size tweaks and such, and I think this could work quite well and conserve space. I might try something at home, where I have access to a full version of Photoshop instead of Elements, which is ghetto...
 
Azuremen
Its kinda ugly and cluttered, the whole thing right now... but some icon size tweaks and such, and I think this could work quite well and conserve space. I might try something at home, where I have access to a full version of Photoshop instead of Elements, which is ghetto...
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I was going to say, yes it sound good in practice but that example mock up does look messy but I see what you mean.

Jordan
The posts will be changing a bit with our new style
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:dopey: ...... Do I smell a little GTP 9 BABY! :eek: I can't wait!! :)

Robin
 
One can only imagine what it will be like.... *dreams of robots serving space lemonade*

I'm sure that we will all be very impressed with it.
 
Duċk;2680765
TM made a good point – why do we need the "Online Status" gig under the avatar anyway? I can't even think of one scenario of which I used it.
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I use it a lot for sending PMs. I generally send a PM because I want an instant response, so I usually check to see that somone is online before I send a message.
 
Azuremen
Testing.jpg
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I like the way this effectively creates three status bars below a users avatar.
The first would increase the more involved you were with GTP.
The second would increase the more diverse your gaming interests.
The third would increase the more sociable you are.

I'd be tempted to put the current status beside the location, and add a country flag to the other side, then move the icons down and centre them.

That said, I doubt it will make much difference with GTP9 round the corner by the sounds of things.
 
Batsards, the lot of you :grumpy: :P

I like the mini-icons too, nice idea... maybe not for the Super Mod one though... (?!) ;)
 
What, you don't like that I got the typo?? :sly: Sorry if I seem like I'm over using you for an example, but well, you've got a decent size tag between the full size avatar, status bits, PSN-ID, etc. And you've made 1 liner posts in threads I've been viewing.

I was thinking if the moderator bit should be longer, to include the name. Since only two other status Icons could go there (Quality Posts and Guides Editor), text along "Super Mod.", "S. Moderator", "Moderator", or "Admin" could fit. I realize its fairly important that members be able to clearly tell who is the moderation staff, etc from my times dealing with noobs on Anime forums (Oh gosh, the horror, must forget those days)

I'll have some time this weekend to go back through and edit it up some more, and clean it up as well. Give it all abit more fit and finish, with buttons that look more like buttons and what not.

And thanks for the positive feedback, its actually getting me to want to make a cleaner version. Just Elements is rubbish, never use it if you do more than changing contrast on a picture.
 
Touring Mars
Not to worry, I've always wanted to be a model... but tell me, does my avatar look big in this? ;)
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Well, I figured we had too many cameras on it, so I've gone about fixing it with some magic post processing. All thats left is to strap a purse to its side and some heels. :dopey:

GTP-thing2.jpg


I revised the console icons to make them match a bit more and be a bit more clear as to what they are. Plus they don't look at odd. The extra inverted check box is where Guides Editor could go, with Admin, GTPremium, etc going where the nice blue bar space is.

I also shrank the IM icons, though I think making them mono chromatic or reducing their colors to match GTP's theme might be a nice touch.
 
Thing is a really want to see the PSN-ID strait off and not have to click into it, and if like I had premium I would want the full blown badge!

I still seriously don't get what wrong with it as it is, it looks very clean and professional with just text.. like for example Touring Mars' one looks great as it is.....

Robin
 
Then you missed the whole point of what I was saying in the first post. All the tags and such are taking up too much space when they are used...

That, and you are only ever going to need to get the PSN id once, so like I suggested earlier, just have it be a hover over option, so you float the cursor over it, number pops up, YAY!
 
Robin ///////
Thing is a really want to see the PSN-ID strait off and not have to click into it, and if like I had premium I would want the full blown badge!

I still seriously don't get what wrong with it as it is, it looks very clean and professional with just text.. like for example Touring Mars' one looks great as it is.....

Robin
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Well, I (and probably many other people) would much rather have XBL Gamertags and Wii friend codes on the side bar instead of not having to click once to see a PSN-ID.

EDIT: or like Azuremen just said, you could hover over it.
 

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