Default theme ?

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Re: Default theme ?

Ruth Hoffman-2
Hello Tim:
If this a tool for convincing people to use OFBiz, then IMO, we are way
off the mark. The backend applications where the BiznessTime theme has
been applied are designed for end-users who may not and probably do not
have any experience with HTML or CSS. Lets not forget who our audience
is here.

If the foundation, as you say is so solid (and I have not doubt that it
is), then reverting back to a simpler yet more accessible theme should
be the way to go.  Fancier is not always better.

On another note, could you point me to the end-user documentation
covering  creating new themes. I'd be happy to try this out and post my
findings.

Regards,
Ruth
----------------------------------------------------
Ruth Hoffman, Author, Mentor & OFBiz Enthusiast
[hidden email]
Looking for more OFBiz info, please visit my website: http://www.myofbiz.com



Tim Ruppert wrote:

> We exclusively use the BizznessTime theme with clients because it's
> WAY easier to change, skin and adapt to everyone's liking / look and
> feel.  I think it would be a huge mistake to roll it back to the Flat
> Grey as we have not had any of the same problems once everyone gets
> over the initial shock of seeing something different.
>
> If the community wants to roll it back - then go for it - but it isn't
> wise.  FIX the problems that you don't like in the BizznessTime theme,
> or create one of your own - it's easy to do - this is a much more
> solid foundation to build on then the old (and looking really old)
> theme that's been in there since the beginning.  Have any of you tried
> to edit the CSS to make any changes that might not make it so "large"?
>  It should be pretty easy with this setup.
>
> Anyways, think on it and do what you will do, but remember this is
> still a tool for convincing people to use OFBiz.  I'd leave this in
> place and change it to the ugly, ugly in your own installations before
> I wanted to go back to Flay Grey as a sales tool ....
>
> Cheers,
> Ruppert
> --
> Tim Ruppert
> HotWax Media
> http://www.hotwaxmedia.com
>
> o:801.649.6594
> f:801.649.6595
>
> On Oct 13, 2009, at 3:40 AM, Jacques Le Roux wrote:
>
>> Hi Hans,
>>
>> So far,
>> * it seems that most people find things too large and prefer to zoom out.
>> * it seems also that not much specific bugs were reported, and those
>> reported should be easily fixed (not quite sure though...)
>>
>> I repeat myself about where to report about this subject : create a
>> subtask at https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/OFBIZ-2398
>>
>> In his 1st reply Chris Snow suggested a change. But I'm not sure it's
>> enough for doing the same thing as a zoom out
>> Maybe we could ask Ryan Foster if it's possble to shrink the size (of
>> everything ) else we may vote for the "return of Flat Grey" as default
>> theme.
>>
>> What do you people think ?
>>
>> Jacques
>> PS : Hans I saw you opened a subtask for the field size issue, thanks!
>>
>> From: "Hans Bakker" <[hidden email]
>> <mailto:[hidden email]>>
>>> Sure the Business theme looks good but.....
>>>
>>> The general problem is that the characters, fields and actually
>>> everything is far too big....If i specify a field to be 2 characters, at
>>> least 5 fit in....
>>>
>>> So set the default to flat_gray in general properties is perhaps better.
>>>
>>> Regards,
>>> Hans
>>>
>>> On Mon, 2009-10-12 at 16:19 +0200, Jacques Le Roux wrote:
>>>> Hi,
>>>>
>>>> I'd like to know what the community thinks about Bizness Time as
>>>> default theme.
>>>>
>>>> Do you use it?
>>>> Do you change for another theme ?
>>>> Which one fo you prefer?
>>>> Did you find bugs in one of the theme but not another?
>>>>
>>>> Thanks
>>>>
>>>> Jacques
>>>>
>>> --
>>> Antwebsystems.com <http://Antwebsystems.com>: Quality OFBiz services
>>> for competitive rates
>>>
>>
>>
>
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Re: Default theme ?

Ruth Hoffman-2
In reply to this post by Bruno Busco
Hi Bruno:
A while back I used the Bluelight theme and I would have to agree with
you, from the point of view of screen usage, it does a better job with
space management. The biggest issue with this theme for me was figuring
out where the application links were (hidden somewhere - I don't
remember now where that was.) Anyhow, for a new end-user without
Webtools experience, this could be a show stopper.

Regards,
Ruth

Bruno Busco wrote:

> I normally use the Bluelight theme.
>
> In this theme what I did try to achieve was a better use of the screen
> space and, actually, if you compare to FlatGrey the information are
> displayed higher in the screen so more information are shown with no
> scrolling.
>
> The Login name, default organizzation, Visual theme selection etc. are
> displayed on a single line resulting in a shorter header.
>
> The Application Tab is not shown and a drop down menu can be used to select it.
> The selected application name, the selected tab and the screen name
> are all shown on a single line (the one with the blue/white smoothed
> corner bar)
>
> I plan to add a class style to the H1 page titles so that the
> bluelight theme can hide it having even more room available.
>
> I do not see many users using bluelight but I do not see anybody
> expressing any defect of it.
>
> Any hint to improve it is well appreciated.
> -Bruno
>
>
> 2009/10/13 Jacques Le Roux <[hidden email]>:
>  
>> Hi Hans,
>>
>> So far,
>> * it seems that most people find things too large and prefer to zoom out.
>> * it seems also that not much specific bugs were reported, and those
>> reported should be easily fixed (not quite sure though...)
>>
>> I repeat myself about where to report about this subject : create a subtask
>> at https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/OFBIZ-2398
>>
>> In his 1st reply Chris Snow suggested a change. But I'm not sure it's enough
>> for doing the same thing as a zoom out
>> Maybe we could ask Ryan Foster if it's possble to shrink the size (of
>> everything ) else we may vote for the "return of Flat Grey" as default
>> theme.
>>
>> What do you people think ?
>>
>> Jacques
>> PS : Hans I saw you opened a subtask for the field size issue, thanks!
>>
>> From: "Hans Bakker" <[hidden email]>
>>    
>>> Sure the Business theme looks good but.....
>>>
>>> The general problem is that the characters, fields and actually
>>> everything is far too big....If i specify a field to be 2 characters, at
>>> least 5 fit in....
>>>
>>> So set the default to flat_gray in general properties is perhaps better.
>>>
>>> Regards,
>>> Hans
>>>
>>> On Mon, 2009-10-12 at 16:19 +0200, Jacques Le Roux wrote:
>>>      
>>>> Hi,
>>>>
>>>> I'd like to know what the community thinks about Bizness Time as default
>>>> theme.
>>>>
>>>> Do you use it?
>>>> Do you change for another theme ?
>>>> Which one fo you prefer?
>>>> Did you find bugs in one of the theme but not another?
>>>>
>>>> Thanks
>>>>
>>>> Jacques
>>>>
>>>>        
>>> --
>>> Antwebsystems.com: Quality OFBiz services for competitive rates
>>>
>>>      
>>
>>    
>
>  
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Re: Default theme ?

Tim Ruppert
In reply to this post by Ruth Hoffman-2
We are all working within the constraints of _not_ redesigning the  
entire set of backend applications - which is really what needs to be  
done. The old theme sucks visually - has no spice, doesn't fit today's  
look and feel guidelines AT ALL, looks really old - so I'd say from  
someone who does this day in and day out - you're WAY off when it  
comes to the way that people react to it (be clear, this does not talk  
to using it on a day to day basis).  We've been very successful in  
building themes off of Bizzness Time - please are reacting in a really  
positive way.

There is nothing other than a visual change on the BizznessTime  
theme.  There are no other extra widgets or the like.  it's just a  
reorganization of the data that's there to help give it a facelift.  
I'm not talking to users - I'm talking to you and everyone else who  
has issues with it.  Fix it ... or go back to the old theme in your  
own setup - don't doom the rest of us to have to go apply first  
impressions with that really lame setup.

As for the documentation - I'm not sure - checkout Confluence - we  
just dug in and tried to bring the backend apps out of the early 2000s  
instead of letting it sit stagnant.

Cheers,
Ruppert
--
Tim Ruppert
HotWax Media
http://www.hotwaxmedia.com

o:801.649.6594
f:801.649.6595

On Oct 13, 2009, at 7:10 AM, Ruth Hoffman wrote:

> Hello Tim:
> If this a tool for convincing people to use OFBiz, then IMO, we are  
> way off the mark. The backend applications where the BiznessTime  
> theme has been applied are designed for end-users who may not and  
> probably do not have any experience with HTML or CSS. Lets not  
> forget who our audience is here.
>
> If the foundation, as you say is so solid (and I have not doubt that  
> it is), then reverting back to a simpler yet more accessible theme  
> should be the way to go.  Fancier is not always better.
>
> On another note, could you point me to the end-user documentation  
> covering  creating new themes. I'd be happy to try this out and post  
> my findings.
>
> Regards,
> Ruth
> ----------------------------------------------------
> Ruth Hoffman, Author, Mentor & OFBiz Enthusiast
> [hidden email]
> Looking for more OFBiz info, please visit my website: http://www.myofbiz.com
>
>
>
> Tim Ruppert wrote:
>> We exclusively use the BizznessTime theme with clients because it's  
>> WAY easier to change, skin and adapt to everyone's liking / look  
>> and feel.  I think it would be a huge mistake to roll it back to  
>> the Flat Grey as we have not had any of the same problems once  
>> everyone gets over the initial shock of seeing something different.
>>
>> If the community wants to roll it back - then go for it - but it  
>> isn't wise.  FIX the problems that you don't like in the  
>> BizznessTime theme, or create one of your own - it's easy to do -  
>> this is a much more solid foundation to build on then the old (and  
>> looking really old) theme that's been in there since the  
>> beginning.  Have any of you tried to edit the CSS to make any  
>> changes that might not make it so "large"?  It should be pretty  
>> easy with this setup.
>>
>> Anyways, think on it and do what you will do, but remember this is  
>> still a tool for convincing people to use OFBiz.  I'd leave this in  
>> place and change it to the ugly, ugly in your own installations  
>> before I wanted to go back to Flay Grey as a sales tool ....
>>
>> Cheers,
>> Ruppert
>> --
>> Tim Ruppert
>> HotWax Media
>> http://www.hotwaxmedia.com
>>
>> o:801.649.6594
>> f:801.649.6595
>>
>> On Oct 13, 2009, at 3:40 AM, Jacques Le Roux wrote:
>>
>>> Hi Hans,
>>>
>>> So far,
>>> * it seems that most people find things too large and prefer to  
>>> zoom out.
>>> * it seems also that not much specific bugs were reported, and  
>>> those reported should be easily fixed (not quite sure though...)
>>>
>>> I repeat myself about where to report about this subject : create  
>>> a subtask at https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/OFBIZ-2398
>>>
>>> In his 1st reply Chris Snow suggested a change. But I'm not sure  
>>> it's enough for doing the same thing as a zoom out
>>> Maybe we could ask Ryan Foster if it's possble to shrink the size  
>>> (of everything ) else we may vote for the "return of Flat Grey" as  
>>> default
>>> theme.
>>>
>>> What do you people think ?
>>>
>>> Jacques
>>> PS : Hans I saw you opened a subtask for the field size issue,  
>>> thanks!
>>>
>>> From: "Hans Bakker" <[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]
>>> >>
>>>> Sure the Business theme looks good but.....
>>>>
>>>> The general problem is that the characters, fields and actually
>>>> everything is far too big....If i specify a field to be 2  
>>>> characters, at
>>>> least 5 fit in....
>>>>
>>>> So set the default to flat_gray in general properties is perhaps  
>>>> better.
>>>>
>>>> Regards,
>>>> Hans
>>>>
>>>> On Mon, 2009-10-12 at 16:19 +0200, Jacques Le Roux wrote:
>>>>> Hi,
>>>>>
>>>>> I'd like to know what the community thinks about Bizness Time as  
>>>>> default theme.
>>>>>
>>>>> Do you use it?
>>>>> Do you change for another theme ?
>>>>> Which one fo you prefer?
>>>>> Did you find bugs in one of the theme but not another?
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks
>>>>>
>>>>> Jacques
>>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Antwebsystems.com <http://Antwebsystems.com>: Quality OFBiz  
>>>> services for competitive rates
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>


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Re: Default theme ?

Christian Geisert
In reply to this post by Bruno Busco
Bruno Busco schrieb:

[..]

> I do not see many users using bluelight but I do not see anybody
> expressing any defect of it.

Switching to the Bluelight theme is the first thing I do ;-)

Christian
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Re: Default theme ?

Bruno Busco
Thank you,
Christian for this whisper in the storm.
;-)

-Bruno


2009/10/13 Christian Geisert <[hidden email]>:

> Bruno Busco schrieb:
>
> [..]
>
>> I do not see many users using bluelight but I do not see anybody
>> expressing any defect of it.
>
> Switching to the Bluelight theme is the first thing I do ;-)
>
> Christian
>
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Re: Default theme ?

Ruth Hoffman-2
In reply to this post by Tim Ruppert
Hi Tim:
I fully understand your point of view and the constraints we all labor
under. Whether the old theme sucks or not is not in question here.

First question I have for you is what "guidelines" are you referring to?

Secondly, why should a new user have to change a theme in order to use
OFBiz applications. If, as you say its easy to change a theme, then it
should be incumbent on the knowledgeable experienced OFBiz user to
change themes and not the new user. New users have enough on their plate
just learning how the applications work.

Thirdly, please don't throw around "its easy" to do something without
siting references. You insult my intelligence and every other reader on
this list by implying that anything concerning recent releases of OFBiz
is "easy".

Regards,
Ruth

----------------------------------------------------
Ruth Hoffman, Author, Mentor & OFBiz Enthusiast
[hidden email]
Looking for more OFBiz info, please visit my website: http://www.myofbiz.com



Tim Ruppert wrote:

> We are all working within the constraints of _not_ redesigning the
> entire set of backend applications - which is really what needs to be
> done. The old theme sucks visually - has no spice, doesn't fit today's
> look and feel guidelines AT ALL, looks really old - so I'd say from
> someone who does this day in and day out - you're WAY off when it
> comes to the way that people react to it (be clear, this does not talk
> to using it on a day to day basis).  We've been very successful in
> building themes off of Bizzness Time - please are reacting in a really
> positive way.
>
> There is nothing other than a visual change on the BizznessTime
> theme.  There are no other extra widgets or the like.  it's just a
> reorganization of the data that's there to help give it a facelift.  
> I'm not talking to users - I'm talking to you and everyone else who
> has issues with it.  Fix it ... or go back to the old theme in your
> own setup - don't doom the rest of us to have to go apply first
> impressions with that really lame setup.
>
> As for the documentation - I'm not sure - checkout Confluence - we
> just dug in and tried to bring the backend apps out of the early 2000s
> instead of letting it sit stagnant.
>
> Cheers,
> Ruppert
> --
> Tim Ruppert
> HotWax Media
> http://www.hotwaxmedia.com
>
> o:801.649.6594
> f:801.649.6595
>
> On Oct 13, 2009, at 7:10 AM, Ruth Hoffman wrote:
>
>> Hello Tim:
>> If this a tool for convincing people to use OFBiz, then IMO, we are
>> way off the mark. The backend applications where the BiznessTime
>> theme has been applied are designed for end-users who may not and
>> probably do not have any experience with HTML or CSS. Lets not forget
>> who our audience is here.
>>
>> If the foundation, as you say is so solid (and I have not doubt that
>> it is), then reverting back to a simpler yet more accessible theme
>> should be the way to go.  Fancier is not always better.
>>
>> On another note, could you point me to the end-user documentation
>> covering  creating new themes. I'd be happy to try this out and post
>> my findings.
>>
>> Regards,
>> Ruth
>> ----------------------------------------------------
>> Ruth Hoffman, Author, Mentor & OFBiz Enthusiast
>> [hidden email]
>> Looking for more OFBiz info, please visit my website:
>> http://www.myofbiz.com
>>
>>
>>
>> Tim Ruppert wrote:
>>> We exclusively use the BizznessTime theme with clients because it's
>>> WAY easier to change, skin and adapt to everyone's liking / look and
>>> feel.  I think it would be a huge mistake to roll it back to the
>>> Flat Grey as we have not had any of the same problems once everyone
>>> gets over the initial shock of seeing something different.
>>>
>>> If the community wants to roll it back - then go for it - but it
>>> isn't wise.  FIX the problems that you don't like in the
>>> BizznessTime theme, or create one of your own - it's easy to do -
>>> this is a much more solid foundation to build on then the old (and
>>> looking really old) theme that's been in there since the beginning.  
>>> Have any of you tried to edit the CSS to make any changes that might
>>> not make it so "large"?  It should be pretty easy with this setup.
>>>
>>> Anyways, think on it and do what you will do, but remember this is
>>> still a tool for convincing people to use OFBiz.  I'd leave this in
>>> place and change it to the ugly, ugly in your own installations
>>> before I wanted to go back to Flay Grey as a sales tool ....
>>>
>>> Cheers,
>>> Ruppert
>>> --
>>> Tim Ruppert
>>> HotWax Media
>>> http://www.hotwaxmedia.com
>>>
>>> o:801.649.6594
>>> f:801.649.6595
>>>
>>> On Oct 13, 2009, at 3:40 AM, Jacques Le Roux wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hi Hans,
>>>>
>>>> So far,
>>>> * it seems that most people find things too large and prefer to
>>>> zoom out.
>>>> * it seems also that not much specific bugs were reported, and
>>>> those reported should be easily fixed (not quite sure though...)
>>>>
>>>> I repeat myself about where to report about this subject : create a
>>>> subtask at https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/OFBIZ-2398
>>>>
>>>> In his 1st reply Chris Snow suggested a change. But I'm not sure
>>>> it's enough for doing the same thing as a zoom out
>>>> Maybe we could ask Ryan Foster if it's possble to shrink the size
>>>> (of everything ) else we may vote for the "return of Flat Grey" as
>>>> default
>>>> theme.
>>>>
>>>> What do you people think ?
>>>>
>>>> Jacques
>>>> PS : Hans I saw you opened a subtask for the field size issue, thanks!
>>>>
>>>> From: "Hans Bakker" <[hidden email]
>>>> <mailto:[hidden email]>>
>>>>> Sure the Business theme looks good but.....
>>>>>
>>>>> The general problem is that the characters, fields and actually
>>>>> everything is far too big....If i specify a field to be 2
>>>>> characters, at
>>>>> least 5 fit in....
>>>>>
>>>>> So set the default to flat_gray in general properties is perhaps
>>>>> better.
>>>>>
>>>>> Regards,
>>>>> Hans
>>>>>
>>>>> On Mon, 2009-10-12 at 16:19 +0200, Jacques Le Roux wrote:
>>>>>> Hi,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I'd like to know what the community thinks about Bizness Time as
>>>>>> default theme.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Do you use it?
>>>>>> Do you change for another theme ?
>>>>>> Which one fo you prefer?
>>>>>> Did you find bugs in one of the theme but not another?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thanks
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Jacques
>>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> Antwebsystems.com <http://Antwebsystems.com>: Quality OFBiz
>>>>> services for competitive rates
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>
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Re: Default theme ?

Tim Ruppert
Inline

Cheers,
Ruppert

On Oct 13, 2009, at 8:09 AM, Ruth Hoffman wrote:

> Hi Tim:
> I fully understand your point of view and the constraints we all  
> labor under. Whether the old theme sucks or not is not in question  
> here.
>
> First question I have for you is what "guidelines" are you referring  
> to?

Take a look at BizznessTime and then at Flat Grey and let me know when  
you think each were designed from a look and feel perspective?  That's  
the point here - first impressions of whether or not this project is  
stale or not.  This is why it was developed and it can have a huge  
impact on the people that see it for the first time.  Not to mention  
that as I said, my customers have custom themes built on BizznessTime  
and are happy with them ...

> Secondly, why should a new user have to change a theme in order to  
> use OFBiz applications. If, as you say its easy to change a theme,  
> then it should be incumbent on the knowledgeable experienced OFBiz  
> user to change themes and not the new user. New users have enough on  
> their plate just learning how the applications work.

I'm talking about demo.ofbiz.org having a current looking theme so  
that when people want to see the application for the first time,  
they're not asking if we started with the backend design in 2001 and  
then forgot to update it :)  If you guys want that to be a deployment  
setting for the demo store - I'm happy to do it that way - let's just  
not act like the old theme is what is making OFBiz happen.

> Thirdly, please don't throw around "its easy" to do something  
> without siting references. You insult my intelligence and every  
> other reader on this list by implying that anything concerning  
> recent releases of OFBiz is "easy".

Please Ruth - come on.  If you're not sure where the themes are, then  
please use a browser tool to tell you where the CSS is that drives the  
theme and tinker with it.  If I had the references for you in my hands  
- I'll lay them out like a towel - but since I didn't, I declined to  
send you to the wrong place.  Me and the other readers (and my  
employees) dove in on the theme concept and tried our best to come up  
with something quickly that would make an impact in the release.  I  
think we accomplished that in a big way.  If it's not good, then  
please help to make it better rather than turning back to something  
that's not pushing forward (on the design front).

I'd much rather see these kinks worked out - since we're only talking  
about CSS - not the magic of the screen widget / form widget, etc.  In  
this case, "easy" means that any web developer in the world that does  
"Inspect Element" on Safari or anything else - will be able to see  
where the CSS is - since that's 99% of how these themes are messed  
with in the first place.

>
> Regards,
> Ruth
>
> ----------------------------------------------------
> Ruth Hoffman, Author, Mentor & OFBiz Enthusiast
> [hidden email]
> Looking for more OFBiz info, please visit my website: http://www.myofbiz.com
>
>
>
> Tim Ruppert wrote:
>> We are all working within the constraints of _not_ redesigning the  
>> entire set of backend applications - which is really what needs to  
>> be done. The old theme sucks visually - has no spice, doesn't fit  
>> today's look and feel guidelines AT ALL, looks really old - so I'd  
>> say from someone who does this day in and day out - you're WAY off  
>> when it comes to the way that people react to it (be clear, this  
>> does not talk to using it on a day to day basis).  We've been very  
>> successful in building themes off of Bizzness Time - please are  
>> reacting in a really positive way.
>>
>> There is nothing other than a visual change on the BizznessTime  
>> theme.  There are no other extra widgets or the like.  it's just a  
>> reorganization of the data that's there to help give it a  
>> facelift.  I'm not talking to users - I'm talking to you and  
>> everyone else who has issues with it.  Fix it ... or go back to the  
>> old theme in your own setup - don't doom the rest of us to have to  
>> go apply first impressions with that really lame setup.
>>
>> As for the documentation - I'm not sure - checkout Confluence - we  
>> just dug in and tried to bring the backend apps out of the early  
>> 2000s instead of letting it sit stagnant.
>>
>> Cheers,
>> Ruppert
>> --
>> Tim Ruppert
>> HotWax Media
>> http://www.hotwaxmedia.com
>>
>> o:801.649.6594
>> f:801.649.6595
>>
>> On Oct 13, 2009, at 7:10 AM, Ruth Hoffman wrote:
>>
>>> Hello Tim:
>>> If this a tool for convincing people to use OFBiz, then IMO, we  
>>> are way off the mark. The backend applications where the  
>>> BiznessTime theme has been applied are designed for end-users who  
>>> may not and probably do not have any experience with HTML or CSS.  
>>> Lets not forget who our audience is here.
>>>
>>> If the foundation, as you say is so solid (and I have not doubt  
>>> that it is), then reverting back to a simpler yet more accessible  
>>> theme should be the way to go.  Fancier is not always better.
>>>
>>> On another note, could you point me to the end-user documentation  
>>> covering  creating new themes. I'd be happy to try this out and  
>>> post my findings.
>>>
>>> Regards,
>>> Ruth
>>> ----------------------------------------------------
>>> Ruth Hoffman, Author, Mentor & OFBiz Enthusiast
>>> [hidden email]
>>> Looking for more OFBiz info, please visit my website: http://www.myofbiz.com
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Tim Ruppert wrote:
>>>> We exclusively use the BizznessTime theme with clients because  
>>>> it's WAY easier to change, skin and adapt to everyone's liking /  
>>>> look and feel.  I think it would be a huge mistake to roll it  
>>>> back to the Flat Grey as we have not had any of the same problems  
>>>> once everyone gets over the initial shock of seeing something  
>>>> different.
>>>>
>>>> If the community wants to roll it back - then go for it - but it  
>>>> isn't wise.  FIX the problems that you don't like in the  
>>>> BizznessTime theme, or create one of your own - it's easy to do -  
>>>> this is a much more solid foundation to build on then the old  
>>>> (and looking really old) theme that's been in there since the  
>>>> beginning.  Have any of you tried to edit the CSS to make any  
>>>> changes that might not make it so "large"?  It should be pretty  
>>>> easy with this setup.
>>>>
>>>> Anyways, think on it and do what you will do, but remember this  
>>>> is still a tool for convincing people to use OFBiz.  I'd leave  
>>>> this in place and change it to the ugly, ugly in your own  
>>>> installations before I wanted to go back to Flay Grey as a sales  
>>>> tool ....
>>>>
>>>> Cheers,
>>>> Ruppert
>>>> --
>>>> Tim Ruppert
>>>> HotWax Media
>>>> http://www.hotwaxmedia.com
>>>>
>>>> o:801.649.6594
>>>> f:801.649.6595
>>>>
>>>> On Oct 13, 2009, at 3:40 AM, Jacques Le Roux wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Hi Hans,
>>>>>
>>>>> So far,
>>>>> * it seems that most people find things too large and prefer to  
>>>>> zoom out.
>>>>> * it seems also that not much specific bugs were reported, and  
>>>>> those reported should be easily fixed (not quite sure though...)
>>>>>
>>>>> I repeat myself about where to report about this subject :  
>>>>> create a subtask at https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/OFBIZ-2398
>>>>>
>>>>> In his 1st reply Chris Snow suggested a change. But I'm not sure  
>>>>> it's enough for doing the same thing as a zoom out
>>>>> Maybe we could ask Ryan Foster if it's possble to shrink the  
>>>>> size (of everything ) else we may vote for the "return of Flat  
>>>>> Grey" as default
>>>>> theme.
>>>>>
>>>>> What do you people think ?
>>>>>
>>>>> Jacques
>>>>> PS : Hans I saw you opened a subtask for the field size issue,  
>>>>> thanks!
>>>>>
>>>>> From: "Hans Bakker" <[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]
>>>>> >>
>>>>>> Sure the Business theme looks good but.....
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The general problem is that the characters, fields and actually
>>>>>> everything is far too big....If i specify a field to be 2  
>>>>>> characters, at
>>>>>> least 5 fit in....
>>>>>>
>>>>>> So set the default to flat_gray in general properties is  
>>>>>> perhaps better.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>> Hans
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Mon, 2009-10-12 at 16:19 +0200, Jacques Le Roux wrote:
>>>>>>> Hi,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I'd like to know what the community thinks about Bizness Time  
>>>>>>> as default theme.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Do you use it?
>>>>>>> Do you change for another theme ?
>>>>>>> Which one fo you prefer?
>>>>>>> Did you find bugs in one of the theme but not another?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Thanks
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Jacques
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> --
>>>>>> Antwebsystems.com <http://Antwebsystems.com>: Quality OFBiz  
>>>>>> services for competitive rates
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>


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Re: Default theme ?

Ryan Foster
In reply to this post by Ruth Hoffman-2
Since my colleagues and I were largely responsible for the initial  
design of BizznessTime, which borrows very heavily from Brainfood's  
public facing site design (thanks guys!), I feel a certain amount of  
obligation to defend my position.  Let me first start off by saying  
thank you all very much for this discussion on user interface in  
general and for the feedback on the BizznessTime theme.  I sometimes  
feel like a lone wolf in a sea of developers immensely more talented  
than me when it comes to back-end programming, so I think a small  
amount of front-end discussion is refreshing.  I take a huge amount of  
pride in my work, and I welcome any and all feedback, positive or  
negative, that will allow me to enhance the user experience.

Secondly, many of the key elements of the design were clearly and  
carefully thought out, and are based on the work, research, and  
testing of respected organizations and individuals in user experience  
and interaction design:

In regards to the school of thought that all of the important content  
should be "above the fold" and that users shouldn't be required, do  
not like to scroll, will not scroll, etc; there has been extensive  
research that tends to suggest that this school of thought is  
outdated.  Jacob Nielsen discussed this back in 1997(!).  See the  
following links for support:

http://www.useit.com/alertbox/9712a.html
http://blog.clicktale.com/2006/12/23/unfolding-the-fold/
http://blog.clicktale.com/2007/10/05/clicktale-scrolling-research-report-v20-part-1-visibility-and-scroll-reach/
http://blog.clicktale.com/2007/12/04/clicktale-scrolling-research-report-v20-part-2-visitor-attention-and-web-page-exposure/
http://www.uie.com/brainsparks/2006/08/02/utilizing-the-cut-off-look-to-encourage-users-to-scroll/
http://www.boxesandarrows.com/view/blasting-the-myth-of

Next, as far as the applications drop down menu, this concept is again  
based on modern web trends and current research.  Companies such as  
Target, Walmart, Microsoft, OfficeMax, OfficeDepot, EMC, MTV, Ruby on  
Rails, etc. use so called "Mega Dropdowns" in their sites and  
applications.  Our friends in the community over at Alexander  
Interactive have been cited numerous times for the navigation they  
developed for ActionEnvelope.  I agree that showing the menu on hover  
rather than on click would be an enhancement, but I also don't think  
that having to click is a bad thing either.  Again, see the following  
resources:

http://www.uipattern.com/mega-drop-downs/
http://www.useit.com/alertbox/mega-dropdown-menus.html
http://www.sitepoint.com/blogs/2009/03/30/mega-drop-down-menus/
http://37signals.com/svn/posts/1647-mega-drop-down-navigation-at-basecamp-and-rails-guides-site
http://guides.rubyonrails.org/

Finally, as far as the statement "lets not forget who our audience  
is", I am acutely aware of who are audience is.  We have developed  
several client branded themes based on the BizznessTime theme, and  
have received very positive feedback.  When our clients are happy, I  
am happy.  You are right that fancier isn't always better, there is  
research suggesting that doesn't matter.  It may not be better, but  
people think that it is:

http://www.alistapart.com/articles/indefenseofeyecandy
http://www.consumerwebwatch.org/news/report3_credibilityresearch/stanfordPTL.pdf
http://ist.psu.edu/faculty_pages/jjansen/academic/pres/chi2007/jansen_branding_of_search_engines.pdf
http://sigchi.org/chi97/proceedings/paper/nt.htm
http://www.experiencedynamics.com/sites/default/files/spillers-emotiondesign-proceedings.pdf

I do agree with many points that have been made so far, and again, I  
appreciate the feedback.  The font-size is a little too big. The  
padding in and around the inputs and submit buttons can be dialed back  
a bit.  I am working on a patch right now that incorporates this  
feedback, as well as additional feedback and discoveries from the  
themes we have built based on the original BizznessTime theme.

I apologize for the very long-winded email, but I just wanted to give  
the community some insight into my thought process and design  
methodologies.  I hope this helps the discussion.

Thanks,

Ryan Foster
HotWax Media
801.671.0769
[hidden email]




On Oct 13, 2009, at 8:09 AM, Ruth Hoffman wrote:

> Hi Tim:
> I fully understand your point of view and the constraints we all  
> labor under. Whether the old theme sucks or not is not in question  
> here.
>
> First question I have for you is what "guidelines" are you referring  
> to?
>
> Secondly, why should a new user have to change a theme in order to  
> use OFBiz applications. If, as you say its easy to change a theme,  
> then it should be incumbent on the knowledgeable experienced OFBiz  
> user to change themes and not the new user. New users have enough on  
> their plate just learning how the applications work.
>
> Thirdly, please don't throw around "its easy" to do something  
> without siting references. You insult my intelligence and every  
> other reader on this list by implying that anything concerning  
> recent releases of OFBiz is "easy".
>
> Regards,
> Ruth
>
> ----------------------------------------------------
> Ruth Hoffman, Author, Mentor & OFBiz Enthusiast
> [hidden email]
> Looking for more OFBiz info, please visit my website: http://www.myofbiz.com
>
>
>
> Tim Ruppert wrote:
>> We are all working within the constraints of _not_ redesigning the  
>> entire set of backend applications - which is really what needs to  
>> be done. The old theme sucks visually - has no spice, doesn't fit  
>> today's look and feel guidelines AT ALL, looks really old - so I'd  
>> say from someone who does this day in and day out - you're WAY off  
>> when it comes to the way that people react to it (be clear, this  
>> does not talk to using it on a day to day basis).  We've been very  
>> successful in building themes off of Bizzness Time - please are  
>> reacting in a really positive way.
>>
>> There is nothing other than a visual change on the BizznessTime  
>> theme.  There are no other extra widgets or the like.  it's just a  
>> reorganization of the data that's there to help give it a  
>> facelift.  I'm not talking to users - I'm talking to you and  
>> everyone else who has issues with it.  Fix it ... or go back to the  
>> old theme in your own setup - don't doom the rest of us to have to  
>> go apply first impressions with that really lame setup.
>>
>> As for the documentation - I'm not sure - checkout Confluence - we  
>> just dug in and tried to bring the backend apps out of the early  
>> 2000s instead of letting it sit stagnant.
>>
>> Cheers,
>> Ruppert
>> --
>> Tim Ruppert
>> HotWax Media
>> http://www.hotwaxmedia.com
>>
>> o:801.649.6594
>> f:801.649.6595
>>
>> On Oct 13, 2009, at 7:10 AM, Ruth Hoffman wrote:
>>
>>> Hello Tim:
>>> If this a tool for convincing people to use OFBiz, then IMO, we  
>>> are way off the mark. The backend applications where the  
>>> BiznessTime theme has been applied are designed for end-users who  
>>> may not and probably do not have any experience with HTML or CSS.  
>>> Lets not forget who our audience is here.
>>>
>>> If the foundation, as you say is so solid (and I have not doubt  
>>> that it is), then reverting back to a simpler yet more accessible  
>>> theme should be the way to go.  Fancier is not always better.
>>>
>>> On another note, could you point me to the end-user documentation  
>>> covering  creating new themes. I'd be happy to try this out and  
>>> post my findings.
>>>
>>> Regards,
>>> Ruth
>>> ----------------------------------------------------
>>> Ruth Hoffman, Author, Mentor & OFBiz Enthusiast
>>> [hidden email]
>>> Looking for more OFBiz info, please visit my website: http://www.myofbiz.com
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Tim Ruppert wrote:
>>>> We exclusively use the BizznessTime theme with clients because  
>>>> it's WAY easier to change, skin and adapt to everyone's liking /  
>>>> look and feel.  I think it would be a huge mistake to roll it  
>>>> back to the Flat Grey as we have not had any of the same problems  
>>>> once everyone gets over the initial shock of seeing something  
>>>> different.
>>>>
>>>> If the community wants to roll it back - then go for it - but it  
>>>> isn't wise.  FIX the problems that you don't like in the  
>>>> BizznessTime theme, or create one of your own - it's easy to do -  
>>>> this is a much more solid foundation to build on then the old  
>>>> (and looking really old) theme that's been in there since the  
>>>> beginning.  Have any of you tried to edit the CSS to make any  
>>>> changes that might not make it so "large"?  It should be pretty  
>>>> easy with this setup.
>>>>
>>>> Anyways, think on it and do what you will do, but remember this  
>>>> is still a tool for convincing people to use OFBiz.  I'd leave  
>>>> this in place and change it to the ugly, ugly in your own  
>>>> installations before I wanted to go back to Flay Grey as a sales  
>>>> tool ....
>>>>
>>>> Cheers,
>>>> Ruppert
>>>> --
>>>> Tim Ruppert
>>>> HotWax Media
>>>> http://www.hotwaxmedia.com
>>>>
>>>> o:801.649.6594
>>>> f:801.649.6595
>>>>
>>>> On Oct 13, 2009, at 3:40 AM, Jacques Le Roux wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Hi Hans,
>>>>>
>>>>> So far,
>>>>> * it seems that most people find things too large and prefer to  
>>>>> zoom out.
>>>>> * it seems also that not much specific bugs were reported, and  
>>>>> those reported should be easily fixed (not quite sure though...)
>>>>>
>>>>> I repeat myself about where to report about this subject :  
>>>>> create a subtask at https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/OFBIZ-2398
>>>>>
>>>>> In his 1st reply Chris Snow suggested a change. But I'm not sure  
>>>>> it's enough for doing the same thing as a zoom out
>>>>> Maybe we could ask Ryan Foster if it's possble to shrink the  
>>>>> size (of everything ) else we may vote for the "return of Flat  
>>>>> Grey" as default
>>>>> theme.
>>>>>
>>>>> What do you people think ?
>>>>>
>>>>> Jacques
>>>>> PS : Hans I saw you opened a subtask for the field size issue,  
>>>>> thanks!
>>>>>
>>>>> From: "Hans Bakker" <[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]
>>>>> >>
>>>>>> Sure the Business theme looks good but.....
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The general problem is that the characters, fields and actually
>>>>>> everything is far too big....If i specify a field to be 2  
>>>>>> characters, at
>>>>>> least 5 fit in....
>>>>>>
>>>>>> So set the default to flat_gray in general properties is  
>>>>>> perhaps better.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>> Hans
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Mon, 2009-10-12 at 16:19 +0200, Jacques Le Roux wrote:
>>>>>>> Hi,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I'd like to know what the community thinks about Bizness Time  
>>>>>>> as default theme.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Do you use it?
>>>>>>> Do you change for another theme ?
>>>>>>> Which one fo you prefer?
>>>>>>> Did you find bugs in one of the theme but not another?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Thanks
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Jacques
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> --
>>>>>> Antwebsystems.com <http://Antwebsystems.com>: Quality OFBiz  
>>>>>> services for competitive rates
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>

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Re: Default theme ?

Ruth Hoffman-2
In reply to this post by Tim Ruppert
Hi Tim:
This will probably start a "flame war" (if those things still happen
:-), but again this is all for what I feel is the betterment of the
project. Please see my comments inline:

Tim Ruppert wrote:

> Inline
>
> Cheers,
> Ruppert
>
> On Oct 13, 2009, at 8:09 AM, Ruth Hoffman wrote:
>
>> Hi Tim:
>> I fully understand your point of view and the constraints we all
>> labor under. Whether the old theme sucks or not is not in question here.
>>
>> First question I have for you is what "guidelines" are you referring to?
>
> Take a look at BizznessTime and then at Flat Grey and let me know when
> you think each were designed from a look and feel perspective?  That's
> the point here - first impressions of whether or not this project is
> stale or not.  This is why it was developed and it can have a huge
> impact on the people that see it for the first time.  Not to mention
> that as I said, my customers have custom themes built on BizznessTime
> and are happy with them ...
>
You didn't answer my question. What guidelines?
I'm not disputing that your customers have nice themes. You, or your
company probably built them. Good for you! As a service provider, this
attitude towards the code base works in your favor. As an end-user,
maybe this approach towards the project code base doesn't work so well.
Please reconsider.

>> Secondly, why should a new user have to change a theme in order to
>> use OFBiz applications. If, as you say its easy to change a theme,
>> then it should be incumbent on the knowledgeable experienced OFBiz
>> user to change themes and not the new user. New users have enough on
>> their plate just learning how the applications work.
>
> I'm talking about demo.ofbiz.org having a current looking theme so
> that when people want to see the application for the first time,
> they're not asking if we started with the backend design in 2001 and
> then forgot to update it :)  If you guys want that to be a deployment
> setting for the demo store - I'm happy to do it that way - let's just
> not act like the old theme is what is making OFBiz happen.
>
So am I. Lets talk about the demo site. On a recent visit (2 days ago)
what I saw was embarrassing and hence my comment about pride of ownership.

I'd like to "call you to the carpet" on making "OFBiz happen". How many
new user's to OFBiz (I'm talking end-users) have been "convinced" to
adopt based on theme changes? Do you even know? If you can show me the
numbers, then I will gladly change my tune.

>> Thirdly, please don't throw around "its easy" to do something without
>> siting references. You insult my intelligence and every other reader
>> on this list by implying that anything concerning recent releases of
>> OFBiz is "easy".
>
> Please Ruth - come on.  If you're not sure where the themes are, then
> please use a browser tool to tell you where the CSS is that drives the
> theme and tinker with it.  If I had the references for you in my hands
> - I'll lay them out like a towel - but since I didn't, I declined to
> send you to the wrong place.  Me and the other readers (and my
> employees) dove in on the theme concept and tried our best to come up
> with something quickly that would make an impact in the release.  I
> think we accomplished that in a big way.  If it's not good, then
> please help to make it better rather than turning back to something
> that's not pushing forward (on the design front).
>
Tim, we are not talking about me. I know how to do this. I've spent
several years working with all aspects of OFBiz from the front-end CSS
to writing modifications to the Entity Engine to support database field
types not supported by OFBiz. I'm talking about new users.

I have tried to "make it better" by submitting JIRA issues.

How about if we start over with a design document and a baseline that we
know works - perhaps the Flat Grey theme, and go forward from there.
Give me developer/access rights to the code base and I'd gladly help out.
> I'd much rather see these kinks worked out - since we're only talking
> about CSS - not the magic of the screen widget / form widget, etc.  In
> this case, "easy" means that any web developer in the world that does
> "Inspect Element" on Safari or anything else - will be able to see
> where the CSS is - since that's 99% of how these themes are messed
> with in the first place.
>
I agree with you here concerning working out the kinks. Where we diverge
is: I don't think it is up to end-users to do testing for the project.
Don't commit code (themes or otherwise) that has not been tested. Don't
make changes to OFBiz until those changes have been tested. Its pretty
simple.

Again, end-users have enough on their plate just learning the
applications. And, perhaps more importantly, end-user's for the backend
applications are not the same web developers you reference here.

You obviously see all this from a service provider's point of view and
not an end-user. Please understand, I don't provide OFBiz development,
deployment or integration services. I am an advocate for end-users. IMO,
if we don't get more end-users looking at OFBiz, you might as well kiss
this project good-bye.

Its all about mindshare, and while OFBiz has been good to you and
HotWax, your attitude is very similar to the "proprietary" mindset of
some software vendors that shall remain unnamed.

Please take off your service provider hat and look at all this from a
potential new end-user.

>>
>> Regards,
>> Ruth
>>
>> ----------------------------------------------------
>> Ruth Hoffman, Author, Mentor & OFBiz Enthusiast
>> [hidden email]
>> Looking for more OFBiz info, please visit my website:
>> http://www.myofbiz.com
>>
>>
>>
>> Tim Ruppert wrote:
>>> We are all working within the constraints of _not_ redesigning the
>>> entire set of backend applications - which is really what needs to
>>> be done. The old theme sucks visually - has no spice, doesn't fit
>>> today's look and feel guidelines AT ALL, looks really old - so I'd
>>> say from someone who does this day in and day out - you're WAY off
>>> when it comes to the way that people react to it (be clear, this
>>> does not talk to using it on a day to day basis).  We've been very
>>> successful in building themes off of Bizzness Time - please are
>>> reacting in a really positive way.
>>>
>>> There is nothing other than a visual change on the BizznessTime
>>> theme.  There are no other extra widgets or the like.  it's just a
>>> reorganization of the data that's there to help give it a facelift.  
>>> I'm not talking to users - I'm talking to you and everyone else who
>>> has issues with it.  Fix it ... or go back to the old theme in your
>>> own setup - don't doom the rest of us to have to go apply first
>>> impressions with that really lame setup.
>>>
>>> As for the documentation - I'm not sure - checkout Confluence - we
>>> just dug in and tried to bring the backend apps out of the early
>>> 2000s instead of letting it sit stagnant.
>>>
>>> Cheers,
>>> Ruppert
>>> --
>>> Tim Ruppert
>>> HotWax Media
>>> http://www.hotwaxmedia.com
>>>
>>> o:801.649.6594
>>> f:801.649.6595
>>>
>>> On Oct 13, 2009, at 7:10 AM, Ruth Hoffman wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hello Tim:
>>>> If this a tool for convincing people to use OFBiz, then IMO, we are
>>>> way off the mark. The backend applications where the BiznessTime
>>>> theme has been applied are designed for end-users who may not and
>>>> probably do not have any experience with HTML or CSS. Lets not
>>>> forget who our audience is here.
>>>>
>>>> If the foundation, as you say is so solid (and I have not doubt
>>>> that it is), then reverting back to a simpler yet more accessible
>>>> theme should be the way to go.  Fancier is not always better.
>>>>
>>>> On another note, could you point me to the end-user documentation
>>>> covering  creating new themes. I'd be happy to try this out and
>>>> post my findings.
>>>>
>>>> Regards,
>>>> Ruth
>>>> ----------------------------------------------------
>>>> Ruth Hoffman, Author, Mentor & OFBiz Enthusiast
>>>> [hidden email]
>>>> Looking for more OFBiz info, please visit my website:
>>>> http://www.myofbiz.com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Tim Ruppert wrote:
>>>>> We exclusively use the BizznessTime theme with clients because
>>>>> it's WAY easier to change, skin and adapt to everyone's liking /
>>>>> look and feel.  I think it would be a huge mistake to roll it back
>>>>> to the Flat Grey as we have not had any of the same problems once
>>>>> everyone gets over the initial shock of seeing something different.
>>>>>
>>>>> If the community wants to roll it back - then go for it - but it
>>>>> isn't wise.  FIX the problems that you don't like in the
>>>>> BizznessTime theme, or create one of your own - it's easy to do -
>>>>> this is a much more solid foundation to build on then the old (and
>>>>> looking really old) theme that's been in there since the
>>>>> beginning.  Have any of you tried to edit the CSS to make any
>>>>> changes that might not make it so "large"?  It should be pretty
>>>>> easy with this setup.
>>>>>
>>>>> Anyways, think on it and do what you will do, but remember this is
>>>>> still a tool for convincing people to use OFBiz.  I'd leave this
>>>>> in place and change it to the ugly, ugly in your own installations
>>>>> before I wanted to go back to Flay Grey as a sales tool ....
>>>>>
>>>>> Cheers,
>>>>> Ruppert
>>>>> --
>>>>> Tim Ruppert
>>>>> HotWax Media
>>>>> http://www.hotwaxmedia.com
>>>>>
>>>>> o:801.649.6594
>>>>> f:801.649.6595
>>>>>
>>>>> On Oct 13, 2009, at 3:40 AM, Jacques Le Roux wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Hi Hans,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> So far,
>>>>>> * it seems that most people find things too large and prefer to
>>>>>> zoom out.
>>>>>> * it seems also that not much specific bugs were reported, and
>>>>>> those reported should be easily fixed (not quite sure though...)
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I repeat myself about where to report about this subject : create
>>>>>> a subtask at https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/OFBIZ-2398
>>>>>>
>>>>>> In his 1st reply Chris Snow suggested a change. But I'm not sure
>>>>>> it's enough for doing the same thing as a zoom out
>>>>>> Maybe we could ask Ryan Foster if it's possble to shrink the size
>>>>>> (of everything ) else we may vote for the "return of Flat Grey"
>>>>>> as default
>>>>>> theme.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> What do you people think ?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Jacques
>>>>>> PS : Hans I saw you opened a subtask for the field size issue,
>>>>>> thanks!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> From: "Hans Bakker" <[hidden email]
>>>>>> <mailto:[hidden email]>>
>>>>>>> Sure the Business theme looks good but.....
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> The general problem is that the characters, fields and actually
>>>>>>> everything is far too big....If i specify a field to be 2
>>>>>>> characters, at
>>>>>>> least 5 fit in....
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> So set the default to flat_gray in general properties is perhaps
>>>>>>> better.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>> Hans
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Mon, 2009-10-12 at 16:19 +0200, Jacques Le Roux wrote:
>>>>>>>> Hi,
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I'd like to know what the community thinks about Bizness Time
>>>>>>>> as default theme.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Do you use it?
>>>>>>>> Do you change for another theme ?
>>>>>>>> Which one fo you prefer?
>>>>>>>> Did you find bugs in one of the theme but not another?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Thanks
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Jacques
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>> Antwebsystems.com <http://Antwebsystems.com>: Quality OFBiz
>>>>>>> services for competitive rates
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>
>
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Re: Default theme ?

Tim Ruppert
If you have changes to the theme - submit them or fix them.  This  
theme has been tested and is in fact used by many people that we work  
with.  We do not have all of the problems you mentioned.  There's NO  
reason to start with Flat Grey - use the current theme - with the  
current design and fix the issues.

It wasn't crap when it was put forward, it was tested and used - so  
please your best to not insult others as well :)  Read Foster's email  
for where and why we did what we did and go from there.  I'm at least  
as interested as everyone in the community at fixing all of the crap  
in OFBiz - as evidenced by the amazing amount of investment in time  
and money that's been made by our company.

Cheers,
Ruppert
--
Tim Ruppert
HotWax Media
http://www.hotwaxmedia.com

o:801.649.6594
f:801.649.6595

On Oct 13, 2009, at 9:46 AM, Ruth Hoffman wrote:

> Hi Tim:
> This will probably start a "flame war" (if those things still  
> happen :-), but again this is all for what I feel is the betterment  
> of the project. Please see my comments inline:
>
> Tim Ruppert wrote:
>> Inline
>>
>> Cheers,
>> Ruppert
>>
>> On Oct 13, 2009, at 8:09 AM, Ruth Hoffman wrote:
>>
>>> Hi Tim:
>>> I fully understand your point of view and the constraints we all  
>>> labor under. Whether the old theme sucks or not is not in question  
>>> here.
>>>
>>> First question I have for you is what "guidelines" are you  
>>> referring to?
>>
>> Take a look at BizznessTime and then at Flat Grey and let me know  
>> when you think each were designed from a look and feel  
>> perspective?  That's the point here - first impressions of whether  
>> or not this project is stale or not.  This is why it was developed  
>> and it can have a huge impact on the people that see it for the  
>> first time.  Not to mention that as I said, my customers have  
>> custom themes built on BizznessTime and are happy with them ...
>>
> You didn't answer my question. What guidelines?
> I'm not disputing that your customers have nice themes. You, or your  
> company probably built them. Good for you! As a service provider,  
> this attitude towards the code base works in your favor. As an end-
> user, maybe this approach towards the project code base doesn't work  
> so well. Please reconsider.
Right, I'm trying to keep the code base crappy so I have to explain to  
more and more people how we could fix it for them.  That makes no sense.

>>> Secondly, why should a new user have to change a theme in order to  
>>> use OFBiz applications. If, as you say its easy to change a theme,  
>>> then it should be incumbent on the knowledgeable experienced OFBiz  
>>> user to change themes and not the new user. New users have enough  
>>> on their plate just learning how the applications work.
>>
>> I'm talking about demo.ofbiz.org having a current looking theme so  
>> that when people want to see the application for the first time,  
>> they're not asking if we started with the backend design in 2001  
>> and then forgot to update it :)  If you guys want that to be a  
>> deployment setting for the demo store - I'm happy to do it that way  
>> - let's just not act like the old theme is what is making OFBiz  
>> happen.
>>
> So am I. Lets talk about the demo site. On a recent visit (2 days  
> ago) what I saw was embarrassing and hence my comment about pride of  
> ownership.
>
> I'd like to "call you to the carpet" on making "OFBiz happen". How  
> many new user's to OFBiz (I'm talking end-users) have been  
> "convinced" to adopt based on theme changes? Do you even know? If  
> you can show me the numbers, then I will gladly change my tune.
No numbers - but from a sales perspective it's been MUCH better  
received by all new people.  Keep in mind, I'm not talking about  
techies - I'm talking about business people who will eventually use  
the applications.

>>> Thirdly, please don't throw around "its easy" to do something  
>>> without siting references. You insult my intelligence and every  
>>> other reader on this list by implying that anything concerning  
>>> recent releases of OFBiz is "easy".
>>
>> Please Ruth - come on.  If you're not sure where the themes are,  
>> then please use a browser tool to tell you where the CSS is that  
>> drives the theme and tinker with it.  If I had the references for  
>> you in my hands - I'll lay them out like a towel - but since I  
>> didn't, I declined to send you to the wrong place.  Me and the  
>> other readers (and my employees) dove in on the theme concept and  
>> tried our best to come up with something quickly that would make an  
>> impact in the release.  I think we accomplished that in a big way.  
>> If it's not good, then please help to make it better rather than  
>> turning back to something that's not pushing forward (on the design  
>> front).
>>
> Tim, we are not talking about me. I know how to do this. I've spent  
> several years working with all aspects of OFBiz from the front-end  
> CSS to writing modifications to the Entity Engine to support  
> database field types not supported by OFBiz. I'm talking about new  
> users.
Well that's great- wasn't sure by your message.

> I have tried to "make it better" by submitting JIRA issues.
> How about if we start over with a design document and a baseline  
> that we know works - perhaps the Flat Grey theme, and go forward  
> from there. Give me developer/access rights to the code base and I'd  
> gladly help out.

Feel free to start that process, but I insist that you start from the  
new standard - not the old one.

>> I'd much rather see these kinks worked out - since we're only  
>> talking about CSS - not the magic of the screen widget / form  
>> widget, etc.  In this case, "easy" means that any web developer in  
>> the world that does "Inspect Element" on Safari or anything else -  
>> will be able to see where the CSS is - since that's 99% of how  
>> these themes are messed with in the first place.
>>
> I agree with you here concerning working out the kinks. Where we  
> diverge is: I don't think it is up to end-users to do testing for  
> the project. Don't commit code (themes or otherwise) that has not  
> been tested. Don't make changes to OFBiz until those changes have  
> been tested. Its pretty simple.
Are you insinuating that we do this?  I certainly hope not.

> Again, end-users have enough on their plate just learning the  
> applications. And, perhaps more importantly, end-user's for the  
> backend applications are not the same web developers you reference  
> here.
>
> You obviously see all this from a service provider's point of view  
> and not an end-user. Please understand, I don't provide OFBiz  
> development, deployment or integration services. I am an advocate  
> for end-users. IMO, if we don't get more end-users looking at OFBiz,  
> you might as well kiss this project good-bye.
We can agree on that front for sure.  I see this from an adoption  
standpoint - and that old 1990's theme ain't getting anyone off the  
mat to use OFBiz - I can promise you that.

> Its all about mindshare, and while OFBiz has been good to you and  
> HotWax, your attitude is very similar to the "proprietary" mindset  
> of some software vendors that shall remain unnamed.
>
> Please take off your service provider hat and look at all this from  
> a potential new end-user.

Please put on your I'll dive in and fix these minor issues - instead  
of sitting back and being a purist.  That's what we do and I hope to  
see you do the same.  What you're doing on the end user spectrum will  
undoubtedly be a big help, but just sitting back or rolling back  
doesn't get the issues resolved.  Thanks for submitting bugs - they're  
all over the system and we're in there fixing them daily ....

>>>
>>> Regards,
>>> Ruth
>>>
>>> ----------------------------------------------------
>>> Ruth Hoffman, Author, Mentor & OFBiz Enthusiast
>>> [hidden email]
>>> Looking for more OFBiz info, please visit my website: http://www.myofbiz.com
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Tim Ruppert wrote:
>>>> We are all working within the constraints of _not_ redesigning  
>>>> the entire set of backend applications - which is really what  
>>>> needs to be done. The old theme sucks visually - has no spice,  
>>>> doesn't fit today's look and feel guidelines AT ALL, looks really  
>>>> old - so I'd say from someone who does this day in and day out -  
>>>> you're WAY off when it comes to the way that people react to it  
>>>> (be clear, this does not talk to using it on a day to day  
>>>> basis).  We've been very successful in building themes off of  
>>>> Bizzness Time - please are reacting in a really positive way.
>>>>
>>>> There is nothing other than a visual change on the BizznessTime  
>>>> theme.  There are no other extra widgets or the like.  it's just  
>>>> a reorganization of the data that's there to help give it a  
>>>> facelift.  I'm not talking to users - I'm talking to you and  
>>>> everyone else who has issues with it.  Fix it ... or go back to  
>>>> the old theme in your own setup - don't doom the rest of us to  
>>>> have to go apply first impressions with that really lame setup.
>>>>
>>>> As for the documentation - I'm not sure - checkout Confluence -  
>>>> we just dug in and tried to bring the backend apps out of the  
>>>> early 2000s instead of letting it sit stagnant.
>>>>
>>>> Cheers,
>>>> Ruppert
>>>> --
>>>> Tim Ruppert
>>>> HotWax Media
>>>> http://www.hotwaxmedia.com
>>>>
>>>> o:801.649.6594
>>>> f:801.649.6595
>>>>
>>>> On Oct 13, 2009, at 7:10 AM, Ruth Hoffman wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Hello Tim:
>>>>> If this a tool for convincing people to use OFBiz, then IMO, we  
>>>>> are way off the mark. The backend applications where the  
>>>>> BiznessTime theme has been applied are designed for end-users  
>>>>> who may not and probably do not have any experience with HTML or  
>>>>> CSS. Lets not forget who our audience is here.
>>>>>
>>>>> If the foundation, as you say is so solid (and I have not doubt  
>>>>> that it is), then reverting back to a simpler yet more  
>>>>> accessible theme should be the way to go.  Fancier is not always  
>>>>> better.
>>>>>
>>>>> On another note, could you point me to the end-user  
>>>>> documentation covering  creating new themes. I'd be happy to try  
>>>>> this out and post my findings.
>>>>>
>>>>> Regards,
>>>>> Ruth
>>>>> ----------------------------------------------------
>>>>> Ruth Hoffman, Author, Mentor & OFBiz Enthusiast
>>>>> [hidden email]
>>>>> Looking for more OFBiz info, please visit my website: http://www.myofbiz.com
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Tim Ruppert wrote:
>>>>>> We exclusively use the BizznessTime theme with clients because  
>>>>>> it's WAY easier to change, skin and adapt to everyone's  
>>>>>> liking / look and feel.  I think it would be a huge mistake to  
>>>>>> roll it back to the Flat Grey as we have not had any of the  
>>>>>> same problems once everyone gets over the initial shock of  
>>>>>> seeing something different.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> If the community wants to roll it back - then go for it - but  
>>>>>> it isn't wise.  FIX the problems that you don't like in the  
>>>>>> BizznessTime theme, or create one of your own - it's easy to do  
>>>>>> - this is a much more solid foundation to build on then the old  
>>>>>> (and looking really old) theme that's been in there since the  
>>>>>> beginning.  Have any of you tried to edit the CSS to make any  
>>>>>> changes that might not make it so "large"?  It should be pretty  
>>>>>> easy with this setup.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Anyways, think on it and do what you will do, but remember this  
>>>>>> is still a tool for convincing people to use OFBiz.  I'd leave  
>>>>>> this in place and change it to the ugly, ugly in your own  
>>>>>> installations before I wanted to go back to Flay Grey as a  
>>>>>> sales tool ....
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Cheers,
>>>>>> Ruppert
>>>>>> --
>>>>>> Tim Ruppert
>>>>>> HotWax Media
>>>>>> http://www.hotwaxmedia.com
>>>>>>
>>>>>> o:801.649.6594
>>>>>> f:801.649.6595
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Oct 13, 2009, at 3:40 AM, Jacques Le Roux wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Hi Hans,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> So far,
>>>>>>> * it seems that most people find things too large and prefer  
>>>>>>> to zoom out.
>>>>>>> * it seems also that not much specific bugs were reported, and  
>>>>>>> those reported should be easily fixed (not quite sure though...)
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I repeat myself about where to report about this subject :  
>>>>>>> create a subtask at https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/OFBIZ-2398
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> In his 1st reply Chris Snow suggested a change. But I'm not  
>>>>>>> sure it's enough for doing the same thing as a zoom out
>>>>>>> Maybe we could ask Ryan Foster if it's possble to shrink the  
>>>>>>> size (of everything ) else we may vote for the "return of Flat  
>>>>>>> Grey" as default
>>>>>>> theme.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> What do you people think ?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Jacques
>>>>>>> PS : Hans I saw you opened a subtask for the field size issue,  
>>>>>>> thanks!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> From: "Hans Bakker" <[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]
>>>>>>> >>
>>>>>>>> Sure the Business theme looks good but.....
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> The general problem is that the characters, fields and actually
>>>>>>>> everything is far too big....If i specify a field to be 2  
>>>>>>>> characters, at
>>>>>>>> least 5 fit in....
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> So set the default to flat_gray in general properties is  
>>>>>>>> perhaps better.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>>> Hans
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On Mon, 2009-10-12 at 16:19 +0200, Jacques Le Roux wrote:
>>>>>>>>> Hi,
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> I'd like to know what the community thinks about Bizness  
>>>>>>>>> Time as default theme.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Do you use it?
>>>>>>>>> Do you change for another theme ?
>>>>>>>>> Which one fo you prefer?
>>>>>>>>> Did you find bugs in one of the theme but not another?
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Thanks
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Jacques
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>> Antwebsystems.com <http://Antwebsystems.com>: Quality OFBiz  
>>>>>>>> services for competitive rates
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>
>>


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Re: Default theme ?

BJ Freeman
In reply to this post by Ruth Hoffman-2
This seems a lot to-do about nothing, reference, the default, since if
someone wants to demo the demo site they can change the theme.

also I think it is mute since so many use the Site and change things
when someone else is on they change languages and themes, that it would
be theme wars on the Demo site, for all practical purposes.

The valid discussion, to me, is the architectures of the themes, not a
specific theme, since anyone can create a theme and submit it for inclusion.

What themes can support and not support is valuable for those that want
to create themes.

I would like to see, general support that looks at the browser functions
to determine what to present. Like does support javascript if not then
server up a basic page. So there would always be a basic text page
template for the browser where the user has turned off features

Also Themes that address Color blind people and Those of us that have
trouble with fonts.
The last one really takes on a new dimensions, since have we already
found out, some translation cause justification problems

My view of current themes is they show what can be done and are good
learning tools.



Tim Ruppert sent the following on 10/13/2009 9:44 AM:

> If you have changes to the theme - submit them or fix them.  This theme
> has been tested and is in fact used by many people that we work with.
> We do not have all of the problems you mentioned.  There's NO reason to
> start with Flat Grey - use the current theme - with the current design
> and fix the issues.
>
> It wasn't crap when it was put forward, it was tested and used - so
> please your best to not insult others as well :)  Read Foster's email
> for where and why we did what we did and go from there.  I'm at least as
> interested as everyone in the community at fixing all of the crap in
> OFBiz - as evidenced by the amazing amount of investment in time and
> money that's been made by our company.
>
> Cheers,
> Ruppert
> --
> Tim Ruppert
> HotWax Media
> http://www.hotwaxmedia.com
>
> o:801.649.6594
> f:801.649.6595
>
> On Oct 13, 2009, at 9:46 AM, Ruth Hoffman wrote:
>
>> Hi Tim:
>> This will probably start a "flame war" (if those things still happen
>> :-), but again this is all for what I feel is the betterment of the
>> project. Please see my comments inline:
>>
>> Tim Ruppert wrote:
>>> Inline
>>>
>>> Cheers,
>>> Ruppert
>>>
>>> On Oct 13, 2009, at 8:09 AM, Ruth Hoffman wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hi Tim:
>>>> I fully understand your point of view and the constraints we all
>>>> labor under. Whether the old theme sucks or not is not in question
>>>> here.
>>>>
>>>> First question I have for you is what "guidelines" are you referring
>>>> to?
>>>
>>> Take a look at BizznessTime and then at Flat Grey and let me know
>>> when you think each were designed from a look and feel perspective?
>>> That's the point here - first impressions of whether or not this
>>> project is stale or not.  This is why it was developed and it can
>>> have a huge impact on the people that see it for the first time.  Not
>>> to mention that as I said, my customers have custom themes built on
>>> BizznessTime and are happy with them ...
>>>
>> You didn't answer my question. What guidelines?
>> I'm not disputing that your customers have nice themes. You, or your
>> company probably built them. Good for you! As a service provider, this
>> attitude towards the code base works in your favor. As an end-user,
>> maybe this approach towards the project code base doesn't work so
>> well. Please reconsider.
>
> Right, I'm trying to keep the code base crappy so I have to explain to
> more and more people how we could fix it for them.  That makes no sense.
>
>>>> Secondly, why should a new user have to change a theme in order to
>>>> use OFBiz applications. If, as you say its easy to change a theme,
>>>> then it should be incumbent on the knowledgeable experienced OFBiz
>>>> user to change themes and not the new user. New users have enough on
>>>> their plate just learning how the applications work.
>>>
>>> I'm talking about demo.ofbiz.org having a current looking theme so
>>> that when people want to see the application for the first time,
>>> they're not asking if we started with the backend design in 2001 and
>>> then forgot to update it :)  If you guys want that to be a deployment
>>> setting for the demo store - I'm happy to do it that way - let's just
>>> not act like the old theme is what is making OFBiz happen.
>>>
>> So am I. Lets talk about the demo site. On a recent visit (2 days ago)
>> what I saw was embarrassing and hence my comment about pride of
>> ownership.
>>
>> I'd like to "call you to the carpet" on making "OFBiz happen". How
>> many new user's to OFBiz (I'm talking end-users) have been "convinced"
>> to adopt based on theme changes? Do you even know? If you can show me
>> the numbers, then I will gladly change my tune.
>
> No numbers - but from a sales perspective it's been MUCH better received
> by all new people.  Keep in mind, I'm not talking about techies - I'm
> talking about business people who will eventually use the applications.
>
>>>> Thirdly, please don't throw around "its easy" to do something
>>>> without siting references. You insult my intelligence and every
>>>> other reader on this list by implying that anything concerning
>>>> recent releases of OFBiz is "easy".
>>>
>>> Please Ruth - come on.  If you're not sure where the themes are, then
>>> please use a browser tool to tell you where the CSS is that drives
>>> the theme and tinker with it.  If I had the references for you in my
>>> hands - I'll lay them out like a towel - but since I didn't, I
>>> declined to send you to the wrong place.  Me and the other readers
>>> (and my employees) dove in on the theme concept and tried our best to
>>> come up with something quickly that would make an impact in the
>>> release.  I think we accomplished that in a big way.  If it's not
>>> good, then please help to make it better rather than turning back to
>>> something that's not pushing forward (on the design front).
>>>
>> Tim, we are not talking about me. I know how to do this. I've spent
>> several years working with all aspects of OFBiz from the front-end CSS
>> to writing modifications to the Entity Engine to support database
>> field types not supported by OFBiz. I'm talking about new users.
>
> Well that's great- wasn't sure by your message.
>
>> I have tried to "make it better" by submitting JIRA issues.
>> How about if we start over with a design document and a baseline that
>> we know works - perhaps the Flat Grey theme, and go forward from
>> there. Give me developer/access rights to the code base and I'd gladly
>> help out.
>
> Feel free to start that process, but I insist that you start from the
> new standard - not the old one.
>
>>> I'd much rather see these kinks worked out - since we're only talking
>>> about CSS - not the magic of the screen widget / form widget, etc.
>>> In this case, "easy" means that any web developer in the world that
>>> does "Inspect Element" on Safari or anything else - will be able to
>>> see where the CSS is - since that's 99% of how these themes are
>>> messed with in the first place.
>>>
>> I agree with you here concerning working out the kinks. Where we
>> diverge is: I don't think it is up to end-users to do testing for the
>> project. Don't commit code (themes or otherwise) that has not been
>> tested. Don't make changes to OFBiz until those changes have been
>> tested. Its pretty simple.
>
> Are you insinuating that we do this?  I certainly hope not.
>
>> Again, end-users have enough on their plate just learning the
>> applications. And, perhaps more importantly, end-user's for the
>> backend applications are not the same web developers you reference here.
>>
>> You obviously see all this from a service provider's point of view and
>> not an end-user. Please understand, I don't provide OFBiz development,
>> deployment or integration services. I am an advocate for end-users.
>> IMO, if we don't get more end-users looking at OFBiz, you might as
>> well kiss this project good-bye.
>
> We can agree on that front for sure.  I see this from an adoption
> standpoint - and that old 1990's theme ain't getting anyone off the mat
> to use OFBiz - I can promise you that.
>
>> Its all about mindshare, and while OFBiz has been good to you and
>> HotWax, your attitude is very similar to the "proprietary" mindset of
>> some software vendors that shall remain unnamed.
>>
>> Please take off your service provider hat and look at all this from a
>> potential new end-user.
>
> Please put on your I'll dive in and fix these minor issues - instead of
> sitting back and being a purist.  That's what we do and I hope to see
> you do the same.  What you're doing on the end user spectrum will
> undoubtedly be a big help, but just sitting back or rolling back doesn't
> get the issues resolved.  Thanks for submitting bugs - they're all over
> the system and we're in there fixing them daily ....
>
>>>>
>>>> Regards,
>>>> Ruth
>>>>
>>>> ----------------------------------------------------
>>>> Ruth Hoffman, Author, Mentor & OFBiz Enthusiast
>>>> [hidden email]
>>>> Looking for more OFBiz info, please visit my website:
>>>> http://www.myofbiz.com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Tim Ruppert wrote:
>>>>> We are all working within the constraints of _not_ redesigning the
>>>>> entire set of backend applications - which is really what needs to
>>>>> be done. The old theme sucks visually - has no spice, doesn't fit
>>>>> today's look and feel guidelines AT ALL, looks really old - so I'd
>>>>> say from someone who does this day in and day out - you're WAY off
>>>>> when it comes to the way that people react to it (be clear, this
>>>>> does not talk to using it on a day to day basis).  We've been very
>>>>> successful in building themes off of Bizzness Time - please are
>>>>> reacting in a really positive way.
>>>>>
>>>>> There is nothing other than a visual change on the BizznessTime
>>>>> theme.  There are no other extra widgets or the like.  it's just a
>>>>> reorganization of the data that's there to help give it a
>>>>> facelift.  I'm not talking to users - I'm talking to you and
>>>>> everyone else who has issues with it.  Fix it ... or go back to the
>>>>> old theme in your own setup - don't doom the rest of us to have to
>>>>> go apply first impressions with that really lame setup.
>>>>>
>>>>> As for the documentation - I'm not sure - checkout Confluence - we
>>>>> just dug in and tried to bring the backend apps out of the early
>>>>> 2000s instead of letting it sit stagnant.
>>>>>
>>>>> Cheers,
>>>>> Ruppert
>>>>> --
>>>>> Tim Ruppert
>>>>> HotWax Media
>>>>> http://www.hotwaxmedia.com
>>>>>
>>>>> o:801.649.6594
>>>>> f:801.649.6595
>>>>>
>>>>> On Oct 13, 2009, at 7:10 AM, Ruth Hoffman wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Hello Tim:
>>>>>> If this a tool for convincing people to use OFBiz, then IMO, we
>>>>>> are way off the mark. The backend applications where the
>>>>>> BiznessTime theme has been applied are designed for end-users who
>>>>>> may not and probably do not have any experience with HTML or CSS.
>>>>>> Lets not forget who our audience is here.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> If the foundation, as you say is so solid (and I have not doubt
>>>>>> that it is), then reverting back to a simpler yet more accessible
>>>>>> theme should be the way to go.  Fancier is not always better.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On another note, could you point me to the end-user documentation
>>>>>> covering  creating new themes. I'd be happy to try this out and
>>>>>> post my findings.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>> Ruth
>>>>>> ----------------------------------------------------
>>>>>> Ruth Hoffman, Author, Mentor & OFBiz Enthusiast
>>>>>> [hidden email]
>>>>>> Looking for more OFBiz info, please visit my website:
>>>>>> http://www.myofbiz.com
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Tim Ruppert wrote:
>>>>>>> We exclusively use the BizznessTime theme with clients because
>>>>>>> it's WAY easier to change, skin and adapt to everyone's liking /
>>>>>>> look and feel.  I think it would be a huge mistake to roll it
>>>>>>> back to the Flat Grey as we have not had any of the same problems
>>>>>>> once everyone gets over the initial shock of seeing something
>>>>>>> different.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> If the community wants to roll it back - then go for it - but it
>>>>>>> isn't wise.  FIX the problems that you don't like in the
>>>>>>> BizznessTime theme, or create one of your own - it's easy to do -
>>>>>>> this is a much more solid foundation to build on then the old
>>>>>>> (and looking really old) theme that's been in there since the
>>>>>>> beginning.  Have any of you tried to edit the CSS to make any
>>>>>>> changes that might not make it so "large"?  It should be pretty
>>>>>>> easy with this setup.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Anyways, think on it and do what you will do, but remember this
>>>>>>> is still a tool for convincing people to use OFBiz.  I'd leave
>>>>>>> this in place and change it to the ugly, ugly in your own
>>>>>>> installations before I wanted to go back to Flay Grey as a sales
>>>>>>> tool ....
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Cheers,
>>>>>>> Ruppert
>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>> Tim Ruppert
>>>>>>> HotWax Media
>>>>>>> http://www.hotwaxmedia.com
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> o:801.649.6594
>>>>>>> f:801.649.6595
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Oct 13, 2009, at 3:40 AM, Jacques Le Roux wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Hi Hans,
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> So far,
>>>>>>>> * it seems that most people find things too large and prefer to
>>>>>>>> zoom out.
>>>>>>>> * it seems also that not much specific bugs were reported, and
>>>>>>>> those reported should be easily fixed (not quite sure though...)
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I repeat myself about where to report about this subject :
>>>>>>>> create a subtask at
>>>>>>>> https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/OFBIZ-2398
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> In his 1st reply Chris Snow suggested a change. But I'm not sure
>>>>>>>> it's enough for doing the same thing as a zoom out
>>>>>>>> Maybe we could ask Ryan Foster if it's possble to shrink the
>>>>>>>> size (of everything ) else we may vote for the "return of Flat
>>>>>>>> Grey" as default
>>>>>>>> theme.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> What do you people think ?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Jacques
>>>>>>>> PS : Hans I saw you opened a subtask for the field size issue,
>>>>>>>> thanks!
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> From: "Hans Bakker" <[hidden email]
>>>>>>>> <mailto:[hidden email]>>
>>>>>>>>> Sure the Business theme looks good but.....
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> The general problem is that the characters, fields and actually
>>>>>>>>> everything is far too big....If i specify a field to be 2
>>>>>>>>> characters, at
>>>>>>>>> least 5 fit in....
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> So set the default to flat_gray in general properties is
>>>>>>>>> perhaps better.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>>>> Hans
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> On Mon, 2009-10-12 at 16:19 +0200, Jacques Le Roux wrote:
>>>>>>>>>> Hi,
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> I'd like to know what the community thinks about Bizness Time
>>>>>>>>>> as default theme.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Do you use it?
>>>>>>>>>> Do you change for another theme ?
>>>>>>>>>> Which one fo you prefer?
>>>>>>>>>> Did you find bugs in one of the theme but not another?
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Thanks
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Jacques
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>>> Antwebsystems.com <http://Antwebsystems.com>: Quality OFBiz
>>>>>>>>> services for competitive rates
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>
>

--
BJ Freeman
http://www.businessesnetwork.com/automation
http://bjfreeman.elance.com
http://www.linkedin.com/profile?viewProfile=&key=1237480&locale=en_US&trk=tab_pro
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Re: Default theme ?

BJ Freeman
In reply to this post by Ruth Hoffman-2
Forgot one point, if your a company you should be able to support you
own demo site. Dedicated Servers these days cost about $100. Then you
can have it any way you want.

BJ Freeman sent the following on 10/13/2009 10:03 AM:

> This seems a lot to-do about nothing, reference, the default, since if
> someone wants to demo the demo site they can change the theme.
>
> also I think it is mute since so many use the Site and change things
> when someone else is on they change languages and themes, that it would
> be theme wars on the Demo site, for all practical purposes.
>
> The valid discussion, to me, is the architectures of the themes, not a
> specific theme, since anyone can create a theme and submit it for inclusion.
>
> What themes can support and not support is valuable for those that want
> to create themes.
>
> I would like to see, general support that looks at the browser functions
> to determine what to present. Like does support javascript if not then
> server up a basic page. So there would always be a basic text page
> template for the browser where the user has turned off features
>
> Also Themes that address Color blind people and Those of us that have
> trouble with fonts.
> The last one really takes on a new dimensions, since have we already
> found out, some translation cause justification problems
>
> My view of current themes is they show what can be done and are good
> learning tools.
>
>
>
> Tim Ruppert sent the following on 10/13/2009 9:44 AM:
>> If you have changes to the theme - submit them or fix them.  This theme
>> has been tested and is in fact used by many people that we work with.
>> We do not have all of the problems you mentioned.  There's NO reason to
>> start with Flat Grey - use the current theme - with the current design
>> and fix the issues.
>>
>> It wasn't crap when it was put forward, it was tested and used - so
>> please your best to not insult others as well :)  Read Foster's email
>> for where and why we did what we did and go from there.  I'm at least as
>> interested as everyone in the community at fixing all of the crap in
>> OFBiz - as evidenced by the amazing amount of investment in time and
>> money that's been made by our company.
>>
>> Cheers,
>> Ruppert
>> --
>> Tim Ruppert
>> HotWax Media
>> http://www.hotwaxmedia.com
>>
>> o:801.649.6594
>> f:801.649.6595
>>
>> On Oct 13, 2009, at 9:46 AM, Ruth Hoffman wrote:
>>
>>> Hi Tim:
>>> This will probably start a "flame war" (if those things still happen
>>> :-), but again this is all for what I feel is the betterment of the
>>> project. Please see my comments inline:
>>>
>>> Tim Ruppert wrote:
>>>> Inline
>>>>
>>>> Cheers,
>>>> Ruppert
>>>>
>>>> On Oct 13, 2009, at 8:09 AM, Ruth Hoffman wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Hi Tim:
>>>>> I fully understand your point of view and the constraints we all
>>>>> labor under. Whether the old theme sucks or not is not in question
>>>>> here.
>>>>>
>>>>> First question I have for you is what "guidelines" are you referring
>>>>> to?
>>>> Take a look at BizznessTime and then at Flat Grey and let me know
>>>> when you think each were designed from a look and feel perspective?
>>>> That's the point here - first impressions of whether or not this
>>>> project is stale or not.  This is why it was developed and it can
>>>> have a huge impact on the people that see it for the first time.  Not
>>>> to mention that as I said, my customers have custom themes built on
>>>> BizznessTime and are happy with them ...
>>>>
>>> You didn't answer my question. What guidelines?
>>> I'm not disputing that your customers have nice themes. You, or your
>>> company probably built them. Good for you! As a service provider, this
>>> attitude towards the code base works in your favor. As an end-user,
>>> maybe this approach towards the project code base doesn't work so
>>> well. Please reconsider.
>> Right, I'm trying to keep the code base crappy so I have to explain to
>> more and more people how we could fix it for them.  That makes no sense.
>>
>>>>> Secondly, why should a new user have to change a theme in order to
>>>>> use OFBiz applications. If, as you say its easy to change a theme,
>>>>> then it should be incumbent on the knowledgeable experienced OFBiz
>>>>> user to change themes and not the new user. New users have enough on
>>>>> their plate just learning how the applications work.
>>>> I'm talking about demo.ofbiz.org having a current looking theme so
>>>> that when people want to see the application for the first time,
>>>> they're not asking if we started with the backend design in 2001 and
>>>> then forgot to update it :)  If you guys want that to be a deployment
>>>> setting for the demo store - I'm happy to do it that way - let's just
>>>> not act like the old theme is what is making OFBiz happen.
>>>>
>>> So am I. Lets talk about the demo site. On a recent visit (2 days ago)
>>> what I saw was embarrassing and hence my comment about pride of
>>> ownership.
>>>
>>> I'd like to "call you to the carpet" on making "OFBiz happen". How
>>> many new user's to OFBiz (I'm talking end-users) have been "convinced"
>>> to adopt based on theme changes? Do you even know? If you can show me
>>> the numbers, then I will gladly change my tune.
>> No numbers - but from a sales perspective it's been MUCH better received
>> by all new people.  Keep in mind, I'm not talking about techies - I'm
>> talking about business people who will eventually use the applications.
>>
>>>>> Thirdly, please don't throw around "its easy" to do something
>>>>> without siting references. You insult my intelligence and every
>>>>> other reader on this list by implying that anything concerning
>>>>> recent releases of OFBiz is "easy".
>>>> Please Ruth - come on.  If you're not sure where the themes are, then
>>>> please use a browser tool to tell you where the CSS is that drives
>>>> the theme and tinker with it.  If I had the references for you in my
>>>> hands - I'll lay them out like a towel - but since I didn't, I
>>>> declined to send you to the wrong place.  Me and the other readers
>>>> (and my employees) dove in on the theme concept and tried our best to
>>>> come up with something quickly that would make an impact in the
>>>> release.  I think we accomplished that in a big way.  If it's not
>>>> good, then please help to make it better rather than turning back to
>>>> something that's not pushing forward (on the design front).
>>>>
>>> Tim, we are not talking about me. I know how to do this. I've spent
>>> several years working with all aspects of OFBiz from the front-end CSS
>>> to writing modifications to the Entity Engine to support database
>>> field types not supported by OFBiz. I'm talking about new users.
>> Well that's great- wasn't sure by your message.
>>
>>> I have tried to "make it better" by submitting JIRA issues.
>>> How about if we start over with a design document and a baseline that
>>> we know works - perhaps the Flat Grey theme, and go forward from
>>> there. Give me developer/access rights to the code base and I'd gladly
>>> help out.
>> Feel free to start that process, but I insist that you start from the
>> new standard - not the old one.
>>
>>>> I'd much rather see these kinks worked out - since we're only talking
>>>> about CSS - not the magic of the screen widget / form widget, etc.
>>>> In this case, "easy" means that any web developer in the world that
>>>> does "Inspect Element" on Safari or anything else - will be able to
>>>> see where the CSS is - since that's 99% of how these themes are
>>>> messed with in the first place.
>>>>
>>> I agree with you here concerning working out the kinks. Where we
>>> diverge is: I don't think it is up to end-users to do testing for the
>>> project. Don't commit code (themes or otherwise) that has not been
>>> tested. Don't make changes to OFBiz until those changes have been
>>> tested. Its pretty simple.
>> Are you insinuating that we do this?  I certainly hope not.
>>
>>> Again, end-users have enough on their plate just learning the
>>> applications. And, perhaps more importantly, end-user's for the
>>> backend applications are not the same web developers you reference here.
>>>
>>> You obviously see all this from a service provider's point of view and
>>> not an end-user. Please understand, I don't provide OFBiz development,
>>> deployment or integration services. I am an advocate for end-users.
>>> IMO, if we don't get more end-users looking at OFBiz, you might as
>>> well kiss this project good-bye.
>> We can agree on that front for sure.  I see this from an adoption
>> standpoint - and that old 1990's theme ain't getting anyone off the mat
>> to use OFBiz - I can promise you that.
>>
>>> Its all about mindshare, and while OFBiz has been good to you and
>>> HotWax, your attitude is very similar to the "proprietary" mindset of
>>> some software vendors that shall remain unnamed.
>>>
>>> Please take off your service provider hat and look at all this from a
>>> potential new end-user.
>> Please put on your I'll dive in and fix these minor issues - instead of
>> sitting back and being a purist.  That's what we do and I hope to see
>> you do the same.  What you're doing on the end user spectrum will
>> undoubtedly be a big help, but just sitting back or rolling back doesn't
>> get the issues resolved.  Thanks for submitting bugs - they're all over
>> the system and we're in there fixing them daily ....
>>
>>>>> Regards,
>>>>> Ruth
>>>>>
>>>>> ----------------------------------------------------
>>>>> Ruth Hoffman, Author, Mentor & OFBiz Enthusiast
>>>>> [hidden email]
>>>>> Looking for more OFBiz info, please visit my website:
>>>>> http://www.myofbiz.com
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Tim Ruppert wrote:
>>>>>> We are all working within the constraints of _not_ redesigning the
>>>>>> entire set of backend applications - which is really what needs to
>>>>>> be done. The old theme sucks visually - has no spice, doesn't fit
>>>>>> today's look and feel guidelines AT ALL, looks really old - so I'd
>>>>>> say from someone who does this day in and day out - you're WAY off
>>>>>> when it comes to the way that people react to it (be clear, this
>>>>>> does not talk to using it on a day to day basis).  We've been very
>>>>>> successful in building themes off of Bizzness Time - please are
>>>>>> reacting in a really positive way.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> There is nothing other than a visual change on the BizznessTime
>>>>>> theme.  There are no other extra widgets or the like.  it's just a
>>>>>> reorganization of the data that's there to help give it a
>>>>>> facelift.  I'm not talking to users - I'm talking to you and
>>>>>> everyone else who has issues with it.  Fix it ... or go back to the
>>>>>> old theme in your own setup - don't doom the rest of us to have to
>>>>>> go apply first impressions with that really lame setup.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> As for the documentation - I'm not sure - checkout Confluence - we
>>>>>> just dug in and tried to bring the backend apps out of the early
>>>>>> 2000s instead of letting it sit stagnant.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Cheers,
>>>>>> Ruppert
>>>>>> --
>>>>>> Tim Ruppert
>>>>>> HotWax Media
>>>>>> http://www.hotwaxmedia.com
>>>>>>
>>>>>> o:801.649.6594
>>>>>> f:801.649.6595
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Oct 13, 2009, at 7:10 AM, Ruth Hoffman wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Hello Tim:
>>>>>>> If this a tool for convincing people to use OFBiz, then IMO, we
>>>>>>> are way off the mark. The backend applications where the
>>>>>>> BiznessTime theme has been applied are designed for end-users who
>>>>>>> may not and probably do not have any experience with HTML or CSS.
>>>>>>> Lets not forget who our audience is here.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> If the foundation, as you say is so solid (and I have not doubt
>>>>>>> that it is), then reverting back to a simpler yet more accessible
>>>>>>> theme should be the way to go.  Fancier is not always better.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On another note, could you point me to the end-user documentation
>>>>>>> covering  creating new themes. I'd be happy to try this out and
>>>>>>> post my findings.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>> Ruth
>>>>>>> ----------------------------------------------------
>>>>>>> Ruth Hoffman, Author, Mentor & OFBiz Enthusiast
>>>>>>> [hidden email]
>>>>>>> Looking for more OFBiz info, please visit my website:
>>>>>>> http://www.myofbiz.com
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Tim Ruppert wrote:
>>>>>>>> We exclusively use the BizznessTime theme with clients because
>>>>>>>> it's WAY easier to change, skin and adapt to everyone's liking /
>>>>>>>> look and feel.  I think it would be a huge mistake to roll it
>>>>>>>> back to the Flat Grey as we have not had any of the same problems
>>>>>>>> once everyone gets over the initial shock of seeing something
>>>>>>>> different.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> If the community wants to roll it back - then go for it - but it
>>>>>>>> isn't wise.  FIX the problems that you don't like in the
>>>>>>>> BizznessTime theme, or create one of your own - it's easy to do -
>>>>>>>> this is a much more solid foundation to build on then the old
>>>>>>>> (and looking really old) theme that's been in there since the
>>>>>>>> beginning.  Have any of you tried to edit the CSS to make any
>>>>>>>> changes that might not make it so "large"?  It should be pretty
>>>>>>>> easy with this setup.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Anyways, think on it and do what you will do, but remember this
>>>>>>>> is still a tool for convincing people to use OFBiz.  I'd leave
>>>>>>>> this in place and change it to the ugly, ugly in your own
>>>>>>>> installations before I wanted to go back to Flay Grey as a sales
>>>>>>>> tool ....
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Cheers,
>>>>>>>> Ruppert
>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>> Tim Ruppert
>>>>>>>> HotWax Media
>>>>>>>> http://www.hotwaxmedia.com
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> o:801.649.6594
>>>>>>>> f:801.649.6595
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On Oct 13, 2009, at 3:40 AM, Jacques Le Roux wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Hi Hans,
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> So far,
>>>>>>>>> * it seems that most people find things too large and prefer to
>>>>>>>>> zoom out.
>>>>>>>>> * it seems also that not much specific bugs were reported, and
>>>>>>>>> those reported should be easily fixed (not quite sure though...)
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> I repeat myself about where to report about this subject :
>>>>>>>>> create a subtask at
>>>>>>>>> https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/OFBIZ-2398
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> In his 1st reply Chris Snow suggested a change. But I'm not sure
>>>>>>>>> it's enough for doing the same thing as a zoom out
>>>>>>>>> Maybe we could ask Ryan Foster if it's possble to shrink the
>>>>>>>>> size (of everything ) else we may vote for the "return of Flat
>>>>>>>>> Grey" as default
>>>>>>>>> theme.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> What do you people think ?
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Jacques
>>>>>>>>> PS : Hans I saw you opened a subtask for the field size issue,
>>>>>>>>> thanks!
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> From: "Hans Bakker" <[hidden email]
>>>>>>>>> <mailto:[hidden email]>>
>>>>>>>>>> Sure the Business theme looks good but.....
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> The general problem is that the characters, fields and actually
>>>>>>>>>> everything is far too big....If i specify a field to be 2
>>>>>>>>>> characters, at
>>>>>>>>>> least 5 fit in....
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> So set the default to flat_gray in general properties is
>>>>>>>>>> perhaps better.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>>>>> Hans
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> On Mon, 2009-10-12 at 16:19 +0200, Jacques Le Roux wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>> Hi,
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> I'd like to know what the community thinks about Bizness Time
>>>>>>>>>>> as default theme.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Do you use it?
>>>>>>>>>>> Do you change for another theme ?
>>>>>>>>>>> Which one fo you prefer?
>>>>>>>>>>> Did you find bugs in one of the theme but not another?
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Jacques
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>>>> Antwebsystems.com <http://Antwebsystems.com>: Quality OFBiz
>>>>>>>>>> services for competitive rates
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>

--
BJ Freeman
http://www.businessesnetwork.com/automation
http://bjfreeman.elance.com
http://www.linkedin.com/profile?viewProfile=&key=1237480&locale=en_US&trk=tab_pro
Systems Integrator.

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Re: Default theme ?

Tim Ruppert
Yeah - we've got our own and in fact pay for the community ones as  
well.  Just want to put the best face forward for the project.  Not  
saying the themes are perfect, but let's start from current and mod  
from there.  That's at least my vote - one of many people voting.

Cheers,
Ruppert

On Oct 13, 2009, at 11:26 AM, BJ Freeman wrote:

> Forgot one point, if your a company you should be able to support you
> own demo site. Dedicated Servers these days cost about $100. Then you
> can have it any way you want.
>
> BJ Freeman sent the following on 10/13/2009 10:03 AM:
>> This seems a lot to-do about nothing, reference, the default, since  
>> if
>> someone wants to demo the demo site they can change the theme.
>>
>> also I think it is mute since so many use the Site and change things
>> when someone else is on they change languages and themes, that it  
>> would
>> be theme wars on the Demo site, for all practical purposes.
>>
>> The valid discussion, to me, is the architectures of the themes,  
>> not a
>> specific theme, since anyone can create a theme and submit it for  
>> inclusion.
>>
>> What themes can support and not support is valuable for those that  
>> want
>> to create themes.
>>
>> I would like to see, general support that looks at the browser  
>> functions
>> to determine what to present. Like does support javascript if not  
>> then
>> server up a basic page. So there would always be a basic text page
>> template for the browser where the user has turned off features
>>
>> Also Themes that address Color blind people and Those of us that have
>> trouble with fonts.
>> The last one really takes on a new dimensions, since have we already
>> found out, some translation cause justification problems
>>
>> My view of current themes is they show what can be done and are good
>> learning tools.
>>
>>
>>
>> Tim Ruppert sent the following on 10/13/2009 9:44 AM:
>>> If you have changes to the theme - submit them or fix them.  This  
>>> theme
>>> has been tested and is in fact used by many people that we work  
>>> with.
>>> We do not have all of the problems you mentioned.  There's NO  
>>> reason to
>>> start with Flat Grey - use the current theme - with the current  
>>> design
>>> and fix the issues.
>>>
>>> It wasn't crap when it was put forward, it was tested and used - so
>>> please your best to not insult others as well :)  Read Foster's  
>>> email
>>> for where and why we did what we did and go from there.  I'm at  
>>> least as
>>> interested as everyone in the community at fixing all of the crap in
>>> OFBiz - as evidenced by the amazing amount of investment in time and
>>> money that's been made by our company.
>>>
>>> Cheers,
>>> Ruppert
>>> --
>>> Tim Ruppert
>>> HotWax Media
>>> http://www.hotwaxmedia.com
>>>
>>> o:801.649.6594
>>> f:801.649.6595
>>>
>>> On Oct 13, 2009, at 9:46 AM, Ruth Hoffman wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hi Tim:
>>>> This will probably start a "flame war" (if those things still  
>>>> happen
>>>> :-), but again this is all for what I feel is the betterment of the
>>>> project. Please see my comments inline:
>>>>
>>>> Tim Ruppert wrote:
>>>>> Inline
>>>>>
>>>>> Cheers,
>>>>> Ruppert
>>>>>
>>>>> On Oct 13, 2009, at 8:09 AM, Ruth Hoffman wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Hi Tim:
>>>>>> I fully understand your point of view and the constraints we all
>>>>>> labor under. Whether the old theme sucks or not is not in  
>>>>>> question
>>>>>> here.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> First question I have for you is what "guidelines" are you  
>>>>>> referring
>>>>>> to?
>>>>> Take a look at BizznessTime and then at Flat Grey and let me know
>>>>> when you think each were designed from a look and feel  
>>>>> perspective?
>>>>> That's the point here - first impressions of whether or not this
>>>>> project is stale or not.  This is why it was developed and it can
>>>>> have a huge impact on the people that see it for the first  
>>>>> time.  Not
>>>>> to mention that as I said, my customers have custom themes built  
>>>>> on
>>>>> BizznessTime and are happy with them ...
>>>>>
>>>> You didn't answer my question. What guidelines?
>>>> I'm not disputing that your customers have nice themes. You, or  
>>>> your
>>>> company probably built them. Good for you! As a service provider,  
>>>> this
>>>> attitude towards the code base works in your favor. As an end-user,
>>>> maybe this approach towards the project code base doesn't work so
>>>> well. Please reconsider.
>>> Right, I'm trying to keep the code base crappy so I have to  
>>> explain to
>>> more and more people how we could fix it for them.  That makes no  
>>> sense.
>>>
>>>>>> Secondly, why should a new user have to change a theme in order  
>>>>>> to
>>>>>> use OFBiz applications. If, as you say its easy to change a  
>>>>>> theme,
>>>>>> then it should be incumbent on the knowledgeable experienced  
>>>>>> OFBiz
>>>>>> user to change themes and not the new user. New users have  
>>>>>> enough on
>>>>>> their plate just learning how the applications work.
>>>>> I'm talking about demo.ofbiz.org having a current looking theme so
>>>>> that when people want to see the application for the first time,
>>>>> they're not asking if we started with the backend design in 2001  
>>>>> and
>>>>> then forgot to update it :)  If you guys want that to be a  
>>>>> deployment
>>>>> setting for the demo store - I'm happy to do it that way - let's  
>>>>> just
>>>>> not act like the old theme is what is making OFBiz happen.
>>>>>
>>>> So am I. Lets talk about the demo site. On a recent visit (2 days  
>>>> ago)
>>>> what I saw was embarrassing and hence my comment about pride of
>>>> ownership.
>>>>
>>>> I'd like to "call you to the carpet" on making "OFBiz happen". How
>>>> many new user's to OFBiz (I'm talking end-users) have been  
>>>> "convinced"
>>>> to adopt based on theme changes? Do you even know? If you can  
>>>> show me
>>>> the numbers, then I will gladly change my tune.
>>> No numbers - but from a sales perspective it's been MUCH better  
>>> received
>>> by all new people.  Keep in mind, I'm not talking about techies -  
>>> I'm
>>> talking about business people who will eventually use the  
>>> applications.
>>>
>>>>>> Thirdly, please don't throw around "its easy" to do something
>>>>>> without siting references. You insult my intelligence and every
>>>>>> other reader on this list by implying that anything concerning
>>>>>> recent releases of OFBiz is "easy".
>>>>> Please Ruth - come on.  If you're not sure where the themes are,  
>>>>> then
>>>>> please use a browser tool to tell you where the CSS is that drives
>>>>> the theme and tinker with it.  If I had the references for you  
>>>>> in my
>>>>> hands - I'll lay them out like a towel - but since I didn't, I
>>>>> declined to send you to the wrong place.  Me and the other readers
>>>>> (and my employees) dove in on the theme concept and tried our  
>>>>> best to
>>>>> come up with something quickly that would make an impact in the
>>>>> release.  I think we accomplished that in a big way.  If it's not
>>>>> good, then please help to make it better rather than turning  
>>>>> back to
>>>>> something that's not pushing forward (on the design front).
>>>>>
>>>> Tim, we are not talking about me. I know how to do this. I've spent
>>>> several years working with all aspects of OFBiz from the front-
>>>> end CSS
>>>> to writing modifications to the Entity Engine to support database
>>>> field types not supported by OFBiz. I'm talking about new users.
>>> Well that's great- wasn't sure by your message.
>>>
>>>> I have tried to "make it better" by submitting JIRA issues.
>>>> How about if we start over with a design document and a baseline  
>>>> that
>>>> we know works - perhaps the Flat Grey theme, and go forward from
>>>> there. Give me developer/access rights to the code base and I'd  
>>>> gladly
>>>> help out.
>>> Feel free to start that process, but I insist that you start from  
>>> the
>>> new standard - not the old one.
>>>
>>>>> I'd much rather see these kinks worked out - since we're only  
>>>>> talking
>>>>> about CSS - not the magic of the screen widget / form widget, etc.
>>>>> In this case, "easy" means that any web developer in the world  
>>>>> that
>>>>> does "Inspect Element" on Safari or anything else - will be able  
>>>>> to
>>>>> see where the CSS is - since that's 99% of how these themes are
>>>>> messed with in the first place.
>>>>>
>>>> I agree with you here concerning working out the kinks. Where we
>>>> diverge is: I don't think it is up to end-users to do testing for  
>>>> the
>>>> project. Don't commit code (themes or otherwise) that has not been
>>>> tested. Don't make changes to OFBiz until those changes have been
>>>> tested. Its pretty simple.
>>> Are you insinuating that we do this?  I certainly hope not.
>>>
>>>> Again, end-users have enough on their plate just learning the
>>>> applications. And, perhaps more importantly, end-user's for the
>>>> backend applications are not the same web developers you  
>>>> reference here.
>>>>
>>>> You obviously see all this from a service provider's point of  
>>>> view and
>>>> not an end-user. Please understand, I don't provide OFBiz  
>>>> development,
>>>> deployment or integration services. I am an advocate for end-users.
>>>> IMO, if we don't get more end-users looking at OFBiz, you might as
>>>> well kiss this project good-bye.
>>> We can agree on that front for sure.  I see this from an adoption
>>> standpoint - and that old 1990's theme ain't getting anyone off  
>>> the mat
>>> to use OFBiz - I can promise you that.
>>>
>>>> Its all about mindshare, and while OFBiz has been good to you and
>>>> HotWax, your attitude is very similar to the "proprietary"  
>>>> mindset of
>>>> some software vendors that shall remain unnamed.
>>>>
>>>> Please take off your service provider hat and look at all this  
>>>> from a
>>>> potential new end-user.
>>> Please put on your I'll dive in and fix these minor issues -  
>>> instead of
>>> sitting back and being a purist.  That's what we do and I hope to  
>>> see
>>> you do the same.  What you're doing on the end user spectrum will
>>> undoubtedly be a big help, but just sitting back or rolling back  
>>> doesn't
>>> get the issues resolved.  Thanks for submitting bugs - they're all  
>>> over
>>> the system and we're in there fixing them daily ....
>>>
>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>> Ruth
>>>>>>
>>>>>> ----------------------------------------------------
>>>>>> Ruth Hoffman, Author, Mentor & OFBiz Enthusiast
>>>>>> [hidden email]
>>>>>> Looking for more OFBiz info, please visit my website:
>>>>>> http://www.myofbiz.com
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Tim Ruppert wrote:
>>>>>>> We are all working within the constraints of _not_ redesigning  
>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>> entire set of backend applications - which is really what  
>>>>>>> needs to
>>>>>>> be done. The old theme sucks visually - has no spice, doesn't  
>>>>>>> fit
>>>>>>> today's look and feel guidelines AT ALL, looks really old - so  
>>>>>>> I'd
>>>>>>> say from someone who does this day in and day out - you're WAY  
>>>>>>> off
>>>>>>> when it comes to the way that people react to it (be clear, this
>>>>>>> does not talk to using it on a day to day basis).  We've been  
>>>>>>> very
>>>>>>> successful in building themes off of Bizzness Time - please are
>>>>>>> reacting in a really positive way.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> There is nothing other than a visual change on the BizznessTime
>>>>>>> theme.  There are no other extra widgets or the like.  it's  
>>>>>>> just a
>>>>>>> reorganization of the data that's there to help give it a
>>>>>>> facelift.  I'm not talking to users - I'm talking to you and
>>>>>>> everyone else who has issues with it.  Fix it ... or go back  
>>>>>>> to the
>>>>>>> old theme in your own setup - don't doom the rest of us to  
>>>>>>> have to
>>>>>>> go apply first impressions with that really lame setup.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> As for the documentation - I'm not sure - checkout Confluence  
>>>>>>> - we
>>>>>>> just dug in and tried to bring the backend apps out of the early
>>>>>>> 2000s instead of letting it sit stagnant.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Cheers,
>>>>>>> Ruppert
>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>> Tim Ruppert
>>>>>>> HotWax Media
>>>>>>> http://www.hotwaxmedia.com
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> o:801.649.6594
>>>>>>> f:801.649.6595
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Oct 13, 2009, at 7:10 AM, Ruth Hoffman wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Hello Tim:
>>>>>>>> If this a tool for convincing people to use OFBiz, then IMO, we
>>>>>>>> are way off the mark. The backend applications where the
>>>>>>>> BiznessTime theme has been applied are designed for end-users  
>>>>>>>> who
>>>>>>>> may not and probably do not have any experience with HTML or  
>>>>>>>> CSS.
>>>>>>>> Lets not forget who our audience is here.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> If the foundation, as you say is so solid (and I have not doubt
>>>>>>>> that it is), then reverting back to a simpler yet more  
>>>>>>>> accessible
>>>>>>>> theme should be the way to go.  Fancier is not always better.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On another note, could you point me to the end-user  
>>>>>>>> documentation
>>>>>>>> covering  creating new themes. I'd be happy to try this out and
>>>>>>>> post my findings.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>>> Ruth
>>>>>>>> ----------------------------------------------------
>>>>>>>> Ruth Hoffman, Author, Mentor & OFBiz Enthusiast
>>>>>>>> [hidden email]
>>>>>>>> Looking for more OFBiz info, please visit my website:
>>>>>>>> http://www.myofbiz.com
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Tim Ruppert wrote:
>>>>>>>>> We exclusively use the BizznessTime theme with clients because
>>>>>>>>> it's WAY easier to change, skin and adapt to everyone's  
>>>>>>>>> liking /
>>>>>>>>> look and feel.  I think it would be a huge mistake to roll it
>>>>>>>>> back to the Flat Grey as we have not had any of the same  
>>>>>>>>> problems
>>>>>>>>> once everyone gets over the initial shock of seeing something
>>>>>>>>> different.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> If the community wants to roll it back - then go for it -  
>>>>>>>>> but it
>>>>>>>>> isn't wise.  FIX the problems that you don't like in the
>>>>>>>>> BizznessTime theme, or create one of your own - it's easy to  
>>>>>>>>> do -
>>>>>>>>> this is a much more solid foundation to build on then the old
>>>>>>>>> (and looking really old) theme that's been in there since the
>>>>>>>>> beginning.  Have any of you tried to edit the CSS to make any
>>>>>>>>> changes that might not make it so "large"?  It should be  
>>>>>>>>> pretty
>>>>>>>>> easy with this setup.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Anyways, think on it and do what you will do, but remember  
>>>>>>>>> this
>>>>>>>>> is still a tool for convincing people to use OFBiz.  I'd leave
>>>>>>>>> this in place and change it to the ugly, ugly in your own
>>>>>>>>> installations before I wanted to go back to Flay Grey as a  
>>>>>>>>> sales
>>>>>>>>> tool ....
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Cheers,
>>>>>>>>> Ruppert
>>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>>> Tim Ruppert
>>>>>>>>> HotWax Media
>>>>>>>>> http://www.hotwaxmedia.com
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> o:801.649.6594
>>>>>>>>> f:801.649.6595
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> On Oct 13, 2009, at 3:40 AM, Jacques Le Roux wrote:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Hi Hans,
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> So far,
>>>>>>>>>> * it seems that most people find things too large and  
>>>>>>>>>> prefer to
>>>>>>>>>> zoom out.
>>>>>>>>>> * it seems also that not much specific bugs were reported,  
>>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>> those reported should be easily fixed (not quite sure  
>>>>>>>>>> though...)
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> I repeat myself about where to report about this subject :
>>>>>>>>>> create a subtask at
>>>>>>>>>> https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/OFBIZ-2398
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> In his 1st reply Chris Snow suggested a change. But I'm not  
>>>>>>>>>> sure
>>>>>>>>>> it's enough for doing the same thing as a zoom out
>>>>>>>>>> Maybe we could ask Ryan Foster if it's possble to shrink the
>>>>>>>>>> size (of everything ) else we may vote for the "return of  
>>>>>>>>>> Flat
>>>>>>>>>> Grey" as default
>>>>>>>>>> theme.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> What do you people think ?
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Jacques
>>>>>>>>>> PS : Hans I saw you opened a subtask for the field size  
>>>>>>>>>> issue,
>>>>>>>>>> thanks!
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> From: "Hans Bakker" <[hidden email]
>>>>>>>>>> <mailto:[hidden email]>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Sure the Business theme looks good but.....
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> The general problem is that the characters, fields and  
>>>>>>>>>>> actually
>>>>>>>>>>> everything is far too big....If i specify a field to be 2
>>>>>>>>>>> characters, at
>>>>>>>>>>> least 5 fit in....
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> So set the default to flat_gray in general properties is
>>>>>>>>>>> perhaps better.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>>>>>> Hans
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> On Mon, 2009-10-12 at 16:19 +0200, Jacques Le Roux wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>> Hi,
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> I'd like to know what the community thinks about Bizness  
>>>>>>>>>>>> Time
>>>>>>>>>>>> as default theme.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Do you use it?
>>>>>>>>>>>> Do you change for another theme ?
>>>>>>>>>>>> Which one fo you prefer?
>>>>>>>>>>>> Did you find bugs in one of the theme but not another?
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Jacques
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>>>>> Antwebsystems.com <http://Antwebsystems.com>: Quality OFBiz
>>>>>>>>>>> services for competitive rates
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>
>
> --
> BJ Freeman
> http://www.businessesnetwork.com/automation
> http://bjfreeman.elance.com
> http://www.linkedin.com/profile?viewProfile=&key=1237480&locale=en_US&trk=tab_pro
> Systems Integrator.
>


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Re: Default theme ?

BJ Freeman
In reply to this post by BJ Freeman
I was not pointing the server comment at you, tim.
I guess since I replied you your response that it can take it that way.


Tim Ruppert sent the following on 10/13/2009 10:29 AM:

> Yeah - we've got our own and in fact pay for the community ones as
> well.  Just want to put the best face forward for the project.  Not
> saying the themes are perfect, but let's start from current and mod from
> there.  That's at least my vote - one of many people voting.
>
> Cheers,
> Ruppert
>
> On Oct 13, 2009, at 11:26 AM, BJ Freeman wrote:
>
>> Forgot one point, if your a company you should be able to support you
>> own demo site. Dedicated Servers these days cost about $100. Then you
>> can have it any way you want.
>>
>> BJ Freeman sent the following on 10/13/2009 10:03 AM:
>>> This seems a lot to-do about nothing, reference, the default, since if
>>> someone wants to demo the demo site they can change the theme.
>>>
>>> also I think it is mute since so many use the Site and change things
>>> when someone else is on they change languages and themes, that it would
>>> be theme wars on the Demo site, for all practical purposes.
>>>
>>> The valid discussion, to me, is the architectures of the themes, not a
>>> specific theme, since anyone can create a theme and submit it for
>>> inclusion.
>>>
>>> What themes can support and not support is valuable for those that want
>>> to create themes.
>>>
>>> I would like to see, general support that looks at the browser functions
>>> to determine what to present. Like does support javascript if not then
>>> server up a basic page. So there would always be a basic text page
>>> template for the browser where the user has turned off features
>>>
>>> Also Themes that address Color blind people and Those of us that have
>>> trouble with fonts.
>>> The last one really takes on a new dimensions, since have we already
>>> found out, some translation cause justification problems
>>>
>>> My view of current themes is they show what can be done and are good
>>> learning tools.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Tim Ruppert sent the following on 10/13/2009 9:44 AM:
>>>> If you have changes to the theme - submit them or fix them.  This theme
>>>> has been tested and is in fact used by many people that we work with.
>>>> We do not have all of the problems you mentioned.  There's NO reason to
>>>> start with Flat Grey - use the current theme - with the current design
>>>> and fix the issues.
>>>>
>>>> It wasn't crap when it was put forward, it was tested and used - so
>>>> please your best to not insult others as well :)  Read Foster's email
>>>> for where and why we did what we did and go from there.  I'm at
>>>> least as
>>>> interested as everyone in the community at fixing all of the crap in
>>>> OFBiz - as evidenced by the amazing amount of investment in time and
>>>> money that's been made by our company.
>>>>
>>>> Cheers,
>>>> Ruppert
>>>> --
>>>> Tim Ruppert
>>>> HotWax Media
>>>> http://www.hotwaxmedia.com
>>>>
>>>> o:801.649.6594
>>>> f:801.649.6595
>>>>
>>>> On Oct 13, 2009, at 9:46 AM, Ruth Hoffman wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Hi Tim:
>>>>> This will probably start a "flame war" (if those things still happen
>>>>> :-), but again this is all for what I feel is the betterment of the
>>>>> project. Please see my comments inline:
>>>>>
>>>>> Tim Ruppert wrote:
>>>>>> Inline
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Cheers,
>>>>>> Ruppert
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Oct 13, 2009, at 8:09 AM, Ruth Hoffman wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Hi Tim:
>>>>>>> I fully understand your point of view and the constraints we all
>>>>>>> labor under. Whether the old theme sucks or not is not in question
>>>>>>> here.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> First question I have for you is what "guidelines" are you referring
>>>>>>> to?
>>>>>> Take a look at BizznessTime and then at Flat Grey and let me know
>>>>>> when you think each were designed from a look and feel perspective?
>>>>>> That's the point here - first impressions of whether or not this
>>>>>> project is stale or not.  This is why it was developed and it can
>>>>>> have a huge impact on the people that see it for the first time.  Not
>>>>>> to mention that as I said, my customers have custom themes built on
>>>>>> BizznessTime and are happy with them ...
>>>>>>
>>>>> You didn't answer my question. What guidelines?
>>>>> I'm not disputing that your customers have nice themes. You, or your
>>>>> company probably built them. Good for you! As a service provider, this
>>>>> attitude towards the code base works in your favor. As an end-user,
>>>>> maybe this approach towards the project code base doesn't work so
>>>>> well. Please reconsider.
>>>> Right, I'm trying to keep the code base crappy so I have to explain to
>>>> more and more people how we could fix it for them.  That makes no
>>>> sense.
>>>>
>>>>>>> Secondly, why should a new user have to change a theme in order to
>>>>>>> use OFBiz applications. If, as you say its easy to change a theme,
>>>>>>> then it should be incumbent on the knowledgeable experienced OFBiz
>>>>>>> user to change themes and not the new user. New users have enough on
>>>>>>> their plate just learning how the applications work.
>>>>>> I'm talking about demo.ofbiz.org having a current looking theme so
>>>>>> that when people want to see the application for the first time,
>>>>>> they're not asking if we started with the backend design in 2001 and
>>>>>> then forgot to update it :)  If you guys want that to be a deployment
>>>>>> setting for the demo store - I'm happy to do it that way - let's just
>>>>>> not act like the old theme is what is making OFBiz happen.
>>>>>>
>>>>> So am I. Lets talk about the demo site. On a recent visit (2 days ago)
>>>>> what I saw was embarrassing and hence my comment about pride of
>>>>> ownership.
>>>>>
>>>>> I'd like to "call you to the carpet" on making "OFBiz happen". How
>>>>> many new user's to OFBiz (I'm talking end-users) have been "convinced"
>>>>> to adopt based on theme changes? Do you even know? If you can show me
>>>>> the numbers, then I will gladly change my tune.
>>>> No numbers - but from a sales perspective it's been MUCH better
>>>> received
>>>> by all new people.  Keep in mind, I'm not talking about techies - I'm
>>>> talking about business people who will eventually use the applications.
>>>>
>>>>>>> Thirdly, please don't throw around "its easy" to do something
>>>>>>> without siting references. You insult my intelligence and every
>>>>>>> other reader on this list by implying that anything concerning
>>>>>>> recent releases of OFBiz is "easy".
>>>>>> Please Ruth - come on.  If you're not sure where the themes are, then
>>>>>> please use a browser tool to tell you where the CSS is that drives
>>>>>> the theme and tinker with it.  If I had the references for you in my
>>>>>> hands - I'll lay them out like a towel - but since I didn't, I
>>>>>> declined to send you to the wrong place.  Me and the other readers
>>>>>> (and my employees) dove in on the theme concept and tried our best to
>>>>>> come up with something quickly that would make an impact in the
>>>>>> release.  I think we accomplished that in a big way.  If it's not
>>>>>> good, then please help to make it better rather than turning back to
>>>>>> something that's not pushing forward (on the design front).
>>>>>>
>>>>> Tim, we are not talking about me. I know how to do this. I've spent
>>>>> several years working with all aspects of OFBiz from the front-end CSS
>>>>> to writing modifications to the Entity Engine to support database
>>>>> field types not supported by OFBiz. I'm talking about new users.
>>>> Well that's great- wasn't sure by your message.
>>>>
>>>>> I have tried to "make it better" by submitting JIRA issues.
>>>>> How about if we start over with a design document and a baseline that
>>>>> we know works - perhaps the Flat Grey theme, and go forward from
>>>>> there. Give me developer/access rights to the code base and I'd gladly
>>>>> help out.
>>>> Feel free to start that process, but I insist that you start from the
>>>> new standard - not the old one.
>>>>
>>>>>> I'd much rather see these kinks worked out - since we're only talking
>>>>>> about CSS - not the magic of the screen widget / form widget, etc.
>>>>>> In this case, "easy" means that any web developer in the world that
>>>>>> does "Inspect Element" on Safari or anything else - will be able to
>>>>>> see where the CSS is - since that's 99% of how these themes are
>>>>>> messed with in the first place.
>>>>>>
>>>>> I agree with you here concerning working out the kinks. Where we
>>>>> diverge is: I don't think it is up to end-users to do testing for the
>>>>> project. Don't commit code (themes or otherwise) that has not been
>>>>> tested. Don't make changes to OFBiz until those changes have been
>>>>> tested. Its pretty simple.
>>>> Are you insinuating that we do this?  I certainly hope not.
>>>>
>>>>> Again, end-users have enough on their plate just learning the
>>>>> applications. And, perhaps more importantly, end-user's for the
>>>>> backend applications are not the same web developers you reference
>>>>> here.
>>>>>
>>>>> You obviously see all this from a service provider's point of view and
>>>>> not an end-user. Please understand, I don't provide OFBiz development,
>>>>> deployment or integration services. I am an advocate for end-users.
>>>>> IMO, if we don't get more end-users looking at OFBiz, you might as
>>>>> well kiss this project good-bye.
>>>> We can agree on that front for sure.  I see this from an adoption
>>>> standpoint - and that old 1990's theme ain't getting anyone off the mat
>>>> to use OFBiz - I can promise you that.
>>>>
>>>>> Its all about mindshare, and while OFBiz has been good to you and
>>>>> HotWax, your attitude is very similar to the "proprietary" mindset of
>>>>> some software vendors that shall remain unnamed.
>>>>>
>>>>> Please take off your service provider hat and look at all this from a
>>>>> potential new end-user.
>>>> Please put on your I'll dive in and fix these minor issues - instead of
>>>> sitting back and being a purist.  That's what we do and I hope to see
>>>> you do the same.  What you're doing on the end user spectrum will
>>>> undoubtedly be a big help, but just sitting back or rolling back
>>>> doesn't
>>>> get the issues resolved.  Thanks for submitting bugs - they're all over
>>>> the system and we're in there fixing them daily ....
>>>>
>>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>> Ruth
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ----------------------------------------------------
>>>>>>> Ruth Hoffman, Author, Mentor & OFBiz Enthusiast
>>>>>>> [hidden email]
>>>>>>> Looking for more OFBiz info, please visit my website:
>>>>>>> http://www.myofbiz.com
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Tim Ruppert wrote:
>>>>>>>> We are all working within the constraints of _not_ redesigning the
>>>>>>>> entire set of backend applications - which is really what needs to
>>>>>>>> be done. The old theme sucks visually - has no spice, doesn't fit
>>>>>>>> today's look and feel guidelines AT ALL, looks really old - so I'd
>>>>>>>> say from someone who does this day in and day out - you're WAY off
>>>>>>>> when it comes to the way that people react to it (be clear, this
>>>>>>>> does not talk to using it on a day to day basis).  We've been very
>>>>>>>> successful in building themes off of Bizzness Time - please are
>>>>>>>> reacting in a really positive way.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> There is nothing other than a visual change on the BizznessTime
>>>>>>>> theme.  There are no other extra widgets or the like.  it's just a
>>>>>>>> reorganization of the data that's there to help give it a
>>>>>>>> facelift.  I'm not talking to users - I'm talking to you and
>>>>>>>> everyone else who has issues with it.  Fix it ... or go back to the
>>>>>>>> old theme in your own setup - don't doom the rest of us to have to
>>>>>>>> go apply first impressions with that really lame setup.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> As for the documentation - I'm not sure - checkout Confluence - we
>>>>>>>> just dug in and tried to bring the backend apps out of the early
>>>>>>>> 2000s instead of letting it sit stagnant.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Cheers,
>>>>>>>> Ruppert
>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>> Tim Ruppert
>>>>>>>> HotWax Media
>>>>>>>> http://www.hotwaxmedia.com
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> o:801.649.6594
>>>>>>>> f:801.649.6595
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On Oct 13, 2009, at 7:10 AM, Ruth Hoffman wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Hello Tim:
>>>>>>>>> If this a tool for convincing people to use OFBiz, then IMO, we
>>>>>>>>> are way off the mark. The backend applications where the
>>>>>>>>> BiznessTime theme has been applied are designed for end-users who
>>>>>>>>> may not and probably do not have any experience with HTML or CSS.
>>>>>>>>> Lets not forget who our audience is here.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> If the foundation, as you say is so solid (and I have not doubt
>>>>>>>>> that it is), then reverting back to a simpler yet more accessible
>>>>>>>>> theme should be the way to go.  Fancier is not always better.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> On another note, could you point me to the end-user documentation
>>>>>>>>> covering  creating new themes. I'd be happy to try this out and
>>>>>>>>> post my findings.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>>>> Ruth
>>>>>>>>> ----------------------------------------------------
>>>>>>>>> Ruth Hoffman, Author, Mentor & OFBiz Enthusiast
>>>>>>>>> [hidden email]
>>>>>>>>> Looking for more OFBiz info, please visit my website:
>>>>>>>>> http://www.myofbiz.com
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Tim Ruppert wrote:
>>>>>>>>>> We exclusively use the BizznessTime theme with clients because
>>>>>>>>>> it's WAY easier to change, skin and adapt to everyone's liking /
>>>>>>>>>> look and feel.  I think it would be a huge mistake to roll it
>>>>>>>>>> back to the Flat Grey as we have not had any of the same problems
>>>>>>>>>> once everyone gets over the initial shock of seeing something
>>>>>>>>>> different.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> If the community wants to roll it back - then go for it - but it
>>>>>>>>>> isn't wise.  FIX the problems that you don't like in the
>>>>>>>>>> BizznessTime theme, or create one of your own - it's easy to do -
>>>>>>>>>> this is a much more solid foundation to build on then the old
>>>>>>>>>> (and looking really old) theme that's been in there since the
>>>>>>>>>> beginning.  Have any of you tried to edit the CSS to make any
>>>>>>>>>> changes that might not make it so "large"?  It should be pretty
>>>>>>>>>> easy with this setup.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Anyways, think on it and do what you will do, but remember this
>>>>>>>>>> is still a tool for convincing people to use OFBiz.  I'd leave
>>>>>>>>>> this in place and change it to the ugly, ugly in your own
>>>>>>>>>> installations before I wanted to go back to Flay Grey as a sales
>>>>>>>>>> tool ....
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Cheers,
>>>>>>>>>> Ruppert
>>>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>>>> Tim Ruppert
>>>>>>>>>> HotWax Media
>>>>>>>>>> http://www.hotwaxmedia.com
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> o:801.649.6594
>>>>>>>>>> f:801.649.6595
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> On Oct 13, 2009, at 3:40 AM, Jacques Le Roux wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Hi Hans,
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> So far,
>>>>>>>>>>> * it seems that most people find things too large and prefer to
>>>>>>>>>>> zoom out.
>>>>>>>>>>> * it seems also that not much specific bugs were reported, and
>>>>>>>>>>> those reported should be easily fixed (not quite sure though...)
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> I repeat myself about where to report about this subject :
>>>>>>>>>>> create a subtask at
>>>>>>>>>>> https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/OFBIZ-2398
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> In his 1st reply Chris Snow suggested a change. But I'm not sure
>>>>>>>>>>> it's enough for doing the same thing as a zoom out
>>>>>>>>>>> Maybe we could ask Ryan Foster if it's possble to shrink the
>>>>>>>>>>> size (of everything ) else we may vote for the "return of Flat
>>>>>>>>>>> Grey" as default
>>>>>>>>>>> theme.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> What do you people think ?
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Jacques
>>>>>>>>>>> PS : Hans I saw you opened a subtask for the field size issue,
>>>>>>>>>>> thanks!
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> From: "Hans Bakker" <[hidden email]
>>>>>>>>>>> <mailto:[hidden email]>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Sure the Business theme looks good but.....
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> The general problem is that the characters, fields and actually
>>>>>>>>>>>> everything is far too big....If i specify a field to be 2
>>>>>>>>>>>> characters, at
>>>>>>>>>>>> least 5 fit in....
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> So set the default to flat_gray in general properties is
>>>>>>>>>>>> perhaps better.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>>>>>>> Hans
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> On Mon, 2009-10-12 at 16:19 +0200, Jacques Le Roux wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Hi,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'd like to know what the community thinks about Bizness Time
>>>>>>>>>>>>> as default theme.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Do you use it?
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Do you change for another theme ?
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Which one fo you prefer?
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Did you find bugs in one of the theme but not another?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Jacques
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>>>>>> Antwebsystems.com <http://Antwebsystems.com>: Quality OFBiz
>>>>>>>>>>>> services for competitive rates
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>
>>
>> --
>> BJ Freeman
>> http://www.businessesnetwork.com/automation
>> http://bjfreeman.elance.com
>> http://www.linkedin.com/profile?viewProfile=&key=1237480&locale=en_US&trk=tab_pro
>>
>> Systems Integrator.
>>
>

--
BJ Freeman
http://www.businessesnetwork.com/automation
http://bjfreeman.elance.com
http://www.linkedin.com/profile?viewProfile=&key=1237480&locale=en_US&trk=tab_pro
Systems Integrator.

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Re: Default theme ?

James McGill-5
In reply to this post by Jacques Le Roux
On Mon, Oct 12, 2009 at 7:19 AM, Jacques Le Roux <
[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I'd like to know what the community thinks about Bizness Time as default
> theme.
>


It is okay, but the fast disappearing error popup is highly annoying.


--
James McGill
Able Engineering
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Re: Default theme ?

Tim Ruppert
In reply to this post by BJ Freeman
No worries BJ - thanks for the clarification.

Cheers,
Ruppert

On Oct 13, 2009, at 11:41 AM, BJ Freeman wrote:

> I was not pointing the server comment at you, tim.
> I guess since I replied you your response that it can take it that  
> way.
>
>
> Tim Ruppert sent the following on 10/13/2009 10:29 AM:
>> Yeah - we've got our own and in fact pay for the community ones as
>> well.  Just want to put the best face forward for the project.  Not
>> saying the themes are perfect, but let's start from current and mod  
>> from
>> there.  That's at least my vote - one of many people voting.
>>
>> Cheers,
>> Ruppert
>>
>> On Oct 13, 2009, at 11:26 AM, BJ Freeman wrote:
>>
>>> Forgot one point, if your a company you should be able to support  
>>> you
>>> own demo site. Dedicated Servers these days cost about $100. Then  
>>> you
>>> can have it any way you want.
>>>
>>> BJ Freeman sent the following on 10/13/2009 10:03 AM:
>>>> This seems a lot to-do about nothing, reference, the default,  
>>>> since if
>>>> someone wants to demo the demo site they can change the theme.
>>>>
>>>> also I think it is mute since so many use the Site and change  
>>>> things
>>>> when someone else is on they change languages and themes, that it  
>>>> would
>>>> be theme wars on the Demo site, for all practical purposes.
>>>>
>>>> The valid discussion, to me, is the architectures of the themes,  
>>>> not a
>>>> specific theme, since anyone can create a theme and submit it for
>>>> inclusion.
>>>>
>>>> What themes can support and not support is valuable for those  
>>>> that want
>>>> to create themes.
>>>>
>>>> I would like to see, general support that looks at the browser  
>>>> functions
>>>> to determine what to present. Like does support javascript if not  
>>>> then
>>>> server up a basic page. So there would always be a basic text page
>>>> template for the browser where the user has turned off features
>>>>
>>>> Also Themes that address Color blind people and Those of us that  
>>>> have
>>>> trouble with fonts.
>>>> The last one really takes on a new dimensions, since have we  
>>>> already
>>>> found out, some translation cause justification problems
>>>>
>>>> My view of current themes is they show what can be done and are  
>>>> good
>>>> learning tools.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Tim Ruppert sent the following on 10/13/2009 9:44 AM:
>>>>> If you have changes to the theme - submit them or fix them.  
>>>>> This theme
>>>>> has been tested and is in fact used by many people that we work  
>>>>> with.
>>>>> We do not have all of the problems you mentioned.  There's NO  
>>>>> reason to
>>>>> start with Flat Grey - use the current theme - with the current  
>>>>> design
>>>>> and fix the issues.
>>>>>
>>>>> It wasn't crap when it was put forward, it was tested and used -  
>>>>> so
>>>>> please your best to not insult others as well :)  Read Foster's  
>>>>> email
>>>>> for where and why we did what we did and go from there.  I'm at
>>>>> least as
>>>>> interested as everyone in the community at fixing all of the  
>>>>> crap in
>>>>> OFBiz - as evidenced by the amazing amount of investment in time  
>>>>> and
>>>>> money that's been made by our company.
>>>>>
>>>>> Cheers,
>>>>> Ruppert
>>>>> --
>>>>> Tim Ruppert
>>>>> HotWax Media
>>>>> http://www.hotwaxmedia.com
>>>>>
>>>>> o:801.649.6594
>>>>> f:801.649.6595
>>>>>
>>>>> On Oct 13, 2009, at 9:46 AM, Ruth Hoffman wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Hi Tim:
>>>>>> This will probably start a "flame war" (if those things still  
>>>>>> happen
>>>>>> :-), but again this is all for what I feel is the betterment of  
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> project. Please see my comments inline:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Tim Ruppert wrote:
>>>>>>> Inline
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Cheers,
>>>>>>> Ruppert
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Oct 13, 2009, at 8:09 AM, Ruth Hoffman wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Hi Tim:
>>>>>>>> I fully understand your point of view and the constraints we  
>>>>>>>> all
>>>>>>>> labor under. Whether the old theme sucks or not is not in  
>>>>>>>> question
>>>>>>>> here.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> First question I have for you is what "guidelines" are you  
>>>>>>>> referring
>>>>>>>> to?
>>>>>>> Take a look at BizznessTime and then at Flat Grey and let me  
>>>>>>> know
>>>>>>> when you think each were designed from a look and feel  
>>>>>>> perspective?
>>>>>>> That's the point here - first impressions of whether or not this
>>>>>>> project is stale or not.  This is why it was developed and it  
>>>>>>> can
>>>>>>> have a huge impact on the people that see it for the first  
>>>>>>> time.  Not
>>>>>>> to mention that as I said, my customers have custom themes  
>>>>>>> built on
>>>>>>> BizznessTime and are happy with them ...
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> You didn't answer my question. What guidelines?
>>>>>> I'm not disputing that your customers have nice themes. You, or  
>>>>>> your
>>>>>> company probably built them. Good for you! As a service  
>>>>>> provider, this
>>>>>> attitude towards the code base works in your favor. As an end-
>>>>>> user,
>>>>>> maybe this approach towards the project code base doesn't work so
>>>>>> well. Please reconsider.
>>>>> Right, I'm trying to keep the code base crappy so I have to  
>>>>> explain to
>>>>> more and more people how we could fix it for them.  That makes no
>>>>> sense.
>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Secondly, why should a new user have to change a theme in  
>>>>>>>> order to
>>>>>>>> use OFBiz applications. If, as you say its easy to change a  
>>>>>>>> theme,
>>>>>>>> then it should be incumbent on the knowledgeable experienced  
>>>>>>>> OFBiz
>>>>>>>> user to change themes and not the new user. New users have  
>>>>>>>> enough on
>>>>>>>> their plate just learning how the applications work.
>>>>>>> I'm talking about demo.ofbiz.org having a current looking  
>>>>>>> theme so
>>>>>>> that when people want to see the application for the first time,
>>>>>>> they're not asking if we started with the backend design in  
>>>>>>> 2001 and
>>>>>>> then forgot to update it :)  If you guys want that to be a  
>>>>>>> deployment
>>>>>>> setting for the demo store - I'm happy to do it that way -  
>>>>>>> let's just
>>>>>>> not act like the old theme is what is making OFBiz happen.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> So am I. Lets talk about the demo site. On a recent visit (2  
>>>>>> days ago)
>>>>>> what I saw was embarrassing and hence my comment about pride of
>>>>>> ownership.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I'd like to "call you to the carpet" on making "OFBiz happen".  
>>>>>> How
>>>>>> many new user's to OFBiz (I'm talking end-users) have been  
>>>>>> "convinced"
>>>>>> to adopt based on theme changes? Do you even know? If you can  
>>>>>> show me
>>>>>> the numbers, then I will gladly change my tune.
>>>>> No numbers - but from a sales perspective it's been MUCH better
>>>>> received
>>>>> by all new people.  Keep in mind, I'm not talking about techies  
>>>>> - I'm
>>>>> talking about business people who will eventually use the  
>>>>> applications.
>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Thirdly, please don't throw around "its easy" to do something
>>>>>>>> without siting references. You insult my intelligence and every
>>>>>>>> other reader on this list by implying that anything concerning
>>>>>>>> recent releases of OFBiz is "easy".
>>>>>>> Please Ruth - come on.  If you're not sure where the themes  
>>>>>>> are, then
>>>>>>> please use a browser tool to tell you where the CSS is that  
>>>>>>> drives
>>>>>>> the theme and tinker with it.  If I had the references for you  
>>>>>>> in my
>>>>>>> hands - I'll lay them out like a towel - but since I didn't, I
>>>>>>> declined to send you to the wrong place.  Me and the other  
>>>>>>> readers
>>>>>>> (and my employees) dove in on the theme concept and tried our  
>>>>>>> best to
>>>>>>> come up with something quickly that would make an impact in the
>>>>>>> release.  I think we accomplished that in a big way.  If it's  
>>>>>>> not
>>>>>>> good, then please help to make it better rather than turning  
>>>>>>> back to
>>>>>>> something that's not pushing forward (on the design front).
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> Tim, we are not talking about me. I know how to do this. I've  
>>>>>> spent
>>>>>> several years working with all aspects of OFBiz from the front-
>>>>>> end CSS
>>>>>> to writing modifications to the Entity Engine to support database
>>>>>> field types not supported by OFBiz. I'm talking about new users.
>>>>> Well that's great- wasn't sure by your message.
>>>>>
>>>>>> I have tried to "make it better" by submitting JIRA issues.
>>>>>> How about if we start over with a design document and a  
>>>>>> baseline that
>>>>>> we know works - perhaps the Flat Grey theme, and go forward from
>>>>>> there. Give me developer/access rights to the code base and I'd  
>>>>>> gladly
>>>>>> help out.
>>>>> Feel free to start that process, but I insist that you start  
>>>>> from the
>>>>> new standard - not the old one.
>>>>>
>>>>>>> I'd much rather see these kinks worked out - since we're only  
>>>>>>> talking
>>>>>>> about CSS - not the magic of the screen widget / form widget,  
>>>>>>> etc.
>>>>>>> In this case, "easy" means that any web developer in the world  
>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>> does "Inspect Element" on Safari or anything else - will be  
>>>>>>> able to
>>>>>>> see where the CSS is - since that's 99% of how these themes are
>>>>>>> messed with in the first place.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> I agree with you here concerning working out the kinks. Where we
>>>>>> diverge is: I don't think it is up to end-users to do testing  
>>>>>> for the
>>>>>> project. Don't commit code (themes or otherwise) that has not  
>>>>>> been
>>>>>> tested. Don't make changes to OFBiz until those changes have been
>>>>>> tested. Its pretty simple.
>>>>> Are you insinuating that we do this?  I certainly hope not.
>>>>>
>>>>>> Again, end-users have enough on their plate just learning the
>>>>>> applications. And, perhaps more importantly, end-user's for the
>>>>>> backend applications are not the same web developers you  
>>>>>> reference
>>>>>> here.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> You obviously see all this from a service provider's point of  
>>>>>> view and
>>>>>> not an end-user. Please understand, I don't provide OFBiz  
>>>>>> development,
>>>>>> deployment or integration services. I am an advocate for end-
>>>>>> users.
>>>>>> IMO, if we don't get more end-users looking at OFBiz, you might  
>>>>>> as
>>>>>> well kiss this project good-bye.
>>>>> We can agree on that front for sure.  I see this from an adoption
>>>>> standpoint - and that old 1990's theme ain't getting anyone off  
>>>>> the mat
>>>>> to use OFBiz - I can promise you that.
>>>>>
>>>>>> Its all about mindshare, and while OFBiz has been good to you and
>>>>>> HotWax, your attitude is very similar to the "proprietary"  
>>>>>> mindset of
>>>>>> some software vendors that shall remain unnamed.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Please take off your service provider hat and look at all this  
>>>>>> from a
>>>>>> potential new end-user.
>>>>> Please put on your I'll dive in and fix these minor issues -  
>>>>> instead of
>>>>> sitting back and being a purist.  That's what we do and I hope  
>>>>> to see
>>>>> you do the same.  What you're doing on the end user spectrum will
>>>>> undoubtedly be a big help, but just sitting back or rolling back
>>>>> doesn't
>>>>> get the issues resolved.  Thanks for submitting bugs - they're  
>>>>> all over
>>>>> the system and we're in there fixing them daily ....
>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>>> Ruth
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> ----------------------------------------------------
>>>>>>>> Ruth Hoffman, Author, Mentor & OFBiz Enthusiast
>>>>>>>> [hidden email]
>>>>>>>> Looking for more OFBiz info, please visit my website:
>>>>>>>> http://www.myofbiz.com
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Tim Ruppert wrote:
>>>>>>>>> We are all working within the constraints of _not_  
>>>>>>>>> redesigning the
>>>>>>>>> entire set of backend applications - which is really what  
>>>>>>>>> needs to
>>>>>>>>> be done. The old theme sucks visually - has no spice,  
>>>>>>>>> doesn't fit
>>>>>>>>> today's look and feel guidelines AT ALL, looks really old -  
>>>>>>>>> so I'd
>>>>>>>>> say from someone who does this day in and day out - you're  
>>>>>>>>> WAY off
>>>>>>>>> when it comes to the way that people react to it (be clear,  
>>>>>>>>> this
>>>>>>>>> does not talk to using it on a day to day basis).  We've  
>>>>>>>>> been very
>>>>>>>>> successful in building themes off of Bizzness Time - please  
>>>>>>>>> are
>>>>>>>>> reacting in a really positive way.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> There is nothing other than a visual change on the  
>>>>>>>>> BizznessTime
>>>>>>>>> theme.  There are no other extra widgets or the like.  it's  
>>>>>>>>> just a
>>>>>>>>> reorganization of the data that's there to help give it a
>>>>>>>>> facelift.  I'm not talking to users - I'm talking to you and
>>>>>>>>> everyone else who has issues with it.  Fix it ... or go back  
>>>>>>>>> to the
>>>>>>>>> old theme in your own setup - don't doom the rest of us to  
>>>>>>>>> have to
>>>>>>>>> go apply first impressions with that really lame setup.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> As for the documentation - I'm not sure - checkout  
>>>>>>>>> Confluence - we
>>>>>>>>> just dug in and tried to bring the backend apps out of the  
>>>>>>>>> early
>>>>>>>>> 2000s instead of letting it sit stagnant.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Cheers,
>>>>>>>>> Ruppert
>>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>>> Tim Ruppert
>>>>>>>>> HotWax Media
>>>>>>>>> http://www.hotwaxmedia.com
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> o:801.649.6594
>>>>>>>>> f:801.649.6595
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> On Oct 13, 2009, at 7:10 AM, Ruth Hoffman wrote:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Hello Tim:
>>>>>>>>>> If this a tool for convincing people to use OFBiz, then  
>>>>>>>>>> IMO, we
>>>>>>>>>> are way off the mark. The backend applications where the
>>>>>>>>>> BiznessTime theme has been applied are designed for end-
>>>>>>>>>> users who
>>>>>>>>>> may not and probably do not have any experience with HTML  
>>>>>>>>>> or CSS.
>>>>>>>>>> Lets not forget who our audience is here.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> If the foundation, as you say is so solid (and I have not  
>>>>>>>>>> doubt
>>>>>>>>>> that it is), then reverting back to a simpler yet more  
>>>>>>>>>> accessible
>>>>>>>>>> theme should be the way to go.  Fancier is not always better.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> On another note, could you point me to the end-user  
>>>>>>>>>> documentation
>>>>>>>>>> covering  creating new themes. I'd be happy to try this out  
>>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>> post my findings.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>>>>> Ruth
>>>>>>>>>> ----------------------------------------------------
>>>>>>>>>> Ruth Hoffman, Author, Mentor & OFBiz Enthusiast
>>>>>>>>>> [hidden email]
>>>>>>>>>> Looking for more OFBiz info, please visit my website:
>>>>>>>>>> http://www.myofbiz.com
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Tim Ruppert wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>> We exclusively use the BizznessTime theme with clients  
>>>>>>>>>>> because
>>>>>>>>>>> it's WAY easier to change, skin and adapt to everyone's  
>>>>>>>>>>> liking /
>>>>>>>>>>> look and feel.  I think it would be a huge mistake to roll  
>>>>>>>>>>> it
>>>>>>>>>>> back to the Flat Grey as we have not had any of the same  
>>>>>>>>>>> problems
>>>>>>>>>>> once everyone gets over the initial shock of seeing  
>>>>>>>>>>> something
>>>>>>>>>>> different.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> If the community wants to roll it back - then go for it -  
>>>>>>>>>>> but it
>>>>>>>>>>> isn't wise.  FIX the problems that you don't like in the
>>>>>>>>>>> BizznessTime theme, or create one of your own - it's easy  
>>>>>>>>>>> to do -
>>>>>>>>>>> this is a much more solid foundation to build on then the  
>>>>>>>>>>> old
>>>>>>>>>>> (and looking really old) theme that's been in there since  
>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>> beginning.  Have any of you tried to edit the CSS to make  
>>>>>>>>>>> any
>>>>>>>>>>> changes that might not make it so "large"?  It should be  
>>>>>>>>>>> pretty
>>>>>>>>>>> easy with this setup.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Anyways, think on it and do what you will do, but remember  
>>>>>>>>>>> this
>>>>>>>>>>> is still a tool for convincing people to use OFBiz.  I'd  
>>>>>>>>>>> leave
>>>>>>>>>>> this in place and change it to the ugly, ugly in your own
>>>>>>>>>>> installations before I wanted to go back to Flay Grey as a  
>>>>>>>>>>> sales
>>>>>>>>>>> tool ....
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Cheers,
>>>>>>>>>>> Ruppert
>>>>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>>>>> Tim Ruppert
>>>>>>>>>>> HotWax Media
>>>>>>>>>>> http://www.hotwaxmedia.com
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> o:801.649.6594
>>>>>>>>>>> f:801.649.6595
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> On Oct 13, 2009, at 3:40 AM, Jacques Le Roux wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Hi Hans,
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> So far,
>>>>>>>>>>>> * it seems that most people find things too large and  
>>>>>>>>>>>> prefer to
>>>>>>>>>>>> zoom out.
>>>>>>>>>>>> * it seems also that not much specific bugs were  
>>>>>>>>>>>> reported, and
>>>>>>>>>>>> those reported should be easily fixed (not quite sure  
>>>>>>>>>>>> though...)
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> I repeat myself about where to report about this subject :
>>>>>>>>>>>> create a subtask at
>>>>>>>>>>>> https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/OFBIZ-2398
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> In his 1st reply Chris Snow suggested a change. But I'm  
>>>>>>>>>>>> not sure
>>>>>>>>>>>> it's enough for doing the same thing as a zoom out
>>>>>>>>>>>> Maybe we could ask Ryan Foster if it's possble to shrink  
>>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>>> size (of everything ) else we may vote for the "return of  
>>>>>>>>>>>> Flat
>>>>>>>>>>>> Grey" as default
>>>>>>>>>>>> theme.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> What do you people think ?
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Jacques
>>>>>>>>>>>> PS : Hans I saw you opened a subtask for the field size  
>>>>>>>>>>>> issue,
>>>>>>>>>>>> thanks!
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> From: "Hans Bakker" <[hidden email]
>>>>>>>>>>>> <mailto:[hidden email]>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Sure the Business theme looks good but.....
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> The general problem is that the characters, fields and  
>>>>>>>>>>>>> actually
>>>>>>>>>>>>> everything is far too big....If i specify a field to be 2
>>>>>>>>>>>>> characters, at
>>>>>>>>>>>>> least 5 fit in....
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> So set the default to flat_gray in general properties is
>>>>>>>>>>>>> perhaps better.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Hans
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> On Mon, 2009-10-12 at 16:19 +0200, Jacques Le Roux wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Hi,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'd like to know what the community thinks about  
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Bizness Time
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> as default theme.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Do you use it?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Do you change for another theme ?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Which one fo you prefer?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Did you find bugs in one of the theme but not another?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Jacques
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Antwebsystems.com <http://Antwebsystems.com>: Quality  
>>>>>>>>>>>>> OFBiz
>>>>>>>>>>>>> services for competitive rates
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> BJ Freeman
>>> http://www.businessesnetwork.com/automation
>>> http://bjfreeman.elance.com
>>> http://www.linkedin.com/profile?viewProfile=&key=1237480&locale=en_US&trk=tab_pro
>>>
>>> Systems Integrator.
>>>
>>
>
> --
> BJ Freeman
> http://www.businessesnetwork.com/automation
> http://bjfreeman.elance.com
> http://www.linkedin.com/profile?viewProfile=&key=1237480&locale=en_US&trk=tab_pro
> Systems Integrator.
>


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Re: Default theme ?

Jacques Le Roux
Administrator
In reply to this post by James McGill-5
Thanks James,

Yes, this is already reported here
https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/OFBIZ-2442

Jacques

From: "James McGill" <[hidden email]>

> On Mon, Oct 12, 2009 at 7:19 AM, Jacques Le Roux <
> [hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> Hi,
>>
>> I'd like to know what the community thinks about Bizness Time as default
>> theme.
>>
>
>
> It is okay, but the fast disappearing error popup is highly annoying.
>
>
> --
> James McGill
> Able Engineering
>

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Re: Default theme ?

Jacques Le Roux
Administrator
In reply to this post by Pierre Smits
Hi Pierre,

Inline...

From: "Pierre Smits" <[hidden email]>
> But even there some improvements
> can be made. E.g. in SFA-accounts the search fields could be spread more
> horizontally than it is now. And I guess that can be said for more layouts.

Could you explain more this last point, I don't get it

Thanks

Jacquees

>
>
> Regards,
>
> Pierre
>
>
> 2009/10/12 Jacques Le Roux <[hidden email]>
>
>> Hi,
>>
>> I'd like to know what the community thinks about Bizness Time as default
>> theme.
>>
>> Do you use it?
>> Do you change for another theme ?
>> Which one fo you prefer?
>> Did you find bugs in one of the theme but not another?
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> Jacques
>>
>>
>

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Re: Default theme ?

Scott.
Hello All,

I thought I’d give my 2 cents worth solely as an end user of ofbiz.

The theme I now use the most is the Bizness time theme. Even though it’s fairly new, it seems so much more familiar to me than the other two. It looks like the “modern” web. The business areas are very easy to find as are their respective categories. It’s also been less confusing to new people who are seeing it for the first time.

So from my “user” prospective, I appreciate all the hard work that you guys put in to ofbiz and the fact that it has improved leaps and bounds over the past year and I sincerely hope that we continue to move forward with improvements and not just fall back on what is safe.

Thanks.
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Re: Default theme ?

Tim Ruppert
Thanks Scott - that is what we are seeing as well.  And for everyone  
else - we will be making some mods to the BizznessTime theme that will  
address the issues that have been reported.

Cheers,
Ruppert
--
Tim Ruppert
HotWax Media
http://www.hotwaxmedia.com

o:801.649.6594
f:801.649.6595

On Oct 14, 2009, at 7:56 AM, Scott. wrote:

>
> Hello All,
>
> I thought I’d give my 2 cents worth solely as an end user of ofbiz.
>
> The theme I now use the most is the Bizness time theme. Even though  
> it’s
> fairly new, it seems so much more familiar to me than the other two.  
> It
> looks like the “modern” web. The business areas are very easy to  
> find as are
> their respective categories. It’s also been less confusing to new  
> people who
> are seeing it for the first time.
>
> So from my “user” prospective, I appreciate all the hard work that  
> you guys
> put in to ofbiz and the fact that it has improved leaps and bounds  
> over the
> past year and I sincerely hope that we continue to move forward with
> improvements and not just fall back on what is safe.
>
> Thanks.
>
> --
> View this message in context: http://n4.nabble.com/Default-theme-tp197816p252576.html
> Sent from the OFBiz - User mailing list archive at Nabble.com.


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