MyBB Ideas

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Simple Theme Creation

33 votes

Submitted by SonicHowler, 20th April 2007, 11:55:58 PM

Some people do not know the coding for themes and templates as well as they do other things. Personally, I find the current method of creating themes very nice! However, how about an easier way of doing it?

Like, maybe the user should be able to see a preview of the forum and edit that preview to their liking, and when he or she hits the submit button, it saves the theme or template.

8 Comments

  1. I was just thinking the same thing "Simple Theme Creation" when I saw your idea. I had written to a friend just a moment ago LOL!!

    Hey! Let's not foot around! Let's give MyBB a really enormous boost well above all other competitors :)

    We are talking about those who have no HTML, CSS or PHP skills whatsoever!!

    1: Add radio buttons to easily select left, right or centering attributes for the Logo. Oh it's happening thang!! The first thing newbies want to do is, "Change that Logo"

    2: Next up on the agenda: Imagine anyone with no CSS skills whatsoever being able to whip up an original theme in a matter of seconds!! Yeah you read right!! SECONDS not minutes!! Check this out: http://wellstyled.com/tools/colorscheme2/index-en.html * Now take that idea further and apply it to "Easy Theme Editing". Imagine being able to change/preview ALL global theme attributes (such as backgrounds, table fills, borders, titles) including fonts and links instantly with just one click. Done!! And we didn't have to drink 50 bottles of energy boost drink to achieve it LOL!! Very quick n easy! And the loving companion whos been wanting you so badly is very happy too, if u know whot I mean :P

    *GS*, 22nd April 2007, 11:36:17 AM

  2. yes i would like to have a easier way of making themes

    crsoft, 23rd April 2007, 1:03:07 AM

  3. I'm not so sure about this one. Seeing as most people who own forums have a website as well, that means that they already know how to code and should find the current MyBB interface easy to change. It just seems like this feature would be a load of extra coding for something that wouldn't be used that much.

    DrPoodle, 23rd April 2007, 11:45:34 PM

  4. As Mr Spock would say... you're comment DrPoodle is illogical LOL!! Why do you think the developers of MyBB are designing the next version to be easier? and your comment is not backed up with genuine facts nor does it make any sense. Fact is, WYSIWYG apps are widely used by tens of millions of people worldwide, and then there's millions of website owners who actually hire web developers to create websites for them. DUH! Nobody wants to spend days and nights week after week grinding their teeth out of frustration, they just don't have the "time" to learn CSS, PHP and HTML coding, a lot of people have more important things to do in life. The focus on developing and improving MyBB should not be "restricted" to only those who are experienced CSS, PHP, HTML coding.

    *GS*, 25th April 2007, 4:28:21 AM

  5. I am anti-wysiwyg editors. I hate those things. And I don't think the themeing creator should be any easier, as people need to have a basic knowledge of html css and php, or else they shouldn't be running a forum to begin with. I code my own website, and then would customize my forum, if I owned one that was similar to my website....

    Dr Small, 25th April 2007, 2:14:19 PM

  6. Well I own my own website, but it's all HTML. I do not know CSS and I do not know php. I'm actually learning it by examining and working with MyBB's coding, and using my current knowledge of HTML to my advantage. I did make a theme, but it took forever. It's not anybody's job to tell people what they should or shouldn't know, but rather to give them something to work with to which they can apply what they already know. THAT is how you get people to use your products. Should they know more? Maybe, but not knowing isn't a reason to exclude them.

    If you think it's that important, then maybe add a self-updating sidebar with the corresponding CSS code for the changes someone makes.

    SonicHowler, 28th April 2007, 12:52:31 AM

  7. How about an edit mode where you get a dynamic version of your theme that brings you to the appropriate editing section when you click somewhere?

    I mean how confusing is it to figure out what the difference is between Tables (Ignored by 'Body'), Table Sub Headers, Alternating Table Row, and Shaded Table Row?

    I wish I could click on what I want to edit and either be told what it is I am clicking, or take me directly to that section in the theme editor!

    Abe Froman, 10th July 2007, 10:04:59 PM

  8. apply wordpress know-how to mybb today, makes everyone happy!

    forevagrey, 20th February 2008, 1:53:30 AM

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