Different looking Xenforo sites? And one more questions.

[Tott3]

Did not quite know what to name the topic.. I was thinking about extending my Xenforo license as I haven't been using it for quite some while. Then I cam thinking of something, as Xenforo has grown quite a bit since last time I used it and a lot more websites are using it.

Are there any "different" looking Xenforo sites? It feels like if you've seen one you've seen them all..just in different colors.

Also, are there any plans for any officially supported portal/cms system? (Paid or free doesn't matter.)

Such as front-page, calendar and what not. I know there are many plugins for this but most of them are quite expensive and then you have to pay for a branding removal ON TOP of that price, which for me doesn't feel "safe" as support/updates can stop any day for all I know. If you're going to keep or simply can't afford branding removal for the add-on you'd like to use, it feels more or less like you got Ads stuffed randomly all over your page.

 

[rainmotorsports]

Definitely check out sites running either XenBase or UI.X themes, now those can get a little run of the mill as well but thats the first most common departure. Those themes being from PixelExit and Audentio design respectively.

The dead give away for me is usually the bread crumb styling. I feel like IPB falls victim to this a lot as well, I can always spot IP.B where as the past had shown me many customized vB sites. We moved a couple bits around and then the header and footer depart from the stock design but when it comes down to it the core design language hasn't changed at all.

 

[Tott3]

Definitely check out sites running either XenBase or UI.X themes

Do you have a link?

The dead give away for me is usually the bread crumb styling. I feel like IPB falls victim to this a lot as well, I can always spot IP.B where as the past had shown me many customized vB sites.

The give away for me is usually the right hand side blocks (signup and those) which in 99% of the cases are placed on the exact same spot no matter which team you're using and exact same big "Sign Up Now!" button.

 

[Gemma]

With a little customization and template tweaking you can produce a fairly unique looking website. Have a look in the Forum Showcase and Critiques section.

One of my personal favourites is this one by @Lawrence - https://xenforo.com/community/threads/icewinddalerp-com.102078/ - quite possible the best customization I've seen on a xenForo site

 

[Russ]

They haven't announced any plans for an official CMS/portal.

In regards to your concerns about a portal:

Featured Threads & Portal is created by Brogan, I don't think he's going anywhere anytime soon. Also according to his RM post there's no branding on the product either.
https://xenforo.com/community/resources/cta-featured-threads-portal.2599/

Some "different styles"

http://forums.firefall.com/community/
http://www.lethalitygaming.com/forums/

I've mentioned this before but just because you as an admin can recognize a site being XenForo doesn't make it a bad thing. In the end it really comes down to whats best for your users and I don't think the majority of forum users care if there's similar breadcrumbs and sign up now buttons on various sites.

As @Gemma mentioned the showcase is a nice area to browse around and see what people have done with their site.

 

[Lawrence]

With a little customization and template tweaking you can produce a fairly unique looking website. Have a look in the Forum Showcase and Critiques section.

One of my personal favourites is this one by @Lawrence - https://xenforo.com/community/threads/icewinddalerp-com.102078/ - quite possible the best customization I've seen on a xenForo site

thanks,

@Tott3 if you decide to check it out use the link in my third post in the link in the above quoted text, or use the link in my signature.

 

[Tott3]

With a little customization and template tweaking you can produce a fairly unique looking website. Have a look in the Forum Showcase and Critiques section.

I shall have a look.

In regards to your concerns about a portal:

Featured Threads & Portal is created by Brogan, I don't think he's going anywhere anytime soon. Also according to his RM post there's no branding on the product either.
https://xenforo.com/community/resources/cta-featured-threads-portal.2599/

Some "different styles"

http://forums.firefall.com/community/
http://www.lethalitygaming.com/forums/

I've been looking at that portal system, did not know it was by Brogan thought. I shall definitely consider buying it.
That firefall page I really like, that one really looks unique for a Xenforo page in my opinion.

I've mentioned this before but just because you as an admin can recognize a site being XenForo doesn't make it a bad thing. In the end it really comes down to whats best for your users and I don't think the majority of forum users care if there's similar breadcrumbs and sign up now buttons on various sites.

Well, breadcrumbs are easily removed by a few lines in the extra.css if you don't like them.