Implemented Drop the "star" image for threads with new posts

[Enigma]

I feel the difference between bold thread titles and non-bold thread titles is enough to distinguish between threads that have new/unread posts in them. I would stop using the "star" image (

) for this purpose, and consider using it for a new purpose-- to designate "hot" threads (threads with lots of recent activity), like vB3 did with the normally blue thread icon to an orangish color. (

)

 

[Kier]

what can i say is simply: the answer is: put something around the avatar (like i posted before) ...

I really really don't like changing the avatar backgrounds.

 

[Erik]

Just been playing around again with it this morning. I'm considering this, which makes the unread indicator just as (if not more so) immediate as the current implementation, but does not have the adverse effect of separating the avatar from the thread title and starter name.

Feedback please?

Like it, although I would put more horizontal padding/spacing on the right and left of the blue dot. Right now it looks kind of cramped in there. This has the side effect of increasing that awkward gap, but it's worth trying. I would at least like to see another screen with more spacing.

 

[Paul B]

I'm not a fan of any of the proposed solutions so far.

Putting a dot on either side of the avatar just spoils the whole look IMO.

You're losing a lot of horizontal screen real estate for a simple dot which looks a bit lost there and with all threads read it will just look like a big oversized gap.

Is there any reason why you don't want to float icons right where the sticky and locked icons are?
Or is it now that you're trying to emulate the Apple iPhone look?

 

[Grover]

Just been playing around again with it this morning. I'm considering this, which makes the unread indicator just as (if not more so) immediate as the current implementation, but does not have the adverse effect of separating the avatar from the thread title and starter name.

Feedback please?

It does indeed make the indicator even more apparent, compared to how it is now. For me, I don't have a strong feeling which one is better then the other. I still like Nick's solution (also the speech bubble design in it is good, I think): http://xenforo.com/community/thread...8/page-14#post-14030. I like the fact that you have chosen a blue dot. Much better then green, because of the reasons I explained in the link. As I said, the button itself could be designed a little different, but that is just minor stuff. Because of the design and size of the bubble, it makes it a bit too visible for the 'softness' of this style maybe. The button could be made a little smaller: see Nick's solution for a good example. However a really minor point, I love the fact that we can discuss design stuff like this (how small it may be) in depth overhere and that the designers see the importance in it. Really, details are important.

 

[Lawrence]

The blue dots to the left of the thread title looks best to me; blends with the style and caches your eye.

 

[Kier]

Okay, how about...

 

[Paul B]

In danger of being hit with the ban stick, I'd say that's the worst yet...

 

[welshstew]

I kind of like that, but it's pretty hidden against all the other blue - therefore "dot" needs to be a different colour

are dots on the left our only option?

 

[Kier]

In danger of being hit with the ban stick, I'd say that's the worst yet...

Everyone is entitled to their opinion - that's why I asked for feedback.

 

[Paul B]

Is there a reason why you don't want to float an icon right?

Do you want to keep if focussed around the avatar?

Although I suppose a small dot would look a bit lost floated over to the end of the column.

 

[Umit]

Why are we in such a hurry? We have time to think, right?

 

[Floris]

Now that I see it live, I have to say, it implies the avatar is 'online', and that it has nothing to do with the thread.

I say, just throw it to the right, and focus on something else.

 

[welshstew]

Okay, how about...

I guess you don't like this option: http://xenforo.com/community/thread...threads-with-new-posts.958/page-15#post-14076

???

 

[Kier]

Is there a reason why you don't want to float an icon right?

Do you want to keep if focussed around the avatar?

Although I suppose a small dot would look a bit lost floated over to the end of the column.

It would be preferable to have it associated with the link that you are going to click to access the thread, I think.

A slightly different version:

 

[Kier]

I say, just throw it to the right, and focus on something else.

I am starting to feel the same way. This is an extra indicator after all - the primary being the emboldened text, so the indicator icon need not really be so prevalent.

 

[Cezz]

I think that is my design - although it is built on peoples earlier suggestions

I do like it though (unsurprisingly)

for me the key to this is to have two parameters one for new posts (shown by the speech bubble) and one to show that you have posted in this thread (shown by the pencil)

Heck, sorry you are right I was writing a PC to Erik and I flicked back to write that post and mistakenly mixed up the names... Sorry dude.

 

[welshstew]

It would be preferable to have it associated with the link that you are going to click to access the thread, I think.

A slightly different version:

That looks like it is associated with the avatar/user/thread starter, not the link

 

[Disjunto]

Now that I see it live, I have to say, it implies the avatar is 'online', and that it has nothing to do with the thread.

I agree, it seems to show the status of the user more than the thread :|

 

[Paul B]

It would be preferable to have it associated with the link that you are going to click to access the thread, I think.

In which case the only place for it really is between the avatar and the thread title.

For symmetry though I would personally keep all thread related icons in the same place which is over on the right; stickies, locked, new posts, threads you've posted in.

 

[Cezz]

Okay, how about...

I do actually like this design, been a fan of it from the beginning, but I think the idea of them all being floated to the right is better as that way if more icon's get added then there is once central location for them all.. or your going to have a blip on every corner of every avatar.