Kim
Well-known member
I suppose my opinon on this kinda sways back and forth.
I'll offer a fluid style yet I would blank out refuse a fixed width. Same with the styles itself, my styles are always light based though I'll never offer up a dark themed based, I just don't see the point in creating so many variations and then worrying about the maintenance involved. I say this from a designer resource providing graphics (not styles) although I can see kims point because she provides styles a fixed/fluid solution will always be provided. I can understand mjp reasoning simply because why even bother offering up a fluid solution? Why stop there, a dark themed variation? The list is endless to the point that you can be there all year developing solutions to compensate for everyone's needs.
Personally, I used to offer up many variations but the maintenance involved isn't worth my time when I can be focusing on providing content. If you don't like the style that houses the content the exit is anywhere you want it to be there are a million better stylers that will accomodate some but not all user preferences.
Back to kims point. Very valid points only because she provides styles, I'd expect this. I would offer up a fluid and fixed based solution if I provided styles but I don't so I wouldn't go out of my way spending time on catering for everyone's preference.
I've learned from experience is that you can't make everyone happy, nor should you try.
I offered the advice as mjp had posted a sarcastically titled thread about how some people HATE the new software (without realising that whilst they probably dislike the change, probably the real issue is they just hate the theme he has inflicted on them).
I offered this advice as I have a million years experience of providing Skins/Styles/Themes at a professional level, and with hundreds of paying customers, and a huge amount of Custom Skin clients in that experience, it was very obvious to me what the issue is for some of his members and the solution is dead simple.
I have never once offered a fixed width Skin, because they don't sell - however all of my skins have been adjustable depending on the customer - but fixed width skins just aren't very popular (in the IPB world at least, I know the vB crowd hung onto the 90's a little longer than most, but I would have thought if you are here, then you are ready for the new century!)
Sorry to disillusion anyone but people don't like using them... dispite what the odd person here might say, in my experience the overwhelming majority of people prefer fluid design for forums .
I also would never again offer a dark theme Shelley, as they don't sell, dispite some people absolutely LOVING them to death, reality is they are not popular, and unless you run a gaming or horror site, I would avoid that like the plague.. if mjp had of had a dark theme, I would have offered that advice too.
But hey, if mjp or anyone else wants to inflict only their preference on their member bases I guess that is up to them
The advice I offered wasn't about making everyone happy, it was about making the MAJORITY happy with an incredibly simple and no fuss option.