Preview of new board layout.

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gmiller
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Preview of new board layout.

Post by gmiller » Sun Nov 16, 2003 8:58 pm

I'm not going to force this new interface on anyone. When I initially roll it out you'll have a new option under user preferences so you can choose between the old layout and the new one. By default everyone will be set to "Auto Detect", which means if your browser is known to support the new layout, you get the new one, otherwise you get the old one.

I also plan to have a separate "Board Style" page where uses can select from a number of different boards, as well as the ability to just change the colors without having to use an actual image as the board (for those on dial up connections).

This is only a preliminary view, I've still got a lot of work to do on the images, but the main functionality is all there. I realize on this board the contrast between the black pieces and the dark squares makes it difficult to see, but this was just my first try, the "real"versions should be much better.

Here's links to two games for viewing as an example:

g1059940562
g1048969582

If you want to view any of your games with the new layout, just replace "viewgame.cgi" with "newviewgame.cgi" in the URL.

The browsers I plan to support are:
Internet Explorer 5 and up
Netscape 6 and up (version 4 might work)
Mozilla all versions
Opera - not sure which versions
and hopefully WebTV

Any others and you'll automatically get the old layout, unless you set your preferences to view the new one.

ghorn
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New view.

Post by ghorn » Sun Nov 16, 2003 11:03 pm

I like the layout better. I still had trouble with the rooks on the darker squares. Guess that is why I always use white or cream for light squares and a light green for the dark squares where possible.

gmiller
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Post by gmiller » Sun Nov 16, 2003 11:31 pm

I think the primary problem is that the "black" in the pieces is really just a dark grey, and they're anti-aliased so they get lighter near the edges. I need to redesign them so they're darker and have harder edges.

BTW: I've changed the board image since I originally posted it here's the old and the new one:

Image Image

The green one is a little less noisy and doesn't distract from the pieces as much, but it's still not easy to see the black pieces on the green squares.

knightmare
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Post by knightmare » Mon Nov 17, 2003 12:03 am

I think there is too much marbleing, particularly on the dark squares b2 and d8. I for one would prefer solid colors. (no marbleing)
Thanks :)

davidswhite
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Proposed new board layout

Post by davidswhite » Mon Nov 17, 2003 2:04 am

I agree with Dan(knightmare) and want to keep solid colors(no marbleing).
In fact,as regards the playing board itself, I would argue that the one
we already have is perfect.
Thanks,David

tellymetwise
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Post by tellymetwise » Mon Nov 17, 2003 2:27 am

If I may have a go, are you going to make it an option where you can choose your own boarddesign (or current layout)?
Seems that some like marble, some simple, some wood, some metalic etc.

Maybe there are some people out there who might want to design net-chess pieces.? (I wouldn't mind giving it a try, and maybe someone else has the perfect knack for it.)

keithstuart
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Post by keithstuart » Mon Nov 17, 2003 2:37 am

provided i cna see all the pieces on the board easily (and by easily i mean when half drunk late at night :D )

i'll be happy with any improvement

so far it looks great a mmuch better view

only drawback is the black pawns and green marbleing sort of class meaning i'll misss a few

tellymetwise
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Post by tellymetwise » Mon Nov 17, 2003 5:52 am

I've created some simple chess pieces in 32x32 and 16x16 GIF format.
not aliased and outlined, easy to see, even for keith's heavy duty nights :lol:

mail me if you want to have a view and I'll send them over zipped.

gmiller
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Post by gmiller » Mon Nov 17, 2003 10:10 am

Yes, please do.

I plan to have several different boards to choose from, as well as a "design your own" so you can choose from any solid colors you your browser is capable of displaying. You'll also be able to change the size of the board. And now I'm thinking of allowing several different chess sets where black's pieces are red and other colors so you can choose those that contrast highly with the board you're using.

I know most people will just choose solid colors (myself included) and a standard set, but plan to offer some decorative boards for those who like that sort of thing.

hamot
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Comment box

Post by hamot » Mon Nov 17, 2003 12:20 pm

I noticed in your new layout that the comment box was gone. Is this just an oversight?

BTW, does this message board have a spell checker?

Tim

gmiller
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Post by gmiller » Mon Nov 17, 2003 4:03 pm

The whole thing isn't done yet, I haven't figured out where I'm going to put the comments and draw offer messages.

gmiller
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Post by gmiller » Tue Nov 18, 2003 12:10 am

Made a few changes, hold down shift and click reload to make sure all of the images/source code is refreshed. Still a ways to go though.

hamot
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Lots of overlap

Post by hamot » Tue Nov 18, 2003 9:58 am

Greg -

The newest look has some overlap of icons/textboxes in my browser. I have IE 6.0.

This is what it looks like in my browser:

Click Here to view.

I just thought you would want to see it.

Tim

gmiller
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Post by gmiller » Tue Nov 18, 2003 10:18 am

Ok, thanks, I believe I know what the problem is.

katchum
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Post by katchum » Fri Nov 21, 2003 7:18 am

I prefer the red one...

gmiller
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Post by gmiller » Sat Dec 13, 2003 12:57 pm

Made some changes, have a look. There's also the "Change Board Layout" link at the bottom so you can see different types of boards, but you still can't save your changes yet.

ludwig
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Post by ludwig » Sat Dec 13, 2003 9:49 pm

i do,t like the marbeling look,too much veining,maybe it is because i set it for a living.the green one seems too bright,not that it matters what this lud thincks.

tellymetwise
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Post by tellymetwise » Sun Dec 14, 2003 3:51 pm

Looks fine, though maybe you could use the old set of captured chess pieces, as they are sharper.

Also, if you play with the window size, you'll see that the right table tends to overlap the comments textbox.

ghorn
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Post by ghorn » Sun Dec 14, 2003 3:58 pm

If you choose a new board layout how do you select it?

hamot
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Re: Comment box

Post by hamot » Mon Dec 15, 2003 12:17 am

hamot wrote: BTW, does this message board have a spell checker?

Tim
Greg -

In case you forgot.....

katchum
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Post by katchum » Mon Dec 15, 2003 5:58 am

And I didn't join in 1969, I wasn't born yet.

gmiller
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Re: Comment box

Post by gmiller » Mon Dec 15, 2003 10:54 am

hamot wrote: BTW, does this message board have a spell checker?
Oops. No, at least not that I know of.

Katchum, if the computer says you joined in 1969, then that's when you joined. Computers don't make mistakes. You probably just don't remember. By your own admitance, you weren't even born yet, so how could you even know you didn't join then? But seriously, I plan on fixing that durring my vacation.

gmiller
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Post by gmiller » Mon Dec 15, 2003 10:57 am


tellymetwise
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Post by tellymetwise » Tue Jan 06, 2004 4:47 pm

Hey Greg,

When can we stop typing "new" in front of our viewgame.cgi?

gmiller
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Post by gmiller » Thu Jan 08, 2004 10:43 pm

Now if you go into your "profile" you can select which interface you want.

Auto - gives you the old interface
Enhanced - gives you the new interface
Standard - gives you the old interface

Evenutally "Auto" will give you the new interface if your browser supports it, otherwise you'll get the old one. Since the new interface still isn't done yet, I'm leaving the default as the old one. You still can't save the changes you make on the boardprefs page, once that is done, I'll change the default over (with a fair warning in advance).

tellymetwise
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Post by tellymetwise » Fri Jan 09, 2004 8:13 pm

Thanks Greg :D

keithstuart
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Post by keithstuart » Sat Jan 10, 2004 11:09 am

Greg

Just noticed a major flaw as i have switched to the new layout myself now

If you are playing a game as Black the lettering on the board layout on your (Black's) Side is back to front ie labelled oppositly to the other side

the numbering is fine though

twandio
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New Board

Post by twandio » Mon Jan 12, 2004 1:27 am

Greg,

I like the new interface. I was fine with the old one, too. But there are features on the new interface which really appeal to me, like showing the moves made in algebraic notation so I don't have to go back to my own notes all the time. Thanks for all your hard work towards always improving this already terrific site!

Regards,

Todd

katchum
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Post by katchum » Fri Jan 16, 2004 9:17 am

when can we use the new interface?

gmiller
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Post by gmiller » Fri Jan 16, 2004 9:24 am

Read my reply 5 posts up.

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