new site skin - empire earth 3 sponsored

Zardon · Nov 12, 2007, 01:03 PM

Some of you may have seen the new Empire Earth 3 Skin, which is our default for a short while. This is a sponsored skin, and of course can be overidden by our regulars when they are logged in. If you would like to see it, simply select "empire earthIII" in your skin selector (doh!).

**temeteus82** · Nov 12, 2007, 01:05 PM

Must admit I like this skin

**Mousey** · Nov 12, 2007, 01:08 PM

It looks cool but i thought "WTF?!?!?" When i logged in xD

cozumel · Nov 12, 2007, 01:23 PM

Yep - very nice aesthetic qualities indeed. I like.

Only thing is, I can't find a link to the forums from the front page (unless I missed it that is)

Zardon · Nov 12, 2007, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cozumel

Yep - very nice aesthetic qualities indeed. I like.

Only thing is, I can't find a link to the forums from the front page (unless I missed it that is)

nav bar on the top left..... like all the themes.

OldBuzzard · Nov 12, 2007, 02:10 PM

It's interesting, and not bad at all.

However, it would be nice if the red 'light' for NEW POSTS was a bit brighter and easier to see. Some of us older types aren't quite as sharp eyed as you young pups

The rest of it is quite readable, and I think I may keep this for awhile.

***craig5320*** · Nov 12, 2007, 02:24 PM

Easiest way is this link towards the bottom of the Nav panel frontpage, or browse down to the latest threads on the right and enter the forums that way

mkk · Nov 12, 2007, 02:43 PM

I absolutely love the text/background coloring. Nicest contrast ratio to date. Something similar for a regular forum skin in the future would be neat.

Tinkerhell · Nov 12, 2007, 05:52 PM

It looks great but isn't the best thing in the world to be showing up in my browser at work. I tried changing back to techheaven (what I normally use and looks mostly appropriate on the job) but every time I re-load a screen or pull up a new thread it flips back to EEIII...

Robert McClelland · Nov 12, 2007, 07:08 PM

I do like the skin but I can't read the small gold members while surfing the forums names remember kinda color blind lol

Zardon · Nov 12, 2007, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tinkerhell

It looks great but isn't the best thing in the world to be showing up in my browser at work. I tried changing back to techheaven (what I normally use and looks mostly appropriate on the job) but every time I re-load a screen or pull up a new thread it flips back to EEIII...

your own theme will override it, if you are logged in. otherwise its the default theme and will be for a while.

**dj_stick** · Nov 12, 2007, 08:09 PM

this is cool, i like the lighter colour

WhO_KnOwS · Nov 12, 2007, 09:05 PM

Loving it myself. As long as it is available this will probably be my default skin.

BlueMak · Nov 12, 2007, 09:37 PM

The choice for colours is good. I like them. I will take a break from the midnight one for a while.

Retarp · Nov 12, 2007, 10:48 PM

I'm done with this site. I'm fed up with all the sponsorship this and free xeon that. I started here a few years ago because it was an honest place with knowledgeable people. Now there is advertising in between replies and little worth reading in the tech sections.

Now today I logged on and was greeted by a huge banner that reads "Driver Heaven sponsored by Empire Earth III." You will get no more hits from me.

Goodbye and good luck with your site.

Da_Jewish_Fonzy · Nov 12, 2007, 11:21 PM

I think it looks horrible. Far too busy and tacky.

Dyre Straits · Nov 12, 2007, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retarp

I'm done with this site. I'm fed up with all the sponsorship this and free xeon that. I started here a few years ago because it was an honest place with knowledgeable people. Now there is advertising in between replies and little worth reading in the tech sections.

Now today I logged on and was greeted by a huge banner that reads "Driver Heaven sponsored by Empire Earth III." You will get no more hits from me.

Goodbye and good luck with your site.

You obviously have no idea how much it costs to keep a site like this going and keep things working properly. Volunteer funding from members won't cut it.

As far as the sponsored skin goes, I have to agree that you can't read the Gold Members' names above their avatar. I'd kind of like the text background to be a little darker. It's a little too bright for my eyes.

Zardon · Nov 12, 2007, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retarp

I'm done with this site. I'm fed up with all the sponsorship this and free xeon that. I started here a few years ago because it was an honest place with knowledgeable people.

So you feel all sites who have ads and skins such as gamespot are dishonest? Editorial content and advertising are two entirely different matters.

Clearly you aren't living in the real world if you think paying 15+ people, dealing with 4+terrabytes of bandwidth a month on our own rack and 100mbit line ..... and organising everything that goes on DH is low budget - content which is normally updated DAILY now.

Quote:

Now there is advertising in between replies and little worth reading in the tech sections.

This is why logged in members, have a choice of skins in the skin selector. Disagree with you on the tech sections, but hey, clearly you have been unhappy for some time.

Quote:

Now today I logged on and was greeted by a huge banner that reads "Driver Heaven sponsored by Empire Earth III." You will get no more hits from me.

The skin is sponsored by Empire EarthIII as a cool and fun way to help promote a product, a high quality product we feel will benefit our members, we certainly won't have skins for viagra, smilies or all that crap.

Quote:

Goodbye and good luck with your site.

Thanks, sorry to see you leave. Appreciate how angry you are, but unfortunately like most "free" entertainment in life, there are costs which require funding, and as we dont run popups, intellitxt in reviews and on the forum (yes there are many who do), nor full page ads with sound, and all that REALLY annoying stuff, we feel these forms of advertising are more useful to our members, and hopefully enjoyable. Also remember our download server at www.driverheavendownloads.net has NO adverts either for all you guys to get drivers quick without hassle.

Can't please everyone but we will continue to try !

Falstaff · Nov 13, 2007, 12:05 AM

interesting skin..
reminds me of chocolate donuts...
God I dont know why....
just have the hankering to eat a donut...
and by God I will!!!

edit: I got it.... Hot chocolate.....mmmmmm...yeah....or a dark Latte.....time for Starbucks.

Falstaff · Nov 13, 2007, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Da_Jewish_Hornet

I think it looks horrible. Im far too busy and tacky.

noted...

[hobo]eclipse · Nov 13, 2007, 12:08 AM

Zardon yer sig is to scary im outa here!

LOL Make a site skin after that and watch'em all run! Skins not my cup of tea but no trouble none the less! I cant be bothered with anything except neonheaven!

Zardon · Nov 13, 2007, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Da_Jewish_Hornet

I think it looks horrible. Far too busy and tacky.

I figured with a signature comprising a naked guy, pink type claiming jewishness and sexiness it would be right up your alley

Feel free to use the theme you prefer, as a signed in member you have that privilege!

BlueMak · Nov 13, 2007, 12:12 AM

I have to say the combination of this skin and the ads for EEIII are making me eager to try at least the demo for the game where at first I wasn't really looking forward to it.

EDIT: Would it be possible for this and/or future skins to have a wallpaper for the product at least after the time the skin is up for? (I hope that makes sense, too much tea)

Zardon · Nov 13, 2007, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueMak

I have to say the combination of this skin and the ads for EEIII are making me eager to try at least the demo for the game where at first I wasn't really looking forward to it.

Hey, thats great to hear. I really have been racking my brains with the team behind the scenes to make sure we try alternative forms of advertising which the guys on the forum will find fun. No really. I mean we have been offered huge money to run intellitxt style ads on our forum, but ive been on forums with the horrible little hovering links which pop up all over the place and it drives me nuts. We try to make sure we work with companies we like, feel are producing high quality products and something which I personally think you might find will add to the enjoyment of the site. Even if you don't like the skin, well hey there are like 6 or 7 others to hopefully suit all tastes.

I mean this skin is something I made for sierra and they loved it. They didn't try and force audio on the skin, popups and masses of links to their sites. Most of the guys we deal with are the sensible company reps who know what you will hate (and if they don't ill not be long letting them know)!

Quote:

EDIT: Would it be possible for this and/or future skins to have a wallpaper for the product at least after the time the skin is up for? (I hope that makes sense, too much tea)

Actually thats a great idea, ill make a few tomorrow and let you know.

***craig5320*** · Nov 13, 2007, 12:30 AM

I've tried to adjust the gold colour as best I can, I hope it's an improvement for you.

I'm sorry to hear some of the negative comments regarding site skins, we had a lot of positive feedback from the Intel Skin, so we considered it one of the better options for site revenue, a lot of work went into the design by Allan and implementing it myself.

Anyone having issues with the site skin selector and not being able to change skin and keep the selected skin should manually delete cookies for driverheaven. I had a cookie from the driverheaven.net without the www. which was conflicting with the www.hardwareheaven.com cookie and causing the issue spoke of here, hope that helps.

Craig

geraldmango · Nov 13, 2007, 12:35 AM

I think its a fun skin. probably wouldnt be my top skin choice but its a "game" skin and very effective and as someone else said, i want to play the game now, is there a demo out for it ? had a look around couldn't see one.

I also give kudos to zardon and his team, I think this site is run very well by people who obviously care, I can't see too many guys like Z who manage everything and do design too !

I think some people need to chill out, id much rather have these cool things than intellitext and god forbid those little links "to get to this page, click here" with some full page annoying flash ad playing for a rolex watch or some crap. I also feel safe on Dh as they never run spyware or tracking stuff.

keep up the good work, wouldnt mind a few desktop pictures myself either.

Falstaff · Nov 13, 2007, 12:35 AM

can we have a "Jewish Hornet" theme?
what would the colours be...
as for me...this Empire Earth theme just makes me want to dive into three layers of German Chocol....err.....never mind...LOL
seriously...
a user theme based on a DH member...wouldnt that be a hoot...

[hobo]eclipse · Nov 13, 2007, 12:37 AM

just wanted to say the extra thought and time put into the alternative adverts and only dealing with understanding companies who are down to earth is appreciated. its nice not to hear about winning ps3s and having to wait through full page ads and such.

geraldmango · Nov 13, 2007, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falstaff

can we have a "Jewish Hornet" theme?
what would the colours be...
as for me...this Empire Earth theme just makes me want to dive into three layers of German Chocol....err.....never mind...LOL
seriously...
a user theme based on a DH member...wouldnt that be a hoot...

funny you say that, the post panel colours remind me of a glazed donut. nice n cheerful, felt a bit down tonight too. think ill go find a good strategy game now and maybe preorder Empire Earth 3, some good looking videos for it online !

Dyre Straits · Nov 13, 2007, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craig5320

I've tried to adjust the gold colour as best I can, I hope it's an improvement for you.

I'm sorry to hear some of the negative comments regarding site skins, we had a lot of positive feedback from the Intel Skin, so we considered it one of the better options for site revenue, a lot of work went into the design by Allan and implementing it myself.

Anyone having issues with the site skin selector and not being able to change skin and keep the selected skin should manually delete cookies for driverheaven. I had a cookie from the driverheaven.net without the www. which was conflicting with the www.hardwareheaven.com cookie and causing the issue spoke of here, hope that helps.

Craig

The new gold color is much better! It was just too 'glowy' (is that a word?) before.

Nov 12, 2007, 01:03 PM	#1
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 179	new site skin - empire earth 3 sponsored Some of you may have seen the new Empire Earth 3 Skin, which is our default for a short while. This is a sponsored skin, and of course can be overidden by our regulars when they are logged in. If you would like to see it, simply select "empire earthIII" in your skin selector (doh!).

Nov 12, 2007, 01:08 PM	#3
Mousey Synth's Long Lost Bro Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Web Design Hell Posts: 7,188 Rep Power: 245 System Specs	It looks cool but i thought "WTF?!?!?" When i logged in xD __________________

Nov 12, 2007, 01:23 PM	#4
cozumel I'm dangerous but cute... Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Under the waves... Posts: 3,577 Rep Power: 60 System Specs	Yep - very nice aesthetic qualities indeed. I like. Only thing is, I can't find a link to the forums from the front page (unless I missed it that is) __________________ Don't worry about money - Be a beach bum! Scuba Rocks

Nov 12, 2007, 02:10 PM	#6
OldBuzzard DH's oldest Geek Join Date: May 2003 Location: Oberlin, OH Posts: 2,781 Rep Power: 142 System Specs	It's interesting, and not bad at all. However, it would be nice if the red 'light' for NEW POSTS was a bit brighter and easier to see. Some of us older types aren't quite as sharp eyed as you young pups The rest of it is quite readable, and I think I may keep this for awhile. __________________ When looking for a reason as to why things go wrong, never rule out sheer STUPIDITY

Nov 12, 2007, 02:24 PM	#7
*craig5320* HH Administrator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 8,565 Rep Power: 445 System Specs	Easiest way is this link towards the bottom of the Nav panel frontpage, or browse down to the latest threads on the right and enter the forums that way __________________ HardwareHeaven on Facebook

Nov 12, 2007, 02:43 PM	#8
mkk Cthulhu/Dagon 2012 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Gefle, Sweden Posts: 4,489 Rep Power: 132 System Specs	I absolutely love the text/background coloring. Nicest contrast ratio to date. Something similar for a regular forum skin in the future would be neat.

Nov 12, 2007, 05:52 PM	#9
Tinkerhell Not all fairies are nice. Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 989 Rep Power: 44	It looks great but isn't the best thing in the world to be showing up in my browser at work. I tried changing back to techheaven (what I normally use and looks mostly appropriate on the job) but every time I re-load a screen or pull up a new thread it flips back to EEIII... __________________ Stupidity should be painful if not terminal. Darwin for Sainthood!!

Nov 12, 2007, 07:08 PM	#10
Robert McClelland PAX Tweaker, PAX Expert. Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Somewhere in Wood County Ohio Same Town :) Posts: 10,643 Rep Power: 196 System Specs	I do like the skin but I can't read the small gold members while surfing the forums names remember kinda color blind lol __________________ "XTREME AUDIO IS CRAP!" "There no support for it. It's crapist card on face of the earth it should be throw into the sun" http://www.speedtest.net/result/1949536385.png

Nov 12, 2007, 09:05 PM	#13
WhO_KnOwS The Knows Mister Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Slovenia, Europe Posts: 409 Rep Power: 0	Loving it myself. As long as it is available this will probably be my default skin. __________________ How you can help DriverHeaven by using Digg!

Nov 12, 2007, 09:37 PM	#14
BlueMak HH's Asteroids' Dominator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hellas->Macedonia->Thessaloniki Posts: 13,465 Rep Power: 349 System Specs	The choice for colours is good. I like them. I will take a break from the midnight one for a while. __________________ The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others(Bertrand Russell)"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil,You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them." - Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis This is slavery, not to speak one's thought. [Euripides-The Phoenician Women (c.411-409 B.C.)] http://www.macedonia.info/FALLACIESANDFACTS.htm *Sic semper tyrannis.*

Nov 12, 2007, 10:48 PM	#15
Retarp DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 119 Rep Power: 0	I'm done with this site. I'm fed up with all the sponsorship this and free xeon that. I started here a few years ago because it was an honest place with knowledgeable people. Now there is advertising in between replies and little worth reading in the tech sections. Now today I logged on and was greeted by a huge banner that reads "Driver Heaven sponsored by Empire Earth III." You will get no more hits from me. Goodbye and good luck with your site.

Nov 12, 2007, 11:21 PM	#16
Da_Jewish_Fonzy Me>You Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Da Hood Posts: 507 Rep Power: 0	I think it looks horrible. Far too busy and tacky.

Nov 13, 2007, 12:05 AM	#19
Falstaff Old Codger Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: USAFA Posts: 19,048 Rep Power: 207	interesting skin.. reminds me of chocolate donuts... God I dont know why.... just have the hankering to eat a donut... and by God I will!!! edit: I got it.... Hot chocolate.....mmmmmm...yeah....or a dark Latte.....time for Starbucks. __________________ "Inspiration is always a surprising visitor."

Nov 13, 2007, 12:08 AM	#21
[hobo]eclipse ...just bummin 'round Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 2,907 Rep Power: 112 System Specs	Zardon yer sig is to scary im outa here! LOL Make a site skin after that and watch'em all run! Skins not my cup of tea but no trouble none the less! I cant be bothered with anything except neonheaven!

Nov 13, 2007, 12:12 AM	#23
BlueMak HH's Asteroids' Dominator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hellas->Macedonia->Thessaloniki Posts: 13,465 Rep Power: 349 System Specs	I have to say the combination of this skin and the ads for EEIII are making me eager to try at least the demo for the game where at first I wasn't really looking forward to it. EDIT: Would it be possible for this and/or future skins to have a wallpaper for the product at least after the time the skin is up for? (I hope that makes sense, too much tea) __________________ The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others(Bertrand Russell)"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil,You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them." - Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis This is slavery, not to speak one's thought. [Euripides-The Phoenician Women (c.411-409 B.C.)] http://www.macedonia.info/FALLACIESANDFACTS.htm *Sic semper tyrannis.*

Nov 13, 2007, 12:30 AM	#25
*craig5320* HH Administrator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 8,565 Rep Power: 445 System Specs	I've tried to adjust the gold colour as best I can, I hope it's an improvement for you. I'm sorry to hear some of the negative comments regarding site skins, we had a lot of positive feedback from the Intel Skin, so we considered it one of the better options for site revenue, a lot of work went into the design by Allan and implementing it myself. Anyone having issues with the site skin selector and not being able to change skin and keep the selected skin should manually delete cookies for driverheaven. I had a cookie from the driverheaven.net without the www. which was conflicting with the www.hardwareheaven.com cookie and causing the issue spoke of here, hope that helps. Craig __________________ HardwareHeaven on Facebook

Nov 13, 2007, 12:35 AM	#26
geraldmango DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 85 Rep Power: 0	I think its a fun skin. probably wouldnt be my top skin choice but its a "game" skin and very effective and as someone else said, i want to play the game now, is there a demo out for it ? had a look around couldn't see one. I also give kudos to zardon and his team, I think this site is run very well by people who obviously care, I can't see too many guys like Z who manage everything and do design too ! I think some people need to chill out, id much rather have these cool things than intellitext and god forbid those little links "to get to this page, click here" with some full page annoying flash ad playing for a rolex watch or some crap. I also feel safe on Dh as they never run spyware or tracking stuff. keep up the good work, wouldnt mind a few desktop pictures myself either.

Nov 13, 2007, 12:37 AM	#28
[hobo]eclipse ...just bummin 'round Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 2,907 Rep Power: 112 System Specs	just wanted to say the extra thought and time put into the alternative adverts and only dealing with understanding companies who are down to earth is appreciated. its nice not to hear about winning ps3s and having to wait through full page ads and such.