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Examples / tips for improvement of articles + icons layout

Started by @rjen, September 06, 2020, 07:39:19 AM

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@rjen

Testing for release 2.0.0 I came across the page layouts articles + icons and articles + icons2

These have been around a long time and tbf I do not like the layout and how it works on mobile devices: too much empty space .(see attachment)
I guess it is because the layouts are still from the time SMF (and TP) were not suited for responsive use.

I want to update the layouts so they are more up to date but I need some inspiration: what kind of layout would be desired ( for these layouts with article icons)

Examples of layouts from other sites with similar uses are welcome...
Running Latest TP on SMF2.1 at: www.fjr-club.nl

lurkalot

I agree it needs work, not sure the best way to handle this though.

I realise you're talking more about the layout side of things here, but the thing I find most frustrating and confusing is the way you apply the icon in the first place, especially custom icons.  I would prefer if it had an easy way to add a custom icon per article instead of the same generic icon on every one while showing on front page.

For layout, what about something along the lines of what Mick has done with  https://www.idesignsmf.com/  They are more header images than icons, but they do look good. 

A look at some of the Wordpress blogs out there is quite inspiring. https://wordpress.org/showcase/

@rjen

I'll have a look at the layout first, then I can checkout the icons. AFAIK you can assign icons per article , I was looking at the forum topics now , where the default  image is needed if no attachment is present
Running Latest TP on SMF2.1 at: www.fjr-club.nl

lurkalot

Quote from: @rjen on September 06, 2020, 11:06:18 AM
I'll have a look at the layout first, then I can checkout the icons. AFAIK you can assign icons per article , I was looking at the forum topics now , where the default  image is needed if no attachment is present

Yep, I wasn't suggesting you can't assign a icon per article, I was just pointing out it's a confusing process, especially for a new TP user, hence why I bolded the "easy way" in my post.   ;)

@rjen

Quote from: lurkalot on September 06, 2020, 10:33:36 AM
For layout, what about something along the lines of what Mick has done with  https://www.idesignsmf.com/  They are more header images than icons, but they do look good. 

A look at some of the Wordpress blogs out there is quite inspiring. https://wordpress.org/showcase/

I like what Mick has done, and I can image setting it up in such a way, but we have some specifics to take into account:

1. In our forums we are dealing with many different admins, that may upload images of many different sizes: the layout should deal with those in a pretty consistent manner

2. The article layout may vary based on the chosen layout type: 1 column, 2 columns or even 3. It should look ok on all

3. The screen sizes vary: what looks nice on a small screen (with an image stretching across the width of the article) may look grotesque when the articles is full screen...
Running Latest TP on SMF2.1 at: www.fjr-club.nl

@rjen

Running Latest TP on SMF2.1 at: www.fjr-club.nl

lurkalot

That's actually a vast improvement already @rjen, bringing the icon inside like that makes things more compact. 

Looking at your posts (on your live test site) with the attachment displaying as the icon, that looks nice too.  Only wish in some way it could pick up the first image embedded as an alternative, much like OG (Open Graph) does.  This would also make it usable when sharing those posts on Social Media,

I'm pretty sure that OG doesn't pick up the attachment, but does pick up the first image in the post as a thumbnail.  That basically means, if you share a post and also want a custom icon you have to have an attachment for your icon, and a embedded image for sharing the post so OG can add the thumbnail.

@rjen

I am not taking on the og image stuff now. I am thinking to maybe make the icon rectangular (landscape) instead of square... let's see what it brings
Running Latest TP on SMF2.1 at: www.fjr-club.nl

lurkalot

Quote from: @rjen on September 06, 2020, 03:06:18 PM
I am not taking on the og image stuff now. I am thinking to maybe make the icon rectangular (landscape) instead of square... let's see what it brings

Taking on the OG would be great, but not what I was saying. I meant Icon pulling from first image in post, rather than attachment.  That way you don't need two images to take advantage of OG when using mods such as Optimus as it would use the same image.

@rjen

For now I have settled for the attached... hopefully some more suggestions come along
Running Latest TP on SMF2.1 at: www.fjr-club.nl