Dave
02-15-2010, 09:42 PM
This isn't the highly anticipated Version 3 skin, but this is a neat skin to use while browsing TB when you shouldn't be. If you're in class or at work and need to get your TB fix, fear no more about getting caught!
What's new with this skin?
Talk Budgies Sneaky is a new skin with minimal graphics. The gradients are removed and replaced with solid colors. The logo is removed completely. The number of colorful buttons, avatars, large usernames, etc. in the posts are all removed and replaced with plain text. The smiley box is removed from the editor (the smiley button is still there of course so you can access smilies). The random photos strips are removed.
So it's basically a mobile-friendly skin?
Not exactly. This is not a bare-bones version of the website (just text). There are still tables, a fixed width, etc. If you're ever seen a mobile-friendly version of a forum like ours, it's just text, no more. We do have something similar to this, the archive (http://talkbudgies.com/archive), but it's read-only (you can't post). TB Sneaky allows posting, searches, and most of the other features of the regular website.
Why would I use this? It really doesn't look very good.
I miss the fun looking buttons!
Can you put (insert graphic here) back in?
This purpose of this skin is to be able to browse TB with minimal distraction. So if your boss/teacher walks by, they won't take notice to a million buttons and pictures of the page. They'll just see some tables of text, and only if they look closely will they realize what you're doing. So really, the only time you'd use this skin is while you're at work/school not doing what you're supposed to be doing. :D
I actually came up with this idea (and made the skin!) while browsing TB in class. I needed a way to browse TB without losing much functionality and without the distracting images. TB Sneaky was the solution. :)
So I guess the gallery is just a blank page or removed?
No, the gallery still shows pictures. ;) The same goes with profile pages. If you feel you need to browse the gallery, then that problem is on you. Unless someone can think of a way to replace all the pictures with text. As they say, a picture's worth a thousand words. So if someone's willing to replace several thousand pictures with a thousand words each, then the gallery will be changed. :cool:
The same goes for pictures within posts. If someone posts a picture, it will still show up in the thread. There's no way around this. And any images that change (like new/old forum status icons, read/unread thread icons, etc.) by their nature cannot be changed to text. I tried to change the multi-quote button (which is one of these changing images) to text so there isn't a random button surrounded by text in each post, but I don't think it works. Oh well.
Also, if you're a guest, or if you're opted to view our ads, they still appear as well.
Can I use this all the time as my default skin?
If you really want to, go for it! :rolleyes:
Final comments...
If you come across anything that you think should be changed, let me know. For example, if there's a button that I missed, let me know. I'm pretty sure I covered everything though.
Also, I'm saying "you're welcome" in advance to the rush of "thanks Dave" posts that will be coming... :P
Disclaimer: Talk Budgies does not endorse, encourage, or condone using our website as a safe distraction from work/class. Use at your own risk. However, if you do get caught on TB at work/school, we encourage you to tell your boss/teacher to get a budgie and check out TB for themselves.
What's new with this skin?
Talk Budgies Sneaky is a new skin with minimal graphics. The gradients are removed and replaced with solid colors. The logo is removed completely. The number of colorful buttons, avatars, large usernames, etc. in the posts are all removed and replaced with plain text. The smiley box is removed from the editor (the smiley button is still there of course so you can access smilies). The random photos strips are removed.
So it's basically a mobile-friendly skin?
Not exactly. This is not a bare-bones version of the website (just text). There are still tables, a fixed width, etc. If you're ever seen a mobile-friendly version of a forum like ours, it's just text, no more. We do have something similar to this, the archive (http://talkbudgies.com/archive), but it's read-only (you can't post). TB Sneaky allows posting, searches, and most of the other features of the regular website.
Why would I use this? It really doesn't look very good.
I miss the fun looking buttons!
Can you put (insert graphic here) back in?
This purpose of this skin is to be able to browse TB with minimal distraction. So if your boss/teacher walks by, they won't take notice to a million buttons and pictures of the page. They'll just see some tables of text, and only if they look closely will they realize what you're doing. So really, the only time you'd use this skin is while you're at work/school not doing what you're supposed to be doing. :D
I actually came up with this idea (and made the skin!) while browsing TB in class. I needed a way to browse TB without losing much functionality and without the distracting images. TB Sneaky was the solution. :)
So I guess the gallery is just a blank page or removed?
No, the gallery still shows pictures. ;) The same goes with profile pages. If you feel you need to browse the gallery, then that problem is on you. Unless someone can think of a way to replace all the pictures with text. As they say, a picture's worth a thousand words. So if someone's willing to replace several thousand pictures with a thousand words each, then the gallery will be changed. :cool:
The same goes for pictures within posts. If someone posts a picture, it will still show up in the thread. There's no way around this. And any images that change (like new/old forum status icons, read/unread thread icons, etc.) by their nature cannot be changed to text. I tried to change the multi-quote button (which is one of these changing images) to text so there isn't a random button surrounded by text in each post, but I don't think it works. Oh well.
Also, if you're a guest, or if you're opted to view our ads, they still appear as well.
Can I use this all the time as my default skin?
If you really want to, go for it! :rolleyes:
Final comments...
If you come across anything that you think should be changed, let me know. For example, if there's a button that I missed, let me know. I'm pretty sure I covered everything though.
Also, I'm saying "you're welcome" in advance to the rush of "thanks Dave" posts that will be coming... :P
Disclaimer: Talk Budgies does not endorse, encourage, or condone using our website as a safe distraction from work/class. Use at your own risk. However, if you do get caught on TB at work/school, we encourage you to tell your boss/teacher to get a budgie and check out TB for themselves.