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Cigar Box Nation Redesign

Hello everyone,

I wanted to let you know that we are working on a redesign of Cigar Box Nation's look and feel (known as its "theme" or "skin". Basically, this means the banner, the colors, how the different content boxes look, etc. This current theme has been in place for several years now, and was never all that great to begin with (I know, because I'm the one that came up with it), so it is definitely time for an update.

The core functionality that makes up Cigar Box Nation is not changing, only the way it looks on your computer screen. You'll still be able to upload photos and vids, browse groups, post forum topics and comments, update your own pages, take part in the chat, etc.

We are working with a professional Ning theme developer on this project (you can see some of her Ning design porfolio here if you want), with a goal of making the overall site look much cleaner, and more modern, while still retaining a "vintagey" feel that is in keeping with cigar box guitars.

The Cigar Box Nation logo (star/upraised fist/CBG) will be kept. We will also be making sure to keep some of the key stuff on the front page that you all love so much (Photo slideshow, Videos, Top Content, Forums, Groups). We are going to be working hard to make it easier to nagivate the site in general though, especially for newer users. So the main menu is going to be revamped and some other navigational aids added.

My hope is that the end result of all of this will be a much better looking and easier-to-use website. I am sure there will be some bumps in the road, and I know that not everyone will like every change. This process of having a professional, modern theme developed is not cheap, but I think it is an investment very much worth making.

Feel free to post comments and discuss all of this. I'll do my best to reply as possible.

Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker on June 19, 2015 at 2:20am

As most of you have noticed, the primary install of the new design is complete. Now we'll be tweaking some of the things over the next few days to smooth out any bumps.

As for space at the bottom of the page, that is due to the right column having more content/total height than the center column. Evening this out will be part of the tweaking.

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Permalink Reply by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker on June 19, 2015 at 3:39am

The video display white space issue is now fixed, and also the music playlist (on home page and personal pages) is back.

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Permalink Reply by DeltaglowBoy on June 19, 2015 at 4:20am

Great site upgrade. Excellent string and tuning info ... however,

It is understood that 3 string is the "Traditional CBG setup", yet many of this sites experts regularly encourage builders to include a 4th string (as it adds very little to build time but adds significantly to playing options and overall sound.

Please consider including the missing 4th string in you guides for tunings, gauges and tuning a CBG. It could be noted simply by adding it as (X). By doing so, most all of your followers will be well served. As it stands, the 4 stringers are left to search on there own for that mysterious 4th string.

Thanks for all your effort

Delta Glowboy

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Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on June 19, 2015 at 4:34am

Just dropped by and visually the new look is WAY better. I'm finding the background brick & wood thing loads a bit slow, but that's maybe my connection and /or computer...I just need to get used to navigating the new look site, but a real step in the right direction.

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Permalink Reply by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker on June 19, 2015 at 4:54am

Thanks John!

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Permalink Reply by the anonymous pick on June 19, 2015 at 9:07am

picture box works now too , and pops up centered ;-)

thanx again ben ;-)

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Permalink Reply by Uncle John on June 19, 2015 at 9:36am

Ben, I am getting used to it fast. I think it will be especially good for a newcomer. Us old farts, takes us a bit of time to adapt. All it needs is free ice cream and more restrooms.

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Permalink Reply by Tom on June 19, 2015 at 3:10pm

WOW - I gotta say WOW again !! :)

IMHO the site looks somehow CLEANER.

Great job. As Uncle John says : it will take some of us "old farts" a while longer to get used to it - but its lookin good so far Ben.

MIGHTY FINE. yes sir - MIGHTY FINE WORK !!

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Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on June 19, 2015 at 9:50pm

Ben,

Generally like the new look; however, couple issues:

1)The light colored font used in the Reply box? Nah. Not enough contrast. You use high contrast colors on white or light backgrounds. This is basic human vision stuff, no matter what the designers say. You're dealing with older eyes for a sizable part of your population here on CBN. That's why black and white works so well: the ultimate in contrast.

2)Same problem on the Home page "What you can do now" block, that shows icons for pics, replies etc. White font on a light tan background. Nope. Again, not enough contrast.

Other than that, I've had no trouble navigating.

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Permalink Reply by Uncle John on June 20, 2015 at 1:15am

Ben, one glitch that came up before the re-design - and continues: some of the photos are distorted until you click 'view full size".

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Permalink Reply by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker on June 20, 2015 at 3:48am

Unfortunately I think that is an underlying Ning platform thing.

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Permalink Reply by Monterey on June 20, 2015 at 4:41am

I had that problem too, not sure why, but if you get a squashed one you can delete it, edit it slightly on your photo editor, and upload the edited version, which seems to come up normally. Worked for me maybe 15 times...