Black Message boards: Style or Spook?

[nox501]

What di you think is a black message board creepy or a turn off?

i have a black one (www.v-generations.com/forum) and I think it looks good on different way. But maybe it is just me?

[Colin F]

I very much prefer light styles to dark ones.
I've seen maybe one or two dark styles with same gray variation, that I liked, but other than that I generally avoid dark sites.

[Wayne Luke]

Dark backgrounds are usually harder to read, even with highly contrasting colors.

[nox501]

I believe it is all about content. Look at www.chud.com/forums. Black but popular. You just have to find the people.

[Wayne Luke]

And genre... That is a movie forum and so it fits. Black is mysterious just like the movie business and it fits with seeing movies in the dark for the best detail.

Game sites as well usually fit well with the dark theme. Not all do though.

[nox501]

So did I made a critical error?

[Wayne Luke]

Style is subjective. You really can't make a critical error with it as long as the site works. If you are happy and your visitors are happy, then nothing else really matters.

[nox501]

I thought the same way. But when people react like: Oh my god! That is ugly!

hmmm

[SmashinYoungMan]

I prefer medium tones—greys mostly—when designing my sites. Whenever I've gone full on light or dark, inevitibly some users complain. I find that going with a medium tone satisfies the most people.

[nox501]

changed my board again. www.v-generations.com/forum

O boy I think I am addicted . I change it every day! But i like all variations!

[TheMusicMan]

Dark forums.... but effective nonetheless... http://www.caerleonrfc.com/?

[Wayne Luke]

changed my board again. www.v-generations.com/forum (http://www.v-generations.com/forum)

O boy I think I am addicted . I change it every day! But i like all variations!

In my opinion, the previous style was better. Right now you go from dark to light backgrounds. All this does is make the white glare and makes it difficult.

If you are going to do a dark style then be consistent. Don't use the brightest colors for your fonts but soften them a little with your dominant color, blue in this case. You have to reduce glare on the screen to make it readible and enjoyable. If they have to struggle to read it, then they won't visit. Websites shouldn't give headaches or eye strain.

Look at this site:
http://www.ai2.com.au/

Notice how they don't use absolute black or absolute white? It reduces glare and makes the site easier to read. That is what you should be going for, especially on a forum.

You can find other sites with good color schemes by visiting www.coolhomepages.com (http://www.coolhomepages.com) and looking around.

[TheMusicMan]

You can find other sites with good color schemes by visiting www.coolhomepages.com (http://www.coolhomepages.com) and looking around.Nice URL Wayne...