MK5 Golf GTI

General => Testing and Forum Suggestion Box => Topic started by: rich83 on September 19, 2014, 09:58:00 pm

Title: Forum Mobile Theme
Post by: rich83 on September 19, 2014, 09:58:00 pm
As you know, a lot of websites/forums these days have a mobile skin/theme that is tailored to small screens.

This is something that we can look at implementing if there is enough interest.

Normal....

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Frich%2Fimg%2FMK5%2Fsmf.png&hash=78677a104bf177722909148f187a8bf9d62bf07d)

Mobile theme....

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Frich%2Fimg%2FMK5%2Fsmfmob.png&hash=3bb92eccfc0f8e0687089e98727a88aad610691b)


Thoughts? Or is tapatalk enough?

Rich
Title: Re: Forum Mobile Theme
Post by: Nodz on September 19, 2014, 10:13:34 pm
I think it is a good idea but it would make tapatalk redundant as you wouldn't want to run/maintain both options. Personally I'm happy with tapatalk. Maybe have a poll on it?

A downside I can see to this is normally tablets get classed as mobiles and get redirected to the mobile site rather than the desktop site. Which I find irritating as I only use the tablet on wifi so data usage is not an issue.
Title: Re: Forum Mobile Theme
Post by: th3_f15t on September 20, 2014, 09:13:53 am
Agree with the above regarding tablets, I just force my tablet to display the desktop site normally. I've not used Tapatalk so can't comment.
Title: Re: Forum Mobile Theme
Post by: Tfsi_Mike on September 20, 2014, 09:32:51 am
Would it risk slowing things down at all?
Title: Re: Forum Mobile Theme
Post by: rich83 on September 20, 2014, 09:34:35 am
Would it risk slowing things down at all?

 shouldn't  slow things down in theory
Title: Re: Forum Mobile Theme
Post by: Tfsi_Mike on September 20, 2014, 09:39:09 am
I'm not a tapatalk user.
Title: Re: Forum Mobile Theme
Post by: rich83 on September 20, 2014, 10:00:11 am
It is good. I've got it, but should use it more.
Title: Re: Forum Mobile Theme
Post by: th3_f15t on September 20, 2014, 10:36:49 am
I don't use it as its a a paid app, and I'm too tight to buy apps on Android.
Title: Re: Forum Mobile Theme
Post by: dazza on September 20, 2014, 11:20:11 am
A mobile template would not slow the site down. But i doubt it would be as fast as tapatalk.

th3_f15t tapatalk is free no?
Title: Re: Forum Mobile Theme
Post by: Nodz on September 20, 2014, 12:47:34 pm
It use to be free but now I believe you pay for it but it does go on offer now and then
Title: Re: Forum Mobile Theme
Post by: dazza on September 20, 2014, 01:09:31 pm
Maybe its free for x period of time. Ive installed it sure it was free.
Title: Re: Forum Mobile Theme
Post by: Andy on September 20, 2014, 02:44:00 pm
i use my phone more than the lap top  so a mobile version is a good idea
Title: Re: Forum Mobile Theme
Post by: jason_rmh on September 20, 2014, 02:58:04 pm
I find Tapatalk great for keeping up to date with the forum. New posts appear in a news feed style list. Data is conserved and its easy to use.
The website is use able on a mobile, just a little more fiddly.
I browse a few forums too, so getting to them all in Tapatalk makes it very convenient.
Jas
Title: Re: Forum Mobile Theme
Post by: th3_f15t on September 21, 2014, 09:00:05 am
It tried to charge me last night, but I'll keep an eye out for when its free.
Title: Re: Forum Mobile Theme
Post by: LeightonJ on September 28, 2014, 10:17:44 am
I wouldn't like having a mobile site, I actually really like how the desktop version works fine on my iPhone unlike other forums, I always find the mobile versions to hard to navigate around
Title: Re: Forum Mobile Theme
Post by: rich83 on September 28, 2014, 11:07:42 am
Does it have a responsive design, not tried it on a phone.

No not really.... the font sizes on the iphone are slightly increase to ease reading
Title: Re: Forum Mobile Theme
Post by: Tabs on October 18, 2014, 04:07:42 pm
You should really be aiming for having just one responsive skin that caters for both mobiles and more traditional desktop systems. Tis the way it's all headed and all that.
Title: Re: Forum Mobile Theme
Post by: rich83 on October 19, 2014, 06:44:58 pm
You should really be aiming for having just one responsive skin that caters for both mobiles and more traditional desktop systems. Tis the way it's all headed and all that.

Whats the crack with the mk4 forum @Tabs (http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=4438) ? doesnt that have a separate mobile skin?

I believe that the next version of SMF (2.1) will be more supportive of responsive skins. The problem will be finding one or making one that looks like this one....
Title: Re: Forum Mobile Theme
Post by: dazza on October 19, 2014, 08:43:20 pm
Responsive skin for a content site is a pita. Probably the main reason not many responsive skins available at the moment.

Title: Re: Forum Mobile Theme
Post by: Tabs on October 25, 2014, 11:08:49 am
You should really be aiming for having just one responsive skin that caters for both mobiles and more traditional desktop systems. Tis the way it's all headed and all that.

Whats the crack with the mk4 forum @Tabs (http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=4438) ? doesnt that have a separate mobile skin?

I believe that the next version of SMF (2.1) will be more supportive of responsive skins. The problem will be finding one or making one that looks like this one....

IPB 3.x has a separate mobile skin. However IPB4.0 will ship with one single, responsive design skin which I think we'll likely use across the entire site when we upgrade.

You only need to look at your site stats to see the device breakdown and how it's swinging toward more mobile browsing habits. One of the reasons why tapatalk is so popular.
Title: Re: Forum Mobile Theme
Post by: Tabs on October 25, 2014, 11:10:07 am
Responsive skin for a content site is a pita. Probably the main reason not many responsive skins available at the moment.

It used to be but with clever CSS scaling for images and proper planning for your layout it can work. Car Throttle is a good example of a layout that works well.
Title: Re: Forum Mobile Theme
Post by: dazza on October 25, 2014, 03:30:08 pm
Maybe next time we do a major upgrade i will build a skin from scratch. I think we have added enough features this upgrade.