MArcomage

On umage's suggestion I started to optimize the forum's post layout. Check out current working version.

Changes made:

- post date, author name and permalink moved to left part of post header (upper part of post)

- permalink link text chenged from "permalink" to "#post_number"

- post manipulation buttons moved to right part of post header

- post content has now max width set to improve reading (long lines are more difficult to read)

- post now requires less space

There are some things where umage and I have different opinions:

1 - umage suggest to move permalink to upper right corner near the post manipulation buttons (on their right side)

2 - umage also suggest to visually distinguish the post header (background color for example)

My personal opinion on:

1 - I would like to have the buttons and permalink separated because they have different purpose

2 - I think this complicates the whole page layout. More visual information can be helpful, but I don't think this is the case. Furthermore I don't think it's necessary to have the post header distinguished. I prefer the post to be one solid piece.

Please let me know your opinion on this matter.

I will agree with umage about the permalink being on the right side of the post. If you want to separate it from the buttons you could leave the buttons on the bottom (as it is now) and the permalink on the top.

EDIT: Also, along with permalink you could put a "back to top" link.

Assuming #33 in the example is the 'permalink', I would prefer it not to be above the post, but rather have it where umage suggests, or even just where it is now. (appearance - wise)

Furthermore, on the right side I feel it's ugly to have unused space on the right hand side. (On the left hand side it's not a problem due to the left alignment of the text, and it's a less pronounced emptiness due to the avatar & postdate there.)

Id suggest making the framework smaller too. Shrink it with the same amount as the max width. To get the picture: You'll see more of the background you use for the site.

(A back to top link isn't very useful assuming your keyboard has a 'Home' button.)

Progressor wrote:
(A back to top link isn't very useful assuming your keyboard has a 'Home' button.)

With people potentially browsing the forum and the rest of the site on mobile devices, I don't think that we should assume they have a keyboard with a Home key. But then, it could be a feature that only appears for a mobile version of the forums.

Damn, I'm old fashioned... :-p