Interesting - New design's colors on different computers...

- stilnox said...
- Subscriber
- 21 Jul 2008, 15:52
Interesting - New design's colors on different computers...

Out of curiosity I decided to see what last.fm looked like when viewed on a Mac computer vs. mine (an HP pc). I was rather shocked to find the profile page, when viewed on the Mac, looked a LOT better. Things I noticed:

-a light grey page background
-a slightly darker grey area in the side panel and every other track on the charts
-clear dividers between tracks in the recently played area
-the vertical navigation on the left side having a greyish 3D effect
-an overall neatness

These are all things I DON'T see when viewing Last on my own computer, or another computer in my household. And though I still dont approve entirely of the layout, it sure was less of a strain on the eyes.

I think this is all that 'wasted white space' people are complaining about.

At first I figured it must be the Safari browser vs. IE, so I downloaded the browser on my own PC to view Last. Alas, no change. Then I wondered if maybe it was my own brightness/contrast/etc. settings on my monitor throwing colors off. Nope.

So I just wonder if some of the confusion about the new design is due to a vast number of users seeing the website WAY differently than perhaps the staff does?

I really have no idea about this, or if it's just something funky with my own computer, but I thought it should be brought up nonetheless...

I'm sure it's not specifically a Mac vs PC issue but it seems to have something to do with compatibility nonetheless.

[quote][b][user]stilnox[/user][/b] said: Out of curiosity I decided to see what last.fm looked like when viewed on a Mac computer vs. mine (an HP pc). I was rather shocked to find the profile page, when viewed on the Mac, looked a LOT better. Things I noticed: -a light grey page background -a slightly darker grey area in the side panel and every other track on the charts -clear dividers between tracks in the recently played area -the vertical navigation on the left side having a greyish 3D effect -an overall neatness These are all things I DON'T see when viewing Last on my own computer, or another computer in my household. And though I still dont approve entirely of the layout, it sure was less of a strain on the eyes. I think this is all that 'wasted white space' people are complaining about. At first I figured it must be the Safari browser vs. IE, so I downloaded the browser on my own PC to view Last. Alas, no change. Then I wondered if maybe it was my own brightness/contrast/etc. settings on my monitor throwing colors off. Nope. So I just wonder if some of the confusion about the new design is due to a vast number of users seeing the website WAY differently than perhaps the staff does? I really have no idea about this, or if it's just something funky with my own computer, but I thought it should be brought up nonetheless... I'm sure it's not specifically a Mac vs PC issue but it seems to have something to do with compatibility nonetheless. [/quote]
Edited by stilnox on 22 Jul 2008, 20:38

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- LordDANEgerous said...
- User
- 21 Jul 2008, 15:56
Re: Interesting - The new design on a Mac vs Other Computers...

are you using internet explorer? if so stop, it helps

[quote][b][user]LordDANEgerous[/user][/b] said: are you using internet explorer? if so stop, it helps[/quote]

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- Jester-NL said...
- Moderator
- 21 Jul 2008, 16:00
IE, Opera, Firefox... all on a PC, and I see every bit you describe as 'mac only'... perhaps a gamma-correction on your monitor might do the trick.

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[quote][b][user]Jester-NL[/user][/b] said: IE, Opera, Firefox... all on a PC, and I see every bit you describe as 'mac only'... perhaps a gamma-correction on your monitor might do the trick.[/quote]

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- ilyanep said...
- User
- 21 Jul 2008, 16:01
I'm on a Mac and it looks the same on FIrefox 3 and Safari. I don't know what would cause that if it's true (I don't have a Windows comp to test it on, I'm too lazy to reboot into XP here, and I don't feel like fixing X in my Linux desktop :P)

[quote][b][user]ilyanep[/user][/b] said: I'm on a Mac and it looks the same on FIrefox 3 and Safari. I don't know what would cause that if it's true (I don't have a Windows comp to test it on, I'm too lazy to reboot into XP here, and I don't feel like fixing X in my Linux desktop :P)[/quote]

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- thriftysweater said...
- Subscriber
- 21 Jul 2008, 16:46
I'm having the same issue as stilnox with the layout. I can see faint traces of grey if I feel like staring hard enough at my monitor, other than that, nothing.

[quote][b][user]thriftysweater[/user][/b] said: I'm having the same issue as stilnox with the layout. I can see faint traces of grey if I feel like staring hard enough at my monitor, other than that, nothing. [/quote]

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- stilnox said...
- Subscriber
- 21 Jul 2008, 17:30
I had a feeling it wasn't just me.

I've tested in every browser imagineable, not just IE. I've also adjusted my monitor settings as much as I possibly can.

I just tested this on another computer... same issues.

[quote][b][user]stilnox[/user][/b] said: I had a feeling it wasn't just me. I've tested in every browser imagineable, not just IE. I've also adjusted my monitor settings as much as I possibly can. I just tested this on another computer... same issues. [/quote]
Edited by stilnox on 21 Jul 2008, 20:28

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- stilnox said...
- Subscriber
- 21 Jul 2008, 20:07
Also, even if it WAS an issue restricted to IE, which it's not, it wouldn't matter. Designers are supposed to code websites to be compatible across browsers.

I really cant think of any other reason why so many users are complaining about tons of white space. Because if it was displaying correctly for everyone, that wouldn't be a problem. There wouldn't BE so much white space. People would see the grey-tinted sections.

It's a matter of choosing a pallette that contrasts enough to begin with so as to avoid display issues across different monitors.

[quote][b][user]stilnox[/user][/b] said: Also, even if it WAS an issue restricted to IE, which it's not, it wouldn't matter. Designers are supposed to code websites to be compatible across browsers. I really cant think of any other reason why so many users are complaining about tons of white space. Because if it was displaying correctly for everyone, that wouldn't be a problem. There wouldn't BE so much white space. People would see the grey-tinted sections. It's a matter of choosing a pallette that contrasts enough to begin with so as to avoid display issues across different monitors. [/quote]
Edited by stilnox on 22 Jul 2008, 20:47

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- Whosthatrandom said...
- Subscriber
- 21 Jul 2008, 20:15
It sounds like your monitor, or possibly your eyesight, is shit. I see all of these things on both Windows and Linux... but if this is a genuine issue, perhaps all the people who keep complaining about emptiness and blank space have the same problem as you do.

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[quote][b][user]Whosthatrandom[/user][/b] said: It sounds like your monitor, or possibly your eyesight, is shit. I see all of these things on both Windows and Linux... but if this is a genuine issue, perhaps all the people who keep complaining about emptiness and blank space have the same problem as you do.[/quote]

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- stilnox said...
- Subscriber
- 21 Jul 2008, 20:43
I just gamma-tested my monitor for both greyscale and color, and it's correct. By the way so is my vision, in reponse to your really unecessary comment.

[quote][b][user]stilnox[/user][/b] said: I just gamma-tested my monitor for both greyscale and color, and it's correct. By the way so is my vision, in reponse to your really unecessary comment.[/quote]

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- evhan said...
- Subscriber
- 22 Jul 2008, 19:30
I'm seconding stilnox's opinion. This is something I posted about here, and he found mine first. There is really no reason for such lack of contrast; it hurts usability, and judging by new layout's reception it doesn't improve the look of the site much either.

And in regards to LordDANEgerous's comment: are you using internet explorer? if so stop, it helps ... you absolutely shouldn't HAVE to. Internet Explorer blows, but it's extremely prevalent and if the layout is washed out it on any other browser it's time to rethink some design decisions.

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And this is my current project.
(Try it!)

[quote][b][user]evhan[/user][/b] said: I'm seconding stilnox's opinion. This is something I posted about [url=http://www.last.fm/forum/21717/_/436987]here[/url], and he found mine first. There is really no reason for such lack of contrast; it hurts usability, and judging by new layout's reception it doesn't improve the look of the site much either. And in regards to LordDANEgerous's comment: [quote]are you using internet explorer? if so stop, it helps [/quote]... you absolutely shouldn't HAVE to. Internet Explorer blows, but it's extremely prevalent and if the layout is washed out it on any other browser it's time to rethink some design decisions.[/quote]

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- Kerensky97 said...
- Moderator
- 22 Jul 2008, 19:57
I noticed the same difference between my work computer and my home computer and I think it depends on whether you have your display set to 16bit or 32bit. Both have good new monitors and contrast/gamma doesn't make a difference. The only difference is 16 vs 32 bit color.

Good info for the site design staff. Maybe the greyscale they're using only works on one and not the other. Perhaps a tiny fraction of a gradient change will change the color scheme of the site for alot of people.

But anybody not seeing the gray on the sidebars, every other post, etc. check if your monitor is set to 16bit color or 32 bit. Maybe that fixes it.

All comments reflect the views of the poster and not of last.fm or it's management.

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[quote][b][user]Kerensky97[/user][/b] said: I noticed the same difference between my work computer and my home computer and I think it depends on whether you have your display set to 16bit or 32bit. Both have good new monitors and contrast/gamma doesn't make a difference. The only difference is 16 vs 32 bit color. Good info for the site design staff. Maybe the greyscale they're using only works on one and not the other. Perhaps a tiny fraction of a gradient change will change the color scheme of the site for alot of people. But anybody not seeing the gray on the sidebars, every other post, etc. check if your monitor is set to 16bit color or 32 bit. Maybe that fixes it.[/quote]
Edited by Kerensky97 on 22 Jul 2008, 20:14

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- arkan said...
- Subscriber
- 22 Jul 2008, 19:58
I got curious last night, and my brother has a

i'm sorry but after i read this bit, i couldnt bear to read on.......

[quote][b][user]arkan[/user][/b] said: [quote]I got curious last night, and my brother has a [/quote] i'm sorry but after i read this bit, i couldnt bear to read on.......[/quote]

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- stilnox said...
- Subscriber
- 22 Jul 2008, 20:31
HAHAHA. Wow. My bad. Edited the wording.

Thanks for making a comment relevant to the discussion, though.

[quote][b][user]stilnox[/user][/b] said: HAHAHA. Wow. My bad. Edited the wording. Thanks for making a comment relevant to the discussion, though.[/quote]

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- Feanor said...
- Moderator
- 22 Jul 2008, 20:31
What kind of monitors do you have? Many LCD screens are only 18bit colour as opposed to 24 as they should be

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[quote][b][user]Feanor[/user][/b] said: What kind of monitors do you have? Many LCD screens are only 18bit colour as opposed to 24 as they should be[/quote]

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- stilnox said...
- Subscriber
- 22 Jul 2008, 20:35
I have an HP LCD monitor. My display settings are set at 32 bit.

[quote][b][user]stilnox[/user][/b] said: I have an HP LCD monitor. My display settings are set at 32 bit.[/quote]

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- uddiyana said...
- User
- 22 Jul 2008, 20:43
Feanor said:
What kind of monitors do you have? Many LCD screens are only 18bit colour as opposed to 24 as they should be

I see the greys and all this stuff pretty well on my Windows PC with NEC LCD, but there is STILL too much white space anyways ;)

you can bomb the world to pieces
but you can't bomb it into peace

[quote][b][user]uddiyana[/user][/b] said: [quote][b][user]Feanor[/user][/b] said: What kind of monitors do you have? Many LCD screens are only 18bit colour as opposed to 24 as they should be[/quote] I see the greys and all this stuff pretty well on my Windows PC with NEC LCD, but there is STILL too much white space anyways ;) [/quote]

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- uddiyana said...
- User
- 22 Jul 2008, 20:44
you can bomb the world to pieces
but you can't bomb it into peace

[quote][b][user]uddiyana[/user][/b] said: [/quote]

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- uddiyana said...
- User
- 22 Jul 2008, 20:46
Ehm... No way to delete post on this forum?

you can bomb the world to pieces
but you can't bomb it into peace

[quote][b][user]uddiyana[/user][/b] said: Ehm... No way to delete post on this forum?[/quote]

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- PirateXxEsque said...
- User
- 23 Jul 2008, 08:47
If I squint really hard I can see every other post is a really faint light grey.

And the huge column of white down the side is waaaaay too bright D:

"People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect but actually, from a non linear non subjective view point, its more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly timey wimey stuff"

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[quote][b][user]PirateXxEsque[/user][/b] said: [b]If I squint really hard I can see every other post is a really faint light grey. And the huge column of white down the side is waaaaay too bright D:[/b][/quote]

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- fmera said...
- User
- 23 Jul 2008, 09:35
Kerensky97 said:
I noticed the same difference between my work computer and my home computer and I think it depends on whether you have your display set to 16bit or 32bit. Both have good new monitors and contrast/gamma doesn't make a difference. The only difference is 16 vs 32 bit color.
oh, i don't know if i agree with that.

you're referring to the color depth (16 vs 32bit)? that's important, naturally for true color. but so too is the gamma setting, which can make a vast difference to the color intensity of whatever color value is assigned to each pixel displayed onscreen.

afaik, eg, the typical default gamma standard for windows is about 2.2 whereas for macs it is 1.8, which influences the overall color/contrast of screen images. this is why macs and pcs typically display colors differently if their default settings haven't been recalibrated.

if you like, you could calibrate your display to your own preference. for instance, my imac is adjusted to 2.6, because its display is known to be extremely bright.

the other calibration adjustment is your white point, which basically helps you adjust the color balance to make it as neutral as possible (ie, true gray appears as true gray), anywhere from warm white (say, 6500°K) to cool white (9300°K).

gamma and white point adjustments can influence your screen image quality far more than the basic contrast and brightness controls can.

mai daiz az a unsub, dey iz numbrd.
n i not knoe dat many numbrz :'(

[quote][b][user]fmera[/user][/b] said: [quote][b][user]Kerensky97[/user][/b] said: I noticed the same difference between my work computer and my home computer and I think it depends on whether you have your display set to 16bit or 32bit. Both have good new monitors and contrast/gamma doesn't make a difference. The only difference is 16 vs 32 bit color.[/quote] oh, i don't know if i agree with that. you're referring to the color depth (16 vs 32bit)? that's important, naturally for true color. but so too is the gamma setting, which can make a vast difference to the color intensity of whatever color value is assigned to each pixel displayed onscreen. afaik, eg, the typical default gamma standard for windows is about 2.2 whereas for macs it is 1.8, which influences the overall color/contrast of screen images. this is why macs and pcs typically display colors differently if their default settings haven't been recalibrated. if you like, you could calibrate your display to your own preference. for instance, my imac is adjusted to 2.6, because its display is known to be extremely bright. the other calibration adjustment is your white point, which basically helps you adjust the color balance to make it as neutral as possible (ie, true gray appears as true gray), anywhere from warm white (say, 6500°K) to cool white (9300°K). gamma and white point adjustments can influence your screen image quality far more than the basic contrast and brightness controls can.[/quote]

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- jmmtn4aj said...
- Subscriber
- 23 Jul 2008, 10:42
I'm on a PC and I see all the greys. Looks exactly the same as on my MacBook. I've calibrated my monitor (8-bit VX2025wm) since I use it for photo editing.. but some of you guys seem to have calibrated it with no effect. Ehh?

I'm using Firefox on both Mac and PC by the way. The background (as in rear most frame) is a pleasing shade of grey.

[quote][b][user]jmmtn4aj[/user][/b] said: I'm on a PC and I see all the greys. Looks exactly the same as on my MacBook. I've calibrated my monitor (8-bit VX2025wm) since I use it for photo editing.. but some of you guys seem to have calibrated it with no effect. Ehh? I'm using Firefox on both Mac and PC by the way. The background (as in rear most frame) is a pleasing shade of grey. [/quote]

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- stilnox said...
- Subscriber
- 23 Jul 2008, 13:41
Though I've tried everything at this point, why should I have to calibrate/adjust gamma/DO ANYTHING to my monitor for just ONE website?

I've never had this trouble with ANY other website EVER. Which honestly just tells me it comes down to poor design compatibility.

[quote][b][user]stilnox[/user][/b] said: Though I've tried everything at this point, why [i]should[/i] I have to calibrate/adjust gamma/DO ANYTHING to my monitor for just ONE website? I've never had this trouble with ANY other website EVER. Which honestly just tells me it comes down to poor design compatibility. [/quote]

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- evhan said...
- Subscriber
- 23 Jul 2008, 15:41
Though I've tried everything at this point, why should I have to calibrate/adjust gamma/DO ANYTHING to my monitor for just ONE website?

Exactly. There is no reason for such a lack of contrast... Grrrrr...

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And this is my current project.
(Try it!)

[quote][b][user]evhan[/user][/b] said: [quote]Though I've tried everything at this point, why should I have to calibrate/adjust gamma/DO ANYTHING to my monitor for just ONE website?[/quote] Exactly. There is no reason for such a lack of contrast... Grrrrr...[/quote]

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- stilnox said...
- Subscriber
- 24 Jul 2008, 22:05
Hmm. Bit by bit over the past few minutes I've started to see the colors filling in on my profile and all the other pages. Seems like they're working on it... and I'm very very grateful.

Is it improving for everyone else as well?

[quote][b][user]stilnox[/user][/b] said: Hmm. Bit by bit over the past few minutes I've started to see the colors filling in on my profile and all the other pages. Seems like they're working on it... and I'm very very grateful. Is it improving for everyone else as well?[/quote]

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