New TWP themes -- the Jacket Series

[SteveT]

I have created some new TivoWeb themes with a richer, more graphically-intensive look to them. They feature textured backgrounds, gradient highlights, full-width floating selection bars and drop-down submenus. They also include color variations to distinguish multiple TiVos quickly.

Visit my interactive demo site (http://stevet.freehostia.com/) to see examples of each and to download the themes. You can download them individually or all at once. Here is a direct link (http://mstevetodd.googlepages.com/TWPJacket_v5.zip) to the .zip file (for 2.0) if you have trouble opening the demo page.

To install for TWP 2.0, unzip and copy the image files (.gif, .png and .jpeg) into your TivoWebPlus/images folder, and the .css files into your TivoWebPlus/themes folder, then "Quit&Restart" TWP. The new themes should show up on the Themes page.

Note: With TWP 2.1, the base files are now included in the TWP installation. Only the background graphics need to be installed separately. You need to download the additional graphics from the demo site (http://stevet.freehostia.com/), or from this direct link (http://mstevetodd.googlepages.com/TWPJacket_Backs.zip). Unzip the files into your TivoWebPlus/themes folder.

These are supported only on the latest IE (7.0) and FireFox (2.0.0.5) browsers. (In particular, IE 6 and earlier versions do NOT work.)

Please give them a try and advise results.

[djl]

These are great; very cool-looking and easy to read. Just wondering, though: is there any way to make the text in the top bar larger?

[SteveT]

These are great; very cool-looking and easy to read. Just wondering, though: is there any way to make the text in the top bar larger?Thanks, glad you like them.

By "top bar" are you referring to the line with "More System UI", etc.?

If so, that size is actually hard-coded into the TWP program as "font size = -1". Since that's in the HTML, the CSS "theme" can't override it. I can remove it from the html by changing html.itcl (so the CSS can override), but it'll effect other themes as well.

If you'd really like it changed on yours, PM me and I'll send you a modified html.itcl and a revised theme.

[bnm81002]

I also think they are great looking as well, is it possible that you can add more different colors than the ones that you have created?

[SteveT]

I also think they are great looking as well, is it possible that you can add more different colors than the ones that you have created?Thanks. Any particular colors you'd be interested in?

[bnm81002]

Thanks. Any particular colors you'd be interested in?



I have no particular colors in mind, just wanted to change colors from time to time on my 2 units(1-blue 1-green), it would be good to have more color options that's all ;)

[djl]

Yep, that was the line I meant. I went ahead and modified html.itcl, just to see how it would look. If you have a chance to make the changes to the theme that would be great, otherwise I'll just leave the new values hardcoded.
Thanks again!



Thanks, glad you like them.

By "top bar" are you referring to the line with "More System UI", etc.?

If so, that size is actually hard-coded into the TWP program as "font size = -1". Since that's in the HTML, the CSS "theme" can't override it. I can remove it from the html by changing html.itcl (so the CSS can override), but it'll effect other themes as well.

If you'd really like it changed on yours, PM me and I'll send you a modified html.itcl and a revised theme.

[SteveT]

....is it possible that you can add more different colors than the ones that you have created?See first post for three more color variants. These are a bit more vibrant.

[bnm81002]

See first post for three more color variants. These are a bit more vibrant.



great work Steve, ok I have some requested colors for you if you can make it happen, the colors are Gold, Silver, Sky Blue, Yellow, Pink? thanks

[SteveT]

great work Steve, ok I have some requested colors for you if you can make it happen, the colors are Gold, Silver, Sky Blue, Yellow, Pink? thanksI have added a couple more colors. See the first post (or my sig) for my new, interactive demo site. This provides a hands-on WYSIWYG experience and supports downloading individual themes or all at once.

As for other colors, I'm currently limited to tileable textures on which white text is legible.
I'll make another pass at the TWP code itself to help alleviate this restriction, but it'll be a while.

[PortlandPaw]

It's nice to see something new under the TiVo sun -- Thank you, SteveT for doing this! Well worth the time and effort. Especially for us overactive people with five TiVos online!

[SteveT]

Released version 2 of Jacket themes, with lots more colors, less wasted space and user-sizeable text (based on browser settings). You can view them at my site (see first post or signature).

This required significant code changes to TWP, so make sure you load the 070703 version for full functionality. I may have missed some pages, so if you notice any specific pages where the text is difficult to see, let me know.

I also added numerous CSS "hooks" into TWP, in the hopes that others would create their own themes. It's a great way to learn CSS. I'd be glad to help where I can.

[jasch]

I was eager to check your new Tivoweb theme, unfortunately your webpage does not open at all. Guess that's what I should have expected from a free hosted site.

[SteveT]

I was eager to check your new Tivoweb theme, unfortunately your webpage does not open at all. Guess that's what I should have expected from a free hosted site.That's odd. I've had pretty good results with them so far. I tried again just now and it opened quickly.

I'm using some client-side scripting on that page (to simulate the TWP theme selection). Is it possible your browser doesn't like that?

[stevel]

Fails for me too. Using a HTTP query checker, I get:

Querying stevet.freehostia.com [64.72.119.253]...

[begin response]

[end response]

Connection refused

[SteveT]

Fails for me too.....Not sure what's going on with the demo page, but I've updated the first post with a direct link to the zip file (on another host) for those that are having problems.

[stevel]

I can get to your site now.

[SteveT]

I've added a couple of new ones, and updated the rest to include the drop-down menus just added to TWP 2.0. Visit my demo site (see sig) to download one or all. There is also a direct link to the new zip in the first post of this thread.

[RandC]

I've added a couple of new ones, and updated the rest to include the drop-down menus just added to TWP 2.0. Visit my demo site (see sig) to download one or all. There is also a direct link to the new zip in the first post of this thread.It appears as that the new pool and universal themes are missing some or all image/css files

[SteveT]

It appears as that the new pool and universal themes are missing some or all image/css filesI'm not seeing the problem here. I've tried it from a couple of computers and those two look fine. Can you restart your browser, and then email me a screenshot if the problem persists?

[SteveT]

I'm not seeing the problem here. I've tried it from a couple of computers and those two look fine. Can you restart your browser, and then email me a screenshot if the problem persists?I misunderstood the problem. There were some files missing from the .zip file. Thanks, RandC.

I've also fixed a centering issue with FireFox that was pointed out by Don. Thanks, Don.

I've replaced the v4.zip file.

[bnm81002]

I misunderstood the problem. There were some files missing from the .zip file. Thanks, RandC.

I've also fixed a centering issue with FireFox that was pointed out by Don. Thanks, Don.

I've replaced the v4.zip file.



Steve,
there's still a problem with the "universe jacket" theme, no image file is listed in the zip file for v4? thanks for the great work again

[SteveT]

Steve,
there's still a problem with the "universe jacket" theme, no image file is listed in the zip file for v4? thanks for the great work againThanks. I've got them all now (I think) :)

Please download again.

[bnm81002]

Steve,
I installed the last 5 jacket themes(Pool, Universe, Wood, IceCube,WhiteMarble) that you developed but when I changed to any of those 5 themes in TivoWebPlus, I get the old display of TWP and not the new display version of TWP that you developed, only the old themes prior to the new 5 themes work with the new display version of TWP, what can be the problem? thanks

[SteveT]

Steve,
I installed the last 5 jacket themes(Pool, Universe, Wood, IceCube,WhiteMarble) that you developed but when I changed to any of those 5 themes in TivoWebPlus, I get the old display of TWP and not the new display version of TWP that you developed, only the old themes prior to the new 5 themes work with the new display version of TWP, what can be the problem? thanksI need more info. What release of TWP are you using? What browser version? Can you attach a screenshot showing the problem you're describing?

[djl]

These themes all look great, but I found one small problem using UniverseJacket with Hackman. The text block and links that read:

MaineFrame Software
Chebeague Island, Maine
Edit files and set preferences
Support for Version 5.5.0

are invisible, as are any messages like "now setting", etc.

[SteveT]

These themes all look great, but I found one small problem using UniverseJacket with Hackman. The text block and links that read:

MaineFrame Software
Chebeague Island, Maine
Edit files and set preferences
Support for Version 5.5.0

are invisible, as are any messages like "now setting", etc.The issue is that hackman hasn't been updated to wrap the "free-standing" text in a class so that the theme can set the background.

I have emailed PortlandPaw about adding this to Hackman, so hopefully, this'll be in an upcoming version.

[SteveT]

The issue is that hackman hasn't been updated to wrap the "free-standing" text in a class so that the theme can set the background.

I have emailed PortlandPaw about adding this to Hackman, so hopefully, this'll be in an upcoming version.PortlandPaw has modified Hackman as needed to work with my Jacket themes. Download his latest version and give it a look.

[SteveT]

I have updated the Jacket theme site (stevet.freehostia.com) with updated versions of all of the Jacket themes.

I also included a new NoMenuJacket with no graphics and no header menu. I use it from my mobile phone (I saved the link as [myserver]/theme/NoMenuJacket to automatically switch to it.)

Other than this, the "updates" are mainly internal.

NOTE: If you're using 2.1 or later (in beta now), the theme graphics now go in the themes folder, not in images.

Also note that NoMenu and GreenWire are now packaged with TWP 2.1+.

Please advise any questions, problems, or suggestions for improvements.

[djl]

These look great! I don't know if I was behind a release or two, but the drop-down menus seem much more readable than what I was using. Two small things: the readme says to copy the files and restart Tivoweb, but it took a quit and restart to load them. Also, are they in a specific order, or would it be possible to alphabetize them?


I have updated the Jacket theme site (stevet.freehostia.com) with updated versions of all of the Jacket themes.

I also included a new NoMenuJacket with no graphics and no header menu. I use it from my mobile phone (I saved the link as [myserver]/theme/NoMenuJacket to automatically switch to it.)

Other than this, the "updates" are mainly internal.

NOTE: If you're using 2.1 or later (in beta now), the theme graphics now go in the themes folder, not in images.

Also note that NoMenu and GreenWire are now packaged with TWP 2.1+.

Please advise any questions, problems, or suggestions for improvements.

[SteveT]

...the drop-down menus seem much more readable than what I was using.Yes, somewhere along the way I fixed a problem with the menu spacing in FireFox....the readme says to copy the files and restart Tivoweb, but it took a quit and restart to load them.Thanks, I'll clarify that.....are they in a specific order, or would it be possible to alphabetize them?Are you referring to the theme page in TWP, or to my web page? Never mind, I'll just alphabetize both.

Thanks for the kind feedback.

[djl]

Hey Steve - just for the record, I did mean the theme page in TWP. One other question/request: the alternating colors in the table rows under RedJacket are VERY readable. Any chance of doing another theme like that?

Yes, somewhere along the way I fixed a problem with the menu spacing in FireFox.Thanks, I'll clarify that.Are you referring to the theme page in TWP, or to my web page? Never mind, I'll just alphabetize both.

Thanks for the kind feedback.

[SteveT]

Hey Steve - just for the record, I did mean the theme page in TWP. One other question/request: the alternating colors in the table rows under RedJacket are VERY readable. Any chance of doing another theme like that?OK, I've checked in a change to CVS (for 2.1 beta 1) to sort the themes list.

I've also added the "striping" to BlueJacket, GreenJacket, PurpleJacket and DenimJacket and updated the .zips.

[djl]

Steve - I recently did a clean reinstall of TWP beta and the included GreenWireJacket theme looked weird under Firefox. I downloaded the full zip from your site and reinstalled, but same result. I've attached a couple of screencaps (it works fine with ie7, but I included it for the comparison.) All of the other themes seem fine.

BTW the striping looks great.

[djl]

Spoke too soon. IceCubeJacket has the transparent backgrounds for the dropdown menus, and it can be difficult to read them if there's text on the page underneath.

All of the other themes seem fine.

[SteveT]

...the included GreenWireJacket theme looked weird under Firefox....Weird indeed. My guess is that the image file that FF cached is corrupt. Can you clear out your cache and try again? (I believe Ctrl-F5 does that.)

[djl]

OK, embarrassed to say I didn't think to do that first. All's well.

Weird indeed. My guess is that the image file that FF cached is corrupt. Can you clear out your cache and try again? (I believe Ctrl-F5 does that.)