Attract-Mode Support Forum

Attract-Mode Support => Themes => Topic started by: progets on July 16, 2018, 10:25:28 PM

Title: Why is this topic called themes? The program calls them layouts.
Post by: progets on July 16, 2018, 10:25:28 PM

Just as the subject suggests, why does the forum use the word theme when the term layout is used in AttractMode?

I know they are one and the same but newcomers might not. Doesn't using the same terminology everywhere make more sense and eliminate confusion?

Other options:
Layouts
Layouts/Themes
Layouts (Themes)
Themes/Layouts
Themes (Layouts)

I'm not saying it should be changed but I'm not saying it shouldn't. Is there any rhyme or reason for the name "Themes" for this topic?

Title: Re: Why is this topic called themes? The program calls them layouts.
Post by: verion on July 17, 2018, 12:17:55 AM

I remember discussing it before, but I can't find it.

But I was saying back then that AM should call them themes - not layouts.

:D

"Theme" is more common (or approachable) term for me - when it comes to naming something that changes how the launcher looks.
"Skin" is another one that comes to mind - but less elegant IMHO. But "layout"? It is not that obvious - especially for the newcomers.

Title: Re: Why is this topic called themes? The program calls them layouts.
Post by: iOtero on July 17, 2018, 03:31:56 AM

Layout(.nut) is the code that makes the Theme work  8)

Title: Re: Why is this topic called themes? The program calls them layouts.
Post by: verion on July 17, 2018, 05:13:30 AM

Well... it's just a filename. It could be named "theme.nut" as well.

Title: Re: Why is this topic called themes? The program calls them layouts.
Post by: jedione on July 17, 2018, 06:15:37 AM

once you are done,  building your layout , then,  and only then...
does it become a theme.

true. ::)

Title: Re: Why is this topic called themes? The program calls them layouts.
Post by: keilmillerjr on July 17, 2018, 01:54:22 PM

Quote from: verion on July 17, 2018, 12:17:55 AM

I remember discussing it before, but I can't find it.

But I was saying back then that AM should call them themes - not layouts.

:D

"Theme" is more common (or approachable) term for me - when it comes to naming something that changes how the launcher looks.
"Skin" is another one that comes to mind - but less elegant IMHO. But "layout"? It is not that obvious - especially for the newcomers.

Last time I heard the word skin was using real player on win 3 and 95.

Title: Re: Why is this topic called themes? The program calls them layouts.
Post by: verion on July 17, 2018, 03:25:07 PM

looks like I'm THAT old, because I remember MAKING skins for RealPlayer and Winamp :D

Title: Re: Why is this topic called themes? The program calls them layouts.
Post by: progets on July 18, 2018, 10:08:02 PM

Some interesting thoughts. It made me think that each of these can mean the same thing but really they describe the level of detail that is involved with each.

skin - this changes the look but is an overlay (like putting a large sticker with cutouts over something)

theme -  this has more granularly and lets you adjust parts of the look independent of each other (like your computer desktop "themes", they look different and can be further customized but the items you see aren't moving or being modified or changed)

layout - you can change anything and everything. not just colors, backgrounds, etc. but what is shown, where it's shown and how it's shown.


Layout makes sense to me. I just don't understand the forum terminology being disjointed from the program it supports. Like I mentioned earlier in the thread even making it "Themes (Layouts)" would help new comers. Attract-Mode doesn't have a ton of documentation so the forum is where people go second (first in too many cases) to find answers.