Regarding the LJ layout

[cleolinda]

Okay. I have had a couple of requests to make the layout here more accessible to the visually impaired, which is completely reasonable. Namely, the comment-input area, which is usually purple text on a purple background. Please understand that there was never a moment in my life where I said, "You know what would be really readable? Purple on

Comments

[snapdragon76]

Actually, I think what you have now is pretty legible. I mean, you still have your purple background, but the text blocks are easier on the eyes themselves, so you don't have to entirely give up your personal style.

I once customized a layout myself but I kinda cheated. I made a background and kinda tweaked the colors to go with it. I had a cheat sheet though with the color codes, so that kinda helped. It turned out pretty decent, which kinda surprised me since that was the first time I had ever done anything like that.

[maleficently]

There is an option in the Journal>Journal Style>Customize your Theme>Display settings that reads:

Disable customized comment pages for your journal?

Turn that to Yes. This means that when people go to comment on your journal, the comment page will either go to the LJ default, or depending on how the user has it set up, their own layout defaults. Should clear up most of the issues for those having trouble with the comment page, since most people will be viewing your entries from their own friends pages, rather then your own layout.

[2nd2ndalto]

Or just click on "view in my style" at the top of most ljs? Does that work for comments?

I often do that when I come across a page that's grey-on-grey that I'm trying to view on the tiny, un-contrasty screen of my netbook.

[maleficently]

That works if you have the nav bar on. A lot of people turn it off, or disable it on their layouts. I'm not entirely sure if it works for comments or not... since I turn mine off *sheepish grin*

[fiveforsilver]

Add "?style=mine" (no quotes) to the end of the url and that does it. It works for comments. I love it, and I use it on most people's journals who have personalized comments, because the wonky colors and font sizes drive me up the wall.

[spectralbovine]

Wow, this white is bright. Was it really purple-on-purple before? Huh.

I understand what you mean about your layout being your face, though. I always meant to change my layout, but I've had my Pistachio Mint for years now, and I'm used to it!

[cleolinda]

Yeahhhh... that's what I'm saying. There's got to be some middle ground between "I hate this" and "no one can read it." Which is why it may require an entirely different layout where THE COMMENT AREA IS ACTUALLY READABLE AND NOT TIED INEXTRICABLY TO THE OTHER COLORS, LIVEJOURNAL, WHAT THE HELL.

[wumbawoman]

Just commenting to say I like(d) the picture of the woman who was part of your background.

[cleolinda]

Aw. Well, she ought to still be there on the main page. Maybe I'll add her to my icons to use once in a while.

[wumbawoman]

:)

And don't get me wrong, I like the new layout but you are purple in my eyes.

A light purple with just a tiny hint of blue. ;)

[rose_griffes]

I far prefer the plain comment page (disabling the custom style). It's bright, yes, but the contrast between text and background is so much better. Plus the letter size is automatically larger, which is helpful for me.

[cleolinda]

Well, it seems that if you click through (say, to read the comments, or through an lj-cut), you get the basic blue/white layout. So this is what it's going to be from now on--no actual layout at all, I guess.

ETA: Wow, that sounds whiny. I read tons of writers' LJs who have the same basic layout and no one's the worse for it. We'll live.