Forum's random backgrounds on all pages--can it be turned off?

There seems to be a clear consensus on this thread that the background images are not advantageous to writing, reading, and concentration of the site. The dark background has been maintained for the years I've been here, and we've gotten used to it and liked it. The backgrounds now seem like random noise. Please, pretty please with cherries and better-than-cherries on top, nix the pics and bring back the black.

originally posted by: Aleister
There seems to be a clear consensus on this thread that the background images are not advantageous to writing, reading, and concentration of the site. The dark background has been maintained for the years I've been here, and we've gotten used to it and liked it. The backgrounds now seem like random noise. Please, pretty please with cherries and better-than-cherries on top, nix the pics and bring back the black.

I loved the dark background and since it has been changed to all these pics intruding, I too find it hard to concentrate, read and write. I find it intrusive and annoying as hell. I've tried really hard to get used to it, but that won't happen. I find myself leaving the site more often to go off and do other things. I stay logged in all the time and check often, but not as often as I used to.

It has especially taken a lot away from one of my favorite threads which is part chit chat and part story telling. It is a fantasy place filled with magic and enchantment at times and those background images on the sides really do affect the ambiance in there. I find I am responding to less threads now. I'll go and start reading, but I won't read every page of the thread and might make a quick reply rather than a longer more thought out post.

I'm trying so hard to over come this. I really am, but I'm with you and asking pretty please to nix the pics and bring back the black.

Ohhhh the entitlement!! On this thread ....

Poor me!

a reply to: Kapusta


We are entitled to an opinion like anyone else. Are we not?

originally posted by: Kapusta
Ohhhh the entitlement!! On this thread ....

Poor me!

You're entitled to the opinion that having an opinion is a sense of entitlement, but you're wrong.

I just want to chime in and say that I really like the new backgrounds, and I get less ads now. I think that Skeptic and the team did a great job. No complaints here.

Especially the space one.

a reply to: EchoesInTime

The space one is the only one I love, all the others...horrible!

That was weird, right after I replied what did I see? The space one. LOL Love that one, wish we could keep just that one!

We now have two sets of random backgrounds, each set more closely matches the brightness or darkness of our two different light/dark themes.


Moving to forum-specific backgrounds in a little while.

a reply to: Night Star

yup they are mostly depressing and evil.

originally posted by: SkepticOverlord
We now have two sets of random backgrounds, each set more closely matches the brightness or darkness of our two different light/dark themes.


Moving to forum-specific backgrounds in a little while.

They're blending with the dark theme well enough I didn't even notice they were there. Well done.

originally posted by: eNumbra

They're blending with the dark theme well enough I didn't even notice they were there. Well done.

That is exactly what I was thinking. I wanted an option to turn them off before but It looks really good now.
I like them

Thank God they are darker now! Wish I could keep that space one I think people call it nebular? It's mysterious and beautiful.

I'm glad the images are dimmed now, and grey, but it's still a bit distracting. My main issue with it is that it does not work for all topics. If you happen to be discussing a political issue and the background shows city buildings, fine. That works. But if it displays city buildings while you are writing a post/thread about a supernatural topic, or a fantasy novel you read, an historic religious discussion, etc., it is distracting in more ways than one. It feels very wrong, actually.

a reply to: Night Star

Thanks, and in agreement. People say they are darker now, but they are still so obvious that they draw my attention to them and away from the posts. Even if it is a percentage of attention the backgrounds do diminish my ATS experience, and ATS is too interesting for something like this to be set up to purposely distract. I don't understand why it was done and continues, it still doesn't make sense.

a reply to: SkepticOverlord

That worked for me.

Much easier on the eyes,

originally posted by: Aleister
a reply to: Night Star

Thanks, and in agreement. People say they are darker now, but they are still so obvious that they draw my attention to them and away from the posts. Even if it is a percentage of attention the backgrounds do diminish my ATS experience, and ATS is too interesting for something like this to be set up to purposely distract. I don't understand why it was done and continues, it still doesn't make sense.

Yes, it is still quite distracting for me. I'm thankful they are darker now, but they are still distracting and like LoneCloudHopper2 said, it doesn't go with certain topics at all.

Being able to select a picture theme IE: space, government, ufo, etc would be nice.

I am loving it.

Still the same can only hope the novelty will wear off one day.