Forums Theme and Software Upgrade

[Copied from Gobby document: ubuntutheproject-community-n-forums-upgrade]

Links:
Test forum: http://www.mikesplanet.net/forums/

Plugins
 * status of Launchpad - openid?
     * The LP coders are aware of this. (Mike 11/15)
 * most plugins need changes from vb3-4
  * technoviking has found vb4 versions for most plugins we use

Theming
 * lily recommended a few sections of the guidelines that would be helpful
  (http://design.canonical.com/the-toolkit/)
  * The top navigation would be cleaner if we stuck to the orange (instead of the purple)
   - they are working with Matt of the Wiki for a global header & footer (network wide)
 * Warnings are in a lighter tone of purple (that shade isn't in the pallet)
 * Footer perhaps should be orange
 * logo's have an exclusion zone (measurements are found in the guidelines)
 * the ubuntu font should be implemented (font.ubuntu.com)
 * Headers (spacing/padding/heights/)
 * Treatment of several of the graphics
  * shadows on the boxes (remove) because it adds some heaviness
  * icon's are buttony - perhaps simpler iconography (http://famfamfam.com/lab/icons/silk)
       * Much of this has been done (Mike 11/15)
 * Jorge points
  * Our forums are the opposite of the stylings of our other web properties (not simple)
  * Example of simple --> ArsTechnica (phpbb)
   * no sigs or avatars
        *The FC is discussing this, but the Ubuntu Forums needs to have it own style and just not copy others forums.

Work items:
[is] - Staging Enviroment set up so we can test it: TODO
[is/others] - Upgrade plugins from VB3 -> VB4: TODO
[] - Feedback to Design Team on Guidlines usefulness: TODO
[Design Team] - provide mockup of the Global Header and Footer: TODO
[Mike] - Look at CC icons and possobility of use www.famfamfam.com/lab/icons/silk: TODO