10

I always found it really easy to know if the question was solved or still pending simply by the green background. Now that its removed I have to consciously search for that little green arrow to know the same. Whats the advantage of removing the green background? Can we get it back?

Improve this question
2

5 Answers 5

Reset to default
4

They reduced the number of colors on the system to help out with color selection for the Stack Exchange sites.

Help StackExchange With Colors

We’ve been creeping further and further towards the refuge of minimalism in our Trilogy layouts over the last year. fact, I just deployed a change to remove the accepted answer color to make color schemes a bit easier for SE.

Improve this answer
2
  • It's a shame they removed the nice subtle green backgrund but kept the awful dark shades that appear (and fade after a few seconds) when you post an answer. It makes your answer unreadable for a short while.
    – DisgruntledGoat
    Commented Sep 29, 2009 at 22:56
  • And, as Jeff writes in October 2009, in Code hard to read with answer's Green Background: "We no longer use the green background to denote accepted answer; the green checkmark suffices."
    – Arjan
    Commented Jan 8, 2012 at 12:17
3

You're only having to consciously search for the green arrow because your brain learned to "read" the site one way. Give it time, it'll learn to notice the green arrow much more quickly.

Improve this answer
4
  • 2
    A huge green flag is easier to read than a tiny green dot.
    – Robin Rodricks
    Commented Sep 29, 2009 at 19:00
  • @Jeremy true, but the "background process" of my brain notes which users are moderators when I'm browsing through this list of answers even though it's just a tiny diamond. I don't have to look for it.
    – Rex M
    Commented Sep 29, 2009 at 19:10
  • oh... that's what the diamond is for... I learned something new today
    – Sukotto
    Commented Sep 29, 2009 at 19:28
  • I find that the check mark is too similar to the down arrow that it's immediately under, so the two seem to blend together.
    – mmyers
    Commented Sep 30, 2009 at 4:01
3

I don't think there is any advantage whatsoever in the change. All I can really say is that perhaps they made the change so that it didn't stand out TOO much and then potentially cause users to ignore all the rest of the answers that may be provided, regardless of how good they might be.

Improve this answer
3

Colors are hard. Perhaps they went shopping decided to reduce the number required?

Improve this answer
1

One (admittedly small) advantage is what Diago mentioned here:

It does make answers easier to read, and helps on sites like SF or SU where we use screenshots on white backgrounds.

(E.g. this post looks way better after the change.)

Improve this answer
2
  • 2
    Of course, it mocks the time i spent making transparent backgrounds for my screenshots...
    – Shog9
    Commented Sep 29, 2009 at 19:19
  • Heh, true. :) But oftentimes it is quite reasonable to use existing images, which might have white background (like the ones from Apple in my example)
    – Jonik
    Commented Sep 29, 2009 at 19:23

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .