If you ask me, they look way too similar to normal text. Under certain circumstances, I can't make the difference at all, aside from moving my mouse through the entire text.

Maybe darken them a bit? Or a lot?

Darkening the already-navy-blue links would likely make them blend in more. You'd likely prefer them lightened instead. I can't say I have this issue most of the time though. An alternate solution would be to make the underlines visible by default, and disappear on hover.

For comparison... A link vs. pure blue.

You speak wise words. Pure blue gets my vote.

We tried it. Looked like ass. The sheer number of links we have on any given page, coupled with a stand-out color for the links, turns the page into an unreadable patchwork of distracting colors. Same applies to underlines as the default. The page looks like a furiously underscored letter from a lunatic.

Edit to add: Try it yourself on Villain Protagonist. Modify your local CSS and have a look.

edited 5th Sep '09 12:37:22 PM by FastEddie

Perhaps try something similar to the following:

a {
border-bottom: 1px dotted #999;
}
a:hover {
border-bottom: none;
text-decoration: none;
}
I don't find it obtrusive, but it does seem to slightly set links apart.

Edit: Fix linebreaks.

edited 5th Sep '09 1:29:30 PM by BrokenChaos

That's not too bad, actually. We'll give it a roll. Standby for the howls of outrage that come every time we change anything.

That's in. Folks will have to reload/refresh to see the difference.

edited 5th Sep '09 2:07:54 PM by FastEddie

Just noticed it while checking out Tzetze's contributor page. Doesn't look that bad.

Not too obtrusive, and noticeable. I like it. People can get used to it.

Hooray, I'm useful! \o/

My original test CSS didn't leave in the :hover underline, but I think this version actually fits better, making the links stand out an appropriate amount more when they're hovered on.

edited 5th Sep '09 2:54:48 PM by BrokenChaos

Looks good to me.

Two things, though. 1) Is it supposed to affect the left menu? 2) Shouldn't it affect the categorization links?

Also, it looks kinda odd in folder titles.

edited 5th Sep '09 3:29:29 PM by Tzetze

Should folder titles be links? I thought they shouldn't.

Folder titles shouldn't be links.

'kay, what about the other two?

And the reason they aren't shouldn't be links is that (some browsers more than others, but all to some extent) make it very hard to click the button when there's a link on it.

Tzetze: Ideally, probably not, but that will require more tweaking to specifically exclude the sidebar, or include categorization.

edited 5th Sep '09 5:54:02 PM by BrokenChaos

Light blue looked like ass, this looks like ass, and it Doesn't even show up On The Forums.

Maybe better reasoning than "looks like ass" would help?

I thought the "look like ass and there isn't enough of it" post was pretty funny.

Just referencing Fast Eddie's post. Really, there is nothing wrong with it other then it looks stupid, forum and offsite links don't seem to work with it, and it makes it look like the stupid green test ad-words. And only eight people talking about a site-wise stylistic change? It doesn't quite sit well with me.

edited 5th Sep '09 7:42:16 PM by FishCalledWaldo

I don't like it either, altough I mix normal text with links (that is because of sunglasses at night, and indoors too.)

Hm, the adwords thing is a good point, although those are usually green and thicker-underlined.

This is just a preview/test, I think, it was (apparently) easy to do and I doubt that it would be hard to revert if necessary.

Seriously, from wikis that require themselves to green-text ad themselves out and forums paying the bills, I avoid and hate those underlined things like the plague. Off-site links are, again, still normal colored, so it looks even more confusing. If everything was pitch-shifted one tone up, or to a dark pruple, not so bad - maybe. But this underline stuff? Not kosher.

edited 5th Sep '09 8:11:47 PM by FishCalledWaldo

I really, really, really, really want to see a full site layout redesign now.

Anyway. Coming back to it later with a fresh eyeball, I think I agree that it is too busy. I'll yank it out.

Edited to add: That's done. I suppose a solution would be to make the link color something a person can set in their profile. People with color perception issues either biological or due to a cranky monitor could set it to what ever works for them.

edited 5th Sep '09 8:40:12 PM by FastEddie

Kinda like a limited version of userstyles allowed on other wikis? I like it.

BTW, I personally liked the underline, as it made it more clear when two links were next to each other.

edited 15th Sep '09 11:04:33 AM by BigT