Rinsing out the Grey/Gray

You've no doubt noticed I've been tinkering again...

As I've complained about before, I do not have direct access to the code behind Forum and have to work 'remotely' via a so-called Control Panel. It's not always consistent or reliable so much of what I do has been hit and miss. Very frustrating when you're used to directly manipulating the code I can tell you. Kinda like trying to play guitar wif yer gloves on.

In any event, I have finally figured out (I think) how to manipulate a few more template elements and I have manged to remove the original Grey/Gray gradient header that many of us seem to dislike. My originally stated aim was to first freshen up the place, then try to bring the look and feel more in line with our informational web site. I hope you'll agree that it is now starting to look closer to that ideal.

You'll notice also that I have made a few subtle changes to the navigation icons and a few of the general Forum icons, all in an effort to introduce a little bit of colour and clarity to the site.

As usual I will not be doing anything too drastic, or too much too fast. Don't want to scare anyone!
The next effort will focus mainly on improving the contrast between text and the background in the posts.
Thanks for your continued patience and support during this transitional period.

Well done Barry! It looks much better now imho !
Thank you for all the effort you have and do put in since you started to try changing the design of the forum! I really appreciate it !!!
Please don't be afraid to experiment here and there. It will look
surprisingly strange at times when you're working on it and not always in a calmer and clearer way but we
all know someday it will bloom into something very strange and beautiful !
Just great to see you go for it in this way. Your attitude I like ! Communicative, transparent, informative,
empathic, always open to suggestions! It gets better !

About the avatars, I used to have one in the good old days it's nice but I don't need more space. Content is what matters most. Well done though! Please keep on doing what you're doing so well and keep in mind that even while it's bothersome at times to get codes and syntax work, you'll get wiser and in a meantime are appreciated by what you aim for and accomplish on the way! To many folks here now and in the future !
Without trying to be witty can I have a witness ? :bball:

After a bit of experimentation I think I have the optimum colour contrast. I hope you're finding it easier to read with the grey/gray pretty much banished to the old folks home (and to what's left of the hair on my my head).

Now someone please pass the Grecian Formula?