Coloured Scrollbars. Good or Bad ?

[carbonize]

I recently discovered that Opera now has support for the CSS used to change the colour of the scrollbars even though this is not valid CSS.

So now it looks like they are here to stay my question is simple, Are coloured scrollbars a good or bad idea?

[tikanet]

"And now," as Paul Harvey would say, "for the rest of the story..." Opera 7.x does support CSS scrollbar color property declarations, but it's not enabled by default, nor is the setting available through the UI. The user has to manually add a line to the Opera6.ini file.

I may be a bit biased, because as a matter of course the second grouping of CSS property declarations after BODY on any stylesheet we produce consists of eight lines defining the properties of the scrollbars, but it's all good, and we do it because it can be done.

Jeez, that was a long sentence. I'm exhausted! Anyway, colorized scrollbars definately enhance the continuity of a site that uses a web-safe background color or theme.

It's one of those many non-standard features that don't disturb anything if a particular browser doesn't support it. It's one of those things about which people don't feel passionately one way or the other, well, except perhaps ME! ;)

[carbonize]

"And now," as Paul Harvey would say, "for the rest of the story..." Opera 7.x does support CSS scrollbar color property declarations, but it's not enabled by default, nor is the setting available through the UI. The user has to manually add a line to the Opera6.ini file.

Actually the option to view them or not is in Preferences under Page Style - Enable Styling of Scroll Bars.

But I'm using Opera 7.20 beta 3 so maybe it's not in 7.11 or earlier.

[jdiben]

Are coloured scrollbars a good or bad idea?
Like anything else relating to web design it depends on how its used. If they are used well they are a good thing. The colors you use should not draw your visitors attention away from the content. IMO the colors should be similar to the colors used in the pages background.

Joe

[tikanet]

Well, you're a far more bleeding-edge guy than I, carbonize. I'm still using v7.02 (build 2668).

[swstyles]

Colored Scrollbars work in Internet Explorer. They don't hinder the functionality of your website and give you extra design options. What would be cool is if in future releases of CSS you could actually change the colors of the entire browser window. Wouldn't that be cool?

Most of your website visitors will be on a pc using Internet Explorer so if you want to change the colors of your scrollbars, it wouldn't be a wasted effort.

[carbonize]

My site already uses coloured scrollbars. I made sure the CSS was valid then added the scrollbar styling.

So I think we are all in agreement that, unlike page transitions, Microsoft came up with a good idea in styled scrollbars. Guess even Microsoft have to get something right occasionally.

And yes I am a cutting edge kinda guy. I use Opera 7.20 beta3, the latest nightly build of Mozilla Firebird, Trillian Pro 2 public beta.

I am impressd by Firebird as it renders faster than the page downloads, well it feels like that anyway. But it still feels very unfinished and has a few rendering bugs to deal with (but then it is beta).

[blastradius]

Well to take a step out and away from the pack, I must say that I really don't like the colorized scroll bars. I find them to be cheezy, and to imped upon me as a user. If I wanted to change the way my windows looked I would do it myself within the window color setting. But now just because someone has the ability to change the scroll bars I'm stuck having to look at purple scroll bars for as long as I'm on the site.(won't be there too long)

I think if you want people to stay on your site, you would be better off not doing all the "just because I can things" and stick to solid design.

[swstyles]

When used properly as mentioned above, CSS scrollbars are a nice addition to a well designed webpage. I don't understand why different colored scrollbars would scare you away. You must be frightened easily. ;)

[carbonize]

Since when did using styled scrollbars mean your site didn't have a "solid design"?

[swstyles]

"In addtion to"

[blastradius]

Hey your the one who asked for opinions on the topic. Don't attack me just because my opinion is different then yours.

[carbonize]

You implied that the use of styled scrollbars meant the site did not have a solid design.

And if you don't like styled scrollbars stop using Internet Explorer.

[jdiben]

Carbonize,
Blastradius was just expressing his opinion. Just because he doesnt like colored scroll bars doesnt mean that they are bad and because I like them doesnt mean they are good. No matter how we design our sites there will always be people who dont like it for whatever reason. It may be that those of us that like the colored scrollbars are in the minority. I use them and I would like to know if the majority of visitors dont like them. I look forward to hearing everyones opinion on this design element.

Joe

[carbonize]

I'm suprised that Microsoft didn't give the user the option to turn them off. I mean you can disable page transitions in the advanced menu.

[jdiben]

Thanks Carbonize,
I had no idea you could disable page transitions. I cant stand them.

Joe

[swstyles]

I have nothing but love for you guys. I must not have expressed myself as clearly as I meant to. I apologize if you took my comments in the wrong way.

[carbonize]

I have nothing but love for you guys. I must not have expressed myself as clearly as I meant to. I apologize if you took my comments in the wrong way.
Only thing that offends me is arrogance. If you had offended me I would of just gone off in a temper and taken my ball with me.

[Graf1771]

Ahem! - back to topic...Coloured scrollbars are ok, and can pull a design of a website beyond the usual confines of the browser window.

But, the real use for them (as far as i'm concerned) is being able to style the scrollbars of an iframe or div in a page. Makes sure your design isn't destroyed by those nasty grey scrollers in the middle of your site...

[usabilityfreak]

To chime in:

I view the use of colored scrollbars as with any other design element - if done well they are nice, if not they are irriatating. I agree with others who add that if they match the colors scheme its even better and it also adds to continuity of the website's look.

The (possibly) best part is that if a particular browser does not support them, there is no effect on the display of the site at all!

[carju1]

As a direct response to the question:
Are coloured scrollbars a good or bad idea? My answer is they are another design option which is often used badly.

If they match in with the page perfectly like Carbonize does with the gren then they are fine. However too often they are just coloured because the desinger has a new bit of code to play with.

Personally I like boring old fashioned grey I can spot it immediately and know there's more to the page, which I don't always notice if the page breaks nicely and the scroll bar blends in toomuch with the bg.

Regards
Julian

[MtraX]

Hi.

I like to add them where it would add to design and have the scroll bars blend in and not stick out like a sore thumb - have a look at http://www.abagold.co.za - which we did with colour coded scrollbars/iframes - I think it looks much better being colour coded...and it can't hurt browsers that can't understand the code...

Just my 2c.
MtraX

[blastradius]

MtraX - i do like the look and feel of the link you offered. I am a little more open to the use of colorized scrollbars in this manner. But in general I find that they take away from the usablity of the site. I have leart form expierence that the majority of users need the "click here" and such even to navigate sites, even next links are often overlooked by the more inexperienced user. I just feel that colorizing the scrollbar will add to the chance that the user will not understand that they can scroll the text and end up missing what the designer is trying to convey.

[oldhippy100]

Hmmm... who'd have thought something so (seemingly) simple would generate so much comment?
OK - I've got nothing against coloured scroll-bars as such... but don't you think some site designers use them, and all the other bells & whistles available, just for the sake of it?
If the site has an attractive and usable colour scheme, why not extend it to the scroll bars?
But far too often, the design looks as if somebody has caused an explosion in a paint factory... far too many colours, text you can't read because it doesn't contrast enough with the background, links you can't find because they've been changed from the underlined blue that everyone recognizes... and scroll bars that you have to feel your way around because they're so dark as to be almost invisible!
Whatever happened to the old design adage, "K.I.S.S"... Keep It Simple, Stupid!

[httpman]

Coloured Scrollbars... what's the issue ?

80 to 85% of our (mine & yours) visitors come on our websites with Internet Explorer and Windows. So Microsoft only compatibility in definitively not an issue.

Coloured or not scrollbars is not the right question. The question should be : why not using such a way to put more impact on my website ? Like Javascript, Java or Flash, is there any reason not to use such widely used technologies ? What is the drawback ?

Flash = same question (good to use it or not could generate a lot of asnswers, no ?). Well, a lot of people just hate full Flash websites, will some other like. As a professionnal, the main concern for me is : what whill think my potential customer ?..

Hey, the answer is easy : the drawback if the freedom to create that you get. More freedom, if you are a good designer = more ways, if not = more ugly ways to do things. That's much more a matter of talent, rather than technic no ?

Mtrax, I like the website behind the link you provided : from my point of vue that's a good example of creativity vs technology : creativity is a good way to use technology to show more of what's behind your mind, while technology alone is just there to hide a lack of creativity.

And Carbonize : your site is cute ! Let's say : I would just put a little more "space" around it. Space is all, space show the true structure of a site while too much texte w/o space could make one feel it as "difficult" to read - maybe ? But the way u use coloured scollbars is so good that for sure, your main concern was not from a design point of vue !

JP

[MtraX]

Mtrax, I like the website behind the link you provided : from my point of vue that's a good example of creativity vs technology : creativity is a good way to use technology to show more of what's behind your mind, while technology alone is just there to hide a lack of creativity.

Thanx Httpman! I agree with all you have said - it's not really a big issue! It can't hurt except if you're using colours that are overkill!! It's supposed to compliment, not confuse!

MtraX

[GSO]

Sit back and take a look at your IE window. There is too much light grey from top, side and bottom. I use scroll bar colors on my photo gallery because I am looking for a blue-black solid background to highlight my photographs and I like being able to extend that effect to the scroll bars. Like all design tools, if they are used tastefully, they are effective.

[carbonize]

Sit back and take a look at your IE window. There is too much light grey from top, side and bottom.

Actually that would depend on your windows theme. Also I'm using Opera which is blue at the top and supports styled scroll bars.

[jasper]

in a nutshell: You should NOT use colored scrollbars.

I have my colors set on my machine the way I want them.
When a "designer" decides he wants to change the colors, then the only possible answer is "The designer is wrong, I'm right."

and I leave the site.

[mfwp101]

I'm new to this site. AAMOF, this is my first post. I've been designing sites for a few years and read everyhting I can get my hands on. It only makes me a better designer if I implement what I read and learn from all the goofs along the way.

I just recently redesigned my site...again... and it did drop a rank from a 6 to a 5 but that's ok. It's been my experience not to get uptight but stay patient and work hard on promoting it.

I changed the scrollbar color of both my sites, once you get in to give it personality. I like it. It's the first time I've tried it. Tell me what you think. Thanks.

[carbonize]

in a nutshell: You should NOT use colored scrollbars.

I have my colors set on my machine the way I want them.
When a "designer" decides he wants to change the colors, then the only possible answer is "The designer is wrong, I'm right."

and I leave the site.

"A closed mind never learns"

[MtraX]

in a nutshell: You should NOT use colored scrollbars.

I have my colors set on my machine the way I want them.
When a "designer" decides he wants to change the colors, then the only possible answer is "The designer is wrong, I'm right."

and I leave the site.

I don't agree - have you looked at http://www.abagold.co.za which I mentioned? How would a dull gray scrollbar look in the middle of the page? I say if used intelligently with subtle colours that compliment the design, it's actually an attractive benefit.

Just my 2c.
MtraX

[vilesilencer]

Actually MtraX the site looks nice regardless of the chrome scrollbar. I'm using Opera 7 atm. It compliments the grey menu. Looks good.

I don't use colour scrollbars anymore. I used them years ago when they were first supported in IE, and carried that from my first site through to my last site, I usually made the scrollbar the same colour as the background so that it blended in and gave the page a wider feel.

I find a lot of my visitors use browsers that don't support it, and it ain't CSS friendly, and clogs up that file so i canned it. I still think creatively it can enhance the page though.

Those that use it wisely, should definitely continue to use it. Those that make the scrollbar stand out like dogs balls should go and get neutured. soz, it has to be said :)

[starrwriter]

I think colored scrollbars look great. And I don't care if they don't work in certain browsers because they degrade to the default scrollbars. Microsoft is leading the way here.

[littlegiant]

I think colored scrollbars are great too but I must thank all those who expressed their opinion about not liking them because I never would have thought that anybody would oppose them. It is certainly food for thought.

[mikmik]

Use this, and your code will Validate :
<!--[if IE]>
<style type="text/css">
html{scrollbar-face-color: #123abc; scrollbar-shadow-color: #123abc; scrollbar-highlight-color: #123abc; scrollbar-3dlight-color: #123abc; scrollbar-darkshadow-color:#123abc ; scrollbar-track-color: #123abc; scrollbar-arrow-color:#123abc;}
</style>
<![endif]-->