Forum:Final decision on new wiki background

Hi everyone,

A while ago, one of you suggested a new background change for the wiki, as we've had our current one for quite a while. Then some of you submitted several new pictures which we could use. Now as a community, we'd like to hear your final say on which one you'd like best to see as the new background. Here is the complete list of submitted backgrounds:


 * 1)
 * 2)
 * 3)
 * 4)
 * 5)
 * 6)
 * 7)
 * 8)
 * 9)
 * 10)
 * 11)
 * 12)
 * 13)
 * 14)
 * 15)
 * 16)
 * 17)
 * 18)
 * 19)
 * 20)

''NOTE: Some of you might find the images go off your screen resolution. Apologies for that, but I figured it was best to have them shown directly on the page so you can all make a comparison between all of them.''

Lots of options, but only one can be made our new background. I'm personally for no. 4 to win the vote, but of course many will have a different opinion. Please submit your final opinions below, for whichever image you like best, but please try to vote for just one or two so a majority vote can more easily made. The deadline for submitting input is October 31st, 2011.

Best regards,

-  Nìcmávr  ( Tálk  ) 09:49, 16 October 2011 (EDT)

Input and comments
Please submit your input for the new background and any relevant comments below here
 * they are all really good buy i like #2
 * I personally like all of them, but my vote officially goes for number eighteen (18). EtErNiTy92    Revolution!  10:01, 16 October 2011 (EDT)
 * No. 20 - JEA13  [ iTalk  ] 10:09, 16 October 2011 (EDT)
 * I like No. 5 the best. Captain MIC  10:12, 16 October 2011 (EDT)
 * Definitely number 18. -- Ultra Force   (Talk)  [ 10:26, 16 October 2011 (EDT)

Comment: If you feel like trying any out, you can do so by adding the right code to your CSS page. The codes and instructions can be found on this forum. Regards, -  Nìcmávr  ( Tálk  ) 10:14, 16 October 2011 (EDT)
 * No. 4 - It's iconic, calm, beautiful, and shows the Forerunner nature and architecture. No Forerunner, no Halo. It's Scenery Porn, and you know it. — S331 Bubbleshieldhud.svg(Tank beats Everything!) 10:21, 16 October 2011 (EDT)
 * No. 4 (I know I've said it before, but eh), as per Spartan331 and the fact that sitenotice and other interface stuff doesn't blend in as well (by default) with no. 18 as it does with no. 4, which makes no. 4 easier to work with on interface issues and looks, imo, just as good :). - Major.png Nìcmávr  ( Tálk  ) 10:38, 16 October 2011 (EDT)
 * Here goes my vote for #4. Note to others; do note that this is for general appearance. When a Halo title is set to come out in two weeks time, the wiki (and the decoration/launch-celebrator team who works behind the scenes improving the wiki's appearance) will try its best to create a theme to celebrate the launch of that title. A perfect example would be the launch of Halo: Reach, which you all can see in this image. So, all of these images will be stored/archived for future use and would not lost in time. :) —  subtank  10:40, 16 October 2011 (EDT)
 * Definatly #18. Bush Wookie Camper 10:56, 16 October 2011 (EDT)
 * No. 4 is calming and beautiful while still showing (relatively) small Forerunner constructs and a Halo. Many of these are too eerie or alien to show us of an Earthly image that the Halos are meant to invoke. - DinoBenn says "Fight to the End,  Never Give In"   10:57, 16 October 2011 (EDT)
 * No. 4, definitely, even though it is essentially the same as the current one.--  Fore  run  ner '' 11:00, 16 October 2011 (EDT)
 * Comment: In what way do you mean by saying it's the same? Not debating that, just curious. - Major.png Nìcmávr  ( Tálk  ) 11:04, 16 October 2011 (EDT)

No. 4 - I an using #4 and I really like it. It is very iconic.--光环的家伙 (H1234-NET) 11:37, 16 October 2011 (EDT)
 * Image #4 is definitely the most evocative of the Halo universe. --Courage never dies. 12:07, 16 October 2011 (EDT)
 * No. 17 for having both the blue Halo landscape of 4 and a more intense view of its features. --Dragonc laws (talk ) 12:37, 16 October 2011 (EDT)
 * Changing vote to No. 4. No. 17 looks really good on my Google TV, but just average on my laptop. No. 4 keeps its quality on both. --Dragonc laws (talk ) 14:01, 16 October 2011 (EDT)
 * My favourite options would be option #4 and #20. But considering the fact that I can only choose one. I'll choose #4 because it features a beautiful and expansive view of a Halo installation. For that reason, I believe it best represents the Halo franchise, its lore and Halopedia as a whole.-- Brute Honour Guard  ( "Talk" ) 14:15, 16 October 2011 (EDT)
 * My vote goes to 4 even though it is not my "favorite" of the pictures. My favorite is either 18 or 20, however I realize that those two would not fit very well with the rest of the site's look, so my vote goes to 4. (Could we get a preview of what it would look like on the site? Tha would greatly help the decision.) pestilence   Phil,  pestilence!  14:55, 16 October 2011 (EDT)
 * As a side note, we may get some even better pictures when Anniversary/Halo 4 comes out. I would consider changing it when we do. pestilence   Phil,  pestilence!  14:57, 16 October 2011 (EDT)
 * Rough preview. As you can see, we're also planning to alter the toolbar and some other green-coloured stuff to a shade of light blue to suit the image (though don't take those shades of blue into account, I edited those in Paint just to get an idea; the final look will probably be a bit different). - Major.png Nìcmávr  ( Tálk  ) 15:04, 16 October 2011 (EDT)
 * I like it. Very purty. pestilence   Phil,  pestilence!  15:36, 16 October 2011 (EDT)


 * No. 4 - It's got some of the most iconic scenery in the Halo series and is very balanced as an image in terms of coloration and details; there's no unnecessary or distracting clutter like in some of the other images. --Jugus (Talk  | Contribs ) 15:43, 16 October 2011 (EDT)
 * Although there isn't a background that really stands out from the rest, I am leaning towards No.20. Shadow Dancer |contribs| 16:12, 16 October 2011 (EDT)

1st: 18. 2nd: 9. 3rd: 13. Tuckerscreator (stalk ) 16:26, 16 October 2011 (EDT)


 * I Like no.18 Second Lieutenant   Keith Johnson   com link 16:32, 16 October 2011 (EDT)


 * I wish this could be a regular thing, that we could change the background every few weeks or so. Or perhaps randomise it? It's difficult to choose just one when they're all excellent. If I had to, though, I would vote either for 18 or for 20, 18 because it's a good fit for the direction Halo is moving forward, and 20 because it has a mixture of iconic features, ie; the Halo itself, and a Covenant ship. --  Specops306   Autocrat     Qur'a 'Morhek   17:00, 16 October 2011 (EDT)
 * There is a javascript that does that (changing the background automatically), but I'm not sure if it's compatible. If not, someone needs to constantly remind the administration to change it. Pester them via message boards! :P


 * No. 4 After previewing all 20 of the images here, my choice is 4 and the reason why is although the other images show a great deal of fantastic moments in the trilogy, or highlight some of our favorite things within the universe, the problem is the the color palate every image has a dark tone and unfortunately a lot of images end up only showing you either a background of stars, an odd random object that doesn't fit, or nothing at all until you look at the side. 4 just fits, nice tone and variety of colors and you get the halo ring right in the middle. The colors are light which fits with the website and it just overall gives you something Halo has always done, which is these epic beautiful grand vistas that just make you stop for a second and stare in awe. Considering this is the 10th anniversary of the halo franchise, which in ten years has endured a great deal from the praise, popularity, community and success, to the constant bashing, unbelievable amounts of hatred and unwavering attempts to destroy this great franchise by negative opinion. For me personally the image I chose, it encapsulates that moment we all saw ten years ago, the art, the endurance and the greatness of this game. — Durandal-217 18:35, 16 October 2011 (EDT)


 * I like number 5 best, it has Forerunner stuff, a great skybox, the Halo, and fog. Also, I think it would give a nice color change from the tan coloration on right now, as well as some contrast with the whiteness of the page, as well as having more depth than most others in here. Will we replace the Halopedia logo as well? I'd like to offer some ideas for it as well.Xtermin8R645 19:08, 16 October 2011 (EDT)
 * I am fairly certain we are not replacing the logo. I suppose we might update it when Halo 4 comes out (with John's new look), but not before then. pestilence   Phil,  pestilence!  19:31, 16 October 2011 (EDT)


 * Backgrounds 2, 5 and 20 are my personal favourites. :) TheGutsyChipmunk 01:06, 17 October 2011 (EDT)


 * Since this is a Halo Wiki, I believe our background picture should be a Halo, no? Therefor I've chosen 4, 5, 13, 18, and 20.  Vegerot goes RAWR!   Vegerot  ( talk )  01:11, 17 October 2011 (EDT)!


 * My vote is for number 20. It captures the feeling of Halo, isn't too busy, looks beautiful when implemented, repeats well and works with Halo's color scheme. In my opinion it's the only one that really looks right when implemented in a CSS and I say this having tried every single one suggested.--Soul reaper 02:18, 17 October 2011 (EDT)

Comment: Nicmavr said "Lots of options, but only one can be made our new background." Only one finalist from your 2-5 number of choices, guys. — S331 (Tank beats Everything!) 02:38, 17 October 2011 (EDT)

2nd: 11 3rd: 4 KeeperoftheFlame 02:52, 17 October 2011 (EDT)
 * 1st: 19


 * 20 is nice.  Lehnaru  03:19, 17 October 2011 (EDT)


 * 2 is my favourite one (The sandbox one) I hate light images, only dark and gloomy ones. Steroidkloud  03:30PM, 17 October 2011


 * No. 1 --Ocean Soul 04:47, 17 October 2011 (EDT)


 * 20 seems a good choise for me :) --KaragouniS 05:52, 17 October 2011 (EDT)
 * Me to love nr. 20


 * My preference is for 20 or 4. They're simple, yet with beautiful scenery, and spell "Halo" more than most of the others, hence the Halos. -  Halo-343   (Talk)  10:35, 17 October 2011 (EDT)


 * I would say #4, in my opinon it's the best choice. Colonel Grade One.png Col.  Snipes  4  50 Colonel Grade One.png 11:11, 17 October 2011 (EDT)


 * I definitely favour 4, 5 & 20.--Emblem 1.jpg  Rusty  - 112   13:57, 17 October 2011 (EDT)


 * I would say #4 its cool and not dark--Evodvi 15:27, 17 October 2011 (EDT)evodvi 15:24 17 October 2011

Comment: Cheers to everyone for their voting, and keep it coming! Given the amount of opinions we've had within a short period of time, I've cut back the deadline; the new theme will be installed on November 1st, 2011. Thanks again to everyone for their feedback. -  Nìcmávr  ( Tálk  ) 16:14, 17 October 2011 (EDT)


 * 4 or 17 would be my ideal candidates. Forge World is just too beautiful to pass up. However, something from the Halo 4 Concept Art Tease would be nice.


 * Number 4, por favor. Beauty, nature, the ring, the quintessential beam tower...it all adds up to "Make me the new Halopedia Banner!" ΘяɪɸɴF22 _|//|_ Yut Talk --> Contributions 21:21, 17 October 2011 (EDT)
 * Comment I agree, that description is by far the best!--光环的家伙 (H1234-NET) 21:49, 17 October 2011 (EDT)


 * Number 3, 7, 12, 16 any of them C F 0 <font color="Gold">0 <font color="GreenYellow">1 21:36, 17 October 2011 (EDT)


 * 20!--SaltyHat 00:19, 18 October 2011 (EDT)

Hey guys, I'm new but I hope my opinion will still matter. I like 20 best and I think that one should be used.--ArbiterFTW 00:34, 18 October 2011 (EDT)


 * They're all pretty good but I agree with the guys above me, 20 is the best choice.--Shadow Sword 02:17, 18 October 2011 (EDT)


 * '''this is stupid. 18 is the ONLY one that should be there. Halo 4 guys! new trilogy! 18 it is--Chips Dubbo FOREVER 04:31, 18 October 2011 (EDT)

Comment I was thinking, maybee instead of just having one big al or nuthing vote we cood do narro it down to like the top 2 or 5 or something then do another vote so everyone can be happyer with the look we end up with. sorry for the bad spelling and grammar, still learning english--ArbiterFTW 04:39, 18 October 2011 (EDT)


 * I've been coming here (as an anon) for a long time and I like the current look. It's Halopedia, it sets it apart. If it has to get changed to one of those then yea, 20 I guess.--Germanwonder 06:39, 18 October 2011 (EDT)


 * Id say #18 is win,for sure. its a sign of things to come and its new. yeah, 18. Saiega 04:20, 18 October 2011


 * 20 is definitely it. I don't get what everyones obsession is with the forge world one, they're pretty nothing IMO. The colors would be bad too but 20 is good.--Super8 08:10, 18 October 2011 (EDT)

Most of the votes seem to be going to 4, 18 and 20. Can we see previews for all those? I like 20 the best, but I just don't think it'll look good with the rest of the background... If it does I'm definitely changing my vote. pestilence  Phil,  pestilence!  09:46, 18 October 2011 (EDT)
 * You can preview them by adding their code to your CSS. See this forum for details. - Major.png Nìcmávr  ( Tálk  ) 09:49, 18 October 2011 (EDT)


 * They all seem nice but I'd go for No. 20. Karl-591 13:09, 18 October 2011


 * 4 has my vote, the best on my crapy desktop and HD NanoFlood 16:45, 18 October 2011


 * Definitely number 4. -Kronos101 17:00, 18 October 2011 (EDT)


 * I would have to go with Number 18. --Jedizora 17:37, 18 October 2011 (EDT)


 * 20 like alomst everyone else looks the best to me. I VOTE #20! --Mr. Skulking.png 17:48, 18 October 2011 (EDT)


 * I Vote #21 - Random Guy thats not Skulking >_>
 * Comment There is no No. 21.--光环的家伙 (H1234-NET) 23:04, 18 October 2011 (EDT)


 * I vote # 20-SPARTAN-D343

I like number 3 the best.

Comment A lot of people are voting for number 20 but you are forgetting that the pages would block everything besides for maybe the blackness surrounding it. Vegerot goes RAWR! Vegerot ( talk )  18:59, 18 October 2011 (EDT)!
 * Looks fine to me--Soul reaper 21:38, 18 October 2011 (EDT)

I think that we should use 5 or 6 until Halo 4 comes out, and then we switch to that. Honestly though, most of them are all awesome! Isn't there some way that another alternative skin could be generated that switched between different skins on every page load, or each time that the site is approached from a new caché, better yet. --  Chris  talk  21:45, 18 October 2011 (EDT)


 * Most of those a crap and shouldn't go anywhere near the wiki. I vote for TWENTY--Reagan smash!!! 21:55, 18 October 2011 (EDT)
 * I've changed my mind to 20. It looks gorgeous when you preview it. :) pestilence   Phil,  pestilence!  22:06, 18 October 2011 (EDT)


 * It's 20 or it's nothingBen Traeger is King 22:12, 18 October 2011 (EDT)


 * Number 8, give the flood some love guys! Without them there'd be no Halo--Gravemind&#39;s child 22:59, 18 October 2011 (EDT)

Comment I am really enjoying all the input. Keep the opinions coming!--光环的家伙 (H1234-NET) 23:04, 18 October 2011 (EDT)


 * 20. They're all good but 20 seems a bit more all encompassing whereas the other feel restricted to a single game.--Winnie fever 01:47, 19 October 2011 (EDT)


 * #4. All real great. Found the Elite combat form very funny.--Thijsbos 02:46, 19 October 2011 (EDT)


 * 10 or 20 please--Anuk 06:52, 19 October 2011 (EDT)


 * I have to go with 1 and 4. They truly capture the Halo feel. Although they might be good backgrounds, the news at the top and the actions with the current page always blocks the view. I find that very irritating. Nanosoldier


 * 11 if it can be cleaned up and sharpened. Otherwise 1, Reach had some absolutely gorgeous landscapes. Axiobeta 08:17, 19 October 2011 (EDT)

Note, to those that brought up the logo, no, this vote does not apply to changing the logo, we'll be doing that separately. Seeing Halo:CEA is the newest game, we'll most likely be updating it to something like, or something similar. It will be fully looked into when the new background has been set. -  Nìcmávr  ( Tálk  ) 08:51, 19 October 2011 (EDT)
 * 19 or 20. 18 should be for Halo 4's release.--Salmon Army 007 08:33, 19 October 2011 (EDT)

10 or 20 are good. 9 woulda been good but there's a superintendent pic on it--Raiden&#39;s stylist 10:26, 19 October 2011 (EDT)


 * My votes going to number 5, although my favourite is no. 9, its a shame it has the superintendent on it. -- Tentacle tornado  12:30, 19 October 2011 (EDT)


 * Honestly, who would even notice that unless their trying to (in most cases)? And I could just edit it (Macs are great with that stuff) to make it better. Vegerot goes RAWR!   Vegerot  ( talk )  12:41, 19 October 2011 (EDT)!


 * Alright then, changed to number 9. -- Tentacle tornado  12:53, 19 October 2011 (EDT)

I really like 19- Halo;CEA does come out soon but a change towards maybe Halo4 (If the background is for Halo 4) will be nice.


 * plz plz plz use 20. its the most populer--User:Scorchio


 * 11/12 or 20. They seem very Halo to me--Liberty for all or none 05:30, 20 October 2011 (EDT)

20s cool. Looks like a website design rather then just a screenshot--MangaCats 12:08, 20 October 2011 (EDT)

18 or 20. What's the pont of 19?--Re L 23:06, 20 October 2011 (EDT)

13, 15 0r 20!--Not a friend 04:42, 21 October 2011 (EDT)

2,3 and 7. I like halo 3 aspects for the background  <font face="calibri" size="2"> Vezuvius <font face="halo3" size="2" color="black"> "Were It So Easy"

No. 13 gets my first place because it's so relevant to the whole Halo universe. No. 20 follows up at second. No. 3 isn't far behind. Cool fool 18:35, 22 October 2011 (EDT)

Comment: -To be honest guys, I have tested how #19 and #20 would look for the wiki, and it is just too dark. I personally find that a lighter picture would go well with our design.--光环的家伙 (H1234-NET) 18:58, 22 October 2011 (EDT)


 * 7 or 20 definitely. 7 gives a spectacular view of the Ark and Installation 04B which are two examples of Forerunner architecture, but it would only go well with a picture of John-117 in a MJLONIR Mark VI. 20, however, is a concept art which gives it a feel that a screenshot can't have. Plus, it is a beautiful view of space and a Halo ring, which reminds everyone of what the Halo franchise was built upon and gave it it's success, and it would look great with a picture of a Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary version of the Chief. Ι Η Π  09:20, 23 October 2011 (EDT)

20. ArchedThunder

C'mon guys, Number 18! It's Halo 4!

I say #17 it is forge world but it looks so majestic and has both forerunner environments and architecture so beautiful and it's got decent color


 * Comment: Nicmavr, after the deadline, can we still change the background with our css pages? Just curious. — S331 Bubbleshieldhud.svg(Tank beats Everything!) 06:22, 23 October 2011 (EDT)
 * Yes, you're free to change it to whatever and whenever you want, whether its now or after the deadline. Your css page is separate from the Halopedia's default. - Major.png Nìcmávr  ( Tálk  ) 06:44, 23 October 2011 (EDT)


 * Comment: Just out of curiosity, is there a way that we can have MULTIPLE backgrounds, and it would be like a random thing every time you loaded the page, or is that just technologically impossible? Vegerot goes RAWR!  Vegerot  ( talk )  12:39, 23 October 2011 (EDT)!
 * It probably is possible but we don't know at this point how we'd do it, or even if it would work to our benefit (after all, how many websites utilise random background changes? :P). But it may be worth looking into in the future. - Major.png Nìcmávr  ( Tálk  ) 15:16, 23 October 2011 (EDT)

Number 20 that my friends is epic --The Unbalanced Warrior 18:25, 23 October 2011 (EDT)

Would be number 6, because it gives that refreshing and natural feeling, but at the same time you see the ring section half hidden in the sky, which reminds you that you are still on Halo. I think that this background will go best with the current white coloured user interface so yeah, unless you change the colour of everything to fit say number 18 or 20arbiterxxxxxxx09:34 GMT, 24 October 2011

I like number 9. --H J Piepkow 12:02, 24 October 2011 (EDT)

18 and 20 are both cool though I'd love to see an awesome image of a UNSC Frigate, preferably in space/orbit. Perhaps the Dawn arriving at the Ark in Halo 3? I suppose copyright is an issue though. Damn. --Precipice66 17:50, 24 October 2011 (EDT)


 * Either 18, or 20. 18 is good because Halo 4 is coming soon, and that should give us the idea that the new trilogy is coming. 20 is also good because it's just... EPIC!!! FloppyPhoenix 19:44, 24 October 2011 (EDT)

PLEASE DON'T PICK A PICTURE FROM FORGE WORLD!!! i see that place too much as it is!! --The Unbalanced Warrior 22:06, 24 October 2011 (EDT)

I like 2, 19, and 20.--RyanTheGreat11 11:36, 25 October 2011 (EDT)


 * I like 18. I feel it shows Halo's progression. --Diijin 15:05, 26 October 2011 (EDT)

1, 5, and 20 are my top three picks. 1 is a great landscape shot, it really captures the mood of the series. 2 is an excellent ref of the Forerunners' influence on the Haloverse, and 20 is arguably the best for it shows Halo in all of its ancient glory.262VigilantGuardian 17:16, 27 October 2011 (EDT)


 * I like number 19 because it has the halo ring neat the planet I think it looks cool. Jmanisabeast 20:55, 27 October 2011 (EDT)


 * 20 because of the CCS-Cruiser and The Halo in the Background, good combo. Too bad you don't have the battle scene from outside Cairo Station witht he Marathons and Frigates
 * 1) 20 cause it is a Halo. 1-10 22:12, 28 October 2011 (EDT)
 * I like most, but it has to be Number 20. Dracconi 05:44, 29 October 2011 (EDT)