People are free to do that already.

So did you want us to change the theme out from under all of the existing users that use the default theme or change the non-authenticated theme to one of the themes that the smarter authenticated users are currently using to distinguish when they are logged in. (:

I'm curious if you bothered to think through how something like this might be done. The only acceptable way I can see this being done is to develop a new theme and making that the theme for unauthenticated users (which changes the look of the site for a huge number of visitors). Feel free to come up with a new conservative theme that would be suitable as the non-authenticated theme and is different enough from all of the existing themes that you don't create too much confusion for people who are already using some other theme to ensure they know when they are logged in. You'll still risk picking a theme too close to one being used by someone via CSS and forcing them to change.

> I'm curious if you bothered to think through how
> something like this might be done.

As a matter of fact, yes I have. If it was me, I would have the site set someone's default theme to the red theme (or something else close but not the same) when they create a new account from now on. That way existing users don't notice any effect, and new users are clued into one of the site's features and it's easier for them to know that they are logged in.

This suggestion is only to help prevent newer users from accidently posting as Anonymous until they get clued in to how the site works. Experienced users, of course, can do what they want.

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I would have the site set someone's default theme to the red theme (or something else close but not the same) when they create a new account from now on.

I never really played with my theme settings untill today, but having now seen the Red Theme in action I can safely say that if the very first thing that had happened when i registered was that everything went red -- it would have seemed very confusing, and i would have spent a lot of time trying to figure out why.

Defaults for newusers should not be different from "visitors" so as to preserve the "element of least surprise"

Personally: I think the lack of an XP Nodlet, the lack of voting radio buttons, and the giant "Login" Nodlet at the top right of every page is a pretty good indicator to regular users that they aren't logged in. For people who need a bigger reminder ... that's why they can customize their own theme.

Actually I much love this idea. I've been /msg'ing the tip to change their theme to monks who made such a mistake, and having it being done automatically for them seems like a good idea.

I do agree with hossman that the red theme would be confusing. Furthermore, I think the registration confirmation page or another one tied to the registration process should explain to users that the site is going to look different now, and explain to them why.

I think newcomers will gratefully welcome this feature. ++!

Makeshifts last the longest.

Well, I have never faced a problem of posting while logged out, however I can see this being a problem because perlmonks has so many domain variants (I mean you can access PM via perlmonks.org, perlmonks.com, www.perlmonks.com, www.perlmonks.org and so on... and each of these variants require a separate login)

I anyone does implement the different-theme-while-you-are-logged-in thingie I really do hope there should be a setting in "User settings" where you can disable this option (or choose the same theme while logged in as default theme for anonymous monks) because I tend to like this default PM theme.

Just my thoughts...

You can change your theme, or create a custom one with CSS by going to user settings at your homenode.

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So, (tongue planted firmly in cheek)

Hints that you may not be logged in:

--t. alex

"Mud, mud, glorious mud. Nothing quite like it for cooling the blood!"
--Michael Flanders and Donald Swann

Update: Added last row to table.

I guess not all of us can be as bright as you :-P

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GOD DAMN IT, NOT AGAIN!

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Thanks, ignatz, that brings me to another entry:

More coffee required	You're IN!
No .sig line automatically added to any nodes you create	.sig line present in nodes you create.

--t. alex

"Mud, mud, glorious mud. Nothing quite like it for cooling the blood!"
--Michael Flanders and Donald Swann

I like this idea. I remember making this mistake a couple of time when I was new. This is till I finally learned about the ability to change themes. Having it happen automagically would have been nice.

I do agree that the red theme might be alarming to some people.

Just adding my 0.02$

Just a tongue-tied, twisted, earth-bound misfit. -- Pink Floyd