The site design for physics Stack Exchange has actually been creating a fair amount of controversy. People are complaining about the usability (or relative lack thereof) of the light-on-dark theme, and after giving it the benefit of the doubt for a couple of days, I’m starting to agree that this color scheme doesn’t work that well. Compared to most other sites, which use black text on a white background, the physics.SE design is a bit of an “eyesore” (in only the most literal sense possible: when I go between that site and this one, for example, my eyes actually do get sore; the design itself is actually quite well done, color choices aside).

I’m not sure if anyone actually reads this blog, other than a few people who I know were users of physics.SE since the beginning, but: if you are reading this, and if you aren’t an established user of the site, I’m curious to get feedback on it. Does the white-on-black color scheme of the site make you, as a new member or potential member, any less likely to participate in it or refer other people to it?

Hooray, Physics Stack Exchange is officially — and quite suddenly — no longer in beta! As of a couple of days ago, that is.

In case anyone who isn’t already a member follows this blog, all that means is that the people in charge of Stack Exchange have been sufficiently convinced that the site is viable. We no longer have the design that Area 51 beta sites use, but we get our own unique look and feel, a blackboard-inspired white-on-dark site design. Everything still works the same, and if you haven’t already checked the site out, you should still do so ;-)