Okay, I should probably qualify my statement.
I'm willing to concede that bold colors are actually okay sometimes, but they should be used sparingly. It's a common cycle for me at least:
1. Install a new piece of software, open a new online account, etc., and customize it with a really cool color scheme.
2. Bask in the refreshing boldness, strut around with a spring in my step and a new sense of confidence--I'd a go-getter now!
3. Realize after a while that it's actually kind of annoying and switch to something plain and simple that is easier on the eyes.
4. ... <some time later> get bored and decide it's time for something new, go back to step 1.
I only make it to steps 3 and 4 with stuff I actually use a lot, and CPF falls under that category. If it's something I won't see a lot it's kind of nice to have something more adventurous even if it makes my eyes sore after a while.
Remember flashing text in HTML? When Netscape first started supporting it, *every* web site starting using flashing text everywhere. Pretty soon everyone realized it was an abomination from the lower levels of hell and now you rarely see flashing text. I think it's a similar principle at work.
One last analogy (especially for the CPF audience)--colored LEDs. I always think colored LED flashlights are cool and every once in a while I feel compelled to buy one. I soon realize that white is more useful all around and the colored gadget sits on the shelf (okay, who am I kidding? it sits in a huge pile of junk on my desk, but that's not the point) relegated to novelty status. When I want a feeling of "gee-wiz" the flashing colored Photon III is great, but in the end it's plain, boring white Arc AAA (CPF edition, of course) that sits on my keychain.
So Chris M., I promise I won't mistake your review site for a porn spam site just because it has a bright orange background (it looks pretty cool), but if I start obsessively reloading it many times a day I may email you with a polite request for some softer colors. Until then, go crazy!
- Russ