omg I can't believe I just read this now after many, many times of reading the TOS: "Don't tamper with the AdSense code". AdSense offers a wide variety of approved formats, colors, and features in your AdSense account. Once you've generated your code, however, we ask that you do not alter any portion of the code or change the layout, behavior, targeting, or delivery of ads for any reason, unless specifically authorized to do so by Google. Does this mean we can only use the 60 colors provided in the color palettes on the ad generator? See this screenshot: I usually change the colors manually (e.g. changing colors like #CC33FF which is not available on the AS color options) to match my layout, or simply want a better blend of colors but never the rest of the ad code, only the colors for the background, border, text link, and text url. Is this allowed? I need your opinions please.
This is fine - people who use AdSense a lot just type the colour codes in the appropriate section of AdSense code - not a problem because you could generate an exactly identical code through your AdSense account. What they are getting at is you mustn't alter the code to make your ads unduely prominent by using blinking text, larger or different font, weird and wonderful backgrounds. That's really what they mean.
thanks so much for the replies guys, it really gave me a peace of mind more insights/opinions will be appreciated