~ PixiMyst Site Review ~ Site Name: Inferno Layout Number: Version 13.0 "Dance of the Dead" Date of Review: 28.11.06 Percentage: 84/100 (84%) Final Grade: B First Imprssion Pointage: 6/8 Commentary: - Well, well -- Here's a theme I havn't seen in a while. The whole thing is very dark, put poised at the same time. Though it has a theme associated with a deathly tone, it is not vicious or inappropriate. In fact, depending on your perspective, it could actually be pacifying (on one of those layered levels, ya know?) between layout, content, and owner -- but I'll talk more about those aspects later. - I think it is the irony that captures my attention the most. The background picture almost implies a very subtle atmosphere - almost to the point of becoming static and unmoving. At the same time, there whole place is riddled with clues that hint that there is a secret livelines beneath the surface. The whole place is "dancing," after all. - Oh, and we can't forget your host. It is ALWAYS more enjoyable to browse an ad-free site! Go you ;) - So why not full points? Think of it this way, contrast in comparison to other sites is a good thing -- though it was a bit of a shocker at first. Plus I see a few format isssues. From my experience, it does push away a certain audience... especially those who might be sensitive towards the layout (I know a few people who are like that - kind of sad, but true). Layout Pointage: 9/12 Commentary: - Ah, a transparent iframe! I love those >^^;< It really gives the page a sence of depth and separation -- kind of like drawing the blinds on a window. Some people would advise against them, mostly for browser purposes - but hey, I like it! - Your navigation is easy to find and to read. There's no confusion there :) - All the pages load quickly, and the text is an appropriate font / size and interlaces well with the given enviornment... though I did get a slight headache from the black / white contrast after a while (especially on pages like the "Fun Quiz" where there was a lot of it smooshed together). - In regards to the theme of the overall layout, I think it fits in quite nicely with the title of the webpage (even though I know it will be changing soon). And, since Halloween was just last month, it must have been perfect for that. - The layout itself has a long shelf-life. It outlives Holloween, and doesn't pressure you to re-model too quickly. - I did notice, however, that you used a fixed background image. And, while that is a perfectly acceptable thing to do for the structure you have chosen, your loading time is affected. It kind of offsets itself, though, because your the layout looks great even without the picture >^^;< - Also, the whole things seems to be a bit short - which makes the whole layout seem kind of small and scrunched up, especially if one of your visitors is viewing your site with an extra-long monitor/screen resolution - in which case, there is no flexability. Perhaps if everything was centered height-wise just as it is for the width (which is perfect). I do believe there are some HTML scripts you can use for that, perhaps a table of some sort? Content Pointage: 28/35 Commentary: - Home Page: The opening message is very clear -- I like that. It tells who you are and what the site is about right off the bat. The remainder of the page consists of all the aspects that are usually found on a good solid petz page introduction (taggy, updates, sisters, etc.). I fancy the fact that there is a "To Do" list going (though compared to mine, that's nothing :P ), and your Top 100 Petz Sites voting insentive gave me a laugh (-nudge, nudge-). Well done! The toybox, though, is the cutest with all of the lil' mini-graphics inside! Aww :) - About Pages: Seems like the typical profile here, a little something about yourself and your pets (dear Storm, we'll miss him). I can see that you're definitely not a "girly-girl" - you've got that style all your own! Oh, and a collector, too -- you should put up a gallery or something with all of your collectables in it. I've seen some really impressive ones before XD - Adoptions: You have a typical selection of puppers in terms of breeds but OOHH MYYY they're delicious =D You've got an upper hand knowing how to hex... WELL! - Shows: Nothing I can rave about here. Everything is, content wise, the best of the best. I wouldn't change a thing... accept mabey joining the SSRB *wide grin* - Crew (Site): Well now, you actually have something for this other than a "coming soon" page. Congrats on to you >^^< Not bad overall, it even has its own taggy and there is a wide selection of puppers to drool upon. The information here is pretty generic, though. - Other Pages: Ah, this can get interesting! Most of the gold is burried right here for most sites, and I see you are no acception. Cyberpets in the PC, not a bad idea; and the downloads are a must. You have some interesting spins off of old concepts, such as the award system / cliques. The rants are also quite enjoyable to read, unlike some pages where every other word cusses at somthing. That shows maturity on your part, and keeps your page open for a wider audience. Well done. - Leaving / Links: Between a wealth of sisters, and a wonderful selection of banners, there is nothing for me to complain about. You've been around the block a few times, which is nice to know. - As A Whole: I can tell right off the bat that you certainly have a good amount of quantity -- especially juding by all the subcatagories from the menu. There is plenty to do and to check upon, though none of it keeps me for an OVERLY long time. Your contests seem a little slow to me, as does many of the other insentives for direct interaction... but your shows sure get plenty of attention. In fact, I think the shows are probably one of the best interactive feature available on your site! Organization Pointage: 14/20 Commentary: - Oh yes... format. Well, let me first point out the usage of the percise pixel method in your HTML. It is used well for your i-frame, but on various items on the front page and especially in your profile, it makes the images / contents overlap each other, making it seem as if there is a slight disfigurement to the page. Of course, depending on the computer (browser/screen resolution) the items may appear differently. However, you must also remember at the same time that a good web page designer will cater to the widest audience available. Try using tables or other scripts to perfectly align all the elements. - On the show page, the text near the bottom blends in with the background. The only clue to its existance is the large space between the last white text / pups and a little bit of overlay onto the background image. - The home page is one of the most important pages in the whole site. Watch out for odd spacing and placement of objects -- it runs rampant on the current design. It is critical to a first impression that is sure to persuade or push away potential traffic. - Some of your pages don't seem to fit within the boundries of your i-frame. I found it slightly odd to be scrolling right and left to see some of the larger images. Plus that scrollbar at the bottom kills the layout a bit >O_o< - On a positive note, you are fairly consistant with the format of the text and the general layout for each individual page - giving a main title on the left hand side and presenting the information in the body of the page in the center. Looks fine to the eye. - The way that you write is very simple, which is excellent for grabbing a wide audience. Everyone can understand what you are trying to say (I'm so bad at cluttering up my pages with a useless slur of words too big for my own health... which is why I comment here). Unique Factor Pointage: 8/10 Commentary: - You have a great selection of things to do and look at on your website, though some of them seem a little generic in concept. But, there is definately more offered here than some other sites I've seen, and that is a plus! - Many of the non-interactive pages are filled with a substantial amount of information that would keep a first-time commer, though might not be so keen to a second/thrid/etc. timer. Consider adding more content to these pages. Activity Pointage: 5/5 Commentary: - Whenever I do site reviews, I always take as much time as is required to watch the webbie in question. - I must say, one of the reasons why you are getting this review back so quickly is due in large to your excellent punctuality. Your fruitful nunmber and quality of updates only goes to prove that you have just the right dedication needed to maintain a site, no less a PETZ site! - Also, by justification of the taggy, I can see that your efforts show themselves off. Kudos >^^< Overall Pointage: 5/5 Commentary: - Your popularity within the PC (or at least amoung a nice small knit group of regular visitors) stands you in good stead for "site-survival" (if you will) long into the future! Bonus Pointage: 4/0 Commentary: - Your regular updates and extensive efforts to always keep things in check impresses me! - Gotta love those skinz downloads :) Anita's Statement Misc. Pointage: 5/5 Commentary: - First off, let me congradulate you on being the first review *ever* in my archives! Condsider yourself lucky >^^< - You've got a wonderful site here, full of great potential for growth. Ways to Improve Commentary: I never attach any points to this section because it really is more about keeping the learning process, and that of change, up and running -- not about a score. - The biggest thing I can think of is patching up all the little errors. Remember to look at all those format issues I talked about in the Organization section. These things are easy to fix, since you already have the content. Pay particular attention to your home page. - Keep adding content! Update some of the static pages that otherwise would remain un-touched (i.e. rants). Add more adoptions (if you can hex, and you have the time, by golly -- hex some lil' monsters!), and judge those misc. contests. Go back and change some of the things that eventually become outdated... Don't forget, the best web pages are ALWAYS under construction!