~ PixiMyst Site Review ~ Site Name: Petz Island Layout Number: Version -- "Merry Christmas" Date of Review: 27.12.06 Percentage: 95/100 (95%) Final Grade: A First Imprssion Pointage: 7/8 Commentary: - Oh wow - what can I say here?? I'm rendered speechless! Right off the bat, there is blatant evidence to suggest that there is an experienced mind at work here >^^< - Music... oh yes... music. The nice thing here is that you have an "On/Off" switch for it, which makes it a nice ordeal for anyone who doesn't care for the tune. And "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" ~ Perfectly fitting to the layout; but then again, it is Christmas Time after all! - I like the fact that you are ad free. I always find it pleasurable to view a site where someone actually cares about the appearance of their site and will go to the measures necessary to obtain such. And you give due credit to your hostess, well done. - Not only that, but your loading time is expert! I'll speak to this later, though. - I notice that it can be an eye-strainer to read some of the content -- but I will discuss this in the next section more in depth. Layout Pointage: 10/12 Commentary: - Your layouts are always full of life; lustrious with it, in fact. They are always so original and well done. (I've seen a number of the past layouts before -- I especially fancied the Fall layout with the pups jumping into the leaves; you definately don't see quality / imagination like that in the average petz-site <3 - Your biggest flaw revolves around the text. It's not so much that size or color so much as it is the contrast issue against the immediate background. While suitable to the theme of your site, the root of the problem does create a skickler and I find myself often having to scroll around a bit to find a blank spot where it is legible. Remember my rule of thumb - NEVER make your guests scroll if they don't have to! Such an act only distracts from the overal presentation of the page. - The navigation is very clear. I find that menu format is very functional in that you don't have to create those annoying little subpages as expansion points to the overhead catagory. Instead, visitors are presented in full with ALL of the content accessible from one solid location. You go chica! ;) - Ah, self made graphics is definately the way to go! (I simply love the kitters with the gifts at the bottom) It's nice to exclude all the "Layout made by [someone]" or "Graphics from [somewhere.com]". I find that you generally feel better, too - and appreciate the site more. Kudos :) - Little details are always a must (this speaking from the perspective of a webpage designer). I notice that there are a few minor issues here and there -- though none of which are really that important; figuring that the average guest probably won't notice them. I love the separation graphic, and the head text intrucding the Updates, Taggy, etc. on the main page. It flows well. - Now this is a first: The layout by itself fits into a standard window quite nicely. But, when presented with the F11 test (viewing the page full screen), though it was a bit short, it almost didn't matter because the green space beneath acted as a good filler. Not bad! :D - Oh yes, I couldn't forget about style. I simply must compliment you for the transparent iframe. I love those >^^;< - The use of tables creates a nice eye-candy effect that tops the scale in terms of organization. More details below. - I am eager to see your next layout -- which I expect should be sometime soon, for the sake of the season! No pressure ;) Content Pointage: 33/35 Commentary: - It's a shame that, even though I'm an avid fan of showing of petz, I'm not really involved with the PKC that much. I say this sincerely, as your site is a wonderful reflection of your own interest for such! - As a guest, the overall content shows me that you stretch the boundaries as to what a petz site should(n't) have. And, as we all know, diversity from the ordinary is a great way to attract visitors. - Purpose, also, is a strong point here. In your review form, you had mentioned that Petz Island was designed "to combine PKC, DFA, and the old PC together." It is VERY clear, then, what your intent is and gives you a huge database to work from / expand upon. - Home: Honestly, I must say that this is one of the best home pages I've seen in a while. Not only does it flow well in layout, but has all the necessary elements without going haywire about them. The "Updates Box" is beyond words -- so very extensive, keeping the "Vote for me" and "Winter Hunt" buttons, etc. away from misc. assortment at the bottom or spread around the site in some way. I love the "About the Layout" bit, again - very original! :) - About: Looks like the typical profile here, with a little of everything - stretching from personal interests to quizes, and a blurb (well, page) about real life pets. OMG - the "Made Up Of" catagory is the best -- I, too, have German and Hungarian, but not in such quantities (I'm a mix of too many things to mention) <33 - The Kennel and Cattery Sections: Very extensive, from what I can tell. I feel kind of bad that I can't say more *shurg* - Shows: Whoot! Definately one of the strong points of the site! In fact, your Show-Site List actually was one of my inspirations for creating the SSRB, so congrats! And, who could resists the extra downloadable goodies for show hosts? - Adoptions: The current selection is a little on the low side and the whole page is a little out-of-date (now being past Christmas time), but is genuine in content. Your adoption records are especially impressive. It must take a lot of time to keep that all up to date! - Resourses: OoOo - I like these types of pages. Unfortunately, this one seems a bit blank... perhaps "vague" is the right word? - I think that the hosts on each page are absolutely adorable! Not only that, but because they are part of the crew, a guest can go and look at the profile in the Kennel / Cattery to find out more. And, while they are certainly consistant throughout the whole site, they don't really do much for me in the long run. Perhaps you could integrate them in some creative fashion and take their existance to the next level? Just a suggestion >^.^< - Overall, I think that you have done a beautiful job of combining the major elements of the show sites (PKC, etc.) and the old PC, though I see it all in the middle at this point. See "Ways to Improve" below for more information. Organization Pointage: 19/20 Commentary: - I'm going to have to agree with Noelle in that your usage of tables is superb! You've mastered them and use them to create a clean effect. :) - As mentioned above, the major glitch in the whole layout is that noisy background. It creataes its own distraction from the text. But apart from that, you've coined the effect. - All the pages are fluid and load quickly. Even ones that are image heavy are quite quick, and don't blot the words - which is nice. Nothing seems "stuck" as it were - and no images / text seems out of place. - The writing style that you use is also something to be admired - very clear and down-to-earth. I admire that in a writer (being a literary nut, myself, I stuggle with clarity at times). Kudos! Unique Factor Pointage: 10/10 Commentary: - Petz Island is, by far, different from your everyday website in the PC. In your case, I don't think it IS possible to score below a 10/10. - When you have extras, they are always of the best quality. The ribbons, for example are one among many items up for grabs that hardly anyone else would have thought of Activity Pointage: 5/5 Commentary: - You seem fairly active, and the ratio of visitors is adiquate for the season (it always increases in the summer because most people are coming off school at that time). - Judging by the home page, you are also involved with sites outside of Petz Island. I applaud your efforts! Overall Pointage: 5/5 Commentary: - I can see Petz Island up an running for years to come! You have a wonderful disposition among the petz community and stretch beyond the typical Petz-Site. I tip my hat to you! >^.^< Bonus Pointage: 2/0 Commentary: - For having a clear and distinct purpose, hence running a site with direction and order, organization and good stead. - Gotta love those extras (and the Show Site Listings)! ~ All top class ~ Anita's Statement Misc. Pointage: 5/5 Commentary: - First off, let me congradulate you on being the third review *ever* to be placed in my archives! You are lucky ducky >^^< - You are a very sweet person overall. You have always responded in a respectful, polite tone in all your letters, and have a good sense of language about you (nO TIIPEEinG LiKe dIs, for example). Keep at it and don't change a thing >^_~< - Oh yes, and don't let me forget: "Go Illinois!" Bah, you can ignore me now >^^;< 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. - As you mention in the "Show Extras" page, it is typical to retire your petz after a certain pointage amount is reached. However, for many show-sters, this is not the case. Many crew sites have yielded higher point values, etc. For their convience, you might want to add the remainder of that chart, and keep the asterik just as a footnote type of thing. It's up to you, though. - A couple of the images in the Kennel and Cattery section have transparancy issues - white spaces where there shouldn't be. Take a gander at Tsunami (siamese), Scrabble (siamese), Opium (companion), Drift (companion), Arial (companion), Chow (balinese), Trixter (feline 4), Jamboree (feline 3), Kitty (feline 2), and Baskit (toy). Those are the major ones I found. - Expand your "Resources" page. Add links, details, and possibly some tutorials. People love that kind of stuff ;) - Keep expanding the pages from the old PC and add more pages of interest / interaction opportunities for your visitors. - In overall terms, don't stop what you are doing. It works <33