Review by Lucid Star
Other than telling me that I need to work on adding more content and a very good suggestion about my links page, this review was a JOKE.
First Impression - 12/20
I wasn't impressed with the look honestly and the text being default size of what ( 12? ) kind of turned me off. Smaller text, if you had used it, would look more appealing. Overall, I wasn't impressed, it seemed too narrow inbetween the columns of text, and the side text looks a bit crunched, but that I think is the size of text. You did have a nice picture, it was a soft touch, not a classy touch; but it was alright.
Honestly? So you're generally dishonest? A 12px font-size is normal, I tried smaller ones but had difficulty reading them.
Layout - 12/25
I kind of spoke of the layout in the First Impression section. But you use 2 columns, 3 if you count the space inbetween them, and the text is a default size and the whole layout, with more time given to seeing it, makes me uneasy. I can't explain it, I just don't like this layout. It doesn't make sense… for instance, the picture isn't really explained.. Your site title is called "It all comes down to..." but what does that have to do with the picture of a girl's thumb bleeding with a rose on a book? I'm sorry, I don't get it. I would guess that the title has to imply that you've come all this way and this is what you've done... But how does the bloody thumb fit into that? I don’t see a correlation with your layout and any theme.
It makes you uneasy... BOO! Does the layout HAVE to be related to the site title? Always?
I think you should have used some css with the scrollbars so that on the main section, your scrollbars could match the layout... especially needed with the tagboard.. Seeing the default scrollbars and not having some of it invisible so that it looks appealing, gives this amateurish feel to the whole site... in my opinion. Spice up the font, size down the text.
When you grow up, you might just realize that HAVING colored scrollbars is 'amateurish', as you put it.
Navigation - 7/10
I could find it.. but your text before the links in IE don't have enough space in them, while in Mozilla it does.. Might want to see if there's something you can do about that difference. But I can see it... I think you should have put the "Current Itch" link below every link you have listed because when I first clicked, I thought it was the "me" or something else, not the same page! Why would someone want to click the first button and see that it's the same page? Doesn't make sense.
Yes, I saw that, but I'm lazy. Will probably fix that, though... someday.
Content - 13/25
You had warned in one of your side-bar sections that you have little vistor content.. Ok.. so let's see what you do have...
Current Itch:
Already said: current page. Should be put below the other links for clarification and better understanding so it doesn't get annoying to the visitor like it was to me.
Whiner:
I was touched that you put that you're plump in your description but what are you talking about? lol... Your pictures were pretty! Don't be so critical of yourself like that; Yes, you're working towards a Computer Science major and are hoping to be a programmer (default fonts not good.. warning there), so I don't doubt that you'll find something. I've never met a Romanian before. Congrats on learning so many languages! Wow... I can barely do Spanish well...
A computer scientist creates SOFTWARE. Formatting is a graphic designer's job. And the font is not default.
Targeted to...:
Yeah, you're right.. not much content, but at least it's two topics that I've never read advice on in a website... So you're original there... I am sure you'll find more content for the visitor and when you do - continue to make it your own and don't go the default-settings-way.. ABC's, name meanings (unless an interesting name that is), etc.. not too interesting and overused anyway.
Technically here:
Basic site stuff...
Elsewhere:
Links... the only thing I don't like with this page is that the links are the same size and bold also just like the subheaders they belong under. Difference being ? None, that's right. Need a distinction besides the underlining. Makes me suggest not bolding links.
Yeah, I guess that's a good idea. I was kind of lost here. I'll keep this in mind for next time.
Overall, basic stuff or not alot. Need to add more to the Whiner section as well as the Targeted to... section. Something that makes the visitor want to come back; something that makes them want to learn more about you. And tell others how awesome you are!
Originality - 5/10
It's alright... A Romanian site versus usual American sites - different. The pic I haven't seen before, the essay and writer's block section; still need more information to bring us in, create and envelope.
The site is in English last time I checked...
Errors - 8/10
Besides the link settings (putting the "current itch" under all the other links), I found one error that I can remember seeing.. In your past layouts section, you wrote Microsoft Photoshop as one of your programs you had been using; It's Adobe, not Microsoft.
I DID write Adobe Photoshop.
Bonus - 4/10
You're a fan of Nicole Kidman's too? I'm not gonna see Bewitched, though.. It's not my era and I'm not interested… I did just see Dogville a couple months back .. interesting film, very different… / In your "being reviewed by/been reviewed by" section, I didn't see a link to one of the most-often-seen site Acid-Gloss Reviews, a site that in my opinion gives pretty low grades to sites that I doubt deserve them... So kudos there! :)
You'll find that I DO link Acid Gloss Reviews on EVERY page of my layout. And Nicole Kidman? Come ON!
Total (w/o bonus) 57/100
Total (w/ bonus) 61/100
Reviewer's Notes:
I've never given such low marks before, but it wasn't a good layout, Vera. I know you're a layout whore as you had self-admitted, so I'm sure you'll make a layout that is a nice improvement to this one. Just keep growing and get your studies done and change your text and font size and do something with css and you'll be closer to appealing to a bigger audience. Take care and good luck in school & life! :)
