Constructive Criticism

wanna improve your site?

This site was created mainly because when people ask for help with their site, they might get negative comments instead of actual help. For this reason, I have decided to open up a review site that gives you constructive criticism that can be followed to make your site better!

Constructive Criticism is brand new and I have only reviewed a couple people. Feel free to send in a form!

Updates
Cleared monthly

June 9, 2010:
SCHOOL IS OVER! I can finally work on this site again! I am terrily sorry I haven't been on Neo for the past few weeks, I had to make sure my grades came first. :/ On the other hand, I am now working on the reviews and they should be done this week!

May 22, 2010:
I got another link back button! :D
-more to be added-

May 20, 2010:
Hey guys! I finished up my geography project last night, so that means I only have one more project to do, and it's a video. I couldn't do any reviews today because my brother hogged the computer ALL DAY. :/ I should be able to finish the waiting list tomorrow. I got two buttons as well!

May 19, 2010:
Sorry about not reviewing lately! I have been working on a big project and I've had a few tests this week. It's just because school is ending and I have to finish some stuff up. I promise after the next week or two I will be more active because we won't really be learning anything new and all the projects will be complete. Thanks for your patience!

May 16, 2010:
I've reviewed two sites so far, and I'm working on a third! I've got listed at a few directories and I think a button is being made for me! I'm hoping to make some better rewards soon, I just wanted something to put up. Trying to get a few affies as well! (Take note that I am only interested in having other review sites as affies.)

May 15, 2010:
I opened Constructive Criticism! I got a premade CSS layout, and edited it quite a bit. It took a long time, but I'm pretty proud of it! I reviewed The Lightning Directory and got one lister! I requested a button, so I will hopefully have on in a few days.

Rules

please follow them

1.) Use the form when asking to be reviewed.
2.) I only review sites on Neopets pages.
3.) Before I review you, you must put up one of my link back buttons. If you do not have one up by the time I review you, I will cancel your review.
4.) Put "Blueberry Muffins" as the subject of your neomail.
5.) If you get a bad score, don't worry. It's just an opinion.
6.) You can be re-reviewed after one week.
7.) If you won an award. please take the correct one.

REVIEWS ARE CLOSED
Form:

The System

my way of grading

At First Glance: ?/10
When I first look at your site, you I like what I see? Is the color scheme blinding or easy on the eyes? Do you have a nice banner or clean CSS?

The Content: ?/45
The content is the reason people come to your site. People won't go to your site much if you have two layouts or six pixels. Quality and Quantity are very important.

The Layout: ?/10
I don't mind premades as long as you have edited them quite a bit. Change the color scheme, font, header, anything to make the layout different. It shows that even though you may not know how to make a layout by yourself, you take the time to make it fit your style. Bonus points if your layout is completely of your creation.

Neatness: ?/5
Is it easy to find all the sections of your site? Does your navigation work? Is the font big enough to read without zooming in? Is all your content clumped together or is it spread out?

The Little Things: ?/15
Updates: ?/5
Do you update regularly? When do you clear them? Are they content updates or blog updates?
Spelling/Grammar: ?/5
Do you capitalize, spell, use periods, commas, apostrophes, and question marks correctly?
Creativity: ?/5
Is your site one of the many food pixel sites? Or is it something different. Don't just do what everyone else is doing, make a site that is random and is something that people can enjoy while they take a break from the usual.

Spreading the Word: ?/5
Do you have nice link back buttons? You should have a few affiliates, but don't go overboard and have 50. You should try to be listed at as many directories as possible.

My Conclusion: ?/10
Would I visit your site again? Are there any other little things to fix?

Total Score: ?/100

The Reviews

read what i said about your site

I have yet to review any sites. Want to be reviewed? Take a look at the Rules page and fill out the form!

Waiting List
- Remy (Happily Ever After)
- Jerika (Lost Links)
- Katie (Katie's Fonts**)
**Note: The layout will only work in IE

Happily Ever After
Total Score: ?/100
Date Reviewed: 9.6.10

At First Glance: 10/10
You have an amazing layout, and I really like the shoyru banner you have at the top, the colors look really nice! When I first look at your site, I can tell it has a boatload of content because it took a minute or two to load. (This isn't a bad thing! ^^)

The Content: 44/45
You have a very large portfolio and it is obvious you take requests frequently. All of your buttons are of high quality, which is why I actually requested from your site. ;) I'm anxious to see the banner section when it is finally complete! Keep adding to your site, it's one of the best button sites I have seen!

The Layout: 10/10
I adore your layout! I love how the colors blend together,m

Gimp Sensation
Total Score: 90/100
Date Reviewed: 16.5.10

At First Glance: 9/10
I love the look of the layout! It makes sense to have a fancy layout for a guide on how to edit images using GIMP. Even though I'm not a big fan of Lady Gaga, the images are blended nicely.

The Content: 40/45
Your tutorials are very thorough, and I like how you use the exact directions instead of putting it into your own words. I do think it would be easier to read if you didn't have it in paragraph form, and rather in a bullet point like format. Also, you might want to explain some of the extreme basics for those who have never used an image editing program before. (Layers, the Toolbar, etc.)

The Layout: 7/10
The top image is very well done! However, I am not a big fan of the side scrollbar. When I scroll down on the navigation and get to the bottom or top, I scroll more than needed and I ended up scrolling the whole page. Also, if you could make the link colors darker or the div less transparent, it would be a bit easier to read the links. In regards to your link back button coding, you might want to reduce the size of your textarea that way you can fit more buttons onto one line. (Or you could have the buttons on one line and the codes below them.)

Neatness: 5/5
All of your navigation works! Yay! Also, all the text is easy to read. Absolutely no problem here!

The Little Things: 15/15
Updates: 5/5
I'm not sure if you either just started updating or you clear it everyday. Which is fine, but if you are clearing, you could always add when you clear them.
Spelling/Grammar: 5/5
I couldn't find any spelling or grammar mistakes! Good job!
Creativity: 5/5
I've seen a couple GIMP guides, but you've added some tutorials that I haven't seen, which is great! Even the ones that I have seen were much better explained by you.

Spreading the Word: 4/5
Your link back buttons are pretty nice, but you can always get more! I suggest having three or four, that way users have a selection to choose from. You have plenty of affies, but are you listed anywhere? If not, I suggest you get listed so others can find your site! If you are, why not link to them?

My Conclusion: 10/10
I really enjoyed looking over your site! I will definitely be revisiting to learn how to use GIMP as more than a back-up Paint. XD Keep adding tutorials!

Congratulations! Your site qualifies for the 90-95 award!

Ella's Banners
Total Score: 91/100
Date Reviewed: 15.5.10

At First Glance: 9/10
I really like the layout! The colors flow together, and the page setup is simple and clean. The only thing I suggest is to remove the yellow bar at the top. Just put this code somewhere in between your style tags.

The Content: 40/45
You have a good amount of banners, and most of them are requests! This is a nice portfolio! I can't really suggest anything, other than to make some banners like On Hiatus, Revamp, We've Moved, and Under Construction. Just some generic ones that users can slap onto petpages. :) Also, once a request has been picked up, you could make a Portfolio page and put older banners there, that way you have less code on the page.

The Layout: 9/10
Pretty nice! Something you might want to change is to make the waiting list and navigation extend to the bottom of the page, or keep them the same height and just lengthen the Updates box. It would help fill up the left side.

Neatness: 5/5
The text is easy to read and all the navigation works. Just make sure to add {br} after sections, because on some pages you can see the top of a header. Adding a couple {br}'s will fix that.

The Little Things: 13/15
Updates: 5/5
You update frequently, which is always nice because you know that the site is active. They are also easy to read.
Spelling/Grammar: 4/5
(Welcome) This is my banner site.. should only have one period.
(Rules) Don't enter these in a contest should have a period at the end.
(Sitely - Review Me!) I would love you to send me your suggestions and feedback! should be I would love for you to send me your suggestions and feedback!
Creativity: 4/5
There are a lot of banner sites, but as long as you keep making unique banners, it will stand out from the rest!

Spreading the Word: 5/5
You have a bunch of wonderful buttons! I also like how you split your affies into two categories, banner sites and non banner sites. Just get listed at a few more directories.

My Conclusion: 10/10
Your site is really good! I will definitely revisit to see what new banners you have added! Follow my few suggestions and your site will be nearly perfect! Great job!

Congratulations! Your site qualifies for the 90-95 award!

The Lightning Directory
Total Score: 70/100
Date Reviewed: 15.5.10

At First Glance: 8/10
The layout is nice and I don't want to run away from blindness. I like the feeling of your site. It feels "electric" and I think that fits extremely well with your theme.

The Content: 25/45
All you need to do is get a few more sites listed. I suggest looking on the HC and other boards for people advertising their site and offer to list them. You've got a good start, but you might want to go through and make sure that every link is listed in the correct category.

The Layout: 8/10
It is a premade, but hey, so is mine. Just remember that you can always change the colors and mess around with the coding. Do whatever you want to get the layout as you think it should be. A good CSS guide is located here.

Neatness: 4/5
All of the navigation leads to the right place, and your text is easy to read! I do suggest that you add a few more categories to the navigation, though. Especially big sections, like Adoptables/Pixels, Adoption Agencies, Directories (Link and Pet), and CSS Premades. If you not sure how to add sections, I've done a little tutorial.

First, add the link to your navigation. Add the next number in your navigation where it says 'SECTION NUMBER' and the name of the link where it says 'NEW SECTION'.

Next go to the very bottom of your code and, right before the credit section, paste the following code.

You can rearrange your sections however you want, but it is most common to sort them alphabetically.

The Little Things: 13/15
Updates: 5/5
No Updates, you might want to consider having them, but since you have a link directory, you might not have much to update.
Spelling/Grammar: 4/5
lightning quick to find what you're looking for! should be lightning quick" to find what you're looking for! (A quotation mark before lightning)

and applications, should be and applications.
Creativity: 4/5
There are many directories, but they are very useful. :)

Spreading the Word: 3/5
I love your link back button! Very nice job on that!
However, you should probably make it a requirement that your affiliates have the standard 88x31px button, that way they are all the same size.
You should also try to get listed in other directories.

My Conclusion: 9/10
Your site has a ton of potential. All you really need to do is get more links! When you do, feel free to come back for a re-review!