Website Critique Area under attack

I occasionally chime in over there. I also occasionally put one of my sites up, too. I have one that's still on the first page. So I wouldn't call it dead weight.

Of course, maybe you didn't "know" me. After I defended your creativity in mis-spelling words, too.

We do have a lot of new members (advertising does that), the Critique section is the most popular and as there is a three post requirement you will see a lot of new members posting to have their sites reviewed ...

I'm one of the mods for that section, although I have been a bit slack but I blame Jeevesbond (just because I can muhahaha) but also my work.

If you or anyone sees something they don't like (and I don't mean a different opinion) there is always the report a post link or you can pm the mod team (on the tool bar click on members/leaders to find out who could be contacted).

This is a public broadcast messae brought to you by the letters q and j - not

You know I love you timjpriebe! I just don't check that forum.
Maybe we can charge for that section or only allow one paying members to post there in the next version

So just becasue you don't visit a section of the forum, those that only post in that section are dead weight?

If that is the case, then you can eliminate the dead weight by going to that section, posting, and getting to know them more. The people will still be here, just won
t be concidered dead weight.

-Greg

But I don't know those people they are scairy!!!

Ive been reading and reviewing some, Im a kindof direct to the point kind of person so when I get to the matter immediately and some other person posts a longer version of the same comments then that person gets the slack, so anyways, Ill post reviews there especially when I see it needs comments, but when its a template based site, I kindof think a little too deep on commenting...

Dont be scared bjaa. they are people too ya know?...

Well here's how the critique area works, for those that don't know:

• Member wants to post a review request.
• They hit "New Post" in the critique area.
• They must then agree to the "Posting Agreement" before proceeding.
• This then goes into the queue for moderation (I'm looking after this at the moment as Megan is away for a few days).
• Whoever's nominated to look after the queue recieves an e-mail notification.
• Either the person nominated to look after the queue, or any mod, may then release the topic for public viewing. This depends upon whether the poster has completed enough reviews themselves, if they haven't we send them a PM and leave a little note for other mods to tell them what we've done.

Just felt the need to let everyone know that

What does seem to be happening is that - as said - a lot of new members are wanting their sites reviewed, and the fact that they have to complete 3 reviews in order to get theirs past the queue means the whole thing perpetuates. But then: So what?

Greg K wrote: then you can eliminate the dead weight by going to that section, posting, and getting to know them more.

Exactly right!

Although it's an interesting point bja, maybe we should all get in there and post more, especially us mods. I know Megan writes a lot of reviews when she's looking after the queue, perhaps we should follow her example!

I would also add that since new members are often posting there, be careful about posting scathing reviews. I try to find at least one good thing about their website, and mention it first thing.

Of course, if the site is (for example) about good logo design, and their website and logo stinks, all bets are off.

Yep, very good points Tim. We are in the business of attracting people who're new to Web Design, or that seems to be how the site's developed anyway. And anyway, we're never very rude to anyone, we tolerate bja don't we?

Although it's that fine balance again, there's no point having a review that says: "Yeah, you're sites great" and that's it, there's always room for improvement.

Another point....
Normally when I go in there all the active reviews have been commented on 4 or 6 times already and if I add anything it will go over looked. And I still have to read everyones comment in conjuction with the origional post so I don't repeat anyone.

im getting invisible...

Where did you go demonhale? Has anyone seen him?? Marco?

I haven't contributed there in a long while. I've drifted into other interesting areas of web technology and programming, and network UI/web page design standards are changing fast - what with Ajax (down Jeeves, down! ), better templating, smarter CMSs, and whatnot. I'm lagging in those areas somewhat...

I'd love to see more member break out and participate in other areas. It does seem like the Critique passthrough rate is slower than the entry rate. I expect this will improve over time, with the changes we're making.

I used to be quite active in the Site Critique area but i don't really like going in there now. When i first joined there was a lot to be positive about but now it's hard not to be negative about a lot of the designs, which i seriously don't enjoy doing so i'd rather not comment at all.

-Rob

dont think of it as being negative, think of it as being helpful.
If everyone said "oh nice site" when it was bad then they wouldn't learn from other views.
At the end of the day it's really your opinions (apart from display issues)

I think Rob means that the quality of sites submitted has lowered.

Ahhh, but I think Busy's pointing out that it's ok to be negative... Mind you I've never really understood Busy.

[edit]
And if every point's already been made bja then you're right, however I usually think that every points been made then I think of one thing and start typing, it's usually pretty hard to stop noticing stuff to point out when you get going.

Abhishek Reddy wrote: I'm lagging in those areas somewhat...

Yes, but so are most of our members! These are nOObs we're talking about, how I wish I could see a few sites for critique that use Ajax *sigh*

As Abhishek said i do think the quality of sites has gone down, which has meant i rarely have anything positive to say!

Perhaps if 'we' are advertising then we are just getting any old webmaster in rather than a hardcore (geek) mintory who spent time trying to this find this forum and is more passionate about his/her work, therefore were better because of it.

-Rob

wait! we advertise?

Hello everyone,

I've been away from the forums recently but I felt the need to stop by to address this thread.

First of all, new members are the lifeblood of this community. The only way we can expand and get better is to integrate new members into the group - whether they are new to web design or more experienced designers. It is true that most of these members come through the website critique area. It is true that these members are often never seen again but some do become regular posters - and IMO, even more could become regular members if the environment was right.

So I hope everyone will remember to be welcoming to new members and help them feel more at home here. Tim made a good point about finding something positive to say and not beating up on them too much. I do agree that it can be challenging to review a badly designed site - I actually find it easier to review the good sites! Whether or not you want to review sites is up to you. This section is vitally important to the forums, though, and I think it's important that it stay open to newcomers and regular members alike. Nobody should be denied help just because they're not as "good" as you think they should be. In fact, these are the people who need help the most.

robfenn wrote: Perhaps if 'we' are advertising then we are just getting any old webmaster in rather than a hardcore (geek) mintory who spent time trying to this find this forum and is more passionate about his/her work, therefore were better because of it.

Everyone needs to learn somewhere and one of our goals for this site is to be that "somewhere" for new(er) webmasters. There are tons and tons of great sites for the more experienced designer but very few quality ones for the beginner*/intermediate webmaster. We want to fill that niche. We want to be there for less experienced webmasters and those who are just starting out and wanting to really improve. We also want to recognize that we are all beginners at something. There is always more to learn.

I think that's all I wanted to say

Note by "beginner" I don't mean the don't know HTML types, but more along the lines of people who know HTML well enough but don't know anything about standards, usability, good quality graphic design, how to do programming etc. People who have a site already and want to make it better.

Oh, one more thing - there's nothing wrong with repeating what others have said in a critique. In fact, hearing the same comments from more than one person might make the poster more likely to believe it and do something about it!

(And there's no reason why you need to really read all the other comments either - especially if there are a lot of them)

Oops - one more thing - we always do a great job welcoming new members in the Introductions area. Lets keep that up!

Thats what I was trying to say

Megan to the rescue again, aren't you guys and gals glad she is in charge and not me

Lol some people just think they own the world don't they

What ever happend to free speach and all that crap?

That Aussie Bloke