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GlueBeard |
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Post subject: Predatorial-Tendencies
 Posted: Aug 25, 2004 - 05:10 PM
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Pirate Critic
Joined: Aug 18, 2004
Posts: 347
Location: The Isle of GlueBeard
Status: Offline
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http://predatorial-tendencies.com/
This is not a theme that I am impressed with.
My first impression is that the site is devoid of excitement, because of the completeness with which paleness so utterly permeates the front page. Unless I roll my mouse over the links or the affiliates, nothing at all stands out, since paleness is the order of the day with this theme.
Looking past the paleness, which is no easy task, to delve deeper into the thematic detail of the front page, I am struck more by layout than by color scheme.
It is worth noting that, on a purely personal level, I tend to gravitate towards darker colors, so heavy resort to the use of dark gray colors is not an automatic negative in my book. But, I just do not like the look of this site, primarily because of the color scheme.
The layout is not ugly, but simultaneously, the layout is not particularly impressive, either. I do like the thinness of the right blocks. I especially like the title bars of the center block section.
As far as the logo graphic goes, the one at the very top of the page, I like the armed men in it just fine, but the graphic is so pale, that my enthusiasm is watered down to the point of death. The right and left edges of the logo graphic are also too square, as is much of the rest of the site. Square is not inherently bad, but it is in overuse here on this theme.
The links at the top of the page are done in two different styles. I fail to understand the need for duplication, especially when they do not really enhance the aesthetics of the page. They seem as if they are just there to take up space.
I do like the Latest News section, since it shows only the headlines. I also like the fact that the affiliates "light up" when my mouse rolls over them. I normally dislike slow mouseover effects, since users tend to be too lazy or too hectic to wait for them to take effect. But, on this particular pale debacle of a theme, this effect works nicely.
The Poll and Random Shot in the center block section I like, though it doesn't rise to the level of being anything out of the ordinary.
The Main Menu in the left blocks section I do not like, as it just seems to go on and on, forever and ever. The Main Menu links are broken up by various subtitles, but this is not sufficient to save the Main Menu, in my considered opinion.
I normally do not care for web host affiliate ads on a website, but in actuality, the border and the small size of the web host affiliate on this site I actually think are nicely presented.
Even the white text lettering used on the site I dislike, even though white lettering normally provides a good contrast when used on dark gray backgrounds. The culprit? Once again, the paleness that hangs over this site like the hand of death.
Even the log-in box is uneventful.
When my stomach is nauseated, it probably looks exactly like this theme. Yes, it's that bad!
I believe that Predatorial-Tendencies deserves a better looking theme. Having seen some of Mars' thematic handiwork before, I know for a fact that he is capable of rendering something vastly better looking than this.
Someone needs to put this theme out of its misery. It's the only merciful thing to do.
A theme this pale deserves a pale score, so I rate it a 3 out of 10, accordingly.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
#1 - Though the font size in the title bars of the left, center, and right blocks is a little small, the orange color used in it is somewhat vibrant, especially when compared against the rest of the paleness surrounding it, so this is a plus.
#2 - I do like the border of the right blocks. |
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mars |
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Post subject:
Posted: Aug 25, 2004 - 07:57 PM
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Site Admin
Joined: Aug 15, 2004
Posts: 4277
Status: Offline
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Ouch.. To each his own I guess. 
I actually do like that theme in it's current state but I have also been working on PT12 for that site as well.
Here is a little preview of it.
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GlueBeard |
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Post subject:
Posted: Aug 25, 2004 - 08:13 PM
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Pirate Critic
Joined: Aug 18, 2004
Posts: 347
Location: The Isle of GlueBeard
Status: Offline
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mars wrote:
Ouch.. To each his own I guess.
I actually do like that theme in it's current state
Actually, any web master or theme designer should always keep that, exact point in mind. Taste and style run the gamut from one extreme to another.
Some like blondes, brunettes, or redheads. Some like long hair or short hair or no hair at all.
Similarly, some like this theme or that theme.
Likewise, though, when judging a given theme, I judge it from my perspective, rather than from the perspective of others.
Ultimately, as long as the web master and his or her uses like the theme, then that is ultimately what determines whether a given theme is a winner or not.
That said, I stand by both my prior commentary on the theme in question, as well as with the rating of 3 which I previously gave to it.
Now, aren't you glad that you gave me that title of "Pirate Critic?" 
As far as the "preview" of the new theme that you are working on for that site, a preview is a very distinct thing from the theme, itself, since it is in an unfinished and premature state. It might turn out very nice, or it might end up a disaster, between now and when it is ultimately finished. That is true of any theme designer's handiwork in a given instance.
Some of the themes that you have done, for example, have mouseover effects. The preview won't reveal that to me, whereas a finished theme would, if it contained them. |
Last edited by GlueBeard on Aug 25, 2004 - 10:01 PM; edited 1 time in total
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Ray |
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Post subject:
Posted: Aug 25, 2004 - 09:31 PM
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Information Hound
Joined: Aug 17, 2004
Posts: 686
Status: Offline
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I think that the assessment of the site currently under the microscope is a bit harsh. I base this on what my perception of what the site represents not necessarily on what it looks like.
The site to me deals with a gaming clan. Not a theme site or a travel site or even a personal site such as my own. Having looked at many different gaming clan sites I would judge this one to be unique in its subtle simplicity. 90% of the gaming clan sites out there are all too often cluttered, busy and or garish.
With Mar's current theme and in keeping with his recent themes presented to us at his site, he has broken away from what has become all too often the "NORMAL" look.
Black is what you see on most sites nowadays. The dark brownish/orangish tone is much more sophisticated in my opinion. The blend of the colours compliments the grey background.
Normally I dislike different styles for buttons such as on his menu bar at the top but though different from one side to the other I feel that they work together to create a very pleasing contrast to the site.
The tightness of the overall site actually does work well and helps to keep the eyes of the user/viewer focussed on the center of the page. Though tight is my description do not confuse this with cluttered. Streamlined is a word that keeps drifting through my head.
The only real flaw that stands out for me is the "Our Host" block. It may only be an issue with my browser but for the life of me it looks like an empty box to me. There is nothing showing.
Quote:
When my stomach is nauseated, it probably looks exactly like this theme. Yes, it's that bad!
After having viewed another site earlier today then I would have to say, in reference to the above quote, that the PT site is the Pepto Bismo for my stomach after that experience.
If I was given to giving ratings on sites then I would have to give the PT site at least an 8.5. A 9 would have been achieved if I could see who the host is in the little block.  |
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mars |
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Post subject:
Posted: Aug 26, 2004 - 04:18 PM
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Site Admin
Joined: Aug 15, 2004
Posts: 4277
Status: Offline
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GlueBeard |
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Post subject:
Posted: Aug 26, 2004 - 04:56 PM
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Pirate Critic
Joined: Aug 18, 2004
Posts: 347
Location: The Isle of GlueBeard
Status: Offline
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mars wrote:
I am not sure if that is directed at Ray or at myself.
Is the theme finished? If not, then any analysis of it would be premature.
My gut instinct is that it is not yet finished. But, if it is, then I will analyze it in due time. You might wish to conduct a review of some of my prior criticisms of the other themes in this forum, before submitting it for analysis on my part. |
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mars |
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Post subject:
Posted: Aug 26, 2004 - 05:30 PM
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Site Admin
Joined: Aug 15, 2004
Posts: 4277
Status: Offline
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| No it is far from finished, you just asked about rollovers. |
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GlueBeard |
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Post subject:
Posted: Aug 26, 2004 - 05:52 PM
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Pirate Critic
Joined: Aug 18, 2004
Posts: 347
Location: The Isle of GlueBeard
Status: Offline
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The rollover effects that I saw are nicely done, both the animated effect and the sound effect.
If you want a "heads-up" on where the theme is falling short, from my perspective, then you might wish to consider reviewing the following areas, among others:
1. Contrast - The background graphic is not ugly, but in its current incarnation, it is going to lower your score a good bit.
2. Wash Effect - It is over-done. It exacerbates the lack of contrast issue, further.
3. Title Bar Text - Title bars are called title bars for a reason. They are not unimportant.
4. Squareness - Everywhere I look, I see squares, squares, squares.
5. Left Block Borders - The menu in the left block I like, as far as layout, but around the individual red squares that form the menu options, the border lacks sufficient definition, especially when that definition is present in that same menu, in the form of the connecting black lines.
6. Scroll Bar - The scroll bar on the far right side is almost invisible. To say the least, I find that to be extremely annoying. |
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Post subject:
Posted: Jan 26, 2005 - 02:28 AM
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| I guess the PT theme worked fine for us. We customized it with relative ease. We still have some color changes to make (red has to be changed to some shade of blue) but you can preview the DRAFT version here: http://www.cloneclan.com/nuke . Come back soon to see it when it is released. |
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GlueBeard |
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Post subject:
Posted: Jan 26, 2005 - 05:23 AM
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Pirate Critic
Joined: Aug 18, 2004
Posts: 347
Location: The Isle of GlueBeard
Status: Offline
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I glanced at it. However, you need to post your site in a new thread. I won't comment on your handiwork here in this thread, since this thread pertains to a different website.
As a general rule, it is largely pointless to comment at length on your draft. Saying that it is a draft won't inhibit negative commentary about it, when and if you post your site in its own thread in this forum.
One ot the points of criticism is to move a given site in the direction of improvement. In that sense, a given site can never really be scrutinized nor criticized too much. At the moment, I think that I am one site analysis behind. But, feel free to port your site's link in its own thread, when and if you want me to look at it for analysis' purpose. |
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