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Review for Kenshin, etc.
Let’s be frank. This isn’t the most eye-catching or appealing layout at any given time. In fact, it has the opposite effect. The layout is driving me from the site, but I must stay, as I have the obligation to review the site. Why is it distasteful? For starters, the layout isn’t even aligned properly nor is it anchored. Currently, the page consists of a large pink and red floating rectangular thing.
Information
Site: Kenshin, etc.
Type: Fan-Related
Owner: White Rabbit
Reviewed By: Misao
Date Received: 10/15/06
Date Completed: 02/28/07
Preview
Presentation
There is absolutely no focal point within the layout, nothing to hold the layout together as one whole. All I see is a piece here and maybe another over there. Let’s start top down, back to front and left to right. The background is ugly. I wish there is another term that I could use so it didn’t sound as harsh, but I honestly can’t describe it in any other term. Why on earth would you choose rose red as the background colour and then overlap it with a gradient background - consisting of five colours consisting of pink, white and orange shades - that only repeats vertically? It doesn’t even match in the smallest percentage.
Then there is the header. It is unattractive. There is no effort at all in the design. There is no anchor supporting each image piece to another (besides the fact that three little ones overlap the large one). Like the layout as a whole, it also appears to be floating. You could have done a little more like adding a faint border around each image piece, or have borders around the smaller pieces and the bigger image feathered into the background, or extend the bigger image to cover the entire top header section from left to right. The font type for the title doesn’t match the images, the white lines drawn through the smaller image pieces are hideous, and the quality of the images are the worst you could find. You had so many options, and yet you didn’t experiment. If you’re going to make a website, you need to put more effort into designing the layout than slapping four cropped images onto a background, since visitors are obviously going to evaluate your site based on appearance as their first impression.
The navigation looks just as worse. The navigation header text is blurry and does not match the layout style. The text colour of the section headings does not coordinate well with the so-called heading separater. Why you would use light violet over dusty pink clearly blows my mind since it decreases the text’s visibility to 50% or less. The orange stripes on the navigation background is useless. As a matter of fact, it is in the way of the page links. The one affiliate provided in text is not linked so there really is no reason for it to be there.
The colour scheme for the main content/updates area is much better although I am sure you can do better. The orange-coloured text header looks good with the heading separater but it is much too close to the left border. It would look better if it was nudged about three to five pixels over to the right. The right side and bottom side stripes are not aligned properly. It also messes up the alignment of the background at the bottom of the page.
The monthly poll on the right is not situated with the same amount of space separating it from the centre area as is the navigation column. I like the monthly poll’s topic though it is rather old now. Though I had voted for Enishi and Kaoru, I was hoping for a Saitou and Megumi pairing. The link to view the stats does not correspond with the layout’s hyperlink colour scheme. As well, the extreme tracking link opens in the same window as your site.
Coding wise, you seem to give the impression that you know what you are doing but you have some problems. The style of your coding is all over the place. You don’t really follow the top-down, left-right approach; which makes coding and editing a little difficult. The only problem you have in your actual page source is the extra style property. This should have been in your external style sheet instead, but I honestly don’t understand why a height would have to be specified for the container selector. After all, height is determined automatically depending on how much content the page has.
Now I know why your site looks mis-aligned and funny in 800×600 resolution; everything is position in absolute coordinates. Since there is no control over the resolution size of the visitors, it is best to code the layout in tables. That way the site is centred no matter which resolution size I choose to use. This can be done with divider layers as well but it is a little trickier. Nowadays, webpage designers don’t use rgb values to determine colours. It is much too complicated. The most common form is hexidecimals.
There is no need to include the ’scroll’ property in background: URL(grad.jpg) repeat-y scroll center. The fact that a repeat-y property is included means the background will automatically scroll vertically. There is a misuse of the z-index property. It is primarily used to overlap transparent layers. You can also simplify font-variant: small-caps; font-size: 20px; font-family: sans-serif to font: 20px sans-serif small-caps and it will display the same thing.
As well, the site failed validation despite the HTML 4.01 doc-type declaration.
Content
I like the fact that there is an in-depth introductory paragraph right on the main page (before the updates) to introduce the site. Four update entries is a little too much. I would stick with two or three at max. Especially if you have a habit of updating monthly. I don’t see a disclaimer or copyright sentence on this page, which is highly recommended since this is a fansite based on original and alternative character pairings within the anime series.
Main
I don’t understand the point of opening the character profiles in a new browser. If there is a separate “layout” to coordinate the profiles, then it would make sense. But the new browser looks just as ugly if not uglier. Mind you, having each profile open in a new browser is really annoying. There is no point in aligning a page directory/links table at the top, followed by a huge half screen break, then the character’s profile in a table with unattracting borders and finally the worst-looking fanfiction button. Isn’t ‘fanfictions’ a separate section that is also linked on the homepage?
Hotaru’s personality description is very vague and ambiguous. It informs visitors of his constant-changing mood swings but nothing about Hotaru as a person. Likes, dislikes, hobbies, Hotaru’s personality when his demon half takes over, etc. There is also a grammatical mistake: “like Kenshin’s sakabatou, which he asks [to buy/if it is for sale].” There are plenty of grammar errors scattered across the entire site, of which I do not have the liberty or time in listing them. However, you do have a consistent problem with sticking to one tense. I suggest sticking with the past tense.
Since Hiko Seijiro XII does appear in the anime at one point in time, and now you are claiming ownership of the character, that is considered a violation of copyright laws. I suggest making a note on the page that says something similar to: “This character appears briefly in the anime (episode ##) and is copyrighted to the creators of Rurouni Kenshin. However, all information found on this page in regards to this character is fictional (created by me) though I do not claim ownership whatsoever over this character.” You need to be specific about which characters are actually a part of the anime, which are truly original, and of those that are part of the anime, how much of the information is fictional.
The “Other Original Characters by AUTHOR” function found at the bottom of selected character profiles are pointless, as they are also linked on the main profile page in the original window browser. It is also pointless to link them when the pages have not yet been created. I dislike the fact that each profile follows a different setup. Some of them provide a few descriptive paragraphs, a few also provide a background or personality section, and a few others provide basic stats. STICK WITH ONE SETUP. It makes the website look less confusing and more professional.
Himaru Machiko’s birthdate is incomplete (the year is incomplete) and make sure to specify family relations. For instance:
Family
Biological: Misao (mother) and Shinomori Aoshi (father)
Adoptive: Himura Kenshin (father), Kaoru Himura (mother), Himura Kenji (brother)
I think there is a need to specify space and time within each profile. For instance, specify the geographic location (IE. Tokyo) and spatial time (IE. 1979, 2052). If these characters are based on the plotline of Rurouni Kenshin, I am sure there is no way for Hitomi Kaya to email Okita, since computers have yet been invented during Kenshin time.
When putting up warnings, make sure they are clearly visible before the entire page. Preferably use a different and brighter colour than the page’s text to make it stand out. The character fanart is a great idea, and if possible, try to have one for each and every character.
I expected more than two alternative pairings, and more than just a two paragraph blurb on why you think they make a good couple (Soujiro + Misao). The page to Aoshi + Kaoru does not exist.
The page alignment for The OC Exchange page is completely off for the header image, the content column and the survey poll. I didn’t reach any of the fanfictions on this page, though I have checked to make sure all links are working properly. The only exception is the link to Kujima Rokuro’s profile. All the profile links on the April-May Exchange page are not working. There is an error on this page as well that prevents the navigation column and survey table from displaying. There is also a HTML error with the February-March Exchange page, all the profile links are not working, and the thumbnail images are broken.
I just don’t understand. Why would you link profiles to new browsers but not direct the external links found on the Events page to new browsers? Make clear distinction between internal site links and external (other site) links and the priority of each one. You are several months behind for the Spotlight Showcase, June and July 2006 showcases are missing, and the link to the FAQ page is broken.
Fanwork
I did not review the Fanfiction page since the page only have a link redirecting visitors to fanfiction.net for the stories. Same goes for the Fanart page; there is nothing on this page except for a ‘coming soon’ heading. I suggest not linking this page or display the various fanarts scattered here and there on the site: the one profile fanart, the Soujiro and Misao alternative pairing fanart and the OC Exchange fanarts.
I like the idea of Challenges on the site. It makes the site less word-y and more fan interactive. If you do receive submissions to these challenges, it would be a great idea to display them on this page (or on another page with a link from this page). It helps with the challenge promotion when there are people already participating and it provides encouragement and achievement for the participants. I don’t believe a word such as ‘originalness’ exist; this word appears in the second line underneath Fanfic Challenge.
Site
It appears the About page has not been updated for almost a year, if the page starts with “Kenshin, etc. first began almost a year ago in May 30, 2005.” This is almost two years ago, not one. It is nice of you to include a credit link to Fake-Wings for the layout Cat designed, which you had previously used. The fact that the layout is no longer in use and it is not archived on the site, I suggest taking the link off. Leaving the link implies a credit of the current layout to Fake-Wings and that is a big insult to Cat as a website designer.
I am sure you can do add a little more about yourself than six links to your other fandom accounts. I am sure your fans would love to know a little more about you such as your real name, your age (or proximity), your hobbies, your likes and dislikes, favourite anime series, etc.
I don’t understand the terms of “Mary-Sue”. I have heard of “Jane Doe” but what does Mary-Sue mean? If you have specific standards that submitees have to follow, at least outline them in detail. I can’t possibly know your expectations if you don’t tell me. It also saves you time for reviewing a bunch of not up to par submissions. There is too much information on this page on the reasons to contact you. Provide headings for “fanfiction, fanart, linkware graphics, links to character shrines, RK fandom community events, and others.”
The FAQ is very thorough. I am a little surprised at the affiliation requirements. Rule #5 implies routine updates however Kenshin, etc. has not been updated for almost three months. When making rules to apply to followers, make sure they are being enforced by the rule maker first to set a good example. Dropped affiliates should appear directly below affiliation. The standard size for button is 88×31 so make more 88×31 buttons and remove the other ones, which are too big and made poorly (though it is a nice of Anithene to make those buttons for Kenshin, etc.).
Final Statement
The site has great potentials. I haven’t seen a more detailed fandom site that provides profiles and such about popular original characters within the series. It is a great idea. The site is nearing its second birthday, but yet it looks like the site was created yesterday with Geocities PageBuilder. I admire website owners who make their own layouts, but in your case, I suggest using a pre-made one until your webdesigning skills improve enough to organize a cohesive site. First impression is crucial. The first ten seconds determines whether the fan will continue to stay at the site, or move on and never come back.
2 Comments to “Kenshin, etc.”
White Rabbit Says:
March 13th, 2007 at 8:16 pmThank you for taking the time to review my website. One of the main things I regret about the site is the lack of updates. That was mostly because I stopped getting material to update with, but I’m going to make a real effort to update more often with more material from now on. Starting with a new layout. You’re obviously very experianced in this field, and if you say my layout isn’t working, it’s not working and I’m scrapping it ASAP. The site has been due for a new layout anyhow.
Once bit of criticism that I feel was undeserved was your comment about the layout of OC profiles. I do not write all of those profiles, otherwise they WOULD be all in the same format. The authors of the OC write them. Now that you mention it, though, I might as well just come up with a form to keep it all standard.
Thanks again and I’m definitely going to be considering everything you had to say.
Misao Says:
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:26 amYou need to remember that this is a review. What I have done in this review is point out the areas where there are flaws and areas where improvements can be made. When a visitor visit your site and they see something wrong or inconsistent, like the OC profiles, they won’t ask “who did this page? The fans or the webmistress?” They automatically relay that to the owner of the site, simply because you are the owner of the site.
It is your responsibility and duty to maintain your site, not your fans. It doesn’t take much effort to send an email to the authors and give them a standardized format to write their profiles. Placing the blame and commenting that the criticism was undeserved won’t make the problem disappear. What you need to know is figure out a way to maintain the site better and create a more organized and consistent appearance. That’s one step to professionalism.
I am also glad that the review was helpful. Wish you the best.