Kiwimites - About Everything Kiwi

**Rizzo** · 08-28-2007, 01:43 AM

Forum Name:
Kiwimites - About Everything Kiwi

Forum URL:
Kiwimites - Powered by vBulletin

Comments:
A brand new site that has been running 24 hours (pleased with number of members so far!). Just keen to hear feedback before i start advertising it.

Overall Ratings per Category
Design

(3/5)

Features and Modifications

(5/5)

Guest Friendliness

(4/5)

Guidelines and Staff

(2/5)

Organization and Navigation

(3/5)

**bdude** · 08-28-2007, 07:36 AM

I just thought i'd tell you that your a:hover colour is wayy to light

**AnnCP** · 08-28-2007, 02:13 PM

What's a kiwi? (I don't think you mean fruit)

I like the design, the colors are very neutral and seem to work well. I agree about the a:hover color being too light though.

Good amount of members for only being online 24 hours!

**Christophaa** · 08-28-2007, 04:11 PM

Design
Category Rating:

(3/5)
Category Comments:
Overall, the design is very nice, and very natural.

The color scheme that you used is not only relaxing, but it goes nicely with the topic of the forum, and it's well customized (ie: the Kiwi themed forum status icons, etc). One thing that I will say, however, is that the hover color is way too bright. If you changed the hover color to something darker, it would look much better, and it would be easier on the eyes.

Another aspect of the design that I would change are the forum icons (ie: New Posts, No New Posts, etc). Right now, they are just small envelopes, some with flames shooting out of them. IMO, too many forums use these icons, and it would look much better if you used something more customized (or, in other words, icons that would blend in with the topic of the forum).

Also, I love the navbar, and the font being used for it. The header/banner is also very cool, as well!

Features and Modifications
Category Rating:

(5/5)
Category Comments:
It looks like there are no major modifications and/or plugins, so I'm going to give you 5 stars in this category!

Guest Friendliness
Category Rating:

(4/5)
Category Comments:
IMO, the natural design of this forum makes it very guest friendly. Also, there aren't any modifications or plugins being used, which gives the forum the impression of being clean + uncluttered. There are a few things that could be changed, however. The first thing that I would change (or modify, rather) is the guest welcome message. Right now, you are using the default message, which is fine, but personalizing it further will most likely attract more members.

The next (and last) thing that I would change is the favicon. Right now, it's the vBulletin default. Be creative!

Guidelines and Staff
Category Rating:

(2/5)
Category Comments:
I don't see any rules/guidlines/TOS agreement, which is a MUST for every discussion forum. I understand that this forum is fairly new, and you are probably working on the agreement as I type, but a TOS of some sort is always important. In the meantime, you may want to add a sticky topic or announcement with at least a few general rules.

As for staff members, it looks like you have plenty for the size of the forum. IMO, I do think that two super moderators (at this stage of the forum) is unnecessary, but it's up to you.

Organization and Navigation
Category Rating:

(3/5)
Category Comments:
Overall, it's very well-organized, and it's easy to navigate. There are a few key changes that could be made, however. First, let's talk about the announcements forum (or, the, "General Admin" forum). At the moment, it is placed as #2 in the, "Getting To Know You" category. IMO, it should be #1 in terms of order. This way, members can just look at the very top of the forum, and see the announcements forum as being first, or the most important.

Secondly, you may want to consider giving the announcements forum it's own category. IMO, this would make it easier to find, and it would separate it from the rest of the categories and forums.

Lastly, I don't see any feedback forum. It appears that you are allowing members to post any feedback they may have in the announcements forum, which is, in my opinion, not a good idea. Adding an individual feedback forum will allow members to post any feedback they may have, while not cluttering up the announcements forum at the same time.

Other than that, everything looks good!

**Rizzo** · 08-28-2007, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnnCP

What's a kiwi? (I don't think you mean fruit)

a Kiwi is a flightless bird (in the logo is a pic of one), or slang for a New Zealander

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christophaa

Another aspect of the design that I would change are the forum icons (ie: New Posts, No New Posts, etc). Right now, they are just small envelopes, some with flames shooting out of them. IMO, too many forums use these icons, and it would look much better if you used something more customized (or, in other words, icons that would blend in with the topic of the forum).

Hadn't thought of that, thank you, will work on that.

Quote:

The first thing that I would change (or modify, rather) is the guest welcome message. Right now, you are using the default message, which is fine, but personalizing it further will most likely attract more members.

Thank you, will change that now

Quote:

The next (and last) thing that I would change is the favicon. Right now, it's the vBulletin default. Be creative!

Oh dear how embarrassing, i don't know what this is?

**Christophaa** · 08-28-2007, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Oh dear how embarrassing, i don't know what this is?

The favicon is the small graphic in the URL entry field, located to the left of the actual URL address.

Chris

**Rizzo** · 08-28-2007, 11:05 PM

I can make the image easy enough, what size does it have to be, and how do i change it?

**Ryan** · 08-28-2007, 11:40 PM

Make a 16x16 image and then dump it into this

**Rizzo** · 08-28-2007, 11:44 PM

Have done it now for both my sites

Thanks guys!

**Christophaa** · 08-28-2007, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rizzo

Have done it now for both my sites

Thanks guys!

Looks good!

Chris

08-28-2007, 02:13 PM	#3
AnnCP Apprentice Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 274	What's a kiwi? (I don't think you mean fruit) I like the design, the colors are very neutral and seem to work well. I agree about the a:hover color being too light though. Good amount of members for only being online 24 hours! __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. - Discuss the show!

08-28-2007, 11:05 PM	#7
Rizzo Veteran Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: New Zealand Posts: 783	I can make the image easy enough, what size does it have to be, and how do i change it? __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. - We're Virtually Family To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. - For The Modern Dad

08-28-2007, 11:40 PM	#8
Ryan Forum Guru Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 10,256	Make a 16x16 image and then dump it into this __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. - Professional vBulletin Skins

08-28-2007, 11:44 PM	#9
Rizzo Veteran Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: New Zealand Posts: 783	Have done it now for both my sites Thanks guys! __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. - We're Virtually Family To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. - For The Modern Dad

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08-28-2007, 01:43 AM	#1
Rizzo Veteran Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: New Zealand Posts: 783	Kiwimites - About Everything Kiwi Forum Name: Kiwimites - About Everything Kiwi Forum URL: Kiwimites - Powered by vBulletin Comments: A brand new site that has been running 24 hours (pleased with number of members so far!). Just keen to hear feedback before i start advertising it. Overall Ratings per Category Design (3/5) Features and Modifications (5/5) Guest Friendliness (4/5) Guidelines and Staff (2/5) Organization and Navigation (3/5) __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. - We're Virtually Family To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. - For The Modern Dad

08-28-2007, 07:36 AM	#2
bdude Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 1,628	I just thought i'd tell you that your a:hover colour is wayy to light __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

08-28-2007, 04:11 PM	#4
Christophaa Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,518	Design Category Rating: (3/5) Category Comments: Overall, the design is very nice, and very natural. The color scheme that you used is not only relaxing, but it goes nicely with the topic of the forum, and it's well customized (ie: the Kiwi themed forum status icons, etc). One thing that I will say, however, is that the hover color is way too bright. If you changed the hover color to something darker, it would look much better, and it would be easier on the eyes. Another aspect of the design that I would change are the forum icons (ie: New Posts, No New Posts, etc). Right now, they are just small envelopes, some with flames shooting out of them. IMO, too many forums use these icons, and it would look much better if you used something more customized (or, in other words, icons that would blend in with the topic of the forum). Also, I love the navbar, and the font being used for it. The header/banner is also very cool, as well! Features and Modifications Category Rating: (5/5) Category Comments: It looks like there are no major modifications and/or plugins, so I'm going to give you 5 stars in this category! Guest Friendliness Category Rating: (4/5) Category Comments: IMO, the natural design of this forum makes it very guest friendly. Also, there aren't any modifications or plugins being used, which gives the forum the impression of being clean + uncluttered. There are a few things that could be changed, however. The first thing that I would change (or modify, rather) is the guest welcome message. Right now, you are using the default message, which is fine, but personalizing it further will most likely attract more members. The next (and last) thing that I would change is the favicon. Right now, it's the vBulletin default. Be creative! Guidelines and Staff Category Rating: (2/5) Category Comments: I don't see any rules/guidlines/TOS agreement, which is a MUST for every discussion forum. I understand that this forum is fairly new, and you are probably working on the agreement as I type, but a TOS of some sort is always important. In the meantime, you may want to add a sticky topic or announcement with at least a few general rules. As for staff members, it looks like you have plenty for the size of the forum. IMO, I do think that two super moderators (at this stage of the forum) is unnecessary, but it's up to you. Organization and Navigation Category Rating: (3/5) Category Comments: Overall, it's very well-organized, and it's easy to navigate. There are a few key changes that could be made, however. First, let's talk about the announcements forum (or, the, "General Admin" forum). At the moment, it is placed as #2 in the, "Getting To Know You" category. IMO, it should be #1 in terms of order. This way, members can just look at the very top of the forum, and see the announcements forum as being first, or the most important. Secondly, you may want to consider giving the announcements forum it's own category. IMO, this would make it easier to find, and it would separate it from the rest of the categories and forums. Lastly, I don't see any feedback forum. It appears that you are allowing members to post any feedback they may have in the announcements forum, which is, in my opinion, not a good idea. Adding an individual feedback forum will allow members to post any feedback they may have, while not cluttering up the announcements forum at the same time. Other than that, everything looks good!

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