Critique Forums rules

They have: 850 posts

Joined: Jul 1999

Hi

I sometimes visit the Webmaster-Resources forums as a 'lurker' and have noticed a rule that they really try to enforce which is that users must review atleast 3 sites before they can have there site reviewed.

Now this, I would expect, would be effective only if there was someone willing to make sure that people have in fact reviewed atleast 3 sites.

I think a rule somthing like that would really be useful because you won't get people comming in , having there site reviewed and leaving , never to return again.

Maybe somthing like if the moderator has never seen the person post a review in the crituque forum and asks for someone to review his/her site, the moderator could lock that thread until the person has reviewed a few sites.

Could somthing like this work?

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Patrick is my hero.
Too many people on the internet lie.

They have: 406 posts

Joined: Feb 2000

Are you just referring to the Website Critiqe section or are you referring to all topics?
I think that could be a good idea but i also think it may not be for those who are not as experienced and have much knowledge. Some people you get in here are pure beginners and really couldnt critiqe a site like some of these posted because they are far better and they really wouldnt know what to point out for improvement. I think people who post sites in here and dont return will return eventually. I remember when i use to get sites critiqed and just ask a bunch of questions. I would never post replys because i didnt know anything. But now that my knowlege is getting better i start to reply to peoples post. That is just something to consider It could work though.

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Adam
[email protected]

Best Regards,

Adam Lee
DigitalONE Design
President - Internet Division
[email protected]
digitalonedesign.com

Justin S's picture

They have: 2,076 posts

Joined: Jun 1999

Yeah, robp is talking about the "Website Critique Forum" only. I have seen the rules at Webmaster Resources, and have some opinions:

1) The rule about having a moderator say "Site approved" I think is pretty dumb, but that's just me. I don't know what their past history is, but it's not needed here.

2) The rule about the posting 3:1 ratio (for every three reviews you can post one site for review) is an ok idea, I guess. But I think it would be hard to enforce, 'cause obviously it would be rude to just delete a topic if the person hasn't reviewed three sites in advance. Also- we're not having any trouble with not enough people reviewing sites. In the last 30 days there hasn't been a topic that doesn't have at least 1 reply.

But it's not my decision, it's JPs. Also- did you notice that they shut down the whole "Website Review" forum at Webmaster Resources? Looks like their rules and stuff wern't working out.

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[This message has been edited by Justin Stayton (edited 20 March 2000).]

They have: 850 posts

Joined: Jul 1999

Just the Website Critique I was referring too.

quote:..pure beginners and really couldnt critiqe a site

I tend to disagree on this one. Everyone usually has an opinions. Even if you cannot give ideas on how to make the design better, it you can say what you like about the site, and dislike about the site. This feedback can always be useful.

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Too many people on the internet lie.

They have: 1,587 posts

Joined: Mar 1999

i think that rule is a good one, but what do i know.

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They have: 115 posts

Joined: Feb 2000

I agree that a rule like that would simply be to difficult to enforce. In regards to beginners responding in the critique forum I believe that some may not post out of intimidation, I am not saying their posts aren't going to be welcome but many times the discussion is very technical and beyond there knowledge. I do think their opinion of certain sites is very important, novices will often times find usability and navigation problems that we as designers just don't see. Maybe we can make an effort to get some of the beginners to post more often by specifically asking their opinions? I think it could be very beneficial for all parties

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Rayna
Triple Orbit

Suzanne's picture

She has: 5,507 posts

Joined: Feb 2000

I think Rayna's suggestion is dead on -- if we specifically cultivate the opinions of newbies, we will engage them before they put up a site for review, AND encourage them out of the lurk mode. A lot of newbies don't realize how valuable their real world/real user opinion is!

Suzanne

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Zero Cattle
Suzanne
Tables DeMystified

They have: 2,390 posts

Joined: Nov 1998

I do think that asking people to review a site before asking for a review is a good idea.
However enforcing it as a rule is not something I am in favour of - especially because the TWF forum is doing so well at the moment.
JP

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What Next?
"Easing you onto the Internet"
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They have: 2,390 posts

Joined: Nov 1998

That is a brilliant thought.
Maybe we could use RobP's script to put up random tips after each moderator/member posts - encouraging members to post, setting out important rules...

Any thoughts?
JP

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What Next?
"Easing you onto the Internet"
http://www.what-next.com

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