10 Things: The Domestiquette
24. Feb, 2010 
5 Comments
I don’t know how she came across 10 Things, but I’m damn glad she did. And I’m damn irritated she wanted a review. What’s with all these good bloggers asking me for a review? The name is 10 things I HATE about your site. Not 10 reasons I love it. But I get ahead of myself. I was asked for a review, and a review I will give. So, The Domestiquette, here are 10 8 things I hate about your site.
- I want candy. Eye candy that is.
- Who are you?
- I Can Has Cheezburger in your blogroll. Really?
- Your Twitter hasn’t been updated in 7 days.
- Your sidebar right margin needs some breathing room.
- “You’ve gotta keep ‘em separated!” Your most recent posts, that is.
- Why does your plugin for related posts have cute little thumbnails, but your posts are naked as a jaybird? (See #1)
- Comments are closed on a post that’s not even 30 days old?
The Details
- I want candy. Eye candy that is. Your content is interesting and funny, but I, like many people, am a visual creature. Give me something to look at.
What does this mean? Give your readers some eye candy. A thumbnail graphic to complement your post would go a long way to adding some visual interest. - Who are you? One of my biggest pet peeves is not knowing who is behind the curtain–especially when I really like the blog. People want to know who is talking to them, this goes double for personal blogs.
What does this mean? Add an About page. Or, since you don’t have pages (nice touch, by the way), and a little About widget in your sidebar. - I Can Has Cheezburger in your blogroll. Really? Am I the only person on the planet that thinks the whole “I can haz…” BS is, well, BS? I just don’t get it.
What does this mean? Nothing, really. What’s in your blogroll is totally personal preference. I just happen to hate those damn lolcats. - Your Twitter hasn’t been updated in 7 days. If you’re going to keep your Twitter feed in your sidebar, it shouldn’t be a week old. I’m just sayin’.1
What does this mean? Does the phrase “Physician heal thyself?” mean anything? The 10 things Twitter feed is was way more outdated than yours! - Your sidebar right margin needs some breathing room. I know. I’m being super nit picky again. But I really hate when text runs up against the left or right side.
Give the right margin some space
- “You’ve gotta keep ‘em separated!” Your most recent posts, that is. I like that you are showing many reading options. I don’t like the lack of separation between the post options. You have a line separating them horizontally. Why not vertically?
What does this mean? Your recent posts section would benefit from a nice little dividing line down the middle. Like Cake said, “You’ve gotta keep ‘em separated!” - Why does your plugin for related posts have cute little thumbnails, but your posts are naked as a jaybird? (See #1) This relates directly to item #1. You aren’t providing any visual interest until the end of the post. That’s not a good thing.
What does this mean? See #1.
- Comments are closed on a post that’s not even 30 days old? I’m all for preventing spam, but closing comments so early? There were a few posts I was going to comment on because they were pretty damn good. And I was annoyed to find the comments closed.
What does this mean? I would recommend leaving your comments open a little longer. I can’t imagine you are getting so much spam that you have to lock down the post ASAP. When you encourage readers to browse other posts, you shouldn’t deny them the opportunity to comment on what they find. And I wanted to comment on TGIF.
In Closing
I’ve enjoyed reading your posts while reviewing your blog, and have added your blog to my feed reader. Even though there are a few things I hate, all-in-all yours is a sound blog with enjoyable content.
- Update: this was true at the time I wrote this review. As of now, her Twitter update is 6 hours hold. [↩]
wtf!
who died n made you ‘Pope’ ‘God’ or ‘regent’?
saddo
Hi Joany,
I don’t profess to be any of the above, and I doubt anyone with those titles would be piddling around personal blogs all day.
I am, however, a web developer, blogger and instructional designer with many years of web design experience.
I guess you missed the entire first paragraph, where I stated “I don’t know how she came across 10 Things, but I’m damn glad she did. And I’m damn irritated she wanted a review.” Yes, the review was requested. I have never done an unsolicited review and I don’t plan to start now. I also go on to mention how much I like the blog.
It is great that you have come to this blog’s defense. I’m sure Wendy will appreciate that.
Hi all – I’m working on my reply for Web Betty, which will show up tomorrow morning.
I requested the review! And am very appreciative. Having a new set of eyes judge your site impartially and let you know what they found is extremely helpful – at least if you want a well-built site it is!
It was such a nice review, too. Thanks Web-Betty for the help! Your post & feedback link will show up in the morning.
Wendy´s last blog ..Kicking Proactiv to the Curb
Thank you so much, Wendy, for taking the time to write a post regarding your 10 things review. I never ask for a mention, but I always appreciate it.
Your post regarding the review is awesome (I’ve already been there and commented). It had me chuckling out loud and I almost spit up my coffee when I saw the lolcat.
Thanks again for the mention and I’m glad you find my critique helpful. I look forward to seeing what you do, hee hee.