Your Forum Review
First Impressions & Appearance - (Out of 20)
Your forum has a very interesting look to it. The first thing that I really like about it is that it's fluid. I use high-resolution monitors, so that is really good for me. Your logo is neat-looking, but I'm not quite sure I get it. What's the taped message covering up? Additionally, I really like having the little images next to each forum name. That's a cool little touch to illustrate each forum name. I also really like the favicon being there. It's related, and you actually took the time to make one.
Some of your images are really rough looking. The Yahoo!, website, etc. buttons all have white pixels on the edges, and the little unread/read board icons are really rough looking. Those could use a tune-up. Also, using a dark blue (as in the rule topic) text on a black skin probably isn't the best idea. It's not easy to look at. Overall, it's a good skin for a Sci-Fi forum, but has some annoying eyesores.
(Scored 17/20)
Site Layout - (Out of 20)
I'm really shocked, and in a good way. I'm very impressed. You have a ton of forums, yet all of them get hundreds of topics in them, and are really active. You also didn't overload your forums with off-topic forums. (As in, your science-related ones outnumber the off-topic.) However, that "Game Design" forum really seems out of place. It's rarely used, has its own category for some reason, and is really a bizarre choice for your forum. I would get rid of it. Also, that "Photoshop Tutorials" forum seems very out of place. I can see it on a graphic design forum or something, but on your forum? No, it's way too specialized and off-topic. Additionally, it has all of 2 topics. It doesn't even have an image. Other than those two forums, I think your layout is good. Everything is organized in a good way, and people seem to like it.
(Scored 16/20)
Statistics and Activity - (Out of 20)
For being open three years, you're doing great. 60,000+ posts is an awesome level of activity to have. That's over 20,000 posts every year. Nearly every forum has a post within the last day or two days. You have 622 members, which is a solid amount. However, your staff has over 30,000 posts alone, which is a bit much. That's like over half the posts, and it makes it intimidating for new members. Member posting activity should outweigh staff posting activity.
However, I did appreciate how spread out the activity was across forums. They all had good amounts of topics and posts, with the exception of the ones I mentioned in the Site Layout section.
(Scored 16/20)
Staff Moderation - (Out of 20)
One thing I really do like is that you're not overstaffed. That always seems to be a problem on forums over a couple of years old. You only have 1 admin and 2 global mods, which I like. However, what is this "Staff" usergroup? It's got the nondescript description of, "All other staff. This is a closed group, new members can only join upon invitation of a group leader." Um, OK? That doesn't help me understand at all. Also, the person in it has 0 posts. Is it just some sort of test? As far as your staff goes, you all seem to be active, and actively posting (though it would be nice if that was toned down a bit.)
Now, let's move on to the bad. This topic is an absolutely horrible idea:
http://forums.parascientifica.com/viewt ... f=2&t=2870. I hate when forums have these "Hall of Shame" type things. Punishments should be between the staff and the member ONLY, not the public. There is no way I would join a forum if I know whatever I did wrong would be posted for everyone to see. Also, your announcements could use some help. You've got moved topics, random old locked topics, etc. Also, the spelling/grammar of announcements should be, well, professional. For example,
"i made a script that allows you to have several avatars and sigs that get picked randomly.
as you cna see in my account" should be, ""I have made a script that allows you to have several avatars and sigs that get picked randomly.
You can see this on my account."
(Scored 14/20)
Spelling/Grammar & Professionalism - (Out of 20)
Your spelling/grammar within posts was horrendous, but I typically only judge the forum descriptions, so that is what I will do. "New? Introduce yourself to the forums." is incomplete. It should read something like, "Are you new? Introduce yourself to the forums."
"Unidentified flying objects and everything concerning them in here." lacks a verb, and should be like, "Unidentified flying objects, and everything concerning them, go in here."
"Everything about Science. " should be, "Everything about science goes in here."
(Scored 17/20)
Total Score - 81 (Out of 100)
Final Remarks: You have a good forum, but it could use some improvements.
What was most liked about the website/forums: Activity level, layout.
What was disliked most about the website/forums: Moderator professionalism.
How could I get you (The Reviewer) to join my website? Remove that Wall of Shame.
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