Layout-5/25: I feel like this template is a mixed bag. I love the color, and the image is very captivating, but I just don't like the way that this layout is...well...laid out.
The words on top of the image thing has never been a favorite of mine, mostly because it sometimes makes it somewhat of a strain to read, and this is no exception. If you've got black font, and black in your background picture, even if it's faded, you're going to have trouble reading the words. I found myself trying to highlight to make it easier to read, but that didn't work.
Another thing I don't like about this template is the fact that the actual diary entry space is way too small. It's a tiny box in the middle of the screen, and even in my itty bitty 800x600 screen setting, there are huge gaps on both sides of the entry. Huge, empty, black gaps with absolutely nothing in them. It's like looking into a black hole. I'd hate to think what it looks like in higher settings.
The other thing that I don't like about this template is the fact that there is absolutely zero rooms for links. At first, I didn't even think you had any links, until I scrolled all the way to the bottom of your whole entry and found links to the previous and next entries, your index.html and older.html, your profile, diaryland, and the designer. That's all. No extras, no info about yourself, and especially, no link back to any of your reviews, including this one.
Basically, I don't like anything about this template except for the picture, so 5 points for that.
Content-20/50: I'm not quite sure why you picked this entry for me to review; I felt like I had picked up a note off of the floor that wasn't to me and read it, without knowing anything about either the writer or the intended reciever. While reading this entry, I found myself skimming over it, wondering when it ended, and getting easily distracted from something that wasn't all that interesting to me in the first place.
I do realize that your entry made a very good point--however, the point wasn't directed towards me. It was directed towards somebody else, I don't even know who.
This is an excellent heartfelt letter, but it makes for a not-so-good diary entry, especially one that is being reviewed.
Instead of just the letter itself, I would maybe let your readers know what is going on. Such as, "Today I wrote a letter to so-and-so because I've been worried about her lately. She's been doing this and this and this, and I can see that it's not right for her. This is what the letter said:"
Even if you didn't send the letter to her, you should at least give your readers a small idea of what exactly is going on.
20 points for a good letter, but a bad diary entry.
Contact-0/5: I have absolutely no clue how to get ahold of you if needed, unless you listed some things in your profile, but I shouldn't have to search for it.
Errors-4/5: Your "The Girl" link on the older page doesn't work.
Navigation-2/5: I'll be nice here and give you at least 2 points because I like your "previous" and "next" links, a very cute idea. Otherwise, I had to search for your links and when I found them, there was barely anything there.
Bonus-0/5: Nothing.
Would I read another entry?-0/5: Normally, I try to read at least more than one entry, especially if the review I gave was not so good. But I can't stand not being able to read your words clearly because of the picture.
Quote from Entry: "Be yourself. Stand up for yourself. Believe in yourself. People that matter will follow. You don't need the heartache, you don't need the pain, you don't need the negative attention. Be who you are, and it won't matter who follows you or how many "friends" you have. If you're happy with yourself and your choices in life and the decisions you're making, it shouldn't matter what other people think."
Last Thoughts: Your template kind of messes everything up for you. Also, you chose a wrong entry for me to review. Maybe choose another entry and apply for a re-review in two weeks?
Score 31/100
Last 5
wait4you - 2006-09-17
iamblessed - 2006-09-17
allicanbe - 2005-11-22
for-you-only - 2005-11-12
Nox-noctis - 2005-11-09