rev.iew.me

the quilting bee has 12 Reviews

Below are the reviews left by other members on the quilting bee. Jump to review form?

1. 

   ghoul gave it on 21st Aug 2009 and said:

   I love this website and I love the content. I stumbled upon it way back in the day, and I always wanted to join but I am not good at pixeling. I'm trying to learn though so hopefully some day I'll join :)

   The coding is excellent, it even validates at strict XHTML which not a lot of websites do, usually only transitional. The CSS validated as well.

   The layout is excellent, I can only begin to image how long it must have taken to pixel everything. I must say I'm very jealous of anyone who can make layouts like this.

   I love the concept, it's so much more personal than a simple clique or banner exchange.

   Keep up the awesome work, and never let the Quilting Bee die :)

   Using Firefox on Windows | Report This?

2. 

   Shadow gave it on 21st Jan 2009 and said:

   The q*bee is very cute. Unless a lot of people here, I'm not a member, but that's because me and pixels don't get along. I can't make one for the life of me. I think that's mostly what threw me off. I took a look at some quilt patches, and that made it worse. Yes, I'm a chicken. But seriously though, this is the only layout where the pixels are made beautifully.

   Since I'm an outsider, I can't say much (I know, that sucks). But I was looking through the about page. Wow, it switched hands so many times in the past 7-8 years. Even the layout has progressed in quality. It's great that it didn't die after one person didn't have time to keep up with it. Great job!

   UPDATED 21 Jan 09:
   Dude, how the hell I didn't catch my typo?! Eep! *grabs the e-white out* It was supposed to be "unlike", not unless.

   But anyway. I am now a member of the q*bee since my last (sad) review. This means that I am no longer an outsider. Yes, the bees are a great bunch, and it shows greatly in the BBS. I wish that it was a little more active since there are plenty of bees, but it's still fun nonetheless.

   They also have their own IRC chat, and after lots of fighting with the built-in chat program for Opera, I was able to join in on the madness. The busiest times are usually the times where I'm taking a nap, but at least one person is always in the chat...even if it's yourself at the time.

   So yes, I am happy that I finally joined. :)

   Using Opera on Windows | Report This?

3. daNNiiil0vee gave it on 21st Jan 2009 and said:

   This looks like a great online community! The layout is very nice, and I like how you emphasize "bee" wherever you can find it. The fact that it is all pixeled makes it that much more special. I wish I could be a part of this community, but my host's site got deleted. =( I'm looking into getting my own domain soon, well as soon as my parents "discuss" it. When I get my site back up and running, I'll be sure to join The Quilting Bee!

   Using MSIE on Windows | Report This?

4. Distant_Star gave it on 28th Dec 2008 and said:

   I, too, am a member. I love the Qbee though, so much so that I came back after a few year's absence. Jem is a wonderful queen, and she has tons of talented helpers to keep the site in tip top shape. There are a few very minor things wrong with the coding, (which have mostly been pointed out in our thread about the current activity), but other than that Jem is the PHP ninja she claims to be. There is also a stray > on the newbee tips page where it says There are lots of buttons and other graphics> Also on that page the how to add a comments field and this thread on the BBS links are not working.

   For improvement, there isn't much. Maybe a new layout? I love this one, but it's been up for a while now and maybe it's just my own fickleness when it comes to layouts (I change a bit of mine about once a week) but I would like to see something new, fun and exciting.

   Possibly to debut in time for all the cool new features you're promising us? I would also really like to see the tutorial section expanded on. If you have to outsource that to other bees in the community, I think that would actually be best, to include how to do other things than transparent stitching.

   Something I wondered: Why are there 350 bee number patches displayed, if there are only 300 spots in the members list? Also, since the history of the Bee goes back so far, would it be possible to have the activities go back that far as well? If you have the pages for it (I saw they were linked but hidden as a comment) than it would be something I would like to see. If not than, what can ya do.

   I don't think that making it less addicting is an option, because I spend an absorbent amount of time browsing the BBS and am disappointed when there isn't anything new to read.

   I don't know what else to change, but I have a biased opinion because this community has become my lifeline to sanity lately.

   **In doing this review, I found 3 new ornaments! Yay!

   Using Firefox on Windows | Report This?

5. 

   katili gave it on 28th Dec 2008 and said:

   I need to re-join q*bee. I was a member for a very long time, then got bit by the "inactive bug". I need to redesign/reorganize my site first, though.

   The layout is super cute. The concept is original and fun. It looks like q*bee has grown an awful lot, too, as far as activities and the such go.

   I do hope though, that when I re-join, there's a little bit more going on in the way of "developing friendships", cause I remember there being a whole lot of "lets trade and then never talk again" with many people. I like meeting people, and q*bee is a good way to do so.

   Using Firefox on Windows | Report This?

6. 

   DarthCena gave it on 20th Dec 2008 and said:

   Quick note, Jem! There seems to be a missing </li> after Lindsay #94 in the QBee Blog Day post. :D

   Having been a QBee member for a little over 4 years now, the current layout is different and unlike anything I've ever seen before. The previous layouts were smaller, had a LOT going on and used iframes. However, when Jem took over as Queen that's when the site got whipped into shape.

   The layout feels more down to earth and less intimidating than previous designs. My only qualm is if one of the pages is super long it stretches out past the layout all by its lonesome.

   Other than that, this site has come such a long way and its a thrill to see it thriving the way it is today. Yay!

   Using Firefox on Windows | Report This?

   Jem's Response:

   Ooh, thanks for spotting the missing </li>!

7. 

   squigglybee gave it on 18th Dec 2008 and said:

   Yes, I am biased because I am a member! I love The Quilting Bee! Never have I been part of a better online community. The site is fantastic. So much information is available to members and potential members as well. The new site with all of the new features makes it so much more interactive. I love how members have profiles and control over editing their information, etc. I think it's very well organized. There is always something to do on the Q*Bee site. The BBS is the best message board I've ever been a part of. I could go on and on all day about all of the great things this club has to offer and how much fun it is and how everyone that is a member is just really great, but I'll spare everyone all of the sappy talk. :D I heart the Q*Bee!

   *Attention Non-Members: You do NOT have to be an amazing pixeller to be accepted!! JOIN! :D

   Using MSIE on Windows | Report This?

8. DeziatRRR gave it on 30th Nov 2008 and said:

   This site is sooooooo cute! Same with the layout! It is also very creative, and unique. I wish more sites were like yours. It does take some time for the site load, but not that long. I notices LOTS of people say its cute, but I think I'm the first to say it is super cute+adorable!

   I looooove how on the headers there is little bees next to it, it really makes things more 'livley'.

   I haven't joined, but I'm going to once I have more time on my hands. For now, I will add it to my favorites!

   Anyways, keep up the AMAZING work! I'm sure I'm going to come back, and stumble upon it again while I'm wondering around the Internet.

   Using MSIE on Windows | Report This?

9. jessica_p gave it on 25th Nov 2008 and said:

   This is one of the best layouts of the site. Before I became a member 3 or so years ago I had been 'browsing' it since it hosting at love revolution.

   I love the designer of the layout. I do miss her. However the girl looking in seems a bit off. I have never seen a hive with a window - let alone one without glass and round. I have learned not to look over at the part of the design. If I did I'd be boggling my mind with the 'How could that be?' questions I'd ask for hours on end. Oh no I am doing it now. Eh. The navigation also bothers me. The font on the 'patches' (when hovering) are a bit to light for me on my laptop. They match too well and seem to fade into the buttons background. I do hope that makes sense.

   I have always had a bit of a tift with finding things on the site. However since Jem took over and 'reprogrammed' it - it has been easier to navigate. I still get lost - even after all this time. However I am not sure if it is me being blonde or just the fact I am used to being lost still.

   I also just noticed the outside from the windows do not match.

   Using Firefox on Windows | Report This?

10. 

    Anna_Kirstin gave it on 16th Nov 2008 and said:

    Like Aisling, I'm a little biased as I am also a member. I am a recent member (within the last few months) and I remember very well my first impressions.

    Layout: I agree with Mary that the layout comes across as a little intimidating to anyone not used to pixeling. There is a lot going on - which is great because there is a lot to discover and play with. A lot of the layout is interactive with fun things you can click on and play with almost all over, but non-members don't really know that. I've always found that part of the layout very fun, but it took me a while to discover it. I guess I'm just a little slow. ^^;

    One of the things that I think would be great to point out right off the bat is that it takes several bees to run the Q*Bee smoothly. For some reason that knowledge gives it more of a community feel right away.

    Why Join the Quilting Bee:
    Talent and Inspiration...Maybe you should include something about the talentless. Those, who like me, are in the club with minimal HTML skills and no graphic skills what-so-ever. It might seem a little less discouraging to know that you would be accepted as well even without excellent HTML, PHP, or graphic talents.

    Overview:
    Where it says "check the requirements to see if your site qualifies" - why not directly link to the requirements? I was sitting there looking around for a link to them.

    Oh, duh! They're on the next page. Maybe that should be reworded. Maybe something like "Step 1: Check the requirements to see if your site qualifies" and link the step 1. So that it is:
    Step 1: Check the Requirement to see if your site qualifies.
    Then, so forth with Step 2.

    I remember going to step 2 several times before submitting my application. I had to click through step 1 each time because I didn't see another way to do it.

    Maybe Overview should be more descriptive like Overview of Application Process... but then that sounds really formal.

    I really liked that step 3 had an example. It let me know that I was doing it correctly.

    ----------------- That Concludes the Application Process --------------

    About: I love that the history of site goes back so far.

    Rules: This is a lot of information in one place. It could see where it would be rather intimidating to a new person. It feels like a lot to digest in one go even though a lot of it is repeat information from the application process with a few new things added about trading.

    Members: This was one of the most intimidating things for me. I recognized some of the names of people who's sites I had long since admired (but had never spoken to) and the thought of joining a club with them was terrifying to me. That has a lot to do with my more timid personality, but I can remember being horribly afraid of rejection.

    After spending time on the BBS, I got over this fear really quickly because all the members are so polite, nice, and accepting. Is there a way that non-members can view certain areas of the BBS without damaging the integrity of the boards. Maybe locking some of the more sensitive boards from non-member viewing. I think that would encourage more members to join the community. But I also feel that something like that would need to be put before the community for a vote or something as members sometimes post very personal things. I can also see that possibly leading to drama and the Q*Bee is a such a great drama-free place. That's a part of its appeal.

    Overall: I've enjoyed my time with the Q*Bee. I agree that it can seem a little intimidating or discouraging at first (especially if you feel you have no skills), but for anyone with the courage to at least try for it, that feeling should be quickly lost as the members are all so nice and accepting.

    Using Firefox on Windows | Report This?

11. 

    mary gave it on 15th Nov 2008 and said:

    As per your request, I'm going to 'comment' about initial impressions and give suggestions. (yey, I'm not really a professional reviewer, anyway)

    THE GENERAL IDEA
    I think I've seen this site before but the fact that I didn't join should not be taken as an offense. =) I actually like the idea of exchanging something and having a visual representation of my social network ( that the quilt looks cute is just an 'added bonus', I suppose).

    The fact that the pixels in the site look really good and the idea of trading pixels with someone (or waiting for someone to trade with you) is a bit discouraging for someone like me who has no idea how to make pixel art. Internal dialog of a non-artist visitor:
    OMG... cute little things... should I join? But what if no one wants my patches??? *cries in self-despair and browses hopelessly*) =p

    In itself, I think that the site has a good metaphor (I actually 'LedOL' at the 'freebies' and 'newbies' patches in your links) and that's something that might attract people who are into making/trading pixels into joining the club. I have no idea how huge the community is but I'm pretty sure that the idea is already tempting and all that's left is a little advertising and a group who'll bee-rainstorm activities to keep your bees active.

    TECHNICAL STUFF
    In my screen resolution @ 1440x90 the text on your links and random header pixels (Bees of the week, Hall of Fame, etc) are a bit too small. I resized to 1024x768 and they're still a bit small - albeit I can read them. Perhaps you can
    [1] make the text as huge as those in your main navigation? Or [2] render the text in a not-too-curly font to make it more readable. Or
    [3] Keep it as it is if I missed the point of pixel art (=p just a reviewer's disclaimer)

    Your layout is flushed left. But I'm not going to complain because (thank God) your main menu is on the right. If it were on the left there'd be some serious reckoning --- if not in my current clicking finger's lifetime, then definitely in the next. As a first time visitor, I had to do a lot of reading --- I'm not sure if it's the same for members. Perhaps the left-edness of your layout will be a problem for them. You can refer to Aisling's review then (because I can only speak for first-timers =p)

    SOME ERROR/s
    Sitemap page - "need helping browsing?" should be changed to "need help browsing" but I'm pretty sure that's just a typo, judging from the way the other pages were written (aka good).

    FINAL COMMENTS
    A quick search of 'pixel trading' in google shows your site at the top, and judging from the other entries, I'd say that all you have to do at the moment is stay at your fort and defend your throne... you queen bee, you. LOL
    
    Edit: wouldn't you know it, I forgot to give you a rating *burns in noob-reviewer hell*

    Using Firefox on Windows | Report This?

12. 

    Aisling gave it on 15th Nov 2008 and said:

    The q*bee is so cute. I'm a member, so this review may be biased. The layout is very intricate and lovely. Some times I think maybe a bit too much is going on, though. I also do wish it were centred.

    The little quilt next to the Honeycomb Apartments link could use a bit more attention. If I weren't a member I would have no idea what that was. Which may be the point... hmm.

    All of the pages are well-organized and kept. The About page harbours plenty of information. It's cool to see how the q*bee has progressed since 2000.

    I really don't know what else to say. I love the q*bee. It's such a great escape from e-drama and such. Everyone is accepted at the q*bee. :) What a lovely feeling.

    I'm sorry this review is so short. I really do adore the q*bee, and I really can't think of anything that needs to be changed!

    Using Firefox on Windows | Report This?

Write Your Own Review

Leave your feedback for the quilting bee below, and remember - the longer your review, the more points you receive. Don't forget to look at things like style/design, content, coding and originality as they will all help to improve the quality of your review.

You have to be logged in to write a review.

Site copyright © 2008—10 Jem Turner. Designed by Jacky Gilbertson © 2008.
About ⋅ Terms of Use ⋅ Site Map ⋅ Help ⋅ Contact ⋅ Points Charter