Category: Uncategorized

Sign of the times is a simple black background blogger template. Opening up this site I thought I’d be reading about happenings in this “time” so to speak. What you actually get is basically a view on prophesy’s from that bible that have since come true. This blog is heavily religious based, in so much as there is a lot of “anti-christ” talk in regards to the EU and the doomsday references.

There seems to be two people writing for this blog, but neither of them have any kind of information about themselves on the blog. There are no links to other blogs or links to any other webpages. Both author’s seem to focus mainly on the anti-christ and prophecy’s from the bible that relate to this coming.

I found this blog perked my interest, only because I quite enjoy a good religious read, especially when it comes to prophecy’s and miracles, but I think the author’s should talk about something else for a change apart from the anti-christ and the EU. I’m sure there are plenty of other prophecy’s in the Bible that haven’t been mentioned.

I gave this blog a 2.5 because it’s nearly interesting, but not quite. I found it lacking, only because there are so many other area’s explore in regards to the subject matter which haven’t been. But this is a very new blog I believe, there don’t seem to be any archives and only 10 entry’s, but then again, it just might be a play on the belief of the authors. If there are to be any more entry’s I hope the author’s will cover other topic areas and if they do I’ll definitely come back to have an ogle.
Signs of the times

When I think back on the first impressions of Chandra’s Realm, all that springs readily to mind is splash page. I really hate them, they serve no purpose at all, and are a design relic best left to the 90s. I genuinely dislike starting a review off in so critical a fashion, but a page with little more than a picture of two cats (however cute they may be), a few webring links and clique graphics are not serving as a good first impression to this site. My hopes were not set too high for the design, or content, that I was to find within.

On the design front I was to be pleasantly surprised. Why on earth have a design relic sat there when you can produce a design that is so pleasing to the eye – now had I seen this page from the beginning I would have had a much more favourable first impression. This is what I believe is a good introduction to a site – easy on the eye design, clear links, a nicely written about me section, and some links to good causes. If I were the owner of this weblog the first thing I would do is drop the splash page because the home page is much more favourable, but that’s just a personal recommendation.

Now at this stage I am starting to warm to the weblog owner, she learned website design in a similar manner to myself and is an animal lover. Potentially we have some things in common, and so I head into the blog section in the hope of finding some interesting entries. Now I always approach the reading of review in the same manner, I go to the very beginning of the archives first. So when I enter the blog section I hit upon my first snag – where are the archive links? I look around the first page for a while, exploring the links in the left hand column – no archives there. So I go to the first available posts, and read through – and there right at the bottom of the individual archive page is archive links. Not in the most obvious place I have to say, but at least they are there. Normally I like to see archive links on the main blog page – a link to an archives page at the very least.

As I had expected the site mostly consists of personal entries – about her family, her job and random life events as and when they happen. Its sporadic, varying both in terms of posting consistency and quality/appeal of content. Not every post held my rapt attention, but all in all it was an enjoyable and worthwhile read. I couldn’t help but feel that this weblog was going to appeal to someone who shared her interests, was in the same age group – people who would connect with her beliefs and attitude expressly, and enjoy reading about the life of another individual.

I found the content well written I couldn’t with all honesty say that this was a blog I would visit on a regular basis. I do feel it has appeal, just to an audience who could connect with her entries. I’d like to read a little more about her beliefs, how restaurants and shops tailor to her needs as a vegan (I used to be vegetarian, and sometimes there wasn’t much available in restaurants etc). I think she could have a really good medium in this weblog for really letting people know her thoughts. It’s contribution to the weblog world however is an insight into the life of a vet technician, animal lover and vegan, and this, if expanded on a little more could really have potential. An interesting diversion, a potentially good 3.5 Chandra’s Realm

When I read the tag line: “I am a non smoking teenager trying to get to grips with my smoking fetish. A woman dragging deep on her cigarette is so incredibly sexy and this blog is for me to try to work out why,” the first thing that popped into my head was, “Well, he certainly gets points for originality.”

Originality is all over “Smoking Women are Sexy.” It’s an entire weblog where one person describes his attraction for smoking women and how this fetish has been kept in the closet. There are candid photographs and interest blogs on poignant subjects. I was wondering, after reading the tag line, whether this blog would be a bunch of pictures of sexy actresses, models, etc. lighting up, with little discussion besides some crude comments. But, I was glad to find that the author talks about some very good issues pertaining to smoking and dating someone that smoked.

One such example is entitled “Long term issues and the sexy Tara Reid.” Here, the author brings up a good point: long-term smoking ages the skin. What would it be like to see your partner age quickly due to their habit? This is a good point that was raised, and there are other entries that raise good points, as well.

I did wish there was a section with a little on the author. I would not have wanted much; I would have been satisfied with a little background information, even very vague things or a quick list of hobbies. Since 99% of the website was this man’s fetish, I did find myself wishing for background information to make him more well-rounded in my eyes. Otherwise, it seemed like a person who spent way too much time thinking about femme fatales smoking.

So, if you like the off-beat, the slightly kooky type of weblogs, I suggest you give “Smoking Women are Sexy” a read.Smoking Women Are Sexy

Celebrity Cola is (as quoted from the subtitle) “A slipshod guide to the universe. A weblog with issues. And uncarbonated news & reviews, straight from the can.” Lucas Brachish from New York writes this blog and his profile gives his occupation as “Agitator. Editor. Insomniac.” I love profiles that make me laugh.

The first impression is a good one with a very simple design and color scheme. The author’s insomnia shows when you see the times he posts (2 AM and the like). Most of his posts tend to be a bit long, but don’t get me wrong–they are an enjoyable read, quite humorous and often insightful.

What brings this blog down is the way he lists and categorizes his writings. It’s frenzied at best. In his sidebar he lists “Table of Contents” and it has (I think) every post he’s ever written, listed by title. (Very long titles) At the bottom of the main page is something called “Celebrity Cola, by the Glass” with more links to old posts. Are these the same ones you have to scroll to see in the sidebar? It’s hard to say.

With such good writing and interesting stories, I’d like to see them presented better in archival form. Sure, the titles of his posts are all very entertaining in themselves, but for a blog, they look clunky presented as they are. However, I would definitely recommend this blog for those wanting a good way to spend some time.Celebrity Cola

Anti Spam Software Blog is a great title. It told me exactly what it was I should be finding on this blog. I was a little hesitant though, as I thought maybe it was just a bunch of useless information. Thankfully I was wrong.

The design of the blog is a nice clean three column layout with the content in the center and other links on either side. The banner at the top is original and brings a professional touch to this blog. Almost as if this is a blog run by a company. (more on this later)

The information presented in the blog is very good. It details new things that have come up with regards to spam and still touches on old things. It brings news of what is going on to combat spam in the way that blogs bring information to the public. I was very pleased with the presentation and how organized and detailed it was. Then that thought of being run by a company struck me again.

I started looking around at the other stuff on the site. I had assumed that the “Free 30 day trial” for Securence was just an ad that someone had purchased, but then I realized the name was in the header and they had another ad on the other column. So I clicked on the non ad to find out more about Securence. Sure enough I was taken to the company’s main website.

To me, this was an amazing thing. Here a company was really getting the purpose of a business blog. They are giving out good information, presented in a great way, and at the same time not forcing their product down our throats. Sure the main purpose of the blog is probably to drive up sales, but it doesn’t feel that way at all.

Overall I this blog is done exceptionally well. I am giving it a 4.25 because I do not feel this is a perfect blog, and I don’t think its one that everyone will enjoy. But overall this blog is one of the best of its types. Even if you aren’t into reading up on technology, this blog is worth checking out.
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