Well, I was poking around profiles the last couple of days.  I also wanted to update my look and feel.  This made me think that I wanted to write a little on what to do with your Utherverse profile.  This is not a tutorial on how to, it is more of a 'what not to do' to your profile.  You can go to any 'My Space' profile editing site and find pre-built profiles for your page.  The problem I have is that there area lot of bad templates out there.

While I was looking for a profile, there were about half a dozen that I really liked the background image, but that was about it.  Keep in mind, that your profile does more than just look nice.  It's purpose is to tell people about you.  So, if the background makes the words hard to read, I personally feel that the profile has failed.  But, that is not the only problems I have seen.  The following are pet peeves of mine.

Some other things I have seen is:

Layout is messed up

Cursors don't make sense

Downloads slow (not part of the profile template)

Let me explain a little more on these.  Keep in mind these are MY OPINIONS!  lol  Just because they drive me a little batty, does not mean you need to change them to please me.  I have been doing web site work for years (more than 10), and I know what NOT to do for my clients.  Just make your choice based on this knowledge, and if you can live with something that drives me batty, then who am I to say shit?   lol

Layout is messed up
If you see a scroll bar at the bottom of the screen, then the layout is too wide.  Most people have a screen resolution of 1024x768.  If you have to scroll left and right (scroll bar at the bottom), that is too wide.  Think about it, do you like having to scroll left and right, AND up and down?  I personally don't, BUT... that doesn't mean I won't.  It just bugs me a little :)

A small note (and this usually is ONLY me) is when you hover your mouse over a link and the link changes sizes.  Sometimes this is no big deal, but I have actually been on a profile that the change is so drastic, it actually moves the link out from under my mouse, so I can no longer click on it.  Then I have to sit and fight to get the sweet spot of the link.  That is a big annoyance for me.

Cursors don't make sense
I have seen many layouts that have cutesie cursors.  Those are just fine.  But, when I put my mouse over a link, the cursor should be a hand, or something like it, not a diagonal arrow, not a straight line, but an arrow or a hand.  Yes, I am being picky, but that is the detail oriented person I have become by doing the stuff I do.

Downloads slow
If a profile downloads slow, then I am gone 95% of the time.  What makes a profile download slow?  Videos, music streaming, lots of HUGE pictures, and lots of code from other sites.  I know... web.. everyone has high speed, it doesn't matter.  Well, NO, EVERYONE doesn't have high speed.  I don't, and it is not because I am too cheap, or just don't want it, it is not available where I am.  I am not alone, either.  Granted, I would say that a high percentage of people in RLC have it.  But there are people who don't.  Yes, if you look at my profile, I have streaming music.  And it even drives me nuts occasionally.  But, I like music, and I wanted to share that.

But, honestly, the above are really only pet peeves of mine, and may not bother anyone else.  One thing I have seen mentioned to me before is when people cannot read the words on your profile.  When you are looking at a profile, please look at how ALL of the words show up in the profile.  All of the sites I have been to allow a preview mode.  Use it.  Make sure you can read the titles of the sections, the bold, the links, and most importantly, the text of your profile.  Make sure the text is neither too big or too small.  A little extra time on it may pay off.  Who knows.. the next person to read your profile may become your best friend or lover, because they could read it!  lol

Pervin' Your Prof,
Web