Discussion.

[Riptide651]

I cant really post much other than what i've told you because its not really in my head yet, but I'm sure with a little brainstorming, it'll all come together. Ask away, and we'll discuss your idea.

[Riptide651]

OK so I have made a template for a basis to work off of using fanieb's Middle of a Row as an example. I gave it an A, albeit an A-, but still it has a good score.

The review is below:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/19nKFvhyifT0R1_ReQu34EdG9aXlJlZZftIpQtfTHcc8/edit

Also just a thought, we could have a guestbook which would allow people to ask us to review a lot for them.

[Volvenom]

I have been thinking about the layout of this site. If we do reviews of lots or CC it should be possible to get a 800x600 pixle picture to follow, like you did now Riptide. So on the home it should be possible to have a theme with the images as the main focus. Then we can add the other articles or threads on a menu bar.

Like this one: http://all-free-download.com/free-website-templates-preview/buzz_template_2169/

Then you can post your review as an article and have people commenting on it. We can also look at some game theme's, they have more action perhaps. I don't know if that's very fitting for Sims. I found this one, it has a great slider at the top: http://btemplates.com/2012/blogger-template-igaming/demo/

We could also go for a more photograph/portfolio theme like this: http://btemplates.com/2011/blogger-template-myfolio/
or this: http://btemplates.com/2011/blogger-template-gallery-blog/demo/


I just found this one. I think it's gorgeous, but we need really outstanding shots to use it: http://btemplates.com/2011/blogger-template-wallbase/demo/

I don't know how much you know about this, but lets see the gaming theme with the big slider. It's very similar to my theme really. We can probably change background color and use our own photos with the post. The action will still be there, but it will be more fitting Sims.

[sandymdh]

Some quick thoughts:
I like the layout of the gaming site but obviously with a different design. I also like the idea of the guestbook. What about reviewing worlds too? They are often such a huge file that I'd personally rather read a review before downloading one and I think most of us have battled with CAW at some point too so are qualified to comment!

[Volvenom]

lol, yes I did battle with CAW and gave it up. I do like new worlds though, but I'm not a gamer, more for building and taking shots. Worlds is perhaps something we should have more people reviewing since it's so big anyway?

Yea, that gaming theme could be good.

[Riptide651]

Wel first off, as I have mentioned to a few of you in the PMs, a magazine could possibly be a good idea, along the lines of something similar to Livingsims.net. So if we do the magazine format in a PDF file we could always have a guest columnist, and if it was a world review, we could ask kiwi_tea, considering he has done world reviews, but yes, since we all pretty much have experience with CAW, we could do reviews ourselves, and it will be even easier if Ouerbacker comes on board to this, which I have already asked him to.

Plus if we do the magazine idea, we could have a page called up-and-coming worlds which showcases the newest and best WIP worlds.

Also I love the wallbase one, and if we need good shots, we can always download the lots or take pics of our own, with the owners consent of course.

I also put together a possible page list for the magazine, for most of the articles, page numbers aren't exactly exact, but its just a basis, once again.

Pg1 - Cover Page/Headlines
pg2 - Contents/letter from the editor
Contributors
pg3 to 5 - finds
pg6 to 8 - Special Feature columnist
pg9 - up and coming worlds
pg10 - ad column (different sites, MTS, etc...)
pg11 to 16 - Interior/ Exterior Design Advice Column
pg 17 to 29: review (3 pages a piece as seen in the example format, but smaller fonts)
page 30 - ad column.

[Volvenom]

That is far more work. If it's just a magazine theme and then post articles as they come, it will also be much more up to date all the time. Not to mention always having people ready at making the stuff for the release.

[sandymdh]

Most of the Sims mags I have seen have been produced quarterly or every 2 months which is do-able but I agree it would then mean it wouldn't be as up to date. A magazine format does sound good - I check Ms3B pretty much every day so something similar for the lots and worlds only would be excellent. The only problem I see is the WIP idea - the worlds would have to be nearing completion as how many of us have lot interest in one half way through! (everyone raises their hand)# I'd like to see somewhere basic guides to different architectural styles with regard to available CC/Store items and building cheats or 'How did they do that?' type articles for those new to building. You could take the ideas from a reviewed lot but that would be more of a magazine idea.
You could always run the site on a day to day basis and take the highest reviewed ones to use in a magazine? But you'd then have to work on both ideas.

[Volvenom]

The thing here is internet. I feel like a magazine is a bit last years news. We can have a magazine blog or what you call it, and we will have news coming out all the time. Those in depth articles can be just articles in the magazine.

On my blog I can post them under many menu's if you wish. Both the main blog and under technical or in depth things. A magazine is less organized, like you have to search through many magazines for the article you want. So you end up with an article being both a bit last year and lost in the moment a new magazine comes out.

... but as you say, it may be just a selection of already posted articles from the blog magazine.

[Johnny_Bravo]

So what I've been reading here now and what ''I'' understand is that we need a seperate site/blog for the reviews? Correct me if wrong, I somehow read everything wrong today.

As for lot reviewers I think 3-4 people are enough. As for world reviewers we could ofcourse ask Ouerbaker, kiwi-tea and not to forget TVRdesigns and maybe even Garbymato. They all made some nice worlds and have a lot of experience with CAW and building houses.

So yeah, when it's about making a blog, please leave me out of creating/helping with it, I have no idea how to make or help, totally no experience with that sorta things :)

[Volvenom]

I don't know how a PDF would be made. I have wordpress and use an external host with my own domene. It costs money, something I guess this cannot afford.

[Riptide651]

Well first off, Zandvoort, you don't need to help with the actual blog itself if you dont want to, but if you're interested can you help us write the review for it?

Yeah, a magazine is a lot of work, i was thinking you guys could write the articles, and so will I, send them to me, I compile them in publisher and save as a .PDF file, which is very doable, but what about something along the lines of a yahoo type thing but for reviews?

[Riptide651]

Sorry ahead of time about the double post but, I was looking blogger templates too I found two really nice ones. I personally prefer the IWork one, but they both look good.

IWork: http://www.eblogtemplates.com/iwork-blogger-template/

Parchment (Aspire): http://www.eblogtemplates.com/aspire-blogger/

[Volvenom]

Honestly I prefer a much more action theme or template as you call it. Something that draw people's attention to the magazine. There's so much going on out there I think we need a wow factor. As we speak I have 258 comments I have to moderate on my blog, or they won't appear ... so see you lolz.

... and if you can make the PDF, then we're probably covered on the technical side of things.

Edit: Nevermind it was almost all spam :( I've heard that blogger or blogspot has a lot of problems with spam though? Do any of you have experience with that?

[Riptide651]

Not really, not many people comment on my blogger blog for Sturgeon Bay.

I really liked the IWork template because it was just so sleek and modern.

If we consider a magazine though, combined with a blog, we could use Wix.com, which is much for versatile than the blogging websites since you can edit just about anything on it.
Heres an example of my site, It works quite well: http://www.wix.com/ballroomdancefighter/architectural-sims

[sandymdh]

Mine's in the Siggy (Sims-Eclectica). I found a standard template on Weebly and it had the facility to export the design, which I did, rejigged it in photoshop with some background textures 'borrowed' from DeviantArt then imported it back in. Looks pretty but on the flip side can be slow to load. Not perfect but well... it is free :-) So maybe these designs you're looking at can be personalised this way?

[Riptide651]

My site doesnt utilize the WIX blog feature, because I made it before it came out but I've seen it and its beautiful.

[Volvenom]

I can do lots of things to my blog as well. I haven't do that much to it though. I wanna post something, not use tons of time adjusting a theme :) What is that wix thing? Ah I see ...

... and I added a plugin to take care of the auto generated spam. All the comments stopped.

[Riptide651]

Ok so I started playing around with Wix.com's features and I started on this: http://www.wix.com/thelotreview/we-review-lots#!

I also set up a gmail account for the lot review I'll email everybody the login info.

So far only the front page is done, and the blog link at the bottom works but currently the main site is having problems with it so it should be fixed by tomorrow. Tell me what you think.

[Volvenom]

Hi! you have stolen my pictures!! :rofl:

It's looking good, I would just have selected pictures with colors to match. I would also have made a different brown on the background. It reminds me a bit of a dirty office of a private detective with very little cash lol.

Edit: I tried some colors in kuler, but I just couldn't find my theme again after making it. Useless if I can't post a link. Will perhaps take a look later.

[Riptide651]

I like that theres a bit of color difference in the pics, also I changed the background color, check it now.

Also the pictures on our sites are linked to them, If I'm missing one, please tell me.

[sandymdh]

It would be great if we could jazz up the main title bar so maybe a black & white themed photo background or a hint of colour. Otherwise I love the layout.

[Volvenom]

Yes, I agree with Sandy.

[Johnny_Bravo]

How's it going with the site, I'm not kinda sure how to enter it :lol: (feels stupid)

[Volvenom]

I'm just waiting for a go message really. I guess riptide is still working on setting up the menus.

[Riptide651]

Sry, school and such. Heres the link again: http://www.wix.com/thelotreview/we-review-lots#!

I put a victorian grunge texture on the title bar, and I am currently working on making the blog button go directly to the blog instead of a redirection page.

Ok the blog redirection works but the blog is still down. Waiting for fix.

Also: Ouerbacker is now on the team.

[sandymdh]

Fixed? It's working for me. Love the grunge texture, can we change the font on the title to something a bit more aged looking? Happy to hear about the very talented addition to the team too :-)

[Volvenom]

I see the front page is ok, but the rest is still unfinished. For me grunge is old, so old background old text and so on. It needs to be the hole thing. I guess me and Riptide is more on the modern, while Ouerbacker is more on traditional, Sandy too perhaps.

I would like a more welcoming font though. I made some fontsamples in Photoshop cs6 beta:
http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa209/Volve_bucket/TextsamplesSmall.jpg

For me I would say Rockwell or Elephant. They both have some 50's or something about them. I guess Riptide doesn't really have the same fonts available, but something like it.

Welcome onboard to Ouerbacker :king:

[sandymdh]

I quite like Elephant too. Grunge, Steampunk, Victorian etc etc is my thing! I am the worst builder of modern homes ever - I can appreciate them, just not build them.
I also had a look at the review template posted earlier. We will add a couple more pictures to each one I guess? Also I found it a bit hard to read. What you wrote was perfect - it was the ordering I think. If everyone else takes a look too (as it may just be me lol) I wonder if it would be better not to divide the pros and cons up by room but use them just at the end in the summary? I can see why you did it that way though, so you don't have to keep mentioning which room you're talking about. I think maybe it just broke it up too much for me. Perhaps we could use bullet points instead to make it a bit more web friendly? I know I tend to skim read online, lazy I know but a lot of people do :-) Also you'll have to give us the grading criteria (e.g. 35-40 = 'A' etc).

I just quickly rejigged the order to show you what I mean. See what you think. It's my first time using Google Docs so let me know if you have any problems with the document.
RejiggedTemplateFile (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QoVHefwYEUMXhbvUq-_bPWQPpWFixuLHMgEeYQpCpGk/edit)

[Volvenom]

Your document needs to be a template or I will never manage to stay to it :)

In my opinion it's much more important to have openings in the text, so it doesn't look so heavy.

[Riptide651]

OK sorry I havent worked on it lately but school and all. I will work on it over the weekend. For the fonts I personally like Stonehenge, I feel it matches the grunge.

About the doc, It looks much more userfriendly now, thanks.

The grading criteria is just a percentage ratio. 36.5/40 in a calculator is 91-ish percent.

I'll see what I can do About the Font, but I cant promise anything because its a flash editor.

About the blog, for me it always says: 500 internal server error.

[Johnny_Bravo]

It looks very nice so far :) I'm not sure about the picture on the main site, where you've put those 5 pictures in one, you've not chosen my best creation :lol: But if it takes too much time to edit that, you can leave it as it is, sorry for that..

edit: Good to hear that Ouer has joint :)

[Riptide651]

Give me whichever lot you want me to replace that part with. It takes like 5 seconds to fix.

[Volvenom]

Will that picture be replaced with whatever new review in the blog?

[Riptide651]

Maybe. What do you think?

well, I mean I'm not the only ruling member here, just feel free to give any suggestions, I'll accommodate them.

[Johnny_Bravo]

http://modthesims.info/d/469291 --This one is my best so far, thanks :)

[Volvenom]

Nice house Zandvoort.

Riptide I was just asking of possibilities. Then I would suggest having the news in that frame.

[Riptide651]

I dont know if I can do the news, but the newest review is a possibility. Also, I am taking a few day hiatus to work on my world, which I really NEED to get working on. Feel free to play with the other pages, I sent you all the login info. just remember that there techinically isnt an undo button, so save often so if you accidentally mess up a link or HTML widget, you can just close the software without saving and reopen to your last save.

Also note that only one person can edit at a time because it will only register recent edits and the flash app does not synchronize if it is open on another computer.

[sandymdh]

I have been playing with the site. I changed a few bits, mainly fonts and tried to work on the About Us page. I added enough squares for everyone to fill in about themselves. I haven't written much as yet, I wasn't sure what I should say. The slideshow at the bottom could show pictures of our lots. See what you think - I wont be offended if you change it :-)

[Riptide651]

I checked it out, I think the fonts are on the right track, but they look to harry potter-ish right now. As you can see there isn't a large selection. I'm trying to make a transparent file and type in that and just insert it as a picture. Also for some reason clicking on the home and about us pages don't work.

I'll play with it right now, just a reminder.

I'll post when I'm done.

[Riptide651]

Ok sorry about the double post. I'm done editing and I basically finished the entire site. All of the pages are done. I changed the fonts to give it more of a 50s feel, Art Deco-ish. There is also a little victorian so its a pleasant mix. The tabs and the Magazine pages are business styled. There is a link to the Older Issues page from the Magazine Page. I set up the communal email in the contact us page.

All you guys have to do now (unless you want to change anything) is to write your bio in the About us page and place a few of your works with the link (if there are any) into the gallery on the same page. to place a new pic w/out replacing the previous ones, you click add pic rather than replace.

[Riptide651]

Triple post.. brrr. I inserted a little easter egg into our website, only accesible by the editor on the blogs and reviews page which is covered by the link. You can access it by using the control panel on the right side.

[Volvenom]

I'm swamped in my blog at the moment. I must say that the 2 different fonts in the heading isn't working for me. I would also use the grunge texture as the main background rather then that little thing at the top.

Can I just make a review of some of the paycontent I'm working with at the moment? Because honestly with the moderation on this site, there really isn't that much to pick on. I would also review some things that wouldn't fit here, because it's too boxy or just experimental.

[Johnny_Bravo]

Thank you Volve, and thank you Riptide for editing :beer:

[sandymdh]

I have added 3 of my favourite pics to the slideshow and uploaded a grungy background photo that may come in handy. I have to agree with Volvenom about the review sources. MTS has been a bit lacklustre recently. Occasionally there's some utter genius but mainly just suburbia. I think we should use all sources we can though I'm personally not keen on using anything that has to be paid for (like subscriber lots at TSR) or those heavily laden with CC. A few pieces is fine, I use it and it's the downloader's choice but there are some houses out there with 100mb of cc!

[Johnny_Bravo]

I've done my ''about us'' edit and uploaded 2 pictures to the slideshow beneath it. (don't worry, the site isn't ruined) :)

[Riptide651]

It looking really good now! I adree about the fact that MTS isn't really uploading much, we could also work off of pay content or other blogs, since they showcase houses too. Also, is TSR an option for you?

About the background, I can only keep it a solid color, not a photo. Flash Limitations.

I fixed the Title, and I moved the offset pic control bar at the bottom of the about page.

Also, I've set it so that the site can be found over search engines. Volvenom, since you are swamped, if you have the time - can you write your bio and pic your creations here? We''l post them on the Site for You.

[Volvenom]

I just killed my first sim today ... at least in sims3. I'm going in now. Waiting for the video to upload.

[Riptide651]

I've posted the first blog post for Middle fo a Row, using Sandy's template.

[Riptide651]

All we need now is Ouerbacker's bio. I'll send him a PM

[sandymdh]

The review looks good. I've never really downloaded lots from TSR but I looked today and there are some lovely ones on there that are free to download. There's even an occasional gem on the Exchange (though it does take some effort to find one). I will try and add a review in the next couple of days :-)

[Volvenom]

I uploaded a 2 images to the bar below the about us. Can someone put it in there for me please, before I smash something *sigh*. I will look for some objects I can review. Probably something from Luna. Lots of fun things there.

[Johnny_Bravo]

Now we only need Ouer's bio and pictures.

[Riptide651]

I sent him a PM, waiting for a reply. We need to set up an affiliate system. Volvenom and sandy, since you guys have heavily visited websites, can you set up an affiliated banner that links to the site. I'll post the link in my sig too.

[Johnny_Bravo]

Ima post the link in my sig, too.

[sandymdh]

Just added a quick review to the blog to try it all out. Will go now and put something on my site to link up.

[Volvenom]

I would have waited til we had a few posts. I need a plugin for my other pages too.

[Riptide651]

Also, just a note, it seems that the Blog itself does not work in Google Chrome. I don't know why but it works in every other browser. I've tried it with Safari, Opera, IE, and Mozilla Firefox.

[sandymdh]

I'm using chrome and have had no problems with it. Will it not load at all?

[Volvenom]

I use Chrome too, np.

[Riptide651]

I always seem to get this: Oops...
Sorry, it appears there has been an internal server error with the page you've requested. We're working to fix the problem.

[Johnny_Bravo]

I'm using Chrome and I don't have any problems.

[Johnny_Bravo]

I just noticed if you want to google the blog you have to search ''wix the lot review'' or ''the lot review wix''. ''The lot review'' only doesn't work.

[Volvenom]

I just noticed if you want to google the blog you have to search ''wix the lot review'' or ''the lot review wix''. ''The lot review'' only doesn't work.

Gorgeous! I largely prefere my own wordpress blog to this. This wix thingi is just so user unfriendly.

[Volvenom]

I will be working on a review on this (http://lunasimslulamai.jimdo.com/rebujito/rebujito-5/) set by Luna. It's so great if you know how to tweak your stuff around, but terrible for straight forward building.

[Riptide651]

@Zandvoort: Weird, I'll play with the SEOs on that one. I set them so its just the lot review, but I'll fix it.

[Riptide651]

Okay, so registered the site on google for optimization and if you seach the lot review sims it works

[Volvenom]

I was working in my own little bobble and changed the hole page. I'm pretty happy though, don't know what you think :) I will be linking it on my blogs next post.

[Riptide651]

It looks good. There was a Little Spelling Error, but I fixed it. All right now. I'm sorry, OCD haha

[Volvenom]

You fixed my spelling, np. It's not always easy to get all the spellings right. It is after all not my mother tongue.

[sandymdh]

I could see that those 'areas' were limited in choice so found some background images to put on the home page. Easy to remove if you don't like them but I thought they matched up better with the grungy wallpaper theme at the top. See what you think...

[Volvenom]

I linked to my not published facebook account, and it looked like this: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Volvenoms-Creations/128556510601267

Isnt' it possible to make that image link use the blogpost instead, or is that just featured images? You see I have posted 2 version. The one from the hole page has just the site description and the sims3 diamond. When I post the link to my post instead, it shows the same diamond but the beginning of my post.

Edit: to have pictures posted on the about me page, does it have to be linked?

Sandy: I like the one without a real pattern, but the color is slightly green. It should perhaps be somewhat more brown or something?

[sandymdh]

I will recolour it to match better. I was going to suggest having a FB page for the site but have you all got one of your own ? - I have a personal one - though I only really have one sims related friend I trust on there and maybe should consider getting one for my sims stuff. Back to the point - would it be worth having one for the Lot Review to take requests or suggestions?

[sandymdh]

Changed colour. That plainer bit is quite grungy but the picture blocks the effect a bit. If nobody else like the architectural design side then I could try it on both?

[Volvenom]

well, the architectural design just leaves me with a lot of questions. Like what is was ... not really relevant. It would perhaps be better if it was a recognizable design, and a bit less blurry. Possibly ...

Having a facebook page for this site would just add to the workload, and I don't know how commited we all are at the moment. I need 30 friends or what it is for my page, haven't really had the time to bother with it yet. I have a facebook page of my own, not sure if I would like to mix the friends I have there. I had plans to play a game, to make a mini in a facebook game, but I don't know anymore.

[Riptide651]

I agree with volvenom. I wouldn't do a facebook page just yet, we're still trying to get the blog on it's feet, plus we don't release an issue until june, wo that just adds to the workload. Plus all of us do things other than Modthesims.

[sandymdh]

I didn't mean right away - was just seeing if anyone thought it would be worthwhile. I have added a mention on my blog but not a permanent banner/link yet.
Would you like me to work on something for the magazine when I have spare time? Will we each just add what we want or will we have regular roles/columns? I was thinking about contributing a series (1 each edition) of architecture for idiots type columns. So one month for example it could be Gothic, Art Deco the next or suchlike. They wouldn't be too in depth and have several pictures so hopefully easy reading. I could also include ideas for suggested build cc/store items etc. Also, being female I am definitely a lover of clutter so wouldn't mind doing some sort of decor finds page, you know, the small pretty things that probably won't interest anyone else here lol.

[Volvenom]

yea well, clutter isn't my thing lol, you just go on :)

[Johnny_Bravo]

I thought it was lot/world review blog, not a lot a clutter/deco review blog? :lol:

[Riptide651]

Well yeah I was considering we alternate on writing the advice column, 2 of us one issue than 2 another, especially since I would like for there to be two, exterior and interior. If you feel you've written a really good review, save it and we'll use it for the magazine. There will most likely be a finds page, a lot like in Architectural Digest, and I was thinking Ouer could write a world review page, because people are definitely releasing at least one new beta every two months. Also, every issue we could ask some talented creator, not part of our regular staff to write a special column on a specific topic. The advice columns would technically be the "for idiots" type. Um... also instead of sticking to a certain style per issue, why not seasonal, especially if a certain style relates to a certain town which you would think of during that season. Ex. Summer - Miami - Art Deco, or such because it is basically seasonal. Or maybe only certain parts are seasonal, the rest just alternates.

[sandymdh]

Yes, definitely ask Ouer about the worlds review as he is the most qualified. I like the seasonal idea too, it'd be a good way of theming the issue.
@Zandvoort - the articles I suggested were meant for the magazine not the blog. I'll stick to reviews on the site.
If, for example, we chose Miami for the first edition we could produce between us a page on Art Deco as a style (the background), a page on 'how to' achieve the style (which may mean building something Miami-style to photograph), a 'finds' page with art deco build and buy pieces. Plus the lot reviews, a world review and advice column which wouldn't need to stick to theme. I guess we'll have to make up problems for the advice column initially? The clutter idea would be for the best new items out in the previous 2 months. So yes, like you said, the rest just alternates.
I like the Miami idea as it covers a building style as well as a place. It would be an excellent summer theme.

[Riptide651]

I could edit that art deco restaurant I was working on, we could use that...

Also French COuntry Chateau's, and if we build them we can upload them and link them in our magazine, because its .PDF

In fact, we could make a mod group for it.

I personally think only the advice columns and the special columns and a few of the finds pages should stick to the theme. There could be a "Summer Finds" and a "Regular Finds"

Also if we wanted to, maybe later we could do a TV themed issue if it wasn't in a general season. Because I am HOOKED on the old A-Team Show

[Riptide651]

Also, sorry about the double post but should I see if I can get some affiliation with MTS? It would bring us publicity, because we could ask to be on the site news, which everybody sees, plus, we could have then upload the houses we make for the magazine corresponding with the release date of the issue. As bonuses

[sandymdh]

Didn't someone make a Miami world? Fresh Prince? I did download it some time back but many of the lots were still shells then. Will have to try an updated version - I think I saw an update fairly recently. Will go look...
I'm old enough to remember the A Team first time round - though I was a kid! Perhaps just a generic '80s theme one issue? Not sure how that would link up with a building style.
As for MTS - all advertising is good. I think if we get the first magazine done and polish up the site then hopefully they'd add us to the news. Uploading on their site would be a bonus for us and them so why not?
I am fairly active on the EA forums and at Black Pearl Sims so will try and create some interest there - even if it's just a banner in my signature. I am working on some new bits - pics / wallhangings etc (Indian themed to complement the Indian store stuff) so when that goes on MS3B ( in a week or so) I can usually expect 400-600 site visits in a day for 2-3 days so I''ll make sure a permanent link in the sidebar is up and ready.

[Volvenom]

Quite a few posts here now, have to read those later. I'm not sure I understand this grading system. It's a bit unfair to Luna to give it a B. If It's what you need, then it's what you need. So casting may not be an issue. For modern buildings you may not need the casting. The fact that they don't really function without support isn't a problem if this is the kind of architecure you want.

Why can't we just skip the A and B grade thing and leave the numbers for themselves? I gave it 33/40, that should be enough I think. In very technical terms A and B just looks misleading. It's all about what you can use them for.

[Johnny_Bravo]

@sandy: oh, alright.
I agree with Volvenom about the grading system, is there an actual number where they get an A or a B, like 30/40 is a B and 35/40 is an A?

[Volvenom]

I don't always agree with the boxes people use for these houses. At least not when it comes to sims3. Lots of castles, palaces requires details it's frankly few of in sims, if you don't go for a 50MB download. Those columns and windows accessable in good file sizes often look like shit in game.

I have made quite a few castles, more of the english style perhaps, or just more rough around the edges. I use quite a lot of pay items on these castles. Cyclonesue and beams from Denizzo_ist mainly. I could make one of these again perhaps. I'm in a modern style period at the moment.

Like this video in a series from april last year. I didn't know it was that long ago: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inmZlmtgDc4

Frankly simplicity has always been my thing. I was wondering if Sandy could be willing to clutter up a medieval castle for me?

[sandymdh]

Same problem with the furnishings really, it'd be cc heavy. I take it you'd want it furnished in a traditional way too?

I don't really have an opinion either way on the grading system but I guess you can't grade build items in the same way as houses.

I will try and make something art deco in style for the magazine - a residential (if we decide to go ahead with that theme). I'm looking forward to seeing the art deco restaurant. I won't build anything too big. Probably because I like clutter, my houses never seem to get very big. I made a manor house on a 60x60 recently and it took ages. My attention span doesn't usually last that long! And my laptop was very pleased when I finished that one :-)

[Volvenom]

Yes, medieval furnishings are so uncomfortable really lol. I can make the house. Perhaps a fortress on a hilltop with many different levels could be fun. Lots of tiny strange places to put things?

[Riptide651]

Well a chateau does not necessarily have to be medieval, just Victorian.

The grading system is a percentage, you put x/40 in a calculator and multiply that number by 100 and round it.

[Volvenom]

What I'm saying is a building object may be terrible at some things, but still perfect for what it was designed for. It was designed for white easy going modern lots, but that doesn't stop me from using it for something else. It may not be perfect for the job, but it's the only thing I have. A couch is a couch is a couch, a building block at luna is what you make it to be.

Victorian and Chateau is 2 very different things. The French would kill you if you ever tried to call their buildings Victorian.

Nevermind. Let me be a little big more specific. In the US you use the english terms and add a lot of your own stuff.

The English don't consider themselves european in a way. This is all about politics. I guess you know who Victoria was? In England they have styles like Queen Anne and such. The French has Louis Seize (maybe wrong spelling), Ludwig the 16'th to you and me.

I'm from Scandinavia so for building style we use continental europe names for them. We have like Renaissance and Empire, Biedermaier, Jugend. Things you probably never have even heard about :) Except for Renaissance that is. The French has also Baroque and Rococo.

A Chateau is no building style, it's a house type.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_architecture

[sandymdh]

Lol. I'm half French, half English - for such close countries they do have completely different architectural styles it's true. The one bad thing about France is that it's been much cheaper to bulldoze an old home and start again than it is to do up an old house which is such a shame (not just costs but land taxes etc).
You'd love Scotland. There are some gorgeous castles up there, just don't follow signs advertising a 'castle' without researching first as their definition seems to apply to any old house with more than 3 bedrooms! I am now going to google Biedermaier and Jugend...

[sandymdh]

On the Miami theme I was feeling inspired by these:
http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/zz253/sandymdh/Musicians_Apartments_Miami_Edit.jpg
http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/zz253/sandymdh/images2.jpg
both as apartments.

[Riptide651]

Well something that looks like a chateau, lets put it that way.

Also I'm also considering transferring our blog to blogger because it only based off of a link so our main site can stay on wix, and when you click the blogs and reviews tab, it takes you to blogger.

[Volvenom]

haha :)

If it works better I'm all for it.

Biedermeyer and Jugend is german titles. Jugend is somewhere in the nabourhood of Art Nouveau I think. On the continent it just flows back and forth. Influences goes in all directions. Biedermeyer is more Empire kind of.

Sandy I've seen lots of castle's in France, or Chateau's as Riptide calls them. I always follow guidebooks lol

[Riptide651]

Well i do too. I was thinking tons of fountains, gardens (gardening tutorial?), a large 3 story house. rectangular with out jets, and vertically oriented with turrets (square kind)

[Volvenom]

If it's square you want, I already have a shell. It's ready made with a basement, grand hall and grand staircase. I would find a strange medieval more appealing at the moment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hosonx3jm04

... and I'm building now :) Are you gonna build? ... or do you want to decorate mine?

We could of course have an article of different kinds of Castle builds?

Edit: I was just thinking about that game where you send off an unfinished drawing. We could all make a pieze of the castle, or perhaps a fortress would be a better word for what I'm doing now :) It's on a 50x50, at the moment you need WA for the staircases I use. I could easily replace those with some basegame though.

[Riptide651]

Well not so much of a square but rather a long, thin rectangle.

[Volvenom]

Like Palazzo Farnese (https://www.google.no/search?q=palazzo+farnese+rome&hl=no&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=I26ZT8LqPKL_4QSeoKzFBg&ved=0CH4QsAQ&biw=1152&bih=739) in Rome? You will never get this one up on MTS, I can tell you that much ... unless you do as I did with the Villa from Pompeii. Made THAT villa.

It's style is "High Renaissance" btw. The problem with many of these palaces either in Rome or France, they are square and you know what MTS thinks about that. Well then what do you do when Renaissance is one of the most used and most highly regarded palace styles in the western world?

If I'm gonna be useful, what about Cheverny (https://www.google.no/search?q=cheverny+loire+valley&hl=no&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=VoGZT_WFEobJsgawwtnAAQ&ved=0CIABELAE&biw=1152&bih=739) ? It's less square, rectangular more Sims3 friendly. In this search I get some Chambord too with it's round towers.

[sandymdh]

I just don't post my stuff on MTS any more. Firstly, over 2 1/2 yrs they rejected 3 lots. I then got an message saying that if they reject another one I won't be able to upload here any more which I found quite rude. They seem to have issues with anything a bit different (the last lot that was rejected was a gatehouse- they had issues with the shape and upstairs room which they said shouldn't be there when I based the whole thing off a real house - who knows best)? The whole upload process here is a real pain anyway. Yes uploading to MTS is good advertising but it's not the end of the world if they don't like it either.

[Volvenom]

So even 3 rejected lots? Then I must be close. I only attempt on easy lots here usually. Unless it's a close copy, like the Pompeii Villa. If you made it real close you should have used the original house for all it's worth.

They can be real rude, totally agree on that. My last SciFi House was bad architecture apparently. I could have posted what they said on my blog almost regret I didn't, I sometimes do in my thread though.

If I did post it on my blog, 300 viewers would see it every day. I feel sorry for them already. Armiel asked if their was a limit to people's imagination? Probably to hers lol.

On the side ... I wonder what happened to hudy777's roman bath for the ancient theme? She must have given it up, that was a LOT of work she had infront of her.

[sandymdh]

It was a ratio thing as I've only had 3 lots accepted before but they counted 2 from when I very first started building lol. I posted a photo of the real house (which is my brother's so I've been inside it too) along with my upload but they still weren't happy.
Yes the limit to imagination comment was on my Mars thread I think. I use the Creator Feedback Forum for comments and help/advice but I wouldn't post my world here. Devil's Canyon was on my blog. It had quite a lot of cc as it was heavily themed and I knew they'd reject it anyway.
I don't think there's a limit to their imagination as such but they just like what they like. Personal opinion shouldn't really affect whether a lot is accepted or not if it is good enough but it does. There are bound to be others out there who like sci fi, western, historical etc. Anyway I digress...

We need to make a decision about themes and concentrate on builds/articles for the magazine. Summer to me could include a theme like Miami, or coastal builds (maybe New England style) or Mediterranean?
The chateaus don't really reflect a season so they could fit in too.
Other opinions please...

[Volvenom]

On the world thing. Armiel actually wrote in her thread that she had sent her world to creator issues for moderation. Then later in the thread on the world she wrote about removing files she didn't even know was there ... I don't know how uploading a world goes here ... I just thinks it sounds a bit odd, what about Custard ? I think most of the worlds in the feedback thread will never end up here. Except for perhaps Ouerbacker, if he can be bothered with all the back and forth.

Yes, on this magazine thing. I don't really know about summer. Up here that could be a mountain retreat perhaps. A hunting lodge or something? A sea or beach is so obvious kind of ...

[Riptide651]

I had a 9:4 rejection ratio so they put me on restriction under the following guidelines:

"As of right now, do NOT upload more than one thing at a time or you will immediately be put on restriction. Your approval/reject ratio is 4:9. All of your lots MUST make use of CFF first, else you will be put on upload restriction. If you have more than one upload in the queue, you will be put on upload restriction and unable to upload at all." (MTS.com)

Which, although i believe their decision in fair, they didn't have to hail on my parade rather than rain on it.

I'm really hoping my world will be the ticket that will fix that though.

About the chateau, I was thinking this: http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Travel/Pix/pictures/2008/03/03/CHateaudeBourron1.jpg

For a mountain retreat or an alpine ski lodge, I am working on one, we could use the type of building for a winter issue, we do have one thats going to be released in January.

Also, I feel a Mod Group is in order so that sandymdh and I can work without restriction and so that we can upload it as a site, rather than as separate people, plus it will be accredited in our downloads and in our thanks numbers.

[Volvenom]

haha, that's just ridiculous, and why did you post on my blog? You can't be offended if you do that? Do you want me to remove your comment?

It's almost 2 at night here, going to bed :)

[Riptide651]

Go ahead, remove it. But really?

[The Lot Review]

For I have been amazing enough to make a Mod Group for us to upload our houses in.....

- Riptide651

[The Lot Review]

I have been just trying to

[The Lot Review]

Build up posts to

[The Lot Review]

Enable an avatar

[The Lot Review]

So we can get this thing started, and I'll

[The Lot Review]

register the mod group in a second...

[Volvenom]

I posted this: "He didn’t use those terms of course, being an American."

It's very light and polite. After all I said here "the french would kill you if you called their houses victorian". I don't think that is very hard. You have different names and come to Europe with those titles and Europeans are offended. We talk like that inside Europe actually. All people's of Europe have their things, like those proud and snobby french. Lets see if Sandy is offended when I say that? I wouldn't write it like that in the blog though :)

A mod group ... yea well I upload most of my houses on TSR actually, but I do upload some on 4shared. But frankly do you really want to credit the group? Don't you want the credit yourself.

[sandymdh]

I think the terms used by the English against the French are worse lol - 'surrender monkeys' for one. I think the French joke about the Belgians, the English joke about the Irish - in that respect do American's joke about the Canadians? Probably. We all have to live with stereotypes and it doesn't bother me as they're just generalisations and I think most people realise that.
Perhaps because of the histories between the UK and US I don't think we'd be offended by any historical mistakes and I would imagine that Riptide could equally have meant 'Victorian' as an indicator of a period of time rather than a building style. For this argument I am Swiss and backing away slowly lol...

[Volvenom]

haha, yea I don't have a clue about when the victorian period was. For that sake I'm not even sure when the French King of the sun Louis Seize lived either. It's all so much to keep track of, and I don't really expect the american's to keep a track on it all, but I can still have fun with it :)

Oh yea, and very well said Sandy. Just what I wanted to say, but never did :)

[Riptide651]

Thats... Thats kind of what I meant.. I was just typing quickly and could find the words for it.

Well if you upload a house as a mod group it also shows up under your profile too. Plus you could always write by who it was in the post.

[Volvenom]

That's true, so basically like any other site.

1. If there's something wrong with the file. There is perhaps an arguement, or the creator has left. The changes required will not be fixed for different reasons ... or you fix them and the creator doesn't agree on the changes made.

2. the creator choose to go somewhere else and want to have their creations with them.

Then what do you do?

[sandymdh]

None of that really bothers me. I don't chop and change where my stuff is anyway. Even if I Ieft the group I'd leave things on MTS.
I think you'd have to see anything you make as belonging to the group and I'm OK with that. Obviously if someone wanted to make changes they should get permission from the creator first.
That's my perspective on it anyway.

[Riptide651]

I'm not really one to get excessively angry, plus if I do happen to leave: I set everybody up as admin so you have the same access and privileges as me, and you can edit me out of the site, you all have access to the same material as I do, plus you are all computer-savvy enough to work on it yourselves. Also I remembered today I forgot to tell you the login info for the mod group account, and I din't have access to MTS so I emailed it to your TLR emails.

[Riptide651]

Sorry about the double post, but later on, I got this brilliant Idea.

How bout we make a normal/unique house, then make radically different versions of it, and call it an ever evolving house.

[Volvenom]

That would be the same as all those competitions I can attend on youtube, but I download the house and then have to force myself to finish it.

[sandymdh]

Would it be more decor orientated or would you change the exterior too? Lol I do similar contests on the EA site just to win free simpoints.

[Riptide651]

Just everything.

[Volvenom]

I just found out I had 600 gb of live recordings from sims on my pc. I didn't think it would be that much so easily. I have also downloaded Opera, so I don't need to mess with my main blog and facebook and stuff.

I'm a bit empty at the moment. Don't know what to do. Perhaps I could download some of those kitchens on TSR? There is some modern kitchens there, would be nice to review something I haven't tried before perhaps.

[Riptide651]

Well volvenom could be our CC correspondent.... Considering thats what she's leaning for in the above post.

[Volvenom]

You can do it too if you want. Frankly it's what I'm most interested in. If I'm gonna review some houses it has to be either some of my youtube friends or a modern lot on TSR, something modern and complicated.

[Volvenom]

Another thing is the background image at the blogpage. Have you just enlarged it? It's just too blurry. Can we just go for something simple and business like? I don't wanna keep tweaking at this appearence forever.

[Riptide651]

I enlarged it when we first launched it, I can replace it with something even higher resolution though, if you want.

[Volvenom]

I don't know. I just want to make is simple only one color. You may not agree with me though.

[Riptide651]

Feel free to edit it, you have admin abilites.

[Volvenom]

yea lol, so much to do ... :) and my theme provider on my blog got hacked too. What is it with these guys?

[Riptide651]

Wait what?!

[Volvenom]

Yes, woothemes ...

Apparently they had a weekness in their framwork. I'm waiting for an update.

What about this highrise? I'm curious as to how it works but I don't have master suite: http://www.thesimsresource.com/downloads/details/category/sims3-lots-residential/title/evanston-towers--1-bd-2-bth/id/1144992/

It's only selected artist, so it's free.

[Riptide651]

Interesting, i you don't want to review it, I'll go ahead and do that later today.

The only thing that would make that better are tinted windows.

[Riptide651]

What happened? When did this die out?

I am posting two new reviews to make up for the lack of them :( We should also get to work on the magazine.

[Volvenom]

Sandy has been working on the ArtDeco house, I sent Zandvoort a message about the lot from zveki how that's going, and I'm gonna start on these building sets (http://www.thesimsresource.com/downloads/browse/category/sims3-sets/search/matomibotaki/page/2/cnt/152/) by matomibotaki.

They look a lot like Luna's, and I'm curious as to how it does compared to him.

About the magazine, I find it difficult writing about anything deep on building and decoration. I don't think I have the needed expressions and education to do it. I could try out demancorp, I'm curious as to if he's still around. I have also tried some more stuff since last time, so I could give it a try.

Frankly I'm not sure it is realistic for Ouerbacker to be involved. The way he works on 2 worlds and all the messages he gets. He's just way to popular. If he's gonna do anything it probably have to be something he does in his own world all the time.

I'm gonna try'n do the review in Garden of Shadow's Glendalough. It's very dark though, but I like the spooky carachter of the world.

Edit: LOL, I have to do some changes to Luna's grades. They have to go up. Matomibotaki may seem better, but it's a bit of a waste when a pieze looking like half a gate, can't be used as a gate.

[Riptide651]

Feel free to change them, plus Ouerbacker's popularity can serve us well, that means more site traffic, even if he doesn't do anything. It would be nice to have him as our world correspondent as only for the magazines, so that is not much work.

You seem to be more centered around build sets, so you can concentrate on just that if you'd like, in fact the Kriss's Asarina Build Set is good, also TSR has some skylights, that would be interesting, for sloped roofs.

I start working on the template for the magazine and work on getting guest articles.

[Volvenom]

Sounds good. We can keep Ouerbacker on np.

Zandvoort now says he don't want lots of CC in his game, so I'll have to do the review myself. Unless you would like to do it?

I have posted my review. Matomibotaki had to end up with less points, I just kept Luna's points. Perhaps I'm a bit harsh on the grades?

[Riptide651]

A little, I agree with all of the other grades, other than CASTabillity, which should be a 10/10 unless the object is uncastable or the footprint is done incorrectly so that it stretches the textures.

I'm sorry, but I can't review it, simply because I am up to my neck in work, with the magazine, I'm working on my world, I have a ton of tests, mother's day is coming up, plus I just joined an Epsilon Program research group to try and figure out the Program in GTA:SA

[Volvenom]

I don't really know much about casting other then use. The point about castability on these objects is they do stretch strangely at least on Luna's. I may be a bit to hard on that though. Another thing when you use an object is horizontal and vertical. To make it look good it has to look natural.

Edit: I did some updates on the grades.

... and btw zveki's Egyptian House is a wopping 214 mb rar file :))

[Johnny_Bravo]

I'm sorry that I can't do anything ATM, I'm pretty busy with school (Exams) and my job, I think it will be OK in a few weeks.

[Volvenom]

I'm missing some pieces on zveki's house, I sent him a message. The review will have to wait.

[Volvenom]

I knew this review could be interesting. The house has no stove and the staircase is nothing but trouble. It's the one with a landing by Gosik/Inge Jones. I thought I would use that one in a house of mine, so I'm just messing around with it LOL. That's how it is with many of these great houses on youtube, they don't playtest them, and they don't work :)