The New Ring Of Wire Rating and Review System

.Ring Of Wire Review and Rating System

The Network Score
(Seen in a review as follows)
Overall Rating ???/??? Name Value (see below)

The Sections:
Each Section is worth 20 points. The total of all the sections is the value of the review+rating.
These sections are subject to change over time, until we have them stabilized. However, as the Ring Of Wire evolves, and based on feed back from members, some may be added, removed or changed. In future this may even by dynamic and the ratings will be automatically added. Most sections are interlocked in terms of their data. Some sections are completely independent.

Overall Rating ???/??? points (Rating Term) (see below)
-After all the rating are complete, and all the points are added, this is the overall score and rating term. This section depends on all the others, and cannot be determined independently. Since the sections are yet to be completely determined we will use the score percentage.

Use of Language editor:
-This is based on how well you have used Ning's language editor to modify and/or improve your network. It has little to do with translation. For example, your score will be lower if you used the language editor in a way that is pointlessly confusing to users. However if it is used to make your network stand out, it will be much higher.

??/20

Use of Ning Stock/Vanilla Features:
-This section is based on the networks usage of Ning's stock features. This is also called "vanilla" Ning, i.e., Ning without the use of external widgets or large amounts of change to the original source code. This section is independent of other sections, so for example, if you use widgets from meebo, that will not affect this score.

??/20

Use of Themes
-This section is dependent on how well themes are used on the network in question. It is based as much on cleanness and practicality as it is on just looking good. A good theme can be the difference between a ghost town and a viral network.

??/20

"Feel Good Factor"+Energy+Atmosphere
-This section needs little explanation. The key to any good network is quite simple. It needs a high "feel good factor", lots of positive energy, and an appropriate atmosphere. So this section works by taking these three into consideration, and each one can increase or decrease your score. There is no sub-score here.

??/20

Uniqueness:
-How unique is this network? Do the network creator and/or the members/administrators make the network standout? Finally, do the themes, atmosphere, features, etc stand out in a crowd of other networks? These are the questions to ask when using this section.

??/20

Ease of Use:
-This section is linked to almost every other. Put simply, how easy is it, taking into account the limitations of the Ning platform, for a clueless user to jump in and get going on your network. This section in a sense uses sub-scoring to help make up a full score.

?/5 -What is done to make it easier than Ning is by default, if any?
?/5 -Can new users find help easily?
?/5 -Is the network more difficult than vanilla Ning?
?/5 -Are the non default (Chocolate Chip) features as easy to use as the Vanilla features?

??/20

Friendliness:
-Don't shout at your members, or you won't score big here. This section can affect many others, so a good score here can improve your score in other sections!

??/20

Rating Terms
There are 5 terms that will use in Reviews and Ratings. These are based on the percentage calculated after the score is tallied.

They are, highest to lowest:
Hyper
    -A score between 90 and 100
Uber
    -A score below 90, but anywhere from 75 to 90
Kule
    -Between 60 and 74
Working
    -Below 60, but above or exactly 45; probably a new, incomplete network.
Trying
    -Below 45; This network probably needs our help. Instead of a negative reaction, let us help, if our help will be accepted.

Non Scoring Sections (Review and Listing Purposes Only)

Created by:
-Who created the network.

Listed On Ring Of Wire:
-Is the network listed by us?

Values include:

Yes
No
Pending

This network is to be added to the Ring Of Wire

Dynamic Change Rate:
-How often does the network change it's look and feel, features, and major areas that can throw off or improve the network's rating. This includes your themes, tab arrangement, etc. All of these values can be preceded by "+", "-" or "+/-", indicating that the value is not exact/precise.

Values include *NB, any thing in brackets is only a note, and not a part of the value:

Non Existent (Dead)

This is only for inactive networks

None (This can be good)

Such a network has stabilized to a point where such change is unnecessary. This does not apply to inactive networks. Some times though, this rating can be bad; for example, if your network is not taking users into consideration?

Rare

Change is not necessary too often, and so is rare.

Stable (Generally the best rating to have)

Change occurs where needed, but is not done without reason. However, the network's changes are not stagnant.

"Algorithm" (Can be bad)

Changes with users' input. This can be good, but if you do it too much, it can be a bad thing. Best to stabilize on something that fits all. Usually, the reviewer will use "+/-", as such a value is usually highly variable.

Constant

Change is a river here. This value should be used where change makes the network's heart beat.

Variable

A mixture of many. Could be one way today, another tomorrow. Not linked to user input though. This value should be avoided by a network creator!

Disturbing (you do not want this)

Frequent unnecessary change, without taking consideration for anything. Bad use of themes, bad use of features, variable atmosphere. Such a network would probably need a lot of help.