>The theme looks pretty good, though the skyscraper ad and Entrecard look like sore thumbs.

Entrecard is traffic. AdSense is covering hole. I'll think about it.

>The subscription area is not prominent enough

Noted again. I will get logo soon and think about do I need mascot as well.

>Add a popular posts list

Noted again. Seems like most really expect to see it.

>You seem to get quite a few comments – why not add author highlighting?

Good one, will do that.

>For the sake of SEO, I would recommend removing tags, tag clouds and category links

They are filtered in robots.txt

>The Skribit page doesn’t have any suggestions – the link after post doesn’t exactly seem ideal.

I know, I know… Need new widget and will lose links when it is out.

>Bookmark links work better immediately after the post

Noted again, will move it.

>The footer is almost non-existant

Noted again, seems like expectations of footer are increasing.

>The theme is all black – throw in some colors there

I like monochromatic looks, makes easier to test stuff and draw attention to needed parts as well. Overall it's first theme and polygon for tweaks. I will probably form list of stuff I need and buy or order theme I exactly need in the future.

>I really liked the “software updates” section

Yeah, it's self-published so I have total control over it. Need to redo is so it shows link to my posts together with download links.

>The content is good – I’ve already subscribed

Thanks.

>Perhaps, you need to write more on ‘hot’ topics and resources

I am figuring my own style so far. I have software/services review posts, quick overviews of blogs/sites and long post with my thoughts. Rest is filler and experiments. I post daily so I have plenty of space to play in. It will get more consisten and balanced overtime (I hope).

Last day of reviewing for me! I am deciding and sending Kevin winners this evening (in 6 hours) so if someone is still thinking about taking part – hurry up.

The subscription area is not prominent enough – maybe add it as a separate box with a background/mascot (mascots can be bought for very low prices from stock art sites).

Add a popular posts list so that we can start browsing without searching around much.

You seem to get quite a few comments – why not add author highlighting? Right now, I have to text-search your name to get to your comments.

For the sake of SEO, I would recommend removing tags, tag clouds and category links – they only increase page bloat and reduce link equity (hint, hint, Kevin!).

The Skribit page doesn't have any suggestions – the link after post doesn't exactly seem ideal.

Bookmark links work better immediately after the post, so that the reader would have already decided whether the content is bookmark-worthy.

The footer is almost non-existant – perhaps add an about-section and a short blurb about you (with link to your about page) and social media profile links (fans on Digg/SU is always good ) – I did it with the latest redesign of my blog (click my link).

The theme is all black – throw in some colors there (though it is easier to mess up, so do lots of testing, including showing your design around to good friends for suggestions).

I really liked the "software updates" section – something I have not seen often. The content is good – I've already subscribed

Perhaps, you need to write more on 'hot' topics and resources – regular content doesn't always get you enough new readers regularly. It depends on your own style, of course. I would write a couple of resource posts every month – so that it doesn't dominate your posts.

1. Noted again. As I said above I put some manually sometimes. Will search for fitting plugin.

2. Have separate static page for those… I'll link to it in sidebar… Or get main one there and link to page for the rest.

3. Noted. Will work on its looks.

4. I have one, its disabled at moment. Nothing I really have/want to show there.

5. Value of recent comments is questionable. I know it's pretty common but I tend to agree with people that consider it sidebar junk.

6. I wanted to show it when its over 200… Will try to put it up and see effect.

1. Not huge fan of smileys. It's good when you can have set designed exactly to fit but generic ones usually break text looks.

2. I have AddThis link on top of post. Will consider moving it to bottom (and making more obvious).

1. Noted. Not that I think that average user has a clue about XML sitemap but archives may indeed work better.

2. Two more spot to fill (assuming nav takes one). I'll get to it after I finalize my sidebar.

1) Popular Posts section.

2) Social Media Profile links.

3) Make 'Tag Cloud' with width same as recent posts is having. It will give a better evenly spread cloud tag. Enhance it more by customizing the CSS. At present it seems a bit dull.

4) Consider creating a 125×125 Ad section. Make sure to create a dedicated advertise page in navigation menu, if you create ad section in sidebar.

5) Recent comments section can also be added.

6) If subscriber count is in at least 3 figures, consider displaying the feed count chicklet in sidebar.

For Static Post Pages:

1) Consider using the smilies plugin for commenting system, like Kevin has for his blog. It makes the conversation more real and interactive.

2) Consider creating a bookmarking section at the end of post body.

Miscellaneous:

1) Consider changing the name of top navigation link from 'Sitemap' to 'Archives'. An average reader confuses it with XML file link.

2) Consider creating a 3 column footer like problogger has. Can place some interesting stuff in it. Will also make theme's overall look more attractive.

Hm, never saw it as play symbol. Noted, I'll look for something to replace it with.

1. Skribit widget is 300Kb. Too heavy, waiting for new version.

2. Huh? http://www.rarst.net/sitemap/
3. I am always including tag that is same as category. So if I display both categories and tag cloud – it's doubled. Top of tag cloud is equal to my categories.

4. Noted again. Really have to work on those.

5. Noted again. I may be convinced to work on that.

6. Hmm.. Blends too well probably. Noted.

7. Entrecard stays for now. It's not perfect but it works – better than nothing.

8. Really?.. Seems like Internet is totally missing that piece of wisdom. I'll consider it.

9. Noted again.

10. I think 5 is comfortable for quick overview… Maybe I should try 6-8.

I know sidebar is short at moment (I tweak it all the time). More interested in what should I put there than fact that it has space to use.

Anyone looking at static pages? Not sure I got them right.

1) That green frog Skribit icon should be changed into full Skribit widget in sidebar.

2) Archives page missing.

3) Categories section is missing.

4) Navigation links in header should be more brighter and highlighted.

5) Email subscription box should be on every page.

6) The search box on top right is almost invisible.

7) Peel off EntreCard widget, occupying the premium space. Kevin knows better than me, about EntreCard performance and benefits.
Adsense text ads on home page doesn't give professional look and feel. Leave them for individual post pages.

9) Create a Logo for header.

10) Increase the post excerpts count to 10 on home page, and populate the sidebar with some more stuff. The more excerpts on home page, the more it will help in reducing the bounce rate.

10 points of $1 each

what needs to be done so that you also review my blog ?

>I would put the rss button and rss email subscriber form at the place where recent posts are now shown as its the best spot to place it

I know that I got most of my subscribers from links under posts – they work very well. When I only had links in sidebar getting subscribers was very slow.

I have a post on it with my experience and reasoning
http://www.rarst.net/web/rss-icon-placement/

So sidebar subscription links are low priority for me.

>sidebar seems pretty empty, you might want to put in a recommended posts, popular posts and more

I put up links to featured posts (above recent ones) from time to time. I am going to automate it but hadn't selected good plugin for that yet.

Noted about sidebar feeling empty. I'll think about what to add. I am also going to redo software updates part so it is going to be bigger and with links to post as well.

>And you might want to try link units for ads. on top.

You mean those from adsense? I know about them, but advertisement is low priority at moment. I mostly work on content and theme tweaking.