Google Sites

I don't like Google sites. I can't edit the html of the side bar. However, I do think that it will suffice to create a generic, better organized replacement template for the group project though. I noticed that where one can edit html is in the body of a page. I would like to edit more than the body. Geocities is gone, but angelfire/lycos/tripod still offers free web hosting. Since I don't need a program to help me design a page, I think I won't use one, if that does not conflict with a goal of the course. Microsoft Word web designer may be easier for some than google sites. Google sites may be nice for someone who doesn't know anything about web design, but for those who have some technical know-how, Google sites isn't suitable; it's like an adult playing T-Ball.

Thumbs up, thumbs down.

A page that is an example of too many digital illustrations is http://www.bubblebox.com the site exists to provide the "reader" with free games, but there are so many elements that it's difficult to make sense. The navigation is simple and clear enough: there are tabs at the top that link to games of a given genre, but once you're on a page, it's very difficult to make sense of it. It's difficult to describe in text because so much is going on. Once you click on a genre and click on a game (if you can find it,) it's again a challenge to play the game to the right side of the page is an ad, and below the ad is a link to play the game. Far too much promotion on this site to make ends make sense, but that's what happens when you're trying to keep games free I guess.

A better page with organization is http://www.ebaumsworld.com. This site is much like a blog. The left has links to different medias, and the main page is like a blog, with links of the most recently added items descending in time. Clicking on a link will take you to a page with the media on it (keeping the links on the left) and will also have information on the contributor to the right, should one wish to contact this person.

Key points of Palmquist ch 17

This chapter was well organized and concise. The points that seemed key to me were web design structures and "elements."

The structures are put simply as: linear, hierarchical, and interlinked. Most websites do employ a mixture of these, as is stated, with the top pages interlinked and relevant pages linked hierarchically. Something the author left out of linear organization is that pages of linear organization almost always include a back to home or back to first page link.

The elements are links, informational flags, pop-up windows, and digital illustrations. The author makes sure to note that too many digital illustrations can cause problems for a reader because of connection; however web browser is also a common problem for digital illustrations. The author also states that pop-up windows and informational flags can be created using Microsoft word, front page or Dreamweaver, when they can also be done strictly with html. That seems biased to me. I am a fan of pop-up windows, I hate when the page I'm on becomes occupied with a different page, especially when the different page is from a different site.

The author offers some good tips at the end, like consistency in design and the fact that many readers won't bother to scroll down the page.

Wikitravel Reflection #2

Anderson, being the sort of town it is, offers very little to attract tourism. I added information on local spots into its wikitravel page and it just goes to show that there is not much to do in Anderson but eat. Even then, the most popular places to go, for a cafe type setting, are Perkins and Waffle House, both chains. I decided not to put chains into the wikitravel page. I didn't read anything specific against putting chains into wikitravel, but the spirit that impresses me from the site does not imply that information on chains is worthwhile. Although, it says something about Anderson, all the same, that information on chains informs the attractions of Anderson.

Wikitravel Reflection #1

The topic of this reflection is the lack of interesting things in Anderson. It's kind of funny that I'm trying to make this city a travel destination, when in actuality it suffers from post-industralization depression as truely as it can. Almost everyone who lived there was employed by factories, and within the last 20 years the factories keep going under. Friends of mine in Anderson, locals, were saying three years ago that the economy was heading for a crash; this idea enforced by signal flares like the 40 year old Ford factory going under. On the flipside, as a possible tourist attraction, a Nesquik factory went in, and constructed a 30 foot tall, illuminated Nesquik rabbit.

Wikitravel

3 tips from wiki style:

1. "If all this stuff makes your head swim, and you don't want to bother with it, by all means plunge forward and just start sharing your knowledge. Other Wikitravellers will come through and bring your contributions more in line with the style guide."

It's good to know that if a novice contributor makes a mistake, that it's not the end of the world. This also indicates that wikitravel is an information ecology: everyone works together with the technology to make sure the information gets conveyed.

2. "Don't tout - describe, don't push"

This is good to keep in mind. A writer in this medium should not try to force a reader to go to any specific place, even if the writer really loves it. It's not a persuasive area.

3. It also brought up not to use HTML, for certain reasons. The wiki markup is a pretty expedient language though. It's been boiled down so that it's easier to manage and to learn. Except for tables, wikimarkup doesn't have a good tables function. So HTML is okay there. But the manual of style also says "Any other exceptions should be made with extreme prejudice" and I don't know what that means, but it's safe to assume that if one puts html in an article that it will be removed.


Sample entries:
1. ==Get In==
The [http://www.indianapolisairport.com/ Indianapolis International Airport] is one hour South-East of Anderson.

2. *'''Lemon Drop''' 1701 Mounds Rd, Anderson ''1+765''644-9055. An old-fashion burger joint, cozy and comfortable. Visitors remember the bright yellow paint, the toy train running around the ceiling, the burgers on toast (they do have buns though), and the great prices.

3. *'''29th Street Cafe''' 2904 Columbus Ave, Anderson ''1+765''649-1238. If you would like a taste of pure Anderson, try the 29th Street Cafe, located in the heart of Anderson's lovely downtown area. Traditional diner food with a have-it-your-way attitude. You'll remember the patrons and the help, and their down to earth attitude.

3 Destinations

Denver,
Grenoble,
and South County.

Grenoble already has a lot written on it. So that's a no go.
Same with South County.
But Denver has a very small amount written about it. I haven't been there for a while and I was younger at the time, but I remember some things worth mentioning. For example, everyone who goes to Denver goes to the 16th st. Mall. It's a long road with electric buses running in the middle (not many cars) and tons of shopping. It's the Champs-Élysées of Denver. I also remember a cafe I went to sometimes that had open mics but I can't remember where it was. Is it okay to contact a friend back there for information? I'll probably ask this in class.

Wikitravel spotlight: Grenoble

I like this travel wiki. I especially like how sensibly it's laid out: Get In, Get Around, See, Do, Learn, Buy, Eat, Drink, Sleep, Stay Safe, Get Out. It's fantastic, everything you would need to know. I was in Grenoble for three months last year and it mentioned great places I had frequented. La Table Ronde (the second to oldest cafe in France) La Fondue (the best fondue place I've ever been) and the shops at la place Victor Hugo (where you find tons of awesome boutiques to shop at). Obviously more can be said about the city, but giving it all away would rob it of its charm, disallow discovery, and direct unnecessary attention to hole-in-the-wall places. As an overview it was very excellent. Even in the "Stay Safe" portion it mentions a bad part of town. There was another to the north that I was told to stay out of, but I can't remember its exact location, nor its name, so I would not amend this wiki.