Fixing the website

My job is to create the homepage template. At first I was really nervous because it seemed like it was going to be really difficult. After having class, it really helped me because I asked a lot of questions that helped me understand how to remake the page. As far as now, I have done the theme and layout as well as the navigation bars. I think it will still be a little difficult as I try to do more things because the page can't do exactly what I want to because you cant do things exactly the same on google sites.

Google Sites

Google sites seemed a little intimidating at first. After signing in, I clicked on create site, and I just filled out the information so I could see what came next. Google sites seems like it will be easy for me to navigate for the most part and if I need help anything, either I will try to figure it out myself, or I will search around the site for help. I think I will be ok with google sites pertaining to this project.

My level of technological experience is just from previous experiences. If I know how to do something on a computer, it's probably because I have done it before, or someone has taught me how to do it. I wouldn't say I'm computer savy, but I also wouldn't say I am completely clueless when it comes to technology.If I have enought time, I can usually figure out how to do something if I need to.

Websites

good website:
http://www.nytimes.com/
This website works because it has all of the criteria from the chapter. There are different links, small pictures, navigation tools and coordinated color and font on the page-just to name a few.

bad website:
http://www.msy.com.au/
This website is the perfect example of a bad one. Nothing is organized and colors are thrown everywhere. When I first look at the website, the whole thing hurts my eyes. There is only one page, and all the navigation tools are hiding in the center and you have to click on them.

Palmquist Chapter 17

After reading this article, I did not realize how much time and effort went into design a webpage. I also didn't realize that websites I look at may be categorized under different websites like informative websites or newspapers. Those 2 kinds of websites seem to be closely related to me. The chapter then brought up informational flags, which is where you roll your mouse over the link and a new window pops up over the old one. I havn't seen a lot of informational flags on websites, but when I do I find them very easy and helpful. It's annoying when you click on a link and you go to an entirely new page, and then you start to have a lot of windows open from one website.
I was suprprised to find out that websites usually follow 1 of the 3 organizational structures -hierarchical,linear and interlinked. Each offers thier own style and serves a different purpose for the website you are attempting to create.

Potential entries

1. Sleep:
Crowne Plaza Hotel- This is on the Framingham/ Natick border. It is on route 9 along with all of the stores called the "Golden Mile"

2. Eat:
The Melting Pot- Located on route 9 as well. This restaurant is amazing. It is your own personal fondue menu and your own fondue for dinner.

3. See:
Bowditch Field- You can access this through route 126 or route 9. It is an amazing football field including a track, basketball courts, tennis courts, and a baseball field to top it off.

Wikitravel Tips

Manual of Style: 3 tips important to Wikitravelers:

1. Internal links in wikitravel- these are links to other articles in wikitravel. This could be helpful in wanting to know more or different information on the article you are viewing.

2. Know how the page is set up. There are headings and the text follows. Sometimes the information can be a little much or even the flow of it so check the headings and subheadings first to know what the writing is about.

3. Be open minded. There are different templates for different articles on topics. Make sure the article you want is in the correct template format or else it could be a little confusing.

Wikitravel

1. MASS- My hometown
2. Europe- Ireland
3. Kingston/ around URI-URI


I think for the most part I would like to add to an already existing itinerary just to add my own detail. Once I go further into researching the area I want to write about, if I find that there is no a lot of information on it, then I will create a new itinerary. Any of those 3 choices will add value to what already exists because I will tell them stories and personal experiences about many places. I will also talk about a few unknown places as well as a little insight.

Exploring Wikitravel

I had never even heard of wikitravel until this assignment. It is similar to wikipedia but instead of being an online encyclopedia it is an online travel guide written by many people. I can't believe that it was created in 2003 and within these past 6 years I have not heard anything about it. I find it humorous that there is actually a page with wikitravel's purposes on it saying who the website is targeted for. It just seems a little bit unprofessional to me. Then again, wikitravel is for the viewers and is written by the viewers so I guess it makes sense. I did enjoy the welcome newcomers page though because I am a newcomer to wikitravel and I feel that the welcome page is necessary to help people understand the point of wikitravel and how to work it.