“London Lives” is the name of the website I decided to evaluate. The primary goal of this website is to allow users to follow the particular life paths of the working poor and Londoners involved in the criminal justice system. The website itself seeks to shed light on the lesser-known experiences of criminals, paupers, prostitutes, and highwaymen between the 1690s and the 1800s. It seeks to document the experiences of Londoners who have been impoverished or convicted of crime and polls their replies to demonstrate the extent to which ordinary Londoners have affected the speed and direction of social policy.
The material was delivered incredibly well and with as much variety and depth as possible through the website. One of the site’s great qualities, for example, is a large amount of content and documents that are made available. For example, there were genuine scans and proof of papers such as Criminal Records, Parish Archives, Coroners’ Records, and Hospital and Guild Records from years ago.
One of the most useful digital features of this website is its ability to make enormous amounts of material accessible and searchable, but what really drew my attention was its map function, which shows users the locations of the significant institutions whose records are featured on the website, such Old Bay Sessions, Carpenter’s Hall, and St. Thomas Hospital, to mention just a few. However, to enable readers to properly identify the pertinent institutions, I do believe that the website should have included a zoom capability on the photo of the map, similar to what they did with the documents.
I believe that the website is presented in a way that is accessible and clear to those with limited comprehension, even if the majority of the website was very straightforward to comprehend and explain in terms of the language used and the history of the “lives” of Londoners. The introductory materials, on the other hand, give the context needed to understand the available information. This website, in my opinion, is more suited for a scholarly group of people because reading the documents itself was a bit challenging to comprehend and were more extensive in nature, and so I do not believe this website is acceptable for a younger audience.
Furthermore, in terms of the visuals on the website, I believe that more could have been done to communicate the lives of Londoners. I believe that pictures/sketches of the Londoners themselves may have been used to appeal to the readers and provide them with a visual depiction of the people they are reading about.
In terms of content, I believe the material provided on the website is acceptable for the intended audience. However, I believe that several of the aspects on the website were jumbled and confusing, particularly the use of hyperlinks. Readers who are reading the webpage and clicking on the correct hyperlinks may lose track of what they are reading, making it extremely confusing. I found the extensive use of hyperlinks to be quite cumbersome and irritating. Instead, I believe that the website’s creators should have simply published as much summary information as possible on the page rather than referring users to external sites to see what they are attempting to transmit. Furthermore, I believe that the “introduction” element of the project should have been on the “home” section of the website rather than the final, to give the readers an idea of what the website is truly and genuinely about before delving deeper into it.
In addition, I can state that I appreciate the way the website is designed personally. It is quite professional and well done, and I believe it is appropriate for a scholarly audience. It’s simply a tidy site with a faultless appearance. I loved how they used ‘ancient’ appearing photographs for the top banner of each webpage, which matches well with the website’s color scheme. Additionally, it offered the reader a sense of immersion in the sixteenth through eighteenth centuries. “Human beings tend to associate elements that are produced in the same way—the same font, the same color, the same size, the same texture—and so a web designer must be careful to repeat certain design elements appropriately to make a point, or to maintain consistency across the many web pages of a single website,” according to (Tolette and Williams, 15). This was visible across the website, since the same font, size, and color were used constantly, lending the website a feeling of completeness and wholeness.
Moreover, although the site appears to be idle at the moment, I appreciate the idea that they used a “what’s new” area of the website to keep users up to speed on different updates to the website. Additionally, the LondonLives website did in fact follow Tollett and Williams’ advice that “proximity indicates a link between things on a page, therefore a caption or a subtitle has to be positioned close enough to an image or a text for a visitor to associate the two parts.” All photographs attached were correctly labeled and described, which was obvious evidence of this.
When it comes to navigating the website, the search options are clearly accessible and apparent. I particularly enjoy how, in addition to searching by keyword or reference number, the website features a name search option that allows you to look up the names of Londoners and get information about them, which is plainly impossible to accomplish in paper or even at a museum. Moreover, the site loads quickly, which is fantastic, and I did not see any typos or spelling difficulties on any of the pages; but, when perusing the website, I discovered that one of the Hyperlinks on the “the project” portion of the website was not working. Due to the difficulty in retrieving the webpage, the hyperlink on “economic and social research advice” did not function as it is intended too.
Overall, despite the small flaws on the website, I believe it is indeed great and extremely informative!
Content review: This website discusses Pirates in the Atlantic world, such as the famous pirate Blackbeard, female pirates, the pirate’s arsenal, life, gear etcetera. This website focuses on the diverse experiences of pirates and the people they interacted with. The website includes information about pirates from a variety of backgrounds and nationalities, and examines the ways in which they interacted with people from different cultures. This gives visitors a nuanced understanding of piracy and its impact on the Atlantic world.
Target Audience: The website is a fascinating resource for anyone interested in the history of piracy and its impact on the Atlantic world. The website is part of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History and provides a wealth of information about pirates, their lives, and their impact on the world.
Website Design: The website is well-designed and easy to navigate, with clear headings and well-organized sections. The content is presented in an engaging way, with plenty of images and videos that bring the subject matter to life. There are also interactive features, such as a virtual tour of a pirate ship, that allow visitors to explore the world of pirates in a more immersive way.
Overall, I would highly recommend this website to anyone interested in the history of piracy or the history of the Atlantic world more broadly. The website is a well-designed and engaging resource that provides a wealth of information and insights into this fascinating topic.
This website at first look is very basic and not very creative in design. However, the author of the website provided very simple ways of retrieving information, explaining the information in a way that the common citizens can understand and the website being generally user friendly. The basic design of the website, however, takes away from the information as it seems very unprofessional. However, further analysis of the website provided information that this website is from the early 2010’s where websites had this general design. However, to modern day standards I would consider this website mediocre with relevant information but poor visual and creative design.
Objectives of the Site:
“Let them Speak” is a website developed by the Digital Humanities Lab at Yale University and aims to facilitate and provide access to audio-visual interviews with survivors of the Holocaust. The project involves transcribing and publishing interviews with survivors of the Holocaust to make victims’ perspectives investigable and tangible for future generations. The site intends to provide future generations with these perspectives.
The Project Overview which is located on what seems to be the homepage of the project itself, “Let them Speak” is communicated well as it gives the reader a clear understanding of the site’s intention while reiterating the ‘overall goal’ in the last sentence of the Overview.
Upon exploration of this site, it is in my opinion that the site did not meet the objectives which they have listed. A user of this site would think to use the search function in the website to search for information related to the topic however, the search feature is broken. Upon trying to search for the word ‘silence’ as shown in the picture on their homepage, the same results aren’t obtained. Instead, the search yielded no results relating to the terms entered however produced one result for ‘DH Teaching Fellows”.
Audience:
The “Let them Speak’ site is clearly trying to target scholars and researchers as they claim to have a database with a lot of details which would clearly be designed for a scholar. However, this may not be the case as the database and search function is not functional. I believe that this website should undergo some construction in order to meet the expectations of their target audience.
Content:
After exploring the website, there is little to no content available on the topic at hand/the topic mentioned in the Overview of the site, this topic being “An Anthology of Holocaust Testimonies”. Instead of information relating to this, when a user hovers over the ‘About’ tab, the user is provided with options to view general information such as information about the Yale DH Lab and the team. Upon navigating to the ‘News and Events’ tab the user is provided with news that is yet again unrelated to the topic at hand. For example, I clicked on ‘Current News’ under the ‘News and Events’ tab and I was provided with a hyperlink to view the Spring 2023 DH Classes.
Therefore, it can be said that the information contained on this site is a bit more general to Yale’s DH Lab and not specific to the topic they are presenting. The content on this site does not meet the objectives stated in their overview and would be considered inappropriate for the target audience due to this.
Design:
The colour scheme used for this website is appropriate for the intended target audience – scholars. This colour scheme is appropriate as the colours used are very subtle and not distracting to the audience. The fonts used by this site is acceptable as it is one of the common fonts that are easy to read and understand and is not too extravagant. The colours used with respect to the fonts and background is also acceptable and easy to read as it follows the basic rule of website and PowerPoint creation/design, being ‘Light colours on dark backgrounds and dark colours on light backgrounds’.
The contact information is easily accessible as it is located to the bottom of the page in the footer as with most other websites. Links to their Twitter, Instagram and GitHub are conveniently located to the top right-hand side of their page and these are easily accessible should users need it.
Navigation:
On this website, there is an easily identifiable search area. However, it is difficult to use as it doesn’t provide results related to the search as mentioned above. The site is not easy to navigate at all. For example, after visiting the ‘Current News’ page under the ‘News and Events tab”, one would think that clicking on the Yale/DH Lab logo to the top right hand corner would take them back to the ‘Let them Speak’ homepage when instead it takes you to the homepage for Yale’s Digital Humanities Lab. Furthermore, the information on the page is not easily accessible as after exploring the webpage, I found no information relating to the topic. Lastly, the hyperlinks contained on the page are in fact working and are taking you to the page lined. For example, the hyperlink in the footer of the page for the office hours actually takes you to the page with the office hours.
Overall, “Let them Speak’ seems to be a great initiative to publish and transcribe interviews with survivors of the Holocaust to make victims’ perspectives investigable and tangible for future generations however, the website does need a lot of work in the area as it should be able to provide information on this easily as well as have a working search function.
REVIEW 1
In complete transparency, this website was not my only consideration for this review. However, out of all the websites I briefly skimmed when considering my selection, this particular one immediately caught my attention. Developed by Gavi Levy Haskell and Kayla Ships, this site was created by Yale University’s Digital Humanities Laboratory (DHLab) and the purpose of this website was to showcase a platform of resources and projects that were done by both staff and students of the university. However, a mere first glance of this site would not be a sufficient justification to determine whether this was a reputable source or not. According to Widmer (2017), a ‘good’ website should prioritize function and form with a clear purpose and visually easy navigation. Thus, the assessment of this website will be dissected into the following categories: layout and design, content and credibility, to determine whether this site could be considered to be ‘legitimate’.
Firstly, one of the main reasons why I even came back to review this site was because of the layout and design. Despite this being a subjective stance, I appreciate the simplicity of the initial homepage. Upon first glance there’s the website’s categories which goes as follows: ‘About, Opportunities, News & Events, Projects and Get Started.’ alongside their social media links. If you hover the key over one of these categories there will be a drop down box with additional sub-categories which further filter the information on the site. For me, this helped with the accessibility and flow of the site and how to find the relevant information I was searching for. Moreover, when scrolling to the bottom of the homepage, there was the CHLab’s Mission, Guiding Principles, Partners and Collaborators, A Brief History and the Team. Each of these subcategories were digestible to understand for the average reader. Truthfully, the content shouldn’t be the only thing that’s easily comprehensible but also the layout and design of the site (Widmer 2017). Personally, I’m not technologically versed in navigating the internet and far more for websites but considering that I could easily maneuver around this page without being confused or lost was very convenient and helpful. This is a fundamental aspect of assessment because websites like these, especially websites that delve into history have to be coherent to the average reader who may not be versed in historical content. Hence, with regards to layout and design this website does meet the criteria of accessibility and navigation for their users.
Secondly, there was the content. When it comes to content ‘about’ the website such as their history, team and mission statement, all of this and more was expounded on under the ‘About’ category. Although this is useful to read for credibility and background, the true essence of this digital history site falls under the ‘Projects’ category. This section had an array of projects that covered a variety of historical content done by both students and staff personnel. Truly this was the core of the site where all of the relevant historical documentation could have been easily found. Reiterating the first point of accessibility, not only were the projects categorized into subdivisions and titles, each of the individual posts were creatively executed and captivating to the eye. The owners of the projects utilized compelling artwork to highlight used for each portal. Additionally, there was a filter to the right-hand corner of the screen that could be used to refine the information either by ‘Topics’ or ‘Types’. The creators of these portals have truly succeeded in creating a digestible yet fascinating platform of documentation that could be navigated by nearly anyone. Sometimes, websites lack the essence of enchantment in their development. Usually, students like myself would merely use a website to extract information and simply never return again. However, this was one of the few instances where I find myself compelled to re-visit and explore the projects of this page and actually engage in its content for enjoyment and not just for academic purposes. Personally, the content of a website is the second most important thing to me as a consumer. Navigation and accessibility is one aspect of my critique but truly, as someone who’s studying Digital History, if I were to find a site geared towards my field of study, I’d not only want relevancy but also alluring content that will not only help me to learn but also have me excited to find out more.
Continuing on this criteria of ‘content’ when it comes to having a plethora of historical archives this website exceedingly covers a variety of topics to choose from. Under the ‘Projects’ category each component with a project title takes you through a portal that’s dedicated towards that said archive. There were also different ways in which the historical analysis and documentation was delivered via these projects. There was ‘Network, Web, Text, Spatial and Visual’ analysis of different archives. By delivering content in a variety of ways, this would reach a larger platform of audiences since there’s alternative avenues for users to read, watch or listen to historical content instead of relying on the basic textual analysis alone. Moving on from the ‘delivery’ of content, on this site alone there’s a range of historical content to view. There’s projects surrounding the Holocaust, Slavery, Migration, Linenage, Maps and Atlases, Historical Figures and much more. What’s different about this website is that it’s not centralized on one theme or topic but there is a diversification of topics to view and a variation of resources to use. This creates a lively collaboration of archival monuments, figures and events that keeps a user interested and engaged in the content. Also, some of the digital history projects that were on display were done by past students. This addition to the site created an enrichment of modern and interactive information that is relatable to likewise students. Projects like these are inspirational and resourceful for students who want to model their own websites or historical research and this was a new and insightful addition to the website. It’s minor details like this that truly propel this website above the rest when it comes to its content inclusivity and diversity of information.
Lastly, there’s the criteria of credibility. To determine whether a website is trustworthy or not, there must be authority, objectivity and accuracy (Arkontaky, n.d.). When examining this site a notable mention would be the constant citing and referencing throughout the website. Every picture and post of the artwork or photography was accredited for and referenced to their rightful owners. For example, at the homepage of the website, there was a picture from 1956 of Father Roberto at Yale which was made available by a Creative Commons CC-BY-NC license the the permission of the CIRCSE Research Centre, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy. It’s referencing like this example that highlights the use of equitable and viable information that has been collected legally and abides by the rules and regulations of external resources. In this modern age where almost anything can be published online, it’s imperative that original archival work is published in a manner that is legal and equitable. Moreover, at the bottom of the homepage there was a catalog of information of the project assistants and consultants that were involved in this website’s development, content creation or historical projects. Their information was readily available and easily accessible for any of the users who may have any concerns or queries about the information posted. Additionally, for each project that was done, whether by staff or students, their rightful credentials were posted within the project portal for users to see and contact if necessary. This information is important to have because having an author’s credentials also reinforces credibility and reliability of the site (Martin 2013). Personally for me, it was helpful to have the contact information of the original authors of these projects because if I ever need to reference their work for my own research or project, I can ethically source this information and moreover, also get into contact with the original owners if I have any questions or concerns. Also, I feel relieved to know that the work I’m viewing is not only accessible but it’s certainly credible. This makes learning and researching easier without having to second guess the content I’m consuming or wondering if what I’m reading is inaccurate or misconstrued. Hence, for this criteria of credibility, I would say that this website has definitely met the standard of having reliable and trustworthy information.
In conclusion, I can unashamedly say I usually don’t ever revisit websites once I’m finished doing my research. However, this website for Yale University’s Digital Humanities Laboratory has definitely invoked a new perspective on how I consume content. This was one of the few sites I’ve ever visited that has gotten me to re-visit their resources and have captivated me enough to rewatch their content outside of academic purposes. Truly, the layout and design was digestible and comprehensive for me to navigate and the content was impeccable and interesting but to tie in all this together, knowing that the content I was consuming was legitimate and credible made this experience effortless and enjoyable for me. Without a doubt, I would say that this particular website was relevant, creative, engaging and reliable. When it came to examining this site within the criteria of design, content and credibility, I would have to say this website has surely exceeded my expectations.
Review #1
Name: Sydney Lutchmansingh
Digital History Project Site: The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Database – https://www.slavevoyages.org/
The objective of this digital history project is explicitly outlined on the home page. The website is a “collaborative” digital compilation of gathered and organized “public records of the largest slave trades in history.” Evidence based on the “origins and relocations” of millions of Africans who were kidnapped, trafficked, and enslaved have been accumulated within the database. A further dive into the purpose of ‘SlaveVoyages’ can be found in the About page. All data was collected from libraries and archives “around the Atlantic world” and developed by countless “historians, librarians, curriculum specialists, cartographers, computer programmers, and web designers, in consultation with scholars of the slave trade from universities in Europe, Africa, South America, and North America.” All the data retrieved is exactly what the site promises: a wealth of studied data about the voyages. For nearly a million journeys, specific details such as ship captains and voyage dates can be retrieved. A high quality of material, as well as reliable and well-informed documentation, is delivered. This project’s objectives were apparent and clearly met.
The audience can be classified as scholarly. In the About page, in the Legal section under Conditions of Use, it states that the website is “freely available for individual private study, scholarship and research, and educational purposes.” Although a broad audience interested in the subject can easily access the site, its primary demographic is people studying the field of research and looking for a plethora of relevant material. With its abundance of data, the material attracts the suitable reader and keeps their interest.
The content of ‘SlaveVoyages’ is deemed appropriate for its scholarly readership because it is comprehensive in giving all necessary information and more. The previously indicated goal of the site is met by the assortment of detailed content. Broad categories span from ‘Trans-Atlantic’ to ‘Intra-American’ to ‘People of the Atlantic Slave Trade’. Individuals can also find readily available resources if they need to conduct additional research or double-check facts. Other viewpoints or opinions on specific topics are often desired, which is why authors’ blogs are linked on the site. The content is available to be translated in multiple languages, so it can be comprehended globally. For those who are visual learners and may get easily frightened by lengthy essays, maps and other illustrations are available. Reconstructions of slaving vessels in 3D, as well as timelines indicating important dates and estimations can be found.
The database’s design is simple to read and understand. The home page’s first appearance can be described as straightforward and simple. The choice of only black and white may reflect how serious and formal the site is. However, it is not monotonous because the background exhibits animate graphics of the slave trade. The background offers an interesting illustrative element that should not distract the viewer. A variety of fonts are applied effectively to represent the primary topics, sub-headings, and the body of the content. Navigation throughout the site can be easily done. Links are highlighted in blue to draw the reader’s attention. All additional links are functioning and provide a more intimate relationship with the content. The side bar tab, which is situated on the top right, is a flaw in the site’s design. When you click the tab, the side bar appears in the centre of the screen, overlapping the main page. This appears to be an amateur design error. One navigation flaw is that there is no search bar, thus readers must browse through many categories and webpages to find desired information. The site is also optimized for mobile use which is a very modern strength to have.
To summarize, the ‘SlaveVoyages’ online database is a fantastic website that is well-designed and effective, allowing the public to quickly navigate. It is straightforward to use and contains factual, relevant, and high-quality content that is pertinent to the stated goals. While displaying helpful pictures and graphics, the material motivates readers to learn and study further. A refreshing website can assist in keeping a younger audience who are not stereotypically “history lovers” interested.
Home Page
Everyone who views this website will find it unappealing due to its lacklustre home page. The site appears incomplete due to the wasted white space and lack of colour. Users may assume that coloured television was not invented before this time due to the black and white images, however this is inaccurate. Some users may find it challenging to see the small images on the page because of their size. The navigation on the page is difficult for visitors to identify because it blends in with the poster and seems non-existent. Each link functions properly and navigates to the right page. Only someone seeking for information about the subject in question might attempt to navigate the page considering that there is no indication that this is a home page, and the title is poorly designed. Although the absence of advertisements can give the website some appearance of officialness, the lack of colours and white space hinders from its credibility. To avoid repetition, it should be noted that every page on this website consists of large blank spaces and the same unpleasant colours found on the home page.
Primary documents
Users may readily access information on this page because to its clear organisation and navigation. It provides the relevant information and directs users to a page with further details, as well as a top clickable link to go back to the previous page. While being quite unattractive, it allows the user to obtain the documents required, making this section of the website valuable to those who are interested. It should be noted that the Primary Documents heading on the navigation pane to the end of the page is not listed in the same order as on the home page.
Films and Summaries
This page is dull and can present a challenge to users to determine what the low-quality, black-and-white small images are showing. The page appears to be missing information because the year is placed next to the images and is followed by a significant blank space. There is no obvious indication that the year is a hyperlink to the next page, but it does work and leads to the relevant page. The website’s other sections can be navigated using the menu, which is functional but unusually located at the bottom of the page. The pages with multiple movies listed for a particular year are not organized in any sense, and the images next to the titles are, unsurprisingly, difficult to see. In order to locate their specific movie, a user must go through each name, which can drive them to quickly abandon the page due to its inefficiency and inadequate layout. The final page with the movie’s information however provides relevant facts on the particular film, but the effort needed to locate such credible information may deter users before they can successfully reach it.
Oral Histories
The most enticing page on the website as it features images of people in colour although slightly blurred, along with their names and a brief description next to each image as well as a link to read additional information about each person. In terms of information and layout, this website is the most efficient and useful page. It gives the user a small portion of the information supplied with the ability to go deeper into it. The drawback is that these individuals are not sorted in any manner, so the user must search through each name to find the necessary information.
Glossary
The names under the subheading “People” are not sorted on this page, which makes it difficult for users to easily browse this portion. However, the other subheadings are organized alphabetically and include a link which, when clicked, takes the user to the required information. To the top of these subsequent pages, there is navigation to the previous pages as well.
Classroom Applications
The names on this page are numbered instead of organised in a specific manner which although looks neat, still forces the user to browse through each name to find the relevant information. Despite the absence of pictures, an excerpt with the necessary details about the person is provided, in addition to another link for additional information which works which can be useful to someone browsing. However, it should be noted that the return link on the additional information pages do not lead to the previous page ‘Classroom Applications’ but to the page ‘Films and Summaries’ because the extra information can also be found under this heading. This can cause users to get lost or confused due to the switch in the sections.
Essays and Interpretations
This page has a similar structure to the previous one, with descriptions and no chronology, but this page seems excessively wordy and can discourage users from reading it because of the abundance of information it attempts to present. The additional links can be used to get the essential knowledge, but the effect of the information overload may cause a user to miss it or to exit the page altogether.
Copyright Statement, About, Contact, Sponsors, Technical Information
These subsequent pages have 2 things in common, brief information and the possibility of fitting all this information onto one page, such as the home page. Although all this knowledge can be relevant, it is not necessary to dedicate a whole webpage to contain a segment of information, especially referring to these headings in particular, and might have been more efficiently used to fill the empty spaces in the home page.
Conclusion
This website demonstrates the importance of having a well-designed interface along with credible information as “Visual communication is a reality as soon as a word is typed, a colour chosen, or a text displayed on the screen, and any visual expression, whether it is intentional or not, communicates something to the visitor of the site.”1 The bombardment of words on most of the pages, with names and headings are unsorted, lack of descriptions, poor navigation, layout and colour all contribute to the detriment of the page and loss of information for users. “Visual symbols have become an integral part of our daily lives; therefore, it is increasingly relevant to understand their communicative effects. The orientation towards visual communication is not only prevalent in marketing, but in all forms of professional communication, including the Web site as a medium.”1 For this page to be used effectively and attract not just users looking for film information but the general public, the entire interface needs to be re-designed and the information layout adjusted. The credible information alone is not enough to entice most users to browse this website.
Google Arts and Culture is a website centered on different types of inventions, art and history that has occurred in the past which has had an impact on our cultural upbringing. The initial setup of the website consists of an eye-catching homepage that draws the attention of the researcher. Plastered on the screen are pictures of the Parachute, the Gramophone, the telephone, The X-ray, Wi-Fi, The computer program and the printing press. To access the contents of the information the website uses a hover that allows the user to scroll through the various pictures and select which they will like to get information about. The website has a very creative structure, consisting of different ways for audiences to view different art pieces and inventions that were created. The platform has multiple methods of delivering information to people from the use of games, providing information on different artworks of the day that they think readers will have an interest in, YouTube videos, AR experiences that are accessible right from your computer and a very interesting feature that allows for discovering artwork by colour. When accessing the first section of the website which is the different inventions that were created the user is directed to another page with the information that they have chosen to learn about. The structure of this page no matter the option chosen presents the information in a way that is both structurally pleasing with pictures that appear as you scroll along with the history of the inventor giving almost a vertical slideshow effect. In terms of the navigation of the website, it is fairly simple to use, the structure is easy and simple to understand. There’s a navigation bar on both sides of the page along with a search bar. The right bar consists of Home, Explore, Play, Nearby, and Favourites and the left side goes a bit more in-depth with themes and experiments that you can explore. Everything on the website is labeled, hovering on the icons gives no issue when it is clicked and all the links for the website work. The explore page is a white page that consists of categories such as highlights, artists, mediums, art movements, historical events and figures, and places. You are allowed to even explore by ‘Time’, when selected a timeline appears at the top of the screen and allows the user to hover and choose which time period they will like to get information from. When the time period is chosen pictures will appear of all the options of art that were published during that time period. This is a very convenient way to present information because not only is it fun to use but it gives all of the options of artwork you can explore without having to comb through large amounts of information you can just simply look at the pictures and choose which one you are looking for or which one that appeals to you. You are also able to explore by colour which gives you when selected, a navigation bar at the top where a myriad of colours for the user to choose from appears and when selected, the same procedure occurs as the time feature. The next option on the home page navigation bar is the “Play” button which allows users when selected to play various games that are all either art or history related in some way. The second to last option is the ‘Nearby’ feature which allows the user to see what museums and exhibitions are near you and allows you to see how far they are. This is a very interesting and creative feature for art enthusiasts or historians as this will appeal to them and it’s a great way to attract people to your website because not only are they getting the content that they want but they are also able to visit and find information on where they can also experience the art spoken about on the website in person. Lastly, the ‘Favorites’ feature is placed for frequent users to save the information or links that they like the most and will most likely refer back to when needed without having to search for it every time they come back to the site. The layout of this site is not a complex one rather it is simple to navigate and every heading is labeled clearly and neatly on the pages, this is a great advantage because it leaves no room for any miscommunication about what the website provides for the user. The text style of the website is easy to read as it uses a basic font and a font size that is easy to read. The purpose of the site is clear as the title is at the top left side of the page entitled “Google Arts and Culture.” I believe that the site has achieved the goals that it was created to meet because the layout is effective and doesn’t give the reader any ability to question the purpose of the site as well as the general architecture of the website shows that much thought was put into it by the website programmers and developers of the website as everything is functioning as it should and doesn’t bring into question why the site was created because it is clear that it was created for a targeted audience but also shows that even individuals who aren’t usually their demographic will also be able to navigate through the site easily and not be confused by its contents.
Marc-Anthony Hosten
Website name: Highways of Trinidad
Website URL: Highways of Trinidad | An in Depth Look at the Major Highways on our Beautiful Isle of Trinidad (wordpress.com)
Content:
This website was made by Javeed Jaggassar and was geared to teaching the history of the major highways of Trinidad and Tobago. The content is scholarly sounding and adds a bit of fun by have little humour and facts sections but not to the point where it takes away from the experience. The site is also informative, the information is expressed well and alongside pictures help users to understand the information easier. While the creator of the site named it “Highway of Trinidad” he also stated on the home page “This website seeks to explore and inform the major Highways of the beautiful Twin Isle of Trinidad & Tobago.” but did not mention the highway in Tobago. This isn’t a big criticism as the name of the site does not include Tobago but to mention the twin isle while also leaving out one of the isles is an odd.
The layout of the site was well done, and the background is easy on the eyes however the search bar blended with the grey background, so it was not easy to see at first glance. The font of the text was sized well, and persons would not have to strain their eyes to read the information and the white font also pops with the grey background. It is also easy to navigate and to go to specific pages of the site to get information is seamless as Mr. Jaggassar put all the highways on separate pages. The About page of the site, however, should have been placed last alongside the Contact Us page as it took away the immersion and experience.
The website still meets its goals and communicates its information well and the sources used are credible and relevant.
Audience/Use: The audience Mr. Jaggassar states are historians and the public. The information Mr. Jaggassar provides will meet their needs but for historians the information may be a bit surface level but will provide them with a starting point for their research and the sources he used will also be of benefit to anyone seeking more knowledge.
New Media: The website does not do provide the information in such a way that it could not have been done on print however the website does make it more convenient for those interested in acquiring information on the history of Trinidad’s highways.
The Digital History project being discussed and analysed in this review is a website which was created by a past student at the University Of the West Indies by the name of Melissa-Kim Dunkley. The name of the website/ project is ‘The Caribbean Food Files’ and it’s main aim is to present information on Caribbean food that we eat and how it is linked to the past periods of Colonization, Indentureship and slavery. The website states that the major powers that carried colonization, slavery and indentureship had major impacts on the lifestyles and cultures of persons in the Caribbean today, it states that not only did these powers affect and impact our lifestyles in the Caribbean but the different ethnic groups brought by these powers also provided a major influence on the culture which has been passed on throughout the different generations in the years that came after these major events. The website goes on to say that the mixing and fusion of these different groups would have created the diverse dishes prepared in the Caribbean and the means and methods by which they are prepared.
In my opinion the website provides such an extensive and insightful amount of information on the overall topic and theme of the what the website states that it is truly about. The author of the website definitely provides the readers and audience with the necessary knowledge of dishes which span across different islands for instance doubles of Trinidad and Tobago and then Jamaican Patties of Jamaica. The website also provides information on neutral and common food not particularly restricted to one specific country such as Chinese fried wontons and fried plantain. This website would definitely be suited to an audience of persons interested in looking to learn about Caribbean delicacies, foreigners looking for new dishes to try when planning on visiting the islands and students learning about the cultural dishes as the website provides extensive knowledge about the History of these popular dishes and delicacies.
Therefore, the audience that the website would attract would be of a vast variety since it would capture the general public, scholarly professionals, a junior audience(students), foodie lovers and tourists. As stated before, the content of the website provides extensive information on the food which is highlighted on the website which effectively provide the target audience with the information, they set out to look for. The content is appropriate for the audiences, it discusses exactly what it stated the website would be about, so it meets its necessary objectives while being fully comprehensive for the target audience. In my opinion this therefore leaves the website as a viable source for historical information, and I see no weaknesses in the provision of content. The project also consists of image and video presentations to help with providing further content on the food being discussed, it is not only filled with words like other websites, but it also provides readers with a variety of ways to gather information. This is also a good factor since some readers may be more visual learners so videos may be a better way for them to gather information and visual representation is never a bad thing when learning about something new especially food. This further allows the website to be considered a website to be considered when looking into Caribbean dishes just like the popular website Foodie Nation (https://www.foodienationtt.com/). The Caribbean Food Files however allows readers to get more of understanding of the roots of the dishes rather than mainly just the recipes like foodie nation so this website can be proved as more educational than other food websites.
In discussing the navigation it can be said that the website is definitely easy to use and understand, the flow from section to section can be done with ease and just by a click on the name of the section you are looking to read up on whether it may be the about section, appetizer section, entrée section or dessert section, drop down menus are also provided for sub sections and hyperlinks on pages to lead you to the next page is also provided to help with ease of accessibility for example with the hyperlink provided on the home page to direct readers to the about section for persons to learn more about what the site is about. The website also provides working YouTube Video links on the subsection pages of the various foods being discussed to provide more information on what is being presented with just a simple click. This therefore supports the opinion that the navigation of the website is easily accessible.
The design of the website which includes the colour scheme, organization of the content provided, font size and textual layout is quite standard and nothing major that would jump out to a reader in my opinion, this was not something that would have grasped my attention to continue reading, but my love for food would have been the driving factor that kept me reading on the website. The text layout and font size are standard, and headings are highlighted to introduce new sections and paragraphs being discussed but black was the only colour used for the text which can be viewed as professional and formal but besides the pictures and video links provided the text didn’t jump out in any way to grab the writers but nevertheless the pictures would have made up for that.
To conclude my review of The Caribbean Food Files I would say that the website was well put together since content, navigation and objects were all comprehensive, clear, understandable, and somewhat easy to acquire and it’s historical basis would be a major differing factor from other food websites.
In the context of the contemporary Internet, a website’s dependability is of extreme significance. Acquiring accurate knowledge that is useful in academic settings and other facets of life necessitates the use of these reputable resources. How may the utility and efficiency of the material on a website be evaluated? So, in order to evaluate the significance of the Internet in society, we must recall the features of the Internet as a technology in contemporary society. The purpose of picking this website, “Internet Society,” was to evaluate its effectiveness by examining its aesthetics, usability, public appeal, and readability of the overview. This was done since the internet is a vital platform that is utilized globally in everyday culture.
Immediately after I arrived at the website, I noticed the Web logo in the upper left corner. This quickly gave me the impression that the website was focused on the internet and, more generally, the world wide web. When it comes to attempting to interact with the general public, I believe that logos are a very important tool. According to the findings, the primary purpose of a logo is to accurately represent the company or website in question (Kash, 2019). In addition to this, “it is the substance of the company, and as such, it should be consistent, identifiable, and express the notion of the brand across all visual components and advertising techniques ” (Kash, 2019). As a result of this, when it came to this logo, I quickly knew that the Internet was the key focus of this digital website.
In addition, the 3D display that was showing a video of many variables associated with the development of future technologies piqued my interest. The realistic display of images in the background of the sentence “The internet is for everyone; it drives everything we do” would attract more users because it appeals to realism, which is an important factor in the decision-making process for online users. The 3D display would also be able to relay the message of the brand to individuals more effectively, which would result in the brand being successfully conveyed and would appeal to a larger consumer base (The Upwork Team, 2021). In this particular instance, I came to the conclusion that the aesthetics were advantageous since I was able to form an impression of the website even before I had read it thoroughly and gained an understanding of the emphasis and purpose of the site. This website is simple to navigate due to the fact that it has a structure that is easy to comprehend and provides you with the opportunity to acquire additional information based on specific categories. These categories include the website’s history, its mission, its impact, and many others, all of which are accessible from the header of the page. Also, all of the hyperlinks worked when clicked. These links aided my overall search because they allowed me to examine the site’s plethora of material. According to Baggio and Antonioli Corigliano (2009), hyperlinks not only contribute to the site’s depth of content, but also generate valuable social linkages and contribute to the web’s currency.
The organization’s key strength is the supply of dependable and unfettered Internet access. In addition, the purpose of the website is to make the Internet “open, globally linked, secure, and reliable for the general public.” Some of the organization’s key goals included supporting the growth of web-dependent communities and enhancing the Internet’s infrastructure. It was particularly impressive that after expressing their goal, they went on to give the audience some idea of how they planned to carry out that purpose. I think that this makes it easier for an audience to get involved because the majority of their questions about the goals are answered. Additionally, it brings to the audience’s attention the long-term goal that the organization is working toward (Indeed Editorial Team 2021) while simultaneously encouraging and motivating them to keep reading. The font size also deemed appropriate for persons of varying ages. I believe that an elderly person would not have any problems with the text sizes. On the other hand, I thought that the colors that were used might appeal more to a younger crowd, as white backgrounds with simple color palettes appear to cater to people of all ages (Digital Marketing, 2022).
From my perspective, the organization’s website provided a concise synopsis of the historical elements. The schematics depicting the site’s historical biography sparked my interest. According to readings, historical or background material would alert the intended audience to specific date and event changes occurring within the purview of the internet (Indeed Editorial Team, 2022). However, I believe that the link to the historical factors should be provided in the header of the first page rather than at the bottom. On the other hand, given the organization’s primary concentration on the internet, the first page should have included a brief history of the internet itself. I appreciated how, on the page where the history of the internet was founded, there were visual facts, data from commercial and non-profit organizations, as well as trustworthy sources like “the World Bank,” displayed. The organization’s website seems to be frequently updated and includes input from recent years. From the dates when they first began through the dates when they have evolved, However, given that their most recent report was in 2019, I feel that in order to demonstrate to the audience that this site is still in operation, they should showcase materials and reports from 2020–2022, demonstrating the most current applicability of their studies.
In conclusion, the aim of this website has been clearly stated, and the site’s content has active hyperlinks, an attractive layout/font, and simple navigation throughout. There were a few drawbacks with the website, such as its history being at the bottom of the page instead of the top, the colors appealing to most but not all audiences, and the necessity to update reports to more recent years, such as 2020- 2022. Overall, I believe that this is a great website that could benefit from some improvements.
The website, ‘Slave Voyages’ is a digital history website that is geared towards the general public where the purpose is to share and make information and data on the largest slave trade recorded in history easily accessible. In addition, it looks at where the slaves were captured from and other relevant information surrounding the slave voyages. When a person clicks the website link it automatically opens on the homepage, this features the objective of the page and a brief summary of the websites objective and its content. Therefore, this can aid in the audience making the decision whether they would like to read more of the content or look for something else. Under this information, there is a ‘play symbol’ which uses a video with the title, ‘Henry Louis Gates introduces slave voyages 2.0 and some of its people.’ In the video, it highlighted Gates profession where he works as a professor at the Harvard University then they added information from Alex Borucki, a professor in the department of History at the University of California. It went on to use visual representation showcasing data, pictures of the slave ships and other relevant information with regards to the slave voyages.
Moreover, the public is given access to contribute data to the website. According to the website, the Contribute area allows Voyages website visitors to add to and/or amend existing material in the Voyages Database. As part of the peer-review process, each submission will be reviewed by a team of slave trade scholars. Following changes to the Voyages Database will include new and/or altered information. Campbell (2012) had a critique about digital history website where he noted, “By providing an egalitarian approach to “who gets to publish,” the Internet makes everyone a publishing historian. Therefore, the evaluation of the ultimate truth might be disregarded.” Whereas the information posted to the website is peer-reviewed which strengthens the validity of the information controlling who gets to publish the information.
At the top of the page, it offers the option to select between six sections: trans-Atlantic, Intra-American, People of the Atlantic Slave Trade, Resources, About, Blog and EN. This therefore makes it easier for the reader to go to the section that he/she has interest in without reading the whole document. The homepage of the document is in black and white with an interesting backdrop of a video that includes pictures related to slave voyages, this automatically caught my attention. The page did not include any bright or loud colours to grasp the readers eyes with pictures and even headings however the layout of the information and the word font was able to do so. The website doesn’t include a search engine which can be a disadvantage, since readers would have to search individually for the information required. “While using search engines may be problematic, in reality they are the only digital tool that most historians use, indeed there is a lack of widely used techniques that can be used to interrogate, summarize, and understand the large volumes of material that are available” (Gregory, 2014).
The website is easy to Navigate and with one click a person can view information and even access database on the information. The websites show a timeline of the events from the years 1525 to 1866. The database included information such as the vessels name, place where captives were purchase, place where captives landed, captains name and even the average amount of persons arrived. These information were shown in charts and tables to represent the various statistics. In addition, the website uses a 3d image of the slave vessels to give the audience a vivid idea of how the vessels looked however it would’ve been better to have a picture portraying the actual vessel used in the slave voyages. The website also included pictures of written and other data and information surrounding the slave voyages. “The original image source may be difficult for the researcher to access, or it may be destroyed, requiring the use of a scanner to create a replica” (Campbell, 2012). This can be another issue surrounding the information and pictures published.
It is important to note that the website is clear to navigate and I would recommend it to anyone studying a topic on slave voyages since everything is at the fingertips of the viewer and the information can be accessed easily. There was also a section with understanding the database. . “These projects, displaying collections of numerical data, texts, images, maps, and sounds, create capacious spaces in which users make connections and discoveries for themselves” (Ayers, 2001). The structure is clear also however it may be difficult for persons who prefer to view contents with plenty images as they are scrolling and those that prefer bright and extremely bold fonts and colours to grasp their interest.
It also gives the option to view the document in three different languages breaking language barriers to some aspect and widening the targeted audience not only towards English speaking nationals or countries but to those who speak Portuguese and Spanish. Therefore, persons outside the English speaking countries can access this information on the web and learn about the history of the slave voyages. All or most questions with regards to the slave voyages can be answered which is important for the reader or viewer. The information was layout in a great way and was easily accessible which is an advantage since it is a website. However, besides a website, the most suitable way to express the information would be either through a film or textbook and they both have strengths and weaknesses with portraying the data. If a textbook is used it may be difficult to use the films throughout the video and with regards to a film the audience might see it as lengthy and somewhat boring.
Ayers, Edward L. “The Pasts and Futures of Digital History.” History News, 56:4 (2001): 5-9.
Campbell, John F. “Clio’s Matrix: Reflecting on Digital History at The University of the West Indies, St Augustine.” The Caribbean Teaching Scholar 2, no. 2 (2012).
Gregory, Ian. “Challenges and opportunities for digital history.” Frontiers in Digital Humanities 1 (2014): 1.
The website under review is entitled ‘Salem Witch Trials – Documentary Archive and Transcription Project’ and is an endeavor headed by professors of the Universities of Virginia and Binghamton. The main objective of the site can be described as aiming to present an organized and reliable archive of primary sources of information on the Salem witch trials of 1692 as well as a new transcription of the court records for these trials. The site houses multiple sources of information on these witch trials ranging from historical maps and contemporary books to diary entries and sermons, with displays of the original sources included as well. The main users of the content offered on this site would likely be from that of a scholarly audience as the information provides very specific details on the Salem witch trials with the original documents or sources which would be useful to those researching and writing on this event. The content of this website appears to be well suited to an audience from an academia origin, but would also be understandable to and usable by the general public as the layout can be described as generally simple. While the information and materials are quite comprehensive in nature and provide very particular details on this historical occurrence, the language used is not necessarily complex and therefore readable by the average user but overall the content is still invaluable to a scholarly audience.
At first glance, the website appears quite basic in appearance, with muted colours and basic fonts used on the homepage. The lack of excessive colour however does suit the content and does not distract from the main goal to provide information on the Salem witch trials. Similarly, the font used is simple but effective as it is legible and not too small like Picardal (2018) warns against, as it would then be difficult to read and ‘force users to squint’, reducing usability and functionality. Moreover, the website is organized in a transparent manner, as users are immediately greeted with a full menu of what is offered, categorized into just five sections with information on the project itself also being easily accessible next to the listing of available resources. As such navigation of the website is easy, even if a user were to select and go to ‘Documents’, they would still be able to access each of the general categories the site is organized into as well as the homepage. Regarding the links to each source material, all are functional and carry users to the intended resource as named, with the pictures on the first page even carrying one to the respective category it is listed under. Furthermore, Nten (2015) does recommend a site having many pictures and videos, however few are found on this site aside from the homepage mainly and under “Images” in the ‘Project Information’ section. This may be less appealing to the general public but suits the target audience of scholars and when considering the nature and time period of information, numerous visuals might be excessive or unnecessary.
All in all, this website is straightforward and easy to use with regards to navigation and readability while providing comprehensive information to users. The flow into each general category and then back to the homepage and other pages is also uninterrupted. However, the lack of visuals and colour may be unattractive or ‘boring’ to the general public, nonetheless the site is appropriate for the target audience while also meeting the main objective of providing an “electronic collection of primary source materials relating to the Salem witch trials of 1692 and a new transcription of the court records”.
The site is built around the education and sharing of artwork from around the world through a unique medium that allows for an even wider audience as it facilitates more than those who can view the site. Case in point, whilst the selling point of the website can be interpreted as the accessibility it offers users to view the art on their computer and/or phone, it is the ability of logging in with one’s Google account, that enables them to easily navigate between multiple devices and share the artwork more easily. It also serves as a library for a variety of art forms in one established place including games, education namely science, history and literature, personalizes it for its audience through recommendations and broadens one’s general understanding of digital humanities by unsolicited acknowledgements of important dates and themes during relevant times. Hence, it successfully achieves its purpose of facilitating by accessibility of the website through increasing its platform usability which creates the by-product of a wider reach. In addition, it facilitates a wider audience through the compilation of a significant amount of details regarding artwork from all genres in one place, which has the ability to make it a preferred medium than other websites through its easy to follow layout, and user friendly nature.
The audience ideally would be those who hold interest in art, be it hobbyist or a student needing to research artwork and obtain information on it. A teacher could additionally be an ideal user as the library of artwork available would serve as a valuable resource in a classroom. The scholastic reach of the information although fairly detailed is exceedingly leveraged breadth wise than it is in depth.
However, the stylized nature of the presentations as well as it’s various forms of engagement lends itself towards the attention and retention of a younger audience as it sports features such as achievements, themes, experiments and games. The use of these features would greatly enhance the experience of the student shifting from the conventional methods of simply displaying the information to more engaging methods that include the student in the process while disseminating the information.
The information is presented largely in the form of high-quality imagery adorned with smaller descriptive text. The information is also not presented in a linear manner, there are presentations that dive into artwork that explores the depth of the pieces but also portrays the similar information in the form of activities such as games and experiments, collections exist as groupings of artwork that could inspire students depending on their topic.
The site is designed with the classic Google layout style that is well utilized for other platforms that fall under their umbrella but still manages to evoke a unique sense of artistry with the colour choices and the carousel sections used to showcase the art belonging to a particular artist, theme or keyword. The site’s main page is a long vertical page broken into subsection that either adhere to the carousel or to a collage of art pieces. If an art piece bears significance, the presentation usually reflects this, with a far more immersive demonstration and explanation of the artwork and the periphery information regarding it. In effect it provides a superior user experience for the audience by expressing content in an artistic way which appeals to them. The user experience is also enhanced through its vibrant color scheme which further appeals to the emotions of the audience and its classic layout draws the audience’s attention to the most important events. Further to this, the fonts are clear to follow and visible against the vibrant backgrounds, which enhances the user experience.
The navigation of the site flows easily from piece to piece and the site takes into account the type of artwork you peruse so similar art is shown to you. It also allows you to search for pieces through the artist, the medium or various keywords highlighted through the description provided for each piece. The artwork housed in the site can be found not only by directly searching for it but also by the various collections and daily topics. It unarguably allows the audience to easily allocate the information they are searching for thereby making it more engaging and enhancing the user experience.
The site is well balanced between form and function. It utilizes Google’s format while still managing to present its information in a unique and intriguing manner. The library of artwork available is by far the most impressive of its features as in the sections it uses to identify the artwork. The ability to easily view and share the artwork by logging into your account to view your specialized collections also boosts the reach of the site.
The following is a review of “The Caribbean Food Files” digital history project. This review will examine the overall website home page, format and navigation of the site, and overall content.
Homepage
The website’s homepage features a cover image at the top listing the website’s name as well as tabs to the various pages on the site. This cover image is repeated on each of the site’s page. As the first item viewers see, the cover image fails to convey the creator’s intended purpose. If the viewer is someone not from the Caribbean, the cover image —- which is instead a collection of cropped images —- looks like a few ‘tropical’ or ‘exotic’ fruits coupled with unidentified dishes. Moreover, the colour scheme of the orange, yellow and green shades against a teal webpage background is not complimentary. While as someone from the Caribbean I could identify items such as ‘coconuts’, ‘pineapples’, and ‘five fingers’, the remaining items remain unknown to me.
From the cover image and its constant repetition one would hope that these items would be explored further at some point during the website. Yet, as one scrolls from the cover banner image, a picture with the caption ““Jamaican curry goat” Courtesy of Skkan Media entertainment” appears. Then nowhere after is the relationship between the banner image and the preceding text on the homepage make mention of the relevance of a picture of Jamaican curry goat plastered in the center. One would hope that if an image is deliberately inserted that it bears some relation to the surrounding text or that an explanation be given. The out of place image with no clearly expressed linkage to the text is followed by a brief introduction of 111 words. Yes, it was that brief. While the tone and language used is inviting, the homepage introduction reads more like a doorway to the “about” page without giving much details regarding the site itself.
The right and left margins of the cover page are far the most part blank with the date and social media links hanging mid air as if out of place like a side thought, as compared to the website tabs that seem built in and intentional. Better use of the right and left margins whether through images or colour is recommended.
Further recommendations include: the banner image which should include either a range of images with a more varied colour palette to make it more vibrant, or at the very least list some text names of the items portrayed so that they could be recognised. As is, it is not very appealing and I do not recognised some of the cooked dishes at first glance. The teal background likewise fails to compliment the colours effectively enough. Notwithstanding such, the tone of the text is inviting and the use of a logo image of a chef does give a sense of expectancy as to what is next.
Format and Navigation
The homepage makes it clear the tabs available on the site and the banner is maintained for each tab allowing for easy navigation. The “About” page is clear and gives a strong foundation for the project. It includes far more text and contextualisation of what the website goals are with historical reference to its relevance. Likewise, the “next” and “previous” options at the bottom of each page continues to allow for ease of navigation.
The website layout is one where different tabs/pages are used for different groups of food, namely: appetisers, entrees, and desserts. This was clever given the overall theme of the webpage. The “contact us” page however was visually unappealing and lacking for it to require an entire tab/page to itself. Rather, given the limited contact info, such may have been included as a recurring footer banner listing the site name and contact information instead. The references page was well laid out and gave credibility to some claims made throughout the site. Overall, navigation was good and the page formatting was consistent for each new page.
Content — Use of Text and Graphics
The bulk of the content as it relates to the website’s name and purpose “Caribbean Food Files” are found in the appetiser, entree and dessert tabs. However, despite the grand name leading the viewer to expect a range of dishes, only five dishes across the three tabs are listed. They are: Chinese fried wontons, fried plantains, doubles, Jamaican patties, and jalebi. One may be tempted to consider such false advertising if the site claims to have the “files”, plural of Caribbean food. Are viewers to surmise that this is the full extent of Caribbean delicacy? Or, did the website’s creator intend to list “popular” Caribbean food or a mere snapshot of “some”. The use of foods featured in more than one Caribbean Island, is of course commendable, likewise the varied cultural backgrounds associated with such.
However, what, if anything, has it to do with the website repetitive cover image? Did any of the dishes employ coconuts or pineapples or five fingers? With the exception of jalebi pictured both in the cover and in the desserts section, the cover image proves largely irrelevant given the chosen food contents.
Nevertheless, the chosen food items were in fact accompanied by text with their names and visual aids such as images/video alongside a short text description of the item. This was well done. While as a viewer I would have expected more items, the items supplied had the basics covered in what I would expect in a food file. Given the website goal and question as stated in the About section, “What do the foods that we eat in the Caribbean today, tell us about our past as it relates to Colonization, Slavery and Indentureship?”, I found that the website failed to answer its own question. Was it meant that the reader make their own assumptions? Am I to believe that some of these dishes existed since colonial days? Or were birthed from slavery or indentureship? Or is it that an intangible heritage was passed on through generations which retained some cooking techniques while being influenced by the multicultural environment such historical events facilitated with the forced migrations of people groups?
The goal of the website is excellent, however its execution is lacking. If I were not to read the “about” page, The site reads as five alleged Caribbean dishes forced under traditional western headings of meal terminology. For example, “doubles” for some could be breakfast or even lunch, an appetiser or a full meal depending on the number. Rather than the initial headings, grouping foods according to country or mixed heritage may have been more appropriate. The terms “appetiser, entree and desserts” in the first place aren’t typically used when referring to everyday meals outside a fancy restaurant. Which brings into question the use of text and language and its appropriates to the topic at hand.
The language used on the homepage and about page is inviting, however the creator seemed lost for words when it came to descriptions, in text, of the Caribbean dishes that should be the highlight of the website. A simple ingredients list, for example, would have been more appropriate than a few string of text with an image or video. The idea is excellent, however I do not walk away with a sense that I have truly learnt something from a self proclaimed history project. While as someone from the Caribbean I could make my own linkages as to the relevance of the dishes chosen and their importance, but the site on its own does not achieve such, especially if someone not from the Caribbean was viewing.
Conclusion
Overall, I believe the idea to digitally document various foods emerging in the Caribbean from its turbulent history is an important and admirable one. The idea is excellent. However the execution falls short of my expectations. It’s not horrible. No, it could pass. However, it’s not excellent or inspiring either. I am not impressed to say the least. There is potential for further development as the idea is an excellent one and I applaud the webpage owner for embarking on such a journey. I wish them the best in the future and I hope that the site could be developed to include more Caribbean dishes as well.
Digital History at UWI 
“London Lives” is the name of the website I decided to evaluate. The primary goal of this website is to allow users to follow the particular life paths of the working poor and Londoners involved in the criminal justice system. The website itself seeks to shed light on the lesser-known experiences of criminals, paupers, prostitutes, and highwaymen between the 1690s and the 1800s. It seeks to document the experiences of Londoners who have been impoverished or convicted of crime and polls their replies to demonstrate the extent to which ordinary Londoners have affected the speed and direction of social policy.
The material was delivered incredibly well and with as much variety and depth as possible through the website. One of the site’s great qualities, for example, is a large amount of content and documents that are made available. For example, there were genuine scans and proof of papers such as Criminal Records, Parish Archives, Coroners’ Records, and Hospital and Guild Records from years ago.
One of the most useful digital features of this website is its ability to make enormous amounts of material accessible and searchable, but what really drew my attention was its map function, which shows users the locations of the significant institutions whose records are featured on the website, such Old Bay Sessions, Carpenter’s Hall, and St. Thomas Hospital, to mention just a few. However, to enable readers to properly identify the pertinent institutions, I do believe that the website should have included a zoom capability on the photo of the map, similar to what they did with the documents.
I believe that the website is presented in a way that is accessible and clear to those with limited comprehension, even if the majority of the website was very straightforward to comprehend and explain in terms of the language used and the history of the “lives” of Londoners. The introductory materials, on the other hand, give the context needed to understand the available information. This website, in my opinion, is more suited for a scholarly group of people because reading the documents itself was a bit challenging to comprehend and were more extensive in nature, and so I do not believe this website is acceptable for a younger audience.
Furthermore, in terms of the visuals on the website, I believe that more could have been done to communicate the lives of Londoners. I believe that pictures/sketches of the Londoners themselves may have been used to appeal to the readers and provide them with a visual depiction of the people they are reading about.
In terms of content, I believe the material provided on the website is acceptable for the intended audience. However, I believe that several of the aspects on the website were jumbled and confusing, particularly the use of hyperlinks. Readers who are reading the webpage and clicking on the correct hyperlinks may lose track of what they are reading, making it extremely confusing. I found the extensive use of hyperlinks to be quite cumbersome and irritating. Instead, I believe that the website’s creators should have simply published as much summary information as possible on the page rather than referring users to external sites to see what they are attempting to transmit. Furthermore, I believe that the “introduction” element of the project should have been on the “home” section of the website rather than the final, to give the readers an idea of what the website is truly and genuinely about before delving deeper into it.
In addition, I can state that I appreciate the way the website is designed personally. It is quite professional and well done, and I believe it is appropriate for a scholarly audience. It’s simply a tidy site with a faultless appearance. I loved how they used ‘ancient’ appearing photographs for the top banner of each webpage, which matches well with the website’s color scheme. Additionally, it offered the reader a sense of immersion in the sixteenth through eighteenth centuries. “Human beings tend to associate elements that are produced in the same way—the same font, the same color, the same size, the same texture—and so a web designer must be careful to repeat certain design elements appropriately to make a point, or to maintain consistency across the many web pages of a single website,” according to (Tolette and Williams, 15). This was visible across the website, since the same font, size, and color were used constantly, lending the website a feeling of completeness and wholeness.
Moreover, although the site appears to be idle at the moment, I appreciate the idea that they used a “what’s new” area of the website to keep users up to speed on different updates to the website. Additionally, the LondonLives website did in fact follow Tollett and Williams’ advice that “proximity indicates a link between things on a page, therefore a caption or a subtitle has to be positioned close enough to an image or a text for a visitor to associate the two parts.” All photographs attached were correctly labeled and described, which was obvious evidence of this.
When it comes to navigating the website, the search options are clearly accessible and apparent. I particularly enjoy how, in addition to searching by keyword or reference number, the website features a name search option that allows you to look up the names of Londoners and get information about them, which is plainly impossible to accomplish in paper or even at a museum. Moreover, the site loads quickly, which is fantastic, and I did not see any typos or spelling difficulties on any of the pages; but, when perusing the website, I discovered that one of the Hyperlinks on the “the project” portion of the website was not working. Due to the difficulty in retrieving the webpage, the hyperlink on “economic and social research advice” did not function as it is intended too.
Overall, despite the small flaws on the website, I believe it is indeed great and extremely informative!
Review 1
Pirates of the Atlantic
Name: Xuan Mauge
Student ID: 816025948
Link for website: https://americanhistory.si.edu/on-the-water/living-atlantic-world/pirates
Content review: This website discusses Pirates in the Atlantic world, such as the famous pirate Blackbeard, female pirates, the pirate’s arsenal, life, gear etcetera. This website focuses on the diverse experiences of pirates and the people they interacted with. The website includes information about pirates from a variety of backgrounds and nationalities, and examines the ways in which they interacted with people from different cultures. This gives visitors a nuanced understanding of piracy and its impact on the Atlantic world.
Target Audience: The website is a fascinating resource for anyone interested in the history of piracy and its impact on the Atlantic world. The website is part of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History and provides a wealth of information about pirates, their lives, and their impact on the world.
Website Design: The website is well-designed and easy to navigate, with clear headings and well-organized sections. The content is presented in an engaging way, with plenty of images and videos that bring the subject matter to life. There are also interactive features, such as a virtual tour of a pirate ship, that allow visitors to explore the world of pirates in a more immersive way.
Overall, I would highly recommend this website to anyone interested in the history of piracy or the history of the Atlantic world more broadly. The website is a well-designed and engaging resource that provides a wealth of information and insights into this fascinating topic.
Review 1
Steel Pan in TRINBAGO
https://ryanra5.wordpress.com/
This website at first look is very basic and not very creative in design. However, the author of the website provided very simple ways of retrieving information, explaining the information in a way that the common citizens can understand and the website being generally user friendly. The basic design of the website, however, takes away from the information as it seems very unprofessional. However, further analysis of the website provided information that this website is from the early 2010’s where websites had this general design. However, to modern day standards I would consider this website mediocre with relevant information but poor visual and creative design.
Name: Karishma Boodoo
Website Reviewed: Let them Speak
Website Link: https://dhlab.yale.edu/projects/let-them-speak/
Objectives of the Site:
“Let them Speak” is a website developed by the Digital Humanities Lab at Yale University and aims to facilitate and provide access to audio-visual interviews with survivors of the Holocaust. The project involves transcribing and publishing interviews with survivors of the Holocaust to make victims’ perspectives investigable and tangible for future generations. The site intends to provide future generations with these perspectives.
The Project Overview which is located on what seems to be the homepage of the project itself, “Let them Speak” is communicated well as it gives the reader a clear understanding of the site’s intention while reiterating the ‘overall goal’ in the last sentence of the Overview.
Upon exploration of this site, it is in my opinion that the site did not meet the objectives which they have listed. A user of this site would think to use the search function in the website to search for information related to the topic however, the search feature is broken. Upon trying to search for the word ‘silence’ as shown in the picture on their homepage, the same results aren’t obtained. Instead, the search yielded no results relating to the terms entered however produced one result for ‘DH Teaching Fellows”.
Audience:
The “Let them Speak’ site is clearly trying to target scholars and researchers as they claim to have a database with a lot of details which would clearly be designed for a scholar. However, this may not be the case as the database and search function is not functional. I believe that this website should undergo some construction in order to meet the expectations of their target audience.
Content:
After exploring the website, there is little to no content available on the topic at hand/the topic mentioned in the Overview of the site, this topic being “An Anthology of Holocaust Testimonies”. Instead of information relating to this, when a user hovers over the ‘About’ tab, the user is provided with options to view general information such as information about the Yale DH Lab and the team. Upon navigating to the ‘News and Events’ tab the user is provided with news that is yet again unrelated to the topic at hand. For example, I clicked on ‘Current News’ under the ‘News and Events’ tab and I was provided with a hyperlink to view the Spring 2023 DH Classes.
Therefore, it can be said that the information contained on this site is a bit more general to Yale’s DH Lab and not specific to the topic they are presenting. The content on this site does not meet the objectives stated in their overview and would be considered inappropriate for the target audience due to this.
Design:
The colour scheme used for this website is appropriate for the intended target audience – scholars. This colour scheme is appropriate as the colours used are very subtle and not distracting to the audience. The fonts used by this site is acceptable as it is one of the common fonts that are easy to read and understand and is not too extravagant. The colours used with respect to the fonts and background is also acceptable and easy to read as it follows the basic rule of website and PowerPoint creation/design, being ‘Light colours on dark backgrounds and dark colours on light backgrounds’.
The contact information is easily accessible as it is located to the bottom of the page in the footer as with most other websites. Links to their Twitter, Instagram and GitHub are conveniently located to the top right-hand side of their page and these are easily accessible should users need it.
Navigation:
On this website, there is an easily identifiable search area. However, it is difficult to use as it doesn’t provide results related to the search as mentioned above. The site is not easy to navigate at all. For example, after visiting the ‘Current News’ page under the ‘News and Events tab”, one would think that clicking on the Yale/DH Lab logo to the top right hand corner would take them back to the ‘Let them Speak’ homepage when instead it takes you to the homepage for Yale’s Digital Humanities Lab. Furthermore, the information on the page is not easily accessible as after exploring the webpage, I found no information relating to the topic. Lastly, the hyperlinks contained on the page are in fact working and are taking you to the page lined. For example, the hyperlink in the footer of the page for the office hours actually takes you to the page with the office hours.
Overall, “Let them Speak’ seems to be a great initiative to publish and transcribe interviews with survivors of the Holocaust to make victims’ perspectives investigable and tangible for future generations however, the website does need a lot of work in the area as it should be able to provide information on this easily as well as have a working search function.
Marie Ayoung
Review 1: Projects – Digital History – Yale
Website Link: https://dhlab.yale.edu/projects
REVIEW 1
In complete transparency, this website was not my only consideration for this review. However, out of all the websites I briefly skimmed when considering my selection, this particular one immediately caught my attention. Developed by Gavi Levy Haskell and Kayla Ships, this site was created by Yale University’s Digital Humanities Laboratory (DHLab) and the purpose of this website was to showcase a platform of resources and projects that were done by both staff and students of the university. However, a mere first glance of this site would not be a sufficient justification to determine whether this was a reputable source or not. According to Widmer (2017), a ‘good’ website should prioritize function and form with a clear purpose and visually easy navigation. Thus, the assessment of this website will be dissected into the following categories: layout and design, content and credibility, to determine whether this site could be considered to be ‘legitimate’.
Firstly, one of the main reasons why I even came back to review this site was because of the layout and design. Despite this being a subjective stance, I appreciate the simplicity of the initial homepage. Upon first glance there’s the website’s categories which goes as follows: ‘About, Opportunities, News & Events, Projects and Get Started.’ alongside their social media links. If you hover the key over one of these categories there will be a drop down box with additional sub-categories which further filter the information on the site. For me, this helped with the accessibility and flow of the site and how to find the relevant information I was searching for. Moreover, when scrolling to the bottom of the homepage, there was the CHLab’s Mission, Guiding Principles, Partners and Collaborators, A Brief History and the Team. Each of these subcategories were digestible to understand for the average reader. Truthfully, the content shouldn’t be the only thing that’s easily comprehensible but also the layout and design of the site (Widmer 2017). Personally, I’m not technologically versed in navigating the internet and far more for websites but considering that I could easily maneuver around this page without being confused or lost was very convenient and helpful. This is a fundamental aspect of assessment because websites like these, especially websites that delve into history have to be coherent to the average reader who may not be versed in historical content. Hence, with regards to layout and design this website does meet the criteria of accessibility and navigation for their users.
Secondly, there was the content. When it comes to content ‘about’ the website such as their history, team and mission statement, all of this and more was expounded on under the ‘About’ category. Although this is useful to read for credibility and background, the true essence of this digital history site falls under the ‘Projects’ category. This section had an array of projects that covered a variety of historical content done by both students and staff personnel. Truly this was the core of the site where all of the relevant historical documentation could have been easily found. Reiterating the first point of accessibility, not only were the projects categorized into subdivisions and titles, each of the individual posts were creatively executed and captivating to the eye. The owners of the projects utilized compelling artwork to highlight used for each portal. Additionally, there was a filter to the right-hand corner of the screen that could be used to refine the information either by ‘Topics’ or ‘Types’. The creators of these portals have truly succeeded in creating a digestible yet fascinating platform of documentation that could be navigated by nearly anyone. Sometimes, websites lack the essence of enchantment in their development. Usually, students like myself would merely use a website to extract information and simply never return again. However, this was one of the few instances where I find myself compelled to re-visit and explore the projects of this page and actually engage in its content for enjoyment and not just for academic purposes. Personally, the content of a website is the second most important thing to me as a consumer. Navigation and accessibility is one aspect of my critique but truly, as someone who’s studying Digital History, if I were to find a site geared towards my field of study, I’d not only want relevancy but also alluring content that will not only help me to learn but also have me excited to find out more.
Continuing on this criteria of ‘content’ when it comes to having a plethora of historical archives this website exceedingly covers a variety of topics to choose from. Under the ‘Projects’ category each component with a project title takes you through a portal that’s dedicated towards that said archive. There were also different ways in which the historical analysis and documentation was delivered via these projects. There was ‘Network, Web, Text, Spatial and Visual’ analysis of different archives. By delivering content in a variety of ways, this would reach a larger platform of audiences since there’s alternative avenues for users to read, watch or listen to historical content instead of relying on the basic textual analysis alone. Moving on from the ‘delivery’ of content, on this site alone there’s a range of historical content to view. There’s projects surrounding the Holocaust, Slavery, Migration, Linenage, Maps and Atlases, Historical Figures and much more. What’s different about this website is that it’s not centralized on one theme or topic but there is a diversification of topics to view and a variation of resources to use. This creates a lively collaboration of archival monuments, figures and events that keeps a user interested and engaged in the content. Also, some of the digital history projects that were on display were done by past students. This addition to the site created an enrichment of modern and interactive information that is relatable to likewise students. Projects like these are inspirational and resourceful for students who want to model their own websites or historical research and this was a new and insightful addition to the website. It’s minor details like this that truly propel this website above the rest when it comes to its content inclusivity and diversity of information.
Lastly, there’s the criteria of credibility. To determine whether a website is trustworthy or not, there must be authority, objectivity and accuracy (Arkontaky, n.d.). When examining this site a notable mention would be the constant citing and referencing throughout the website. Every picture and post of the artwork or photography was accredited for and referenced to their rightful owners. For example, at the homepage of the website, there was a picture from 1956 of Father Roberto at Yale which was made available by a Creative Commons CC-BY-NC license the the permission of the CIRCSE Research Centre, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy. It’s referencing like this example that highlights the use of equitable and viable information that has been collected legally and abides by the rules and regulations of external resources. In this modern age where almost anything can be published online, it’s imperative that original archival work is published in a manner that is legal and equitable. Moreover, at the bottom of the homepage there was a catalog of information of the project assistants and consultants that were involved in this website’s development, content creation or historical projects. Their information was readily available and easily accessible for any of the users who may have any concerns or queries about the information posted. Additionally, for each project that was done, whether by staff or students, their rightful credentials were posted within the project portal for users to see and contact if necessary. This information is important to have because having an author’s credentials also reinforces credibility and reliability of the site (Martin 2013). Personally for me, it was helpful to have the contact information of the original authors of these projects because if I ever need to reference their work for my own research or project, I can ethically source this information and moreover, also get into contact with the original owners if I have any questions or concerns. Also, I feel relieved to know that the work I’m viewing is not only accessible but it’s certainly credible. This makes learning and researching easier without having to second guess the content I’m consuming or wondering if what I’m reading is inaccurate or misconstrued. Hence, for this criteria of credibility, I would say that this website has definitely met the standard of having reliable and trustworthy information.
In conclusion, I can unashamedly say I usually don’t ever revisit websites once I’m finished doing my research. However, this website for Yale University’s Digital Humanities Laboratory has definitely invoked a new perspective on how I consume content. This was one of the few sites I’ve ever visited that has gotten me to re-visit their resources and have captivated me enough to rewatch their content outside of academic purposes. Truly, the layout and design was digestible and comprehensive for me to navigate and the content was impeccable and interesting but to tie in all this together, knowing that the content I was consuming was legitimate and credible made this experience effortless and enjoyable for me. Without a doubt, I would say that this particular website was relevant, creative, engaging and reliable. When it came to examining this site within the criteria of design, content and credibility, I would have to say this website has surely exceeded my expectations.
Review #1
Name: Sydney Lutchmansingh
Digital History Project Site: The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Database – https://www.slavevoyages.org/
The objective of this digital history project is explicitly outlined on the home page. The website is a “collaborative” digital compilation of gathered and organized “public records of the largest slave trades in history.” Evidence based on the “origins and relocations” of millions of Africans who were kidnapped, trafficked, and enslaved have been accumulated within the database. A further dive into the purpose of ‘SlaveVoyages’ can be found in the About page. All data was collected from libraries and archives “around the Atlantic world” and developed by countless “historians, librarians, curriculum specialists, cartographers, computer programmers, and web designers, in consultation with scholars of the slave trade from universities in Europe, Africa, South America, and North America.” All the data retrieved is exactly what the site promises: a wealth of studied data about the voyages. For nearly a million journeys, specific details such as ship captains and voyage dates can be retrieved. A high quality of material, as well as reliable and well-informed documentation, is delivered. This project’s objectives were apparent and clearly met.
The audience can be classified as scholarly. In the About page, in the Legal section under Conditions of Use, it states that the website is “freely available for individual private study, scholarship and research, and educational purposes.” Although a broad audience interested in the subject can easily access the site, its primary demographic is people studying the field of research and looking for a plethora of relevant material. With its abundance of data, the material attracts the suitable reader and keeps their interest.
The content of ‘SlaveVoyages’ is deemed appropriate for its scholarly readership because it is comprehensive in giving all necessary information and more. The previously indicated goal of the site is met by the assortment of detailed content. Broad categories span from ‘Trans-Atlantic’ to ‘Intra-American’ to ‘People of the Atlantic Slave Trade’. Individuals can also find readily available resources if they need to conduct additional research or double-check facts. Other viewpoints or opinions on specific topics are often desired, which is why authors’ blogs are linked on the site. The content is available to be translated in multiple languages, so it can be comprehended globally. For those who are visual learners and may get easily frightened by lengthy essays, maps and other illustrations are available. Reconstructions of slaving vessels in 3D, as well as timelines indicating important dates and estimations can be found.
The database’s design is simple to read and understand. The home page’s first appearance can be described as straightforward and simple. The choice of only black and white may reflect how serious and formal the site is. However, it is not monotonous because the background exhibits animate graphics of the slave trade. The background offers an interesting illustrative element that should not distract the viewer. A variety of fonts are applied effectively to represent the primary topics, sub-headings, and the body of the content. Navigation throughout the site can be easily done. Links are highlighted in blue to draw the reader’s attention. All additional links are functioning and provide a more intimate relationship with the content. The side bar tab, which is situated on the top right, is a flaw in the site’s design. When you click the tab, the side bar appears in the centre of the screen, overlapping the main page. This appears to be an amateur design error. One navigation flaw is that there is no search bar, thus readers must browse through many categories and webpages to find desired information. The site is also optimized for mobile use which is a very modern strength to have.
To summarize, the ‘SlaveVoyages’ online database is a fantastic website that is well-designed and effective, allowing the public to quickly navigate. It is straightforward to use and contains factual, relevant, and high-quality content that is pertinent to the stated goals. While displaying helpful pictures and graphics, the material motivates readers to learn and study further. A refreshing website can assist in keeping a younger audience who are not stereotypically “history lovers” interested.
Review on the ‘Television News of the Civil Rights Era 1950 – 1970’
Link: http://www2.vcdh.virginia.edu/civilrightstv/
Home Page
Everyone who views this website will find it unappealing due to its lacklustre home page. The site appears incomplete due to the wasted white space and lack of colour. Users may assume that coloured television was not invented before this time due to the black and white images, however this is inaccurate. Some users may find it challenging to see the small images on the page because of their size. The navigation on the page is difficult for visitors to identify because it blends in with the poster and seems non-existent. Each link functions properly and navigates to the right page. Only someone seeking for information about the subject in question might attempt to navigate the page considering that there is no indication that this is a home page, and the title is poorly designed. Although the absence of advertisements can give the website some appearance of officialness, the lack of colours and white space hinders from its credibility. To avoid repetition, it should be noted that every page on this website consists of large blank spaces and the same unpleasant colours found on the home page.
Primary documents
Users may readily access information on this page because to its clear organisation and navigation. It provides the relevant information and directs users to a page with further details, as well as a top clickable link to go back to the previous page. While being quite unattractive, it allows the user to obtain the documents required, making this section of the website valuable to those who are interested. It should be noted that the Primary Documents heading on the navigation pane to the end of the page is not listed in the same order as on the home page.
Films and Summaries
This page is dull and can present a challenge to users to determine what the low-quality, black-and-white small images are showing. The page appears to be missing information because the year is placed next to the images and is followed by a significant blank space. There is no obvious indication that the year is a hyperlink to the next page, but it does work and leads to the relevant page. The website’s other sections can be navigated using the menu, which is functional but unusually located at the bottom of the page. The pages with multiple movies listed for a particular year are not organized in any sense, and the images next to the titles are, unsurprisingly, difficult to see. In order to locate their specific movie, a user must go through each name, which can drive them to quickly abandon the page due to its inefficiency and inadequate layout. The final page with the movie’s information however provides relevant facts on the particular film, but the effort needed to locate such credible information may deter users before they can successfully reach it.
Oral Histories
The most enticing page on the website as it features images of people in colour although slightly blurred, along with their names and a brief description next to each image as well as a link to read additional information about each person. In terms of information and layout, this website is the most efficient and useful page. It gives the user a small portion of the information supplied with the ability to go deeper into it. The drawback is that these individuals are not sorted in any manner, so the user must search through each name to find the necessary information.
Glossary
The names under the subheading “People” are not sorted on this page, which makes it difficult for users to easily browse this portion. However, the other subheadings are organized alphabetically and include a link which, when clicked, takes the user to the required information. To the top of these subsequent pages, there is navigation to the previous pages as well.
Classroom Applications
The names on this page are numbered instead of organised in a specific manner which although looks neat, still forces the user to browse through each name to find the relevant information. Despite the absence of pictures, an excerpt with the necessary details about the person is provided, in addition to another link for additional information which works which can be useful to someone browsing. However, it should be noted that the return link on the additional information pages do not lead to the previous page ‘Classroom Applications’ but to the page ‘Films and Summaries’ because the extra information can also be found under this heading. This can cause users to get lost or confused due to the switch in the sections.
Essays and Interpretations
This page has a similar structure to the previous one, with descriptions and no chronology, but this page seems excessively wordy and can discourage users from reading it because of the abundance of information it attempts to present. The additional links can be used to get the essential knowledge, but the effect of the information overload may cause a user to miss it or to exit the page altogether.
Copyright Statement, About, Contact, Sponsors, Technical Information
These subsequent pages have 2 things in common, brief information and the possibility of fitting all this information onto one page, such as the home page. Although all this knowledge can be relevant, it is not necessary to dedicate a whole webpage to contain a segment of information, especially referring to these headings in particular, and might have been more efficiently used to fill the empty spaces in the home page.
Conclusion
This website demonstrates the importance of having a well-designed interface along with credible information as “Visual communication is a reality as soon as a word is typed, a colour chosen, or a text displayed on the screen, and any visual expression, whether it is intentional or not, communicates something to the visitor of the site.”1 The bombardment of words on most of the pages, with names and headings are unsorted, lack of descriptions, poor navigation, layout and colour all contribute to the detriment of the page and loss of information for users. “Visual symbols have become an integral part of our daily lives; therefore, it is increasingly relevant to understand their communicative effects. The orientation towards visual communication is not only prevalent in marketing, but in all forms of professional communication, including the Web site as a medium.”1 For this page to be used effectively and attract not just users looking for film information but the general public, the entire interface needs to be re-designed and the information layout adjusted. The credible information alone is not enough to entice most users to browse this website.
Reference:
1. Google. (2017). Adobe Acrobat: PDF Edit, convert, sign tools. Google. Retrieved February 16, 2023, from https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/adobe-acrobat-pdf-edit-co/efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj?hl=en-GB
REVIEW #1
Name: Britney Sherwood
Digital Humanities: Google Art Project
Link – https://artsandculture.google.com/
Google Arts and Culture is a website centered on different types of inventions, art and history that has occurred in the past which has had an impact on our cultural upbringing. The initial setup of the website consists of an eye-catching homepage that draws the attention of the researcher. Plastered on the screen are pictures of the Parachute, the Gramophone, the telephone, The X-ray, Wi-Fi, The computer program and the printing press. To access the contents of the information the website uses a hover that allows the user to scroll through the various pictures and select which they will like to get information about. The website has a very creative structure, consisting of different ways for audiences to view different art pieces and inventions that were created. The platform has multiple methods of delivering information to people from the use of games, providing information on different artworks of the day that they think readers will have an interest in, YouTube videos, AR experiences that are accessible right from your computer and a very interesting feature that allows for discovering artwork by colour. When accessing the first section of the website which is the different inventions that were created the user is directed to another page with the information that they have chosen to learn about. The structure of this page no matter the option chosen presents the information in a way that is both structurally pleasing with pictures that appear as you scroll along with the history of the inventor giving almost a vertical slideshow effect. In terms of the navigation of the website, it is fairly simple to use, the structure is easy and simple to understand. There’s a navigation bar on both sides of the page along with a search bar. The right bar consists of Home, Explore, Play, Nearby, and Favourites and the left side goes a bit more in-depth with themes and experiments that you can explore. Everything on the website is labeled, hovering on the icons gives no issue when it is clicked and all the links for the website work. The explore page is a white page that consists of categories such as highlights, artists, mediums, art movements, historical events and figures, and places. You are allowed to even explore by ‘Time’, when selected a timeline appears at the top of the screen and allows the user to hover and choose which time period they will like to get information from. When the time period is chosen pictures will appear of all the options of art that were published during that time period. This is a very convenient way to present information because not only is it fun to use but it gives all of the options of artwork you can explore without having to comb through large amounts of information you can just simply look at the pictures and choose which one you are looking for or which one that appeals to you. You are also able to explore by colour which gives you when selected, a navigation bar at the top where a myriad of colours for the user to choose from appears and when selected, the same procedure occurs as the time feature. The next option on the home page navigation bar is the “Play” button which allows users when selected to play various games that are all either art or history related in some way. The second to last option is the ‘Nearby’ feature which allows the user to see what museums and exhibitions are near you and allows you to see how far they are. This is a very interesting and creative feature for art enthusiasts or historians as this will appeal to them and it’s a great way to attract people to your website because not only are they getting the content that they want but they are also able to visit and find information on where they can also experience the art spoken about on the website in person. Lastly, the ‘Favorites’ feature is placed for frequent users to save the information or links that they like the most and will most likely refer back to when needed without having to search for it every time they come back to the site. The layout of this site is not a complex one rather it is simple to navigate and every heading is labeled clearly and neatly on the pages, this is a great advantage because it leaves no room for any miscommunication about what the website provides for the user. The text style of the website is easy to read as it uses a basic font and a font size that is easy to read. The purpose of the site is clear as the title is at the top left side of the page entitled “Google Arts and Culture.” I believe that the site has achieved the goals that it was created to meet because the layout is effective and doesn’t give the reader any ability to question the purpose of the site as well as the general architecture of the website shows that much thought was put into it by the website programmers and developers of the website as everything is functioning as it should and doesn’t bring into question why the site was created because it is clear that it was created for a targeted audience but also shows that even individuals who aren’t usually their demographic will also be able to navigate through the site easily and not be confused by its contents.
Marc-Anthony Hosten
Website name: Highways of Trinidad
Website URL: Highways of Trinidad | An in Depth Look at the Major Highways on our Beautiful Isle of Trinidad (wordpress.com)
Content:
This website was made by Javeed Jaggassar and was geared to teaching the history of the major highways of Trinidad and Tobago. The content is scholarly sounding and adds a bit of fun by have little humour and facts sections but not to the point where it takes away from the experience. The site is also informative, the information is expressed well and alongside pictures help users to understand the information easier. While the creator of the site named it “Highway of Trinidad” he also stated on the home page “This website seeks to explore and inform the major Highways of the beautiful Twin Isle of Trinidad & Tobago.” but did not mention the highway in Tobago. This isn’t a big criticism as the name of the site does not include Tobago but to mention the twin isle while also leaving out one of the isles is an odd.
The layout of the site was well done, and the background is easy on the eyes however the search bar blended with the grey background, so it was not easy to see at first glance. The font of the text was sized well, and persons would not have to strain their eyes to read the information and the white font also pops with the grey background. It is also easy to navigate and to go to specific pages of the site to get information is seamless as Mr. Jaggassar put all the highways on separate pages. The About page of the site, however, should have been placed last alongside the Contact Us page as it took away the immersion and experience.
The website still meets its goals and communicates its information well and the sources used are credible and relevant.
Audience/Use: The audience Mr. Jaggassar states are historians and the public. The information Mr. Jaggassar provides will meet their needs but for historians the information may be a bit surface level but will provide them with a starting point for their research and the sources he used will also be of benefit to anyone seeking more knowledge.
New Media: The website does not do provide the information in such a way that it could not have been done on print however the website does make it more convenient for those interested in acquiring information on the history of Trinidad’s highways.
The Caribbean Food Files
https://thecaribbeanfoodfiles.wordpress.com/
The Digital History project being discussed and analysed in this review is a website which was created by a past student at the University Of the West Indies by the name of Melissa-Kim Dunkley. The name of the website/ project is ‘The Caribbean Food Files’ and it’s main aim is to present information on Caribbean food that we eat and how it is linked to the past periods of Colonization, Indentureship and slavery. The website states that the major powers that carried colonization, slavery and indentureship had major impacts on the lifestyles and cultures of persons in the Caribbean today, it states that not only did these powers affect and impact our lifestyles in the Caribbean but the different ethnic groups brought by these powers also provided a major influence on the culture which has been passed on throughout the different generations in the years that came after these major events. The website goes on to say that the mixing and fusion of these different groups would have created the diverse dishes prepared in the Caribbean and the means and methods by which they are prepared.
In my opinion the website provides such an extensive and insightful amount of information on the overall topic and theme of the what the website states that it is truly about. The author of the website definitely provides the readers and audience with the necessary knowledge of dishes which span across different islands for instance doubles of Trinidad and Tobago and then Jamaican Patties of Jamaica. The website also provides information on neutral and common food not particularly restricted to one specific country such as Chinese fried wontons and fried plantain. This website would definitely be suited to an audience of persons interested in looking to learn about Caribbean delicacies, foreigners looking for new dishes to try when planning on visiting the islands and students learning about the cultural dishes as the website provides extensive knowledge about the History of these popular dishes and delicacies.
Therefore, the audience that the website would attract would be of a vast variety since it would capture the general public, scholarly professionals, a junior audience(students), foodie lovers and tourists. As stated before, the content of the website provides extensive information on the food which is highlighted on the website which effectively provide the target audience with the information, they set out to look for. The content is appropriate for the audiences, it discusses exactly what it stated the website would be about, so it meets its necessary objectives while being fully comprehensive for the target audience. In my opinion this therefore leaves the website as a viable source for historical information, and I see no weaknesses in the provision of content. The project also consists of image and video presentations to help with providing further content on the food being discussed, it is not only filled with words like other websites, but it also provides readers with a variety of ways to gather information. This is also a good factor since some readers may be more visual learners so videos may be a better way for them to gather information and visual representation is never a bad thing when learning about something new especially food. This further allows the website to be considered a website to be considered when looking into Caribbean dishes just like the popular website Foodie Nation (https://www.foodienationtt.com/). The Caribbean Food Files however allows readers to get more of understanding of the roots of the dishes rather than mainly just the recipes like foodie nation so this website can be proved as more educational than other food websites.
In discussing the navigation it can be said that the website is definitely easy to use and understand, the flow from section to section can be done with ease and just by a click on the name of the section you are looking to read up on whether it may be the about section, appetizer section, entrée section or dessert section, drop down menus are also provided for sub sections and hyperlinks on pages to lead you to the next page is also provided to help with ease of accessibility for example with the hyperlink provided on the home page to direct readers to the about section for persons to learn more about what the site is about. The website also provides working YouTube Video links on the subsection pages of the various foods being discussed to provide more information on what is being presented with just a simple click. This therefore supports the opinion that the navigation of the website is easily accessible.
The design of the website which includes the colour scheme, organization of the content provided, font size and textual layout is quite standard and nothing major that would jump out to a reader in my opinion, this was not something that would have grasped my attention to continue reading, but my love for food would have been the driving factor that kept me reading on the website. The text layout and font size are standard, and headings are highlighted to introduce new sections and paragraphs being discussed but black was the only colour used for the text which can be viewed as professional and formal but besides the pictures and video links provided the text didn’t jump out in any way to grab the writers but nevertheless the pictures would have made up for that.
To conclude my review of The Caribbean Food Files I would say that the website was well put together since content, navigation and objects were all comprehensive, clear, understandable, and somewhat easy to acquire and it’s historical basis would be a major differing factor from other food websites.
References:
https://www.foodienationtt.com/
Name: Jolie Rooplal
Type of review: Review one (1)
Website title: “Internet Society”
Website link: https://www.internetsociety.org/mission/
In the context of the contemporary Internet, a website’s dependability is of extreme significance. Acquiring accurate knowledge that is useful in academic settings and other facets of life necessitates the use of these reputable resources. How may the utility and efficiency of the material on a website be evaluated? So, in order to evaluate the significance of the Internet in society, we must recall the features of the Internet as a technology in contemporary society. The purpose of picking this website, “Internet Society,” was to evaluate its effectiveness by examining its aesthetics, usability, public appeal, and readability of the overview. This was done since the internet is a vital platform that is utilized globally in everyday culture.
Immediately after I arrived at the website, I noticed the Web logo in the upper left corner. This quickly gave me the impression that the website was focused on the internet and, more generally, the world wide web. When it comes to attempting to interact with the general public, I believe that logos are a very important tool. According to the findings, the primary purpose of a logo is to accurately represent the company or website in question (Kash, 2019). In addition to this, “it is the substance of the company, and as such, it should be consistent, identifiable, and express the notion of the brand across all visual components and advertising techniques ” (Kash, 2019). As a result of this, when it came to this logo, I quickly knew that the Internet was the key focus of this digital website.
In addition, the 3D display that was showing a video of many variables associated with the development of future technologies piqued my interest. The realistic display of images in the background of the sentence “The internet is for everyone; it drives everything we do” would attract more users because it appeals to realism, which is an important factor in the decision-making process for online users. The 3D display would also be able to relay the message of the brand to individuals more effectively, which would result in the brand being successfully conveyed and would appeal to a larger consumer base (The Upwork Team, 2021). In this particular instance, I came to the conclusion that the aesthetics were advantageous since I was able to form an impression of the website even before I had read it thoroughly and gained an understanding of the emphasis and purpose of the site. This website is simple to navigate due to the fact that it has a structure that is easy to comprehend and provides you with the opportunity to acquire additional information based on specific categories. These categories include the website’s history, its mission, its impact, and many others, all of which are accessible from the header of the page. Also, all of the hyperlinks worked when clicked. These links aided my overall search because they allowed me to examine the site’s plethora of material. According to Baggio and Antonioli Corigliano (2009), hyperlinks not only contribute to the site’s depth of content, but also generate valuable social linkages and contribute to the web’s currency.
The organization’s key strength is the supply of dependable and unfettered Internet access. In addition, the purpose of the website is to make the Internet “open, globally linked, secure, and reliable for the general public.” Some of the organization’s key goals included supporting the growth of web-dependent communities and enhancing the Internet’s infrastructure. It was particularly impressive that after expressing their goal, they went on to give the audience some idea of how they planned to carry out that purpose. I think that this makes it easier for an audience to get involved because the majority of their questions about the goals are answered. Additionally, it brings to the audience’s attention the long-term goal that the organization is working toward (Indeed Editorial Team 2021) while simultaneously encouraging and motivating them to keep reading. The font size also deemed appropriate for persons of varying ages. I believe that an elderly person would not have any problems with the text sizes. On the other hand, I thought that the colors that were used might appeal more to a younger crowd, as white backgrounds with simple color palettes appear to cater to people of all ages (Digital Marketing, 2022).
From my perspective, the organization’s website provided a concise synopsis of the historical elements. The schematics depicting the site’s historical biography sparked my interest. According to readings, historical or background material would alert the intended audience to specific date and event changes occurring within the purview of the internet (Indeed Editorial Team, 2022). However, I believe that the link to the historical factors should be provided in the header of the first page rather than at the bottom. On the other hand, given the organization’s primary concentration on the internet, the first page should have included a brief history of the internet itself. I appreciated how, on the page where the history of the internet was founded, there were visual facts, data from commercial and non-profit organizations, as well as trustworthy sources like “the World Bank,” displayed. The organization’s website seems to be frequently updated and includes input from recent years. From the dates when they first began through the dates when they have evolved, However, given that their most recent report was in 2019, I feel that in order to demonstrate to the audience that this site is still in operation, they should showcase materials and reports from 2020–2022, demonstrating the most current applicability of their studies.
In conclusion, the aim of this website has been clearly stated, and the site’s content has active hyperlinks, an attractive layout/font, and simple navigation throughout. There were a few drawbacks with the website, such as its history being at the bottom of the page instead of the top, the colors appealing to most but not all audiences, and the necessity to update reports to more recent years, such as 2020- 2022. Overall, I believe that this is a great website that could benefit from some improvements.
Title- Slave Voyages
Website link- https://www.slavevoyages.org/
The website, ‘Slave Voyages’ is a digital history website that is geared towards the general public where the purpose is to share and make information and data on the largest slave trade recorded in history easily accessible. In addition, it looks at where the slaves were captured from and other relevant information surrounding the slave voyages. When a person clicks the website link it automatically opens on the homepage, this features the objective of the page and a brief summary of the websites objective and its content. Therefore, this can aid in the audience making the decision whether they would like to read more of the content or look for something else. Under this information, there is a ‘play symbol’ which uses a video with the title, ‘Henry Louis Gates introduces slave voyages 2.0 and some of its people.’ In the video, it highlighted Gates profession where he works as a professor at the Harvard University then they added information from Alex Borucki, a professor in the department of History at the University of California. It went on to use visual representation showcasing data, pictures of the slave ships and other relevant information with regards to the slave voyages.
Moreover, the public is given access to contribute data to the website. According to the website, the Contribute area allows Voyages website visitors to add to and/or amend existing material in the Voyages Database. As part of the peer-review process, each submission will be reviewed by a team of slave trade scholars. Following changes to the Voyages Database will include new and/or altered information. Campbell (2012) had a critique about digital history website where he noted, “By providing an egalitarian approach to “who gets to publish,” the Internet makes everyone a publishing historian. Therefore, the evaluation of the ultimate truth might be disregarded.” Whereas the information posted to the website is peer-reviewed which strengthens the validity of the information controlling who gets to publish the information.
At the top of the page, it offers the option to select between six sections: trans-Atlantic, Intra-American, People of the Atlantic Slave Trade, Resources, About, Blog and EN. This therefore makes it easier for the reader to go to the section that he/she has interest in without reading the whole document. The homepage of the document is in black and white with an interesting backdrop of a video that includes pictures related to slave voyages, this automatically caught my attention. The page did not include any bright or loud colours to grasp the readers eyes with pictures and even headings however the layout of the information and the word font was able to do so. The website doesn’t include a search engine which can be a disadvantage, since readers would have to search individually for the information required. “While using search engines may be problematic, in reality they are the only digital tool that most historians use, indeed there is a lack of widely used techniques that can be used to interrogate, summarize, and understand the large volumes of material that are available” (Gregory, 2014).
The website is easy to Navigate and with one click a person can view information and even access database on the information. The websites show a timeline of the events from the years 1525 to 1866. The database included information such as the vessels name, place where captives were purchase, place where captives landed, captains name and even the average amount of persons arrived. These information were shown in charts and tables to represent the various statistics. In addition, the website uses a 3d image of the slave vessels to give the audience a vivid idea of how the vessels looked however it would’ve been better to have a picture portraying the actual vessel used in the slave voyages. The website also included pictures of written and other data and information surrounding the slave voyages. “The original image source may be difficult for the researcher to access, or it may be destroyed, requiring the use of a scanner to create a replica” (Campbell, 2012). This can be another issue surrounding the information and pictures published.
It is important to note that the website is clear to navigate and I would recommend it to anyone studying a topic on slave voyages since everything is at the fingertips of the viewer and the information can be accessed easily. There was also a section with understanding the database. . “These projects, displaying collections of numerical data, texts, images, maps, and sounds, create capacious spaces in which users make connections and discoveries for themselves” (Ayers, 2001). The structure is clear also however it may be difficult for persons who prefer to view contents with plenty images as they are scrolling and those that prefer bright and extremely bold fonts and colours to grasp their interest.
It also gives the option to view the document in three different languages breaking language barriers to some aspect and widening the targeted audience not only towards English speaking nationals or countries but to those who speak Portuguese and Spanish. Therefore, persons outside the English speaking countries can access this information on the web and learn about the history of the slave voyages. All or most questions with regards to the slave voyages can be answered which is important for the reader or viewer. The information was layout in a great way and was easily accessible which is an advantage since it is a website. However, besides a website, the most suitable way to express the information would be either through a film or textbook and they both have strengths and weaknesses with portraying the data. If a textbook is used it may be difficult to use the films throughout the video and with regards to a film the audience might see it as lengthy and somewhat boring.
Ayers, Edward L. “The Pasts and Futures of Digital History.” History News, 56:4 (2001): 5-9.
Campbell, John F. “Clio’s Matrix: Reflecting on Digital History at The University of the West Indies, St Augustine.” The Caribbean Teaching Scholar 2, no. 2 (2012).
Gregory, Ian. “Challenges and opportunities for digital history.” Frontiers in Digital Humanities 1 (2014): 1.
Review 1
The website under review is entitled ‘Salem Witch Trials – Documentary Archive and Transcription Project’ and is an endeavor headed by professors of the Universities of Virginia and Binghamton. The main objective of the site can be described as aiming to present an organized and reliable archive of primary sources of information on the Salem witch trials of 1692 as well as a new transcription of the court records for these trials. The site houses multiple sources of information on these witch trials ranging from historical maps and contemporary books to diary entries and sermons, with displays of the original sources included as well. The main users of the content offered on this site would likely be from that of a scholarly audience as the information provides very specific details on the Salem witch trials with the original documents or sources which would be useful to those researching and writing on this event. The content of this website appears to be well suited to an audience from an academia origin, but would also be understandable to and usable by the general public as the layout can be described as generally simple. While the information and materials are quite comprehensive in nature and provide very particular details on this historical occurrence, the language used is not necessarily complex and therefore readable by the average user but overall the content is still invaluable to a scholarly audience.
At first glance, the website appears quite basic in appearance, with muted colours and basic fonts used on the homepage. The lack of excessive colour however does suit the content and does not distract from the main goal to provide information on the Salem witch trials. Similarly, the font used is simple but effective as it is legible and not too small like Picardal (2018) warns against, as it would then be difficult to read and ‘force users to squint’, reducing usability and functionality. Moreover, the website is organized in a transparent manner, as users are immediately greeted with a full menu of what is offered, categorized into just five sections with information on the project itself also being easily accessible next to the listing of available resources. As such navigation of the website is easy, even if a user were to select and go to ‘Documents’, they would still be able to access each of the general categories the site is organized into as well as the homepage. Regarding the links to each source material, all are functional and carry users to the intended resource as named, with the pictures on the first page even carrying one to the respective category it is listed under. Furthermore, Nten (2015) does recommend a site having many pictures and videos, however few are found on this site aside from the homepage mainly and under “Images” in the ‘Project Information’ section. This may be less appealing to the general public but suits the target audience of scholars and when considering the nature and time period of information, numerous visuals might be excessive or unnecessary.
All in all, this website is straightforward and easy to use with regards to navigation and readability while providing comprehensive information to users. The flow into each general category and then back to the homepage and other pages is also uninterrupted. However, the lack of visuals and colour may be unattractive or ‘boring’ to the general public, nonetheless the site is appropriate for the target audience while also meeting the main objective of providing an “electronic collection of primary source materials relating to the Salem witch trials of 1692 and a new transcription of the court records”.
Shania Khan
https://salem.lib.virginia.edu/texts/tei/HutPool/
References
Nten. 2015. “10 Things to Consider When Planning a Website Design (or Re-Design)”. https://www.nten.org/blog/10-things-to-consider-when-planning-a-website-design-or-re-design.
Picardal, Ryan. 2018. “How to Make Your Website Easy to Navigate.” Power Digital Marketing. https://powerdigitalmarketing.com/blog/how-to-make-your-website-easy-to-navigate/.
Review 1
Digital Humanities – Google Arts and Culture.
https://artsandculture.google.com/
The site is built around the education and sharing of artwork from around the world through a unique medium that allows for an even wider audience as it facilitates more than those who can view the site. Case in point, whilst the selling point of the website can be interpreted as the accessibility it offers users to view the art on their computer and/or phone, it is the ability of logging in with one’s Google account, that enables them to easily navigate between multiple devices and share the artwork more easily. It also serves as a library for a variety of art forms in one established place including games, education namely science, history and literature, personalizes it for its audience through recommendations and broadens one’s general understanding of digital humanities by unsolicited acknowledgements of important dates and themes during relevant times. Hence, it successfully achieves its purpose of facilitating by accessibility of the website through increasing its platform usability which creates the by-product of a wider reach. In addition, it facilitates a wider audience through the compilation of a significant amount of details regarding artwork from all genres in one place, which has the ability to make it a preferred medium than other websites through its easy to follow layout, and user friendly nature.
The audience ideally would be those who hold interest in art, be it hobbyist or a student needing to research artwork and obtain information on it. A teacher could additionally be an ideal user as the library of artwork available would serve as a valuable resource in a classroom. The scholastic reach of the information although fairly detailed is exceedingly leveraged breadth wise than it is in depth.
However, the stylized nature of the presentations as well as it’s various forms of engagement lends itself towards the attention and retention of a younger audience as it sports features such as achievements, themes, experiments and games. The use of these features would greatly enhance the experience of the student shifting from the conventional methods of simply displaying the information to more engaging methods that include the student in the process while disseminating the information.
The information is presented largely in the form of high-quality imagery adorned with smaller descriptive text. The information is also not presented in a linear manner, there are presentations that dive into artwork that explores the depth of the pieces but also portrays the similar information in the form of activities such as games and experiments, collections exist as groupings of artwork that could inspire students depending on their topic.
The site is designed with the classic Google layout style that is well utilized for other platforms that fall under their umbrella but still manages to evoke a unique sense of artistry with the colour choices and the carousel sections used to showcase the art belonging to a particular artist, theme or keyword. The site’s main page is a long vertical page broken into subsection that either adhere to the carousel or to a collage of art pieces. If an art piece bears significance, the presentation usually reflects this, with a far more immersive demonstration and explanation of the artwork and the periphery information regarding it. In effect it provides a superior user experience for the audience by expressing content in an artistic way which appeals to them. The user experience is also enhanced through its vibrant color scheme which further appeals to the emotions of the audience and its classic layout draws the audience’s attention to the most important events. Further to this, the fonts are clear to follow and visible against the vibrant backgrounds, which enhances the user experience.
The navigation of the site flows easily from piece to piece and the site takes into account the type of artwork you peruse so similar art is shown to you. It also allows you to search for pieces through the artist, the medium or various keywords highlighted through the description provided for each piece. The artwork housed in the site can be found not only by directly searching for it but also by the various collections and daily topics. It unarguably allows the audience to easily allocate the information they are searching for thereby making it more engaging and enhancing the user experience.
The site is well balanced between form and function. It utilizes Google’s format while still managing to present its information in a unique and intriguing manner. The library of artwork available is by far the most impressive of its features as in the sections it uses to identify the artwork. The ability to easily view and share the artwork by logging into your account to view your specialized collections also boosts the reach of the site.
Review 1
https://thecaribbeanfoodfiles.wordpress.com/
The following is a review of “The Caribbean Food Files” digital history project. This review will examine the overall website home page, format and navigation of the site, and overall content.
Homepage
The website’s homepage features a cover image at the top listing the website’s name as well as tabs to the various pages on the site. This cover image is repeated on each of the site’s page. As the first item viewers see, the cover image fails to convey the creator’s intended purpose. If the viewer is someone not from the Caribbean, the cover image —- which is instead a collection of cropped images —- looks like a few ‘tropical’ or ‘exotic’ fruits coupled with unidentified dishes. Moreover, the colour scheme of the orange, yellow and green shades against a teal webpage background is not complimentary. While as someone from the Caribbean I could identify items such as ‘coconuts’, ‘pineapples’, and ‘five fingers’, the remaining items remain unknown to me.
From the cover image and its constant repetition one would hope that these items would be explored further at some point during the website. Yet, as one scrolls from the cover banner image, a picture with the caption ““Jamaican curry goat” Courtesy of Skkan Media entertainment” appears. Then nowhere after is the relationship between the banner image and the preceding text on the homepage make mention of the relevance of a picture of Jamaican curry goat plastered in the center. One would hope that if an image is deliberately inserted that it bears some relation to the surrounding text or that an explanation be given. The out of place image with no clearly expressed linkage to the text is followed by a brief introduction of 111 words. Yes, it was that brief. While the tone and language used is inviting, the homepage introduction reads more like a doorway to the “about” page without giving much details regarding the site itself.
The right and left margins of the cover page are far the most part blank with the date and social media links hanging mid air as if out of place like a side thought, as compared to the website tabs that seem built in and intentional. Better use of the right and left margins whether through images or colour is recommended.
Further recommendations include: the banner image which should include either a range of images with a more varied colour palette to make it more vibrant, or at the very least list some text names of the items portrayed so that they could be recognised. As is, it is not very appealing and I do not recognised some of the cooked dishes at first glance. The teal background likewise fails to compliment the colours effectively enough. Notwithstanding such, the tone of the text is inviting and the use of a logo image of a chef does give a sense of expectancy as to what is next.
Format and Navigation
The homepage makes it clear the tabs available on the site and the banner is maintained for each tab allowing for easy navigation. The “About” page is clear and gives a strong foundation for the project. It includes far more text and contextualisation of what the website goals are with historical reference to its relevance. Likewise, the “next” and “previous” options at the bottom of each page continues to allow for ease of navigation.
The website layout is one where different tabs/pages are used for different groups of food, namely: appetisers, entrees, and desserts. This was clever given the overall theme of the webpage. The “contact us” page however was visually unappealing and lacking for it to require an entire tab/page to itself. Rather, given the limited contact info, such may have been included as a recurring footer banner listing the site name and contact information instead. The references page was well laid out and gave credibility to some claims made throughout the site. Overall, navigation was good and the page formatting was consistent for each new page.
Content — Use of Text and Graphics
The bulk of the content as it relates to the website’s name and purpose “Caribbean Food Files” are found in the appetiser, entree and dessert tabs. However, despite the grand name leading the viewer to expect a range of dishes, only five dishes across the three tabs are listed. They are: Chinese fried wontons, fried plantains, doubles, Jamaican patties, and jalebi. One may be tempted to consider such false advertising if the site claims to have the “files”, plural of Caribbean food. Are viewers to surmise that this is the full extent of Caribbean delicacy? Or, did the website’s creator intend to list “popular” Caribbean food or a mere snapshot of “some”. The use of foods featured in more than one Caribbean Island, is of course commendable, likewise the varied cultural backgrounds associated with such.
However, what, if anything, has it to do with the website repetitive cover image? Did any of the dishes employ coconuts or pineapples or five fingers? With the exception of jalebi pictured both in the cover and in the desserts section, the cover image proves largely irrelevant given the chosen food contents.
Nevertheless, the chosen food items were in fact accompanied by text with their names and visual aids such as images/video alongside a short text description of the item. This was well done. While as a viewer I would have expected more items, the items supplied had the basics covered in what I would expect in a food file. Given the website goal and question as stated in the About section, “What do the foods that we eat in the Caribbean today, tell us about our past as it relates to Colonization, Slavery and Indentureship?”, I found that the website failed to answer its own question. Was it meant that the reader make their own assumptions? Am I to believe that some of these dishes existed since colonial days? Or were birthed from slavery or indentureship? Or is it that an intangible heritage was passed on through generations which retained some cooking techniques while being influenced by the multicultural environment such historical events facilitated with the forced migrations of people groups?
The goal of the website is excellent, however its execution is lacking. If I were not to read the “about” page, The site reads as five alleged Caribbean dishes forced under traditional western headings of meal terminology. For example, “doubles” for some could be breakfast or even lunch, an appetiser or a full meal depending on the number. Rather than the initial headings, grouping foods according to country or mixed heritage may have been more appropriate. The terms “appetiser, entree and desserts” in the first place aren’t typically used when referring to everyday meals outside a fancy restaurant. Which brings into question the use of text and language and its appropriates to the topic at hand.
The language used on the homepage and about page is inviting, however the creator seemed lost for words when it came to descriptions, in text, of the Caribbean dishes that should be the highlight of the website. A simple ingredients list, for example, would have been more appropriate than a few string of text with an image or video. The idea is excellent, however I do not walk away with a sense that I have truly learnt something from a self proclaimed history project. While as someone from the Caribbean I could make my own linkages as to the relevance of the dishes chosen and their importance, but the site on its own does not achieve such, especially if someone not from the Caribbean was viewing.
Conclusion
Overall, I believe the idea to digitally document various foods emerging in the Caribbean from its turbulent history is an important and admirable one. The idea is excellent. However the execution falls short of my expectations. It’s not horrible. No, it could pass. However, it’s not excellent or inspiring either. I am not impressed to say the least. There is potential for further development as the idea is an excellent one and I applaud the webpage owner for embarking on such a journey. I wish them the best in the future and I hope that the site could be developed to include more Caribbean dishes as well.
Dé. Noel