Ch. 5 #2

The website I chose to visit from Chapter 5 was http://www.nsa.gov.
The purpose of this website is to inform the public about the National Security Agency. This includes its mission, the latest news on the NSA and information on careers with the organization.
The intended audience would be the American public and those who are interested in the security of our country.
The site does reach the intended audience. The website is very clear cut and designed so that it is easy to navigate and access information. There is also a search button which I found helpful.
Examples of how this website uses recommended web design guidlines are: the content is appealing to the target audience, all content displayed properly and the use of colors and graphics is consistent and appealing to a site visitor.
The only improvement I would make to this website is to its homepage. I appreciate the content that was included on the home page but it was a bit too crowded for my liking. I feel like the "latest news" portion could have been made into a seperate link.

Ch. 5 #1 & 2

1. Two websites that I found that are less than fantastic are: http://www.miauk.com/ and http://www.gta.gov.zw. Both of these websites have a lot of errors according to recommended web design practices. The two websites I found are both poorly designed websites but they have different design errors.

miauk.com was almost scary to visit! Upon opening the site, the visitor is bombarded with flashing lights and bright colors. I could hardly concentrate on what this site was suppose to be about. The pictures on the homepage are of poor quality and there are far too many of them. I had to look several times to even understand what the pictures where suppose to be about. The links on the homepage are too vague and too light but they did shead some light on what this site is about. The link to her news was ok; maybe a bit jumbled together but a cake walk compared to the photo gallery. Again, those pictures were jumbled together and included bright, flashing lights which started to make my head hurt. On the first try, I couldnt find the link back to the home page (it was light colored and at the very bottom of the page regardless of where the page content ended. In summary, the page layout was not consistent, was not appealing to me as a visitor (but may appeal to her target audience?) and was not very informative. I would give this website a grade of F for use of colors and graphics.

The second website I found, gta.gov.zw was updated at the beginning of this year but looks about 20 years behind the times. The first time I visited this site, it came up with no trouble but after that, my computer had trouble opening it. The thing that really bothered me about the site was that its links and content weren't spaced out enough. The content was there but was a bit too crowded to read. On the home page, the scroll bar went by way too quickly. I did like the use of colors they used, not too overwhelming. After clicking on the links, I found it was hard to get back to the home page. This isn't the worst site out there but the site developer could definitely use some tips.

One of My Favorite Websites

I have loved shopping from an early age and since I'm a broke college student, I have learned how to shop for quality clothing and accessories with a good bargain.
One of my favorite websites is Maurices.com. Their clothing is cute, not excessively expensive and of decent quality. The website is extremely easy to navigate.


Their website does use the Web Safe Color Palette.They have links for the home page to Sales, Plus Size Clothing and Shop By Category. They use lighter, less conspicious colors to showcase their brand name, store locator, live chat, etc. but then make their products more attractive by using a bolder, brighter color. They also use light colors for the links that show up after you click on a main link. For example, the web site guest can click on Shop By Category (shown in a bold pink color) and be directed to a list which is shown in a light blue color. Once a guest clicks on an item, the text gets bolder with a different, brighter color. The image is also then surrounded by a highlighted box.

The Virgin Islands

The sun, the sand, the surf. The British Virgin Islands has all of these things and more! Visitors to these islands can find camping, surfing, hiking, beaches, sailing and snorkeling.
St. John is the least developed of the Virgin Islands but it offers many outdoor activities (ecotours, fishing) as well as accommodations. This island prides itself on being quiet, leaving the nightlife to the other islands, so it's the perfect romantic getaway. Almost all of this island is protected by Virgins Islands National Park. This will preserve the wildlife for many years to come so that tourists may come and enjoy looking at it. Guests don't need to get wet to enjoy what St. John has to offer. Along with sea activities, the island offers kayaking and bird watching. The beaches are white sand, perfect for soaking up the sun!
The water surrounding the islands is generally clear, with visibility ranging from 60 to 100 feet. Visitors may also sail around the islands for an overview. Charter boats are available for touring and sailing school is also set up for those who would rather sail on their own.

This article made me really want to visit St. John! While it only covered this island, I felt it did a thorough job at marketing it. The reference section of this article included links to the various activities the article talked about, which I found helpful. The site did have a fair amount of ads, which are somewhat annoying, but they did relate to vacation and it's necessities.




http://usvirginislandstravel.suite101.com/article.cfm/st_john_us_virgin_islands

Web Research

The HTML tutorial website I found most helpful was: Davesite.com.
The URL of this website is: http://www.davesite.com/webstation/html/
The main page is an introduction to HTML and explains what HTML is. The main page is geared towards beginners but as the visitor scrolls to the bottom, they can click on either advanced or basic topics to learn about.
I would recommend this site to others because it was easy to navigate, set up in a manageable way, covered a variety of topics and overall was very helpful in learning about the concepts of HTML. I found the interactive tutorial for beginners most helpful. The website was free but they do ask that visitors take a look at their sponsors.
Several things I learned from this tutorial include: How to add a link or image by using location"> opening tag and closing tag and that it is helpful to purchase a domain and web hosting packing before promoting the site you've created.

The XHTML website I found helpful was:http://www.freewebmasterhelp.com. The URL to this website is: http://www.freewebmasterhelp.com/tutorials/xhtml.
This website is geared toward beginners but will link visitors to more advanced articles. The website breaks down its lesson in parts, a short explanation and then an example of how to do it. I love that because you're not overwhelmed with words and you can quickly scan the material and see an example.
I liked this website better than the first one, simply because it summed it up in not a lot of words and the links were easy to see and get to. I would definitely recommend this website!
I learned several things from this website: that XHTML is the future of the Internet (so it's to our advantage to learn it now) and that frames and tables are critical to web design because"It is impossible to create a navigation bar on a website without using frames or tables in one form or another".

O Canada

Growing up in a state that's on the border of Canada, a lot of people I know made the 5 hour drive to this beautiful country when they turned 18 because the drinking age is several years lower than the age in the United State. This country has so much to offer to tourists from all countries; wildlife, mountains, French delicacies and seemingly endless roads that give off the impression that civilization is far off. Some of the most spectacular places to stay are found scattered throughout Canada. I read several articles and put together my list of the top 5.

1. FairMont Le Chteau Frontenac : Overlooking the St. Lawrence River, the Fairmont offers guests a memorable experience in Quebec, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Originally built as a stopover for Canadian Pacific Railway travelors in the 18th century, architects quickly used designs inspired by the Renaissance and Middle Ages.The guestrooms have been newly renovated, a renowned Chef dishes up meals in the dining room and of course there is the distinctive European charm as well as an indoor pool and fitness center. Guests can hold business and special events at their banquet facilities. The hotel is home to Santol, a canine who greets guests and is available accompanies them on walks. This hotel also offer complimentary "Green" parking for guests who drive hybrids. Famous guests of this hotel include: Alfred Hitchcock, Chiang-Kai-Shek, Princess Grace of Monoco and President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
http://www.fairmont.com/EN_FA/Property/LCF/AboutUs/HotelHistory.htm



2.Le Scandinave Spa Mont-Tremblant is located on Blue Mountain in Quebec. Surrounded by peace and nature, guests enjoy the luxury of a genuine Scandanavian bath, allowing the guest to leave rejuvenated and at peace. Scandanavian baths are benefitial because they cleanse the skin, improves physical conditioning and provides an increased sense of well being. The baths are located outdoors, surrounded by quiet nature. The spa also offers massage, yoga, a bistro, and spa packages. Large windows allow guests to sit in the warm inside while still enjoying the quaint Canadian countryside. This accomodation is listed in Canada's Most Romantic Places.
http://www.scandinavetremblant.com/en/

3.Pillar and Post Niagra-on-the-Lake: This hotel is renowned for its country charm!Originally built in the 1890's as a canning factory, this structure has been turned into a one of a kind hotel. Voted Best Hotel in Ontario, it is also Ontario's only five star country inn. Although elegant, the hotel has a relaxed atmosphere. Sunshine cascades down through skylights onto terra cotta tile floors. Inside the hotel is the 100 Fountain Spa, a true escape to relaxation. Recently renovated, the spa features more services, such as the heated saltwater pools and hot springs plus a larger interior. The Cannery and Carriages Dining Room features Executive Chef, Randy Dupuis who whips up treats from locally grown ingredients. For more informal dining, there's the Vintages Wine Bar and Lounge where you can design your own pizza. The assortment of options make the inn an ideal place to take your family or meet business colleagues. Other ammeneties to the hotel include: a babysitting service, free parking, pets allowed and concierge service.
http://services.worldweb.com/tourism-reservation.html?mode=showpropertyinfo&objecttype_name=PegasusHotel&hotel_id=2920&location_level=3:631&category_level=1:333


4. FAIRMONT CHATEAU LAKE LOUISE is considered an icon of the Rock Mountains. On the shores of Lake Louise, the hotel faces the impressive Victoria Glacier. From the hotel, guests can visit Alberta's Banff National Park or the village of Lake Louise. The hotel lies in the midst of Canada's fist national park which makes it ideallic for hiking,canoeing or horseback riding. The gues rooms are finely furnished and offer scenic views of the lake, mountains and hotel grounds. The hotel also is hoem to a spa and salon as well as eight dining options. The philosophy of the hotel is "turing moments into memories" for their guests. Ammeneties at the hotel include: Pets allowed, bike tours, boating,gondola rides, snowmobiling tours and snowshoeing.
http://www.fairmont.com/LakeLouise?cm_mmc=icppc-_-Branded-CLL%20-%20Chateau%20Lake%20Louise%20-%20Canada-_-google-_-fairmont+chateau+lake+louise

5.Emerald Lake Lodge of Yoho is situated in Yoho National Park in British Columbia. This hotel has been ranked fourth by Readers Choice Awards and rated as a top hotel in Conde Naste Magazine. The lodge first opened it's doors in 1902 by owners who were inspired by the surrounding scenery.Yoho Park is a quiet area that offers one of the most spectacular sites in the Canadian Rockies. To enhance this natural silence, there are no televisions to be found anywhere in the hotel. Instead the rooms offer fireplaces and down duvets. Entertainment for the guests are found in the nearby lake and mountains. Guests dont have to venture from the hotel to see wildlife;bears are known to be close to the lodge. Dont let the quaintness fool you. The lodge is only a 20 minute drive from Alberta and the on site restaurant offers excuisite cuisine. http://british-columbia-travel.suite101.com/article.cfm/one_of_the_best_hotels_of_the_canadian_rockies







http://www.canada.worldweb.com/TravelArticles/Top10//8-147491.html
http://www.canada.worldweb.com/TravelArticles/Top10/

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is more than a city where smoking pot is legal although that industry, along with the Red Light District has drawn in tourists for years. It is a city filled with historical content, exquisite restaurants and beautiful scenery. I visited the official Amsterdam (English language one) website to scope out the tourist attractions that they're promoting. This is a great tool for visitors to the city! It's an easy to navigate website and you can even book your hotel stay through them. One of the attractions is the cruise down the canals. The canals run through the city and create fantastic ambience. The website lists the prices for the different cruises as well as an option to book one. Another great attraction is the windmills, a staple in Netherland society. Of course the Van Gogh Museum is a must see for art lovers and the Anne Frank House is another attraction (be prepared for long lines!) for every one visiting the city. There is also the Heineken brewery for beer fanatics. Most of these attractions are reasonably priced and well worth it if you want a guided tour of the city. 

http://www.traveldna.net/ibe-uat/tdnadistributor.dll/EXEC/3/0gohenw1d1sf441g97lqw1yw9w3p

5 New York Times Blogs

The 5 blogs I visited today were: At War, Bitten, Frugal Traveler, Well and The Moment. All of these interest me and can to some degree, pertain to my interests and my life. 

"It is better to let them do it themselves imperfectly, than to do it yourself perfectly. It is their country, their war and our time is short." T.E Lawrence. The first blog I read was At War, Notes from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq and other areas of conflict in the post -9/11 era. . This blog is far from a pacifist movement, it acknowledges that our men and women serving in the armed forces are "highly motivated and action oriented". The articles in the blog rang from the Lawrence of Arabia, which was intended to support the US getting out of Iraq and Afghanistan to reporters viewpoints of the places in Iraq and Afghanistan that they are reporting from to speculation about what will happen to these countries when Americans leave. I appreciated how this blog seemed to encompass both the for and against viewpoints on the war against terror. http://atwar.blogs.nytimes.com/

The second blog I read was Bitten. Anyone who knows me knows that  I appreciate food especially trying new cuisine. This blog has a featured food, videos, recipes, how to's, wine suggestions and reviews on restaurants. This blog was truly a foodies dream site! Most of the food on this site is fairly basic and you have to look to find things that are extremely exotic. It's meant to showcase food that every day people can eat, if they have the time to cook it! I really enjoyed reading this blog. It was simple to navigate and fun to look at. http://bitten.blogs.nytimes.com/

The third blog I read was Frugal Travelor. Being that I'm a broke college student who loves to travel, this was the perfect site for me. This blogger "seeks out high style on a low budget", something that every travelor in the recession can appreciate. There are a lot of great tips on this site, everything from buying a decent priced but quality camera to traveling with a family. There are also links on the website to places to stay (hotels, hostels, couches) to what to pack for a weekend in the mountains. The site seemed to focus a lot on places in New York. I would have appreciated it more if he focused on a global travel level but I would definitely use this website in my future travels. http://frugaltraveler.blogs.nytimes.com/

My fourth blog was Well, a report on medical science, nutrition, fitness and family health. This is something that almost everyone should be looking at in a country that is currently fighting obesity. This blog is focused on taking little steps every day to achieve overall health. We cant be so dependent on doctors giving us a pill to cure every ailment, we need to take charge our our health and that starts with healthy living. The articles covered a wide range of topics, some very personal such as her own husbands visit to the hospital. On the site, a reader can find a list of tags and find the particular topic they are looking for. The articles are well written and most of them not super serious which makes reading them easier and more interesting. http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/

The last blog I looked at was The Moment. This is T Magazines blog about fashion. This blog doesn't only cover clothes but also fashionable architecture, actresses and food. I loved the videos and pictures that were on the blogs. I guess I find it fun to look at run way shows :) The articles were fairly short and they links limited but this is a great blog to look at to catch up on the news of the finer things in life. This blog is put together by more than one columnists so it makes a great piece that includes many perspectives. http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/

http://www.nytimes.com/ref/topnews/blog-index.html

Let the Adventure Begin

England is full of famous and not so famous places to visit during your stay in the United Kingdom. Several of the "must see" places in London Town are: The Tower of London, The London Eye, Buckingham Palace and the British Museum. Each of these places provide visitors with a vast array of historical facts and stories, leaving the site a landmark in its own right. Visitor's wont leave disappointed after seeing any of these sights. Because most travelers only have a few days in each country or town, they may not be able to see every site but instead should narrow it down to their own list of "must sees".
This article leaves out many great sites but includes some of the more well known and popular ones for visitors who want to get an overview of London. The sites listed in the article encompasses many years of British culture and helps give travelers a small sampling of what the history of England contains. The article could have included more but I can see that they were trying to squeeze the main sites into their article. Instead they give honorable mentions to St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminister, Hyde Park and several other sites that visitors can look up on their own. I think thats helpful to travelers as a starting point in what to see and do while in London. Overall, I found this article extremely helpful and think that others will think so as well!

Quality Website

Http://www.msn.com is among my top favorite websites. It's a website that one can find many helpful links to, including: weather, Hotmail, MSN Messenger, life style articles, shopping, sports information and much more.

MSN.com is similar to Google because it includes a search engine that will link you to anywhere else on the web but it differs because it offers more links on its homepage instead of having to type in a subject to search.

Because it offers links and articles on so many varying subjects, it is an extremely helpful website when I need an answer. It is very easy to navigate and user friendly. It is a website that people of all ages can enjoy. The website is updated daily with entertainment news, hot topics and serious news like you would see on CNN.

Me

Hey!

I'm Vanessa and I am a 23 year old senior Communications major. I'm originally from Minnesota but wanted a change of scenery so I transferred to Lenoir-Rhyne University. I am in a sorority, work, and enjoy traveling. I use to dance and cheer but haven't found much time for those activities during college. I'm very spontaneous and enjoy doing most anything. I have 2 cats that I love very much and enjoy spoiling. I spent most of my winter break reading and catching up with friends from high school. After graduation, I plan on moving back to Minnesota and attending cosmetology school for esthiology (skin care).