Identity

Mariann Daniel
March 12, 2008
Electronic Word

The readings we had for today were interesting because they informed me about things that I knew very little about. For instance that while creating a web page a person should keep the line size of a text down or that while making the page the type should be larger because it will appear smaller on the net. It is also interesting to note how files should be saved which is very important for organization for projects. Also the anti-aliasing section was interesting and showed the importance of a well done picture and how that enhances a site as a whole.

I took a look at Sherry Turkle and George P. Landow's websites. Sherry's was interesting because it looks so professional. The first thought when I saw it was that this site is sort of like her personal resume for anyone who wants to know what her professional life is like. The site gives no personal information--it does not connect her reader to the Sherry Turkle outside of work. Her site conveys the aura of being her life being all about her profession. It is interesting to see hers that focuses so much on her professional career-her interviews, profile, work history, and affiliations-and compare it to George Landow’s which is professional yet still personal.

George Landow’s site began with a frontpage that allowed the viewer to view the multiple sites that he created. This in turn allows the reader to understand what Landow’s interests are such as post-colonial works, victorian literature, and hypertext. By clicking on the site entitled main the viewer is brought to Landow’s personal page. On this page one can not only find his professional history but also his hobbies which he entitles “Very Unprofessional Activities” which include building small models and photography. I would consider this site to to construted to allow the reader to think that he puts his personal life first, then his publications and profession, and then his hobbies. A good layout to make the site connect to the viewer more—his life is not all about his profession.

It was helpful to take a look at these sites to understand what I should include in my identity site because I now know that I can make it very professional or professional and personal—before I did not understand how to combine the two.