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Abulafia
new user
Reg'd: Sun
Posts: 4
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I'm in the process of designing my first website - a personal page devoted to world history.
I've been playing about for a while with the layout and was wanting some opinions on what I've finally arrived at. ( http://www.talk-history.com/index5.htm )
The page given above is a mock up of what I expect the home page to look like once other features, such as JavaScript have been added.
For anyone interested, the discussion forum mentioned on the page is currently active and can be reached at http://www.talk-history.com
Edited by greysts on 20/06/2004 12:18 (server time).
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greysts
regular
Reg'd: Thu
Posts: 17744
Loc: Colchester
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I like the concept and your design is clean and uncluttered. When will you start putting the live links in? I think my one concern would be that you are heading into areas that are already well covered in Encarta, Encyclopedia Britannica and others. What will it be in your site that will make people come to you rather than them? Also, what sort of checks will you have to ensure that your version of history is the 'true' one (if there is such a thing)? My concern about 'factual' web sites is how do they go about making sure that what they right is as correct as it can be. I know Microsoft have any number of people checking and re-checking that what goes into Encarta is historically accurate. They have enormous problems in describing events that are comparatively recent. The Tiannamen Square incident is seen in the West as an example of the people rising up to overthrow Communism and install democracy. In China it is seen as the government suppressing an armed revolt by dissidents. Who is right and how will it be shown on your site?
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Abulafia
new user
Reg'd: Sun
Posts: 4
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The live links will be put in as I design the pages. The priority for me at the moment was to ensure that I got the best possible home page I could. Now that I've got the design I like, I've since fixed the HTML to XHTML, and turned a lot of the <style> </style> tags to CSS and had both the XHTML and CSS validated.
I've started adding JavaScript to the page to ensure that the daily content will be different - four different .js files with 366x3 entries. :(
The remainder of the smaller links won't take long (the Partnerships section is almost complete - just waiting from the other history sites to respond with their summaries and logos) while the rest are written out but the pages haven't been created yet.
I maye heading into areas that Encarta covers but, as my goal is just to have an excellent personal site I'm not too fussed. I intend to cover as much history as possible and not just the stuff you get in regular encyclopaedias. My encyclopaedias say nothing of Lebna Dengel, for example while surviving Portuguese travel accounts do. Also, Talk History is free; that's one thing over the biggies. :)
As for telling the side of history, I'm of the opinion that both sides should be explored and reported back on. No biases. If one side no longer exists, all I can do is tell it as it has been passed down to us.
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webby
regular
Reg'd: Mon
Posts: 151
Loc: UK
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The site looks lovely and is quite impressive and it looks easy to use.
I think you have taken on quite a task with world history though, but I admire your courage in doing so. I have a local history site and find that quite a challenge - ensuring that what I say is correct and verifiable through other sources.
Greysts - we use phrases such as "It is believed" "It is said that" "It is thought that" wherever there is uncertainty or simply pass the buck by saying "According to so and so...blah blah. 
The problem with historical events is that you cannot know anything for certain unless you were actually there!
You only have one chance in life - take it while you can
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greysts
regular
Reg'd: Thu
Posts: 17744
Loc: Colchester
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Yes, I know the weasel words for avoiding a decision, I used to see them every day at work. All history is opinion laced with a few facts so when writing about it the author should quote his sources. Not just "It is believed" but a reference to the authority that made the statement in the first place. I am very interested in the development of inland waterways and have numerous books about the subject. All the good ones either use original research or quote their source. I expect any web based history site to do the same. If it's the site owners opinion then say so, if it's someone else's opinion, state who.
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jetpress
regular
Reg'd: Sun
Posts: 1514
Loc: wrexham
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I noticed that "deaths on this day" has the same content as "on this day in history"
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Abulafia
new user
Reg'd: Sun
Posts: 4
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It's only a mockup at the moment to get an idea of what the layout would be. I need to write the javaScript which will properly fill those areas out. :)
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