Additional Web Site Evaluation Comments

I agree with Mary’s assessment of the Brainerd, KA site. Its design is simple, and in that simplicity lays its strength. Absent are the many commercial aspects of the National Geographic’s web site that makes one question National Geogrpahic’s motives, or the overwhelming choices of The Valley of the Shadow and Dohistory websites that might tend to distract from the content. Granted all of these web sites are different genres, but I believe Kevin Roe avoided making his web site confusing, glitzy and commercial. Instead I believe he remained true to his mission of examining “the relationship between memory and place” by staying focused on the simplicity that is Brainerd. His links are nicely done and logical, his background colors and fonts are unassuming and his text is well written. Could he have added more pictures? Sure. I think a site on memory and place needs a lot of pictures – maybe “then and now” pictures. What about interviews and streaming video? No. I believe these would have been a little too much because I believe they can push a site down the slippery slope of glitz. Making up for this are the News page and the Guest book -- both simple and functional and allow people to tell their own stories. Overall, I believe Brainerd is an excellent web site; one says “less is more!”