Website Layout

So far, especially after the last assignment, I have decided that I learned the following:

• In color, there is a fine line between tranquility and boredom
• Less is more: too much information on every page can create a painful experience
• Less is more: A few well-placed images is more attractive than a number of thumbnails and clickable images
• Text is key: Using arrows or any other non-textual buttons as navigation can be confusing
• Remember the order of importance: Put important links and items toward the top
• Interactivity is fun: Any part of a website that allows the user to customize or make comments is a pleasurable experience, and helps the user define content, and also get feedback on what works and what does not

When I create my webpage, I will make sure to NOT to post a thousand glamorous pictures of my husband and me, or any of my friends. I feel that all images should have a purpose for being there, and should be used to enhance/illustrate the content. Now, I know that websites are relatively objective, and therefore that might not be what everyone else likes, but it's a guideline that I'm going to use.

The title page will most definitely be "DIY Wedding: How to make a wedding cheap but sentimental," Unless that's too long.. in which I'll have to change it.

I've decided to organize the pages not by wedding theme, but by wedding category, like, what to do for Attire, guests, ceremony stuff, reception, "To Bridal party or Not to Bridal Party," decorations, traditions, etc.

How to have a wedding that is cheap yet sentimental

AKA how not to be stressed out for your wedding.

So, I think I am definitely going to do the website on weddings to kind of offer an alternative to the average $20,000 wedding. The only problem I am having is trying to figure out how to organize all of the information. I have started brainstorming, but what I am excited to do is include the ideas that my married/partnered friends have done and even show pictures! Topics will range from cheap ideas for floral arrangements, invitations, and little ways to DIY.

So, commence: DIY Wedding!

Oops I forgot

If I do the "cheap yet sentimental" wedding, I could still use darker colors because our wedding/reception was themed in that way.

Color Scheme

I've always wanted to create a website that had a dark and borderline decadent/obnoxiously goth color scheme. So, obviously, if I end up doing a website on my "favoritist" of all favorite subcultures, that's not going to be a problem. Black, reds, whites/silvers, and throw a little gray in. Voila! The website on tour guides could also have a similar color scheme, because the new colors that we're using at Eastern State Penitentiary fit right in. Check out those reds and blacks! I'm still very undecided. Luckily I don't have to know yet.

Glad I could educate some of you about the tour guide controversy!

More thought on the website

So,

I was actually supposed to post this last Friday, but then it got pushed to last night, and THEN I was sooo busy that I came right in last night and fell asleep. Now I'm awake and I'm posting it.

I've been thinking about maybe creating a website on how to be a good/thoughtful tour guide. With all of the controversy now surrounding a new ordinance to test the knowledge and content of tour guides here in Philadelphia, I thought it would be relevant. The Associated Press wrote an article about the tour guide controversy. I think that it might be beneficial to have a website out there about it. I could take pictures of my colleagues at my job, and organize them into a nice, friendly, step by step guide.

Now, as for my opinion on the controversy, I have absolutely NO problem with making tour guides take a test. At Eastern State, we have to take TWO tests. Apparently, the turnover rate for the big bus tours, the trolley tours, and some other historical tours in Philadelphia is very high, and consequently, the employees don't always learn everything right, and they don't tell the truth to the folks who have paid them to give a tour. That is my problem. The folks who are suing against this new ordinance, are suing because they feel it is their first amendment right for free speech! It is not a constitutional right to mislead people who have paid you to tell them the truth. It mostly focuses around a power struggle between the city and the city and the organization of tour guides. But I think they are being totally ridiculous. People on the trolley tours and big bus tours mislead people all the time about Eastern State Penitentiary. We get folks coming to visit us who say all sorts of inaccuracies about the prison that they just heart their big bus tour guide tell them.

The argument against tour guides not having to take a history test is just like saying that any teacher, professor, or professional educator should not have to demonstrate his or her abilities, and that the "League of Teachers" can police themselves. No way! There are certain educational standards that are set for teachers, just as there should be for any educators, including tour guides.

Today is the day...

That I came back to Blogger and have created a "forced" blog!

I'm having a hard time deciding what to make for my final web project! I recently got married, so I could write about how to have a cheap wedding that is extremely sentimental and fun, or how to honeymoon in Montreal. Or I could write about how to be goth in Philadelphia.... Maybe I should write about record collecting, though it's something I've really fallen behind on because I have no money! Ever! I could dedicate my entire website to my favorite superhero, Batman. Maybe it should be a funny website on how to live with an artist. Or I could write a website on how to be a girl gamer.

As you may have figured out from reading this so far, yes, I am quite the nerd. I'm also very scatterbrained and a little self-absorbed, so I might be blogging a lot but never able to organize/carry out anything...