Title of Project

Suspension Of:

Author: Adam Syverson

The ?About? page is short but it tells the short history of the band in a concise manner that has a voice that is fun to read.

The Bio section is separated nicely from the rest of the content, and it doesn?t get to wordy. I could lose the duck, but that is a small detail.

The first post sets a nice standard. Right away there are two links out to another band, and impressively, an explanation for what a ?click track? is. Later on, less of this clear explanation is included. I personally find the process of recording a record quite interesting, but if I didn?t know the process pretty well myself, I don?t know if I attach much real meaning to some of the lingo used. I think the balance between highly technical explanations and readability is pretty close. I just think a novice might get a little lost.

Other posts I liked would include the post from March 14, it captures a certain reality about the process of recording a record that can hold a lot of interest for this blog. That is the moments of frustration with, and eventual submission to the process. I like the post from March 6 a lot. It was a clear update about where this band was in the recording process at that point. I feel like these guys have a plan. I?m on their side with this post.

There are some images included in a few of the posts. But for the most part they don?t show me anything. I?d love a shot of the tape machine, or someone in session, something that shows the process. Suspension Of: has a separate page for their videos. They also have links in their ?Blogroll? that take you to some youtube videos, and their Myspace page. I?d love to see those two things, audio and video, right there in the blog, amongst the text. I know it?s only a click away, but I still think it makes a difference to put it right in the blog.

Overall I like the way the blog looks, and is set up to read, I'd just like a little more from the standpoint of the process in which they are engaged.

Title of Project

Sign Language Encyclopedia

Author: Helen Hanson

The first thing I'll say about Helen's wiki page called Sign Language Encyclopedia is that this seems like an ambitious project. Her project proposal and the "Design" section both reflect that. I might change "Design" to "Design and Purpose" to make that heading more appropriate to the text.

I'll begin with what I liked. Right away Helen provide links out of the wiki to support what she has written. Other links lead to other web sites that provide further tutorials or information related to the subject. My personal favorite are the posted youtube videos of different people signing the lyrics to various popular songs. It seems like an inviting way to learn.

It is obvious that their is a lot of time an research that must be put into this wiki page in order for it to meet the expectations that Helen stated in her project proposal. I feel that at this point in the semester that Helen has put a solid framework in place. She constructed all of the major headings, and added meaningful content in each. It feels like it is ready for a wiki community that will help the continued expansion of this page. Trying to attract that community may be something to work on next.

Now I'll talk about areas for improvement. Right away I had trouble finding my way in from the front page. I don't know the limitations she is facing, but if that could be made more obvious, if not inviting, that would help a lot. The page does need to be proofread, there are a lot of misspelling that even spellcheck should catch. Even though this is a wiki, and others could do this, Helen will likely have to be the one to separate some of these topics into pages of there own, and begin to crosslink them. Currently the page does not contain any wikiwords leading to blank pages waiting for content. This would be a step forward that Helen could do rather quickly. And as I said, leave them blank. Set them up to invite input.

Overall, I think that Helen has a good start to an ambitious project. It the kind of thing that seems likely to grow once word gets out. And she is filling a real need. While there are areas to improve, it is obvious Helen has put a lot of work into this wiki page, and it seems set up to go where she hopes it will.

Title of Project

World of Will: All Things Shakespeare from a Student?s Perspective

Author: Saera


Saera?s project proposal for World of Will: All Things Shakespeare from a Student?s Perspective states clearly that she wants to synthesize the information she is currently exposing herself to into a more comprehensive understanding of Shakespeare?s work. And while she states that she sees this as ?more of a notebook than a showcase,' she points to her organization and representation of the information as key the benefits of the project, both for her and for others.

She chooses a modern design theme for the blog. And this is no accident as she states, basically, that she believes Shakespeare is modern. I like the design, and the reasoning.

Saera has a separate page titled Saera?s Shakespearean Surprise, in which she relays her own story regarding her original resistance, and eventual admiration for Shakespeare?s work. It is an endearing narrative, and is effective in setting an inviting tone for a reader with any level of experience. That inviting tone carries throughout the main blog posts. When it comes to Shakespeare let?s just say I?m no John Wilkes Booth. So my tour of World of Will has been a good test of her desire and attempt to make the blog, and Shakespeare accessible. Reading through the posts, I felt like I was talking to the tutor I would need were I to sign up for a Shakespeare class. And she is a patient, and subtly funny tutor. Take the post from March 25 in which she disarms many of the nervous tendencies people exhibit while approaching Shakespeare?s work through humor, and straight-forward language.

Another aspect that is evident throughout World of Will is Saera?s ability to shift perspective, as it regards Shakespeare?s work, and her invitation for us to do the same. She reiterates the key point that approaching Shakespeare?s work ?for the fun of it? will result in much more rewarding experience for the reader.

This blog is entirely text, aside from a nice header image. I found this to be appropriate though. I don?t think any images, or more complicated embedded media would serve the purpose of Saera?s goals for the project.

Overall World of Will seems to be quite precisely what Saera intended it to be. It is clean, well written, and inviting from the perspective of another student. It seems like a lot of the work she is doing here will come in handy in grad school.




In terms of imaginary meals, I'll say one word, succulent.