I think we're all aware of the striking differences between current Web
quality and what we put on COMMINFO. It will be a while before we can do
anything better than what is there. The alternative is nothing at all
until we can make something pretty. We chose to go with the information,
ultimately the most crucial element, and get to the display either when
WATPA volunteers or WLS staff are available, given current priorities for
both, to make it better.
mitch
On Tue, 24 Oct 1995 MalNechis@AOL.COM wrote:
> Last week I had an opportunity to browse the material on the Emlin, Peekskill
> and Teatown, and then, via Yahoo.com, to access other US and international
> arts groups and arts umbrella organizations. The difference is quite
> striking. One set of implementations reflects current practice on the World
> Wide Web, including a recognition that every site needs to generate
> significant interest in order to hope to meet the test of the marketplace.
> The other represents a basically pre-Web approach, which assumes that
> interested people will either 1) proactively seek and use information
> sources, regardless of layout, style, readability or content or 2) sign up
> for traditional 'listserve' information processes.
>
> In a rich and growing information world (as of 8/31/95 there are over 100,000
> commercial Web ID's, growing at 15,000 - 20,000 per month), the latter method
> is likely to have great difficulty in getting heard, much less generating
> significant attention or interest. The difference is much more than the
> inclusion of a few graphics (some of which are a real distraction from the
> site's message) or a variety of fonts or styles. The difference is also more
> than merely repackaging print-based text to fit a 15 inch computer screen.
> Even the academics, who have something to publicize or promote, have gotten
> this message.
>
> If WATPA hopes to be recognized for its interest and expertise in the
> emerging world of telecommunications, then it is essential that we lead by
> good example. One approach would be to form a 'digital information
> distribution' committee to help chart WATPA's activities (both our own
> electronic communications and those in support of our constituents) through
> this emerging world.
>
>