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There have been many web sites created on the subject of women’s history over the course of history. Mary Halnon, a student at the University of Virginia, created a web site that incorporates primary sources and adapts them to the perceptions of women’s history. Authors such as Alexis de Tocqueville, James Fenimore Cooper, Charles Dickens, and John James Audubon are some of the contributors to her web site The web site, entitled, Women in America: 1820-1842, examines women’s history between 1820 and 1842. The web site seems to have been made for a class at the University of Virginia. There does not seem to be much information on Mary Halnon. The web site also is not copyrighted; therefore, the viewer does not know when the web site was created or how old it is. The reliability of the web site itself is questionable, although it is obvious that it was created for a project and for online viewers. The web site’s content is very intriguing. The creator incorporated the primary sources well and explains them thoroughly. The content is not lacking in information, however the display of the information could be clearer. The background, which is very interesting and historical, made it hard to read the type on the web site Many things could be done to fix this including bolding the font and slenderizing the margins. The site is mostly links or targets. All the links or targets worked appropriately and added a great deal to the site. The site was not as aesthetically pleasing as it could have been. The basic problem was legibility. The site creator had great potential with using the border that she did, however, it created a distraction at the sides. The site is also basically text. There are small graphics dividing the different journal articles, but that is about it. The site is an average site for women’s history information. The advantage of this site is the usage of primary sources. The journal articles add a lot of firsthand experience which legitimize a lot of information. The web site is well organized and is easy to follow once reading the introduction. A little more explanation after the articles could be useful for the viewer rather than just giving the journal articles. Overall, it is a decent site, although one not recommended to the average person searching for information on women’s history. Bethany Ezell
April 22, 2004 |