My website idea has been approved by Professor Corse! This is good news, and therefore I can start planning even more according to this theme.
Now, I have to tap into my friends and family for their "original" images and pictures. To be quite honest with you I have been to some spectacular places throughout Canada, but unfortunately most of those pictures are under my bed or on my other computer in Toronto.....
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Ideas...
My website idea is still pending approval so I can only assume that it is okay while I brainstorm.
Possible subtitles within my website will include:
1) Restaurants and bars in Toronto
2) Parks in Toronto
3) Libraries in Toronto
4) Universities in Toronto
5) Cool, random stuff and the inside scoop for visitors.
As mentioned earlier I plan on using pictures/images from the National Archives of Canada affiliates (look at previous post).
I also plan on using various links such as:
http://www.toronto.ca
http://www.toronto.com
Yes, this is all very interesting and smiling and nodding is greatly appreciated.
Possible subtitles within my website will include:
1) Restaurants and bars in Toronto
2) Parks in Toronto
3) Libraries in Toronto
4) Universities in Toronto
5) Cool, random stuff and the inside scoop for visitors.
As mentioned earlier I plan on using pictures/images from the National Archives of Canada affiliates (look at previous post).
I also plan on using various links such as:
http://www.toronto.ca
http://www.toronto.com
Yes, this is all very interesting and smiling and nodding is greatly appreciated.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Color/colour scheme
Now it is time to select or at least ponder my color/colour scheme. You know...when I think about it I could actually develop a web site dedicated to America/Canadian contrasts, for instance the spelling of MANY words (Read: this title). I am still having a difficult time kicking certain Canadian/British words out of my vocab, particularly "washroom".
Moving along. Although my web site theme is still pending approval I thought I would go ahead and let the world know what colors I am using. Not like it really matters in the grand scheme of things...
Choice 1: Toronto's city colors are blue, white and a splash of red. I figure the red will really "pop" if it isn't a predominant color.
Choice 2: Red and white. For obvious reasons this would be appropriate (i.e. our flag, etc). However, the problem is accessibility. With many users colorblind to the color red, this may not be a good idea.
Caffeine time.
-A
Moving along. Although my web site theme is still pending approval I thought I would go ahead and let the world know what colors I am using. Not like it really matters in the grand scheme of things...
Choice 1: Toronto's city colors are blue, white and a splash of red. I figure the red will really "pop" if it isn't a predominant color.
Choice 2: Red and white. For obvious reasons this would be appropriate (i.e. our flag, etc). However, the problem is accessibility. With many users colorblind to the color red, this may not be a good idea.
Caffeine time.
-A
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Possible graphics or sources
In yesterday's post I forgot to mention the most important aspect of my website other than the theme. I didn't mean to get sidetracked like that...it must have been the sun glaring off of the snow and into my apartment that led to the lapse in communication.
So here is the epiphany: I am going to use graphics and sources from the Canadian National Archives affiliated website, "Images Canada: picturing Canadian Culture".
http://www.imagescanada.ca/index-e.html
How the epiphany appear you ask? Well there were cues. Remember when Professor Corse mentioned the public domain images from some Aerospace website? Well, that really got me thinking that there must be free images available via Canada's National organizations or archives. I mean, clearly our tax dollars must support a similar project or database, and not just universal health care. It only took a few minutes on Google and I stumbled upon a gem (the link above).
Here is a breakdown of why it is fabulous:
1) free images and content (provided you follow the copyright rules and give credit to the affiliated organization uploading to the National Archives site).
2) Excellent search features, therefore I can narrow my image search down according to subject, city or otherwise.
3) Um hello, it's Canadian and this is in tune with my website idea.
4) The polar bears, moose, beavers and Canadian geese say it is fabulous. This is their moment to shine and rightly so!
On that note, it is time for some much needed caffeine and a shot of endorphins at the gym.
Cheerio!
So here is the epiphany: I am going to use graphics and sources from the Canadian National Archives affiliated website, "Images Canada: picturing Canadian Culture".
http://www.imagescanada.ca/index-e.html
How the epiphany appear you ask? Well there were cues. Remember when Professor Corse mentioned the public domain images from some Aerospace website? Well, that really got me thinking that there must be free images available via Canada's National organizations or archives. I mean, clearly our tax dollars must support a similar project or database, and not just universal health care. It only took a few minutes on Google and I stumbled upon a gem (the link above).
Here is a breakdown of why it is fabulous:
1) free images and content (provided you follow the copyright rules and give credit to the affiliated organization uploading to the National Archives site).
2) Excellent search features, therefore I can narrow my image search down according to subject, city or otherwise.
3) Um hello, it's Canadian and this is in tune with my website idea.
4) The polar bears, moose, beavers and Canadian geese say it is fabulous. This is their moment to shine and rightly so!
On that note, it is time for some much needed caffeine and a shot of endorphins at the gym.
Cheerio!
Friday, February 22, 2008
The waiting game
On Wednesday I finally submitted my idea to concentrate on a Canadian themed website. I must admit that it is a fairly broad topic, so I am hoping to zone in on some part of Toronto- my very own hometown. Toronto in itself has a gratuitous amount of culture and potential themes that I could focus on. It is really hard to say what aspect of Toronto that I love the most; to be quite honest with you I am bias towards the entire city. That being said, I have developed a love for Philadelphia and there are elements to this city that are truly lacking in Toronto. However, it is like comparing apples to oranges so I don't want to go as far as to say one is better or any of that nonsense. The things I appreciate about Philadelphia include the historically entrenched sites and sounds, being one of the first developed cities in North America. blah blah blah. I could go on for a while.
Oh, and today marks the first semi-snowfall that I have seen since arriving to this fair city. I believe it is the first time that I have seen an accumulation of snow on the ground. Toronto, on the other hand has experienced more snow thus far this winter than the previous two years snowfalls combined! Ouch. A children's paradise, yes, but a commuter's nightmare.
I unearthed an article in today's New York Times Travel section that really captures the essence of Toronto in a tight nutshell.
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=travel&res=9C07E1D8113FF936A25752C1A96E958260
My favorite/favourite part of the piece is the opening excerpt from the song "Canadian Love Song" by Alden Nowlan:
"DECEMBER is 13 months long, July's one afternoon"
So true and oh so appropriate!
Oh, and today marks the first semi-snowfall that I have seen since arriving to this fair city. I believe it is the first time that I have seen an accumulation of snow on the ground. Toronto, on the other hand has experienced more snow thus far this winter than the previous two years snowfalls combined! Ouch. A children's paradise, yes, but a commuter's nightmare.
I unearthed an article in today's New York Times Travel section that really captures the essence of Toronto in a tight nutshell.
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=travel&res=9C07E1D8113FF936A25752C1A96E958260
My favorite/favourite part of the piece is the opening excerpt from the song "Canadian Love Song" by Alden Nowlan:
"DECEMBER is 13 months long, July's one afternoon"
So true and oh so appropriate!
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Contemplating
While I was once on the fence, I am now leaning quite strongly towards a Canadian themed website. Ok, so that isn't narrowly defining it enough but the point is that I am making progress. The other day I had some cheese fries at New Deck and let me say, I greatly miss Canada's national dish of Poutine. Definitely not the same experience.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poutine
No, I am not going to dedicate my website to poutine; however, the sensory experience (or lack thereof) was a subtle reminder that I actually miss Canada. Be still my heart.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poutine
No, I am not going to dedicate my website to poutine; however, the sensory experience (or lack thereof) was a subtle reminder that I actually miss Canada. Be still my heart.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Canada, eh
Ok. So I am still lagging in the website brainstorming department. There have been plenty of days that I find myself doing daily, routine trite activities-- such as sipping on Starbucks; picking out my lip-gloss of the hour; cataloging my books on LibraryThing.com; putting receipts in chronological order; alphabetizing my DVD collection (omitting stop words, of course)--when I take pause and think about my website. Sure, at first glance this seems like an easy endeavor but the reality of it is that it just isn't. Could it be that I am lacking a hobby or true passion? This is turning into a truly philosophical feat. What is the meaning of life? Why am I here? What the heck am I doing with my days putting stupid receipts in order? I need a life.
Here is a list of the things I enjoy, and hopefully my ideas will spin accordingly:
1) Canada and all things Canadian- beer, food, culture, witty words/sayings that Americans poke fun at. (btw- I love America too, hence the reason I am studying in the USA. I would gladly give up my democratic right to vote in Canada if I could participate in the next election here. A trade anyone?)
2) Food- I can't cook, but I eat more than I should.
3) Bars and Pubs in Philadelphia.
4) Wawa!!!
5) Coffee houses throughout Philadelphia.
Input and suggestions are appreciated. Thanks, eh?
Here is a list of the things I enjoy, and hopefully my ideas will spin accordingly:
1) Canada and all things Canadian- beer, food, culture, witty words/sayings that Americans poke fun at. (btw- I love America too, hence the reason I am studying in the USA. I would gladly give up my democratic right to vote in Canada if I could participate in the next election here. A trade anyone?)
2) Food- I can't cook, but I eat more than I should.
3) Bars and Pubs in Philadelphia.
4) Wawa!!!
5) Coffee houses throughout Philadelphia.
Input and suggestions are appreciated. Thanks, eh?
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