Want to see an excellently constructed website? As a writer I found one of my favorite writers: (Paulo Coelho) has a site that could inspire anyone who wants to create a more humanistic presence on the Web.
Being a writer, when I was asked to do some research into what makes a good website, of course I straightaway went to check out all of my favorite authors. After sifting through a few standard sites I remembered to look at one of my all time respected writers-Paulo Coelho. Judging by how many books he has sold he is obviously a lot of people’s favorite, and his website is exactly what you’d want to keep the fans happy.
If any of you are familiar with Coelho’s work you will know how prolific he has become all over the world. People love the simplicity of his stories about the spiritual quests of all people and the idea that the magical happens in everybody’s lives, even the so-called ‘ordinary, normal’ person. He to me comes across as a perfect example of the power of human connection, his books having affected millions across all national boundaries. As an Internet writer, to me he symbolizes the possibilities lying in the future of the Web. Like a good book, the Internet too can cross all imagined ideas of separation bringing people from all walks of life together in the context of positive thought and action.
Coelho’s website’s homepage starts off with a simple black screen, and a large photo of the man smiling-a very humanistic approach to this new medium. It then has many different sections as well as links to relevant sites, even his own web log (on-line journal) entitled, “ Warrior of the Light Online”. I think I could spend innumerable hours reading over his personal thoughts and pieces of information he has integrated from elsewhere. Having this added website of an on-line diary gives the site even more humanistic qualities, as any person can truly connect with Coelho’s innermost feelings and thoughts.
The sections on the main site are separated into categories like: Biography, Paulo Coelho Institute, Photo Gallery, Road to Santiago, Agenda, Books, Editions, Free downloads, Meditation, TV on-line (videos), Warrior of Light, To journalists, FAQ, Message for the author, and Recommend this site. We are talking about a very extensive and well thought out site. Any type of individual or business, especially writers, could learn a lot from this example.
Just to touch on a few aspects of the site’s categories I’ll focus on the one’s I had a good look at. The biography was excellent, an extremely in-depth look at Coelho’s life from childhood until present day. No holes barred, he’s not ashamed to tell of all his low points as well as the usual list of one’s achievements. It is very honest, he tells of how his parents institutionalized him several times thinking he was crazy, as well as stories of being tortured as a political prisoner and of his ‘dark’ experiences with drugs and black magic. This humanistic perspective gives the site a much more personal feel as well as eliciting reactions in readers, much more powerful than a bland website that solely focuses on a writer’s books and how to purchase them.
The photo gallery is another dimension I have not witnessed on many other sites. He again gives vision to his whole life with photos included from areas entitled, Childhood, Transition, The crazy years, 2000/2001, 2002, and Today. You see, this website isn’t just a shop front or a facade for a business. It gives the individual an opportunity to share his identity with the whole world, a courageous act only taken by people who aren’t afraid to put themselves on the line, sharing their spirits with all of humanity. This is the key to why the website is so powerful, one needs to take risks to achieve success in life.
I could write extensively on the other categories of the site but I think you could just go and check them out yourself. Me telling you what is a good website isn’t going to teach you much, you’ve got to experience things for yourself to truly gain the knowledge you are looking for. Maybe you’ll be so inspired, one day it’ll be your website I’m writing about!
Excellently Constructed Websites
September 24, 2005
|
Jesse S. Somer
M6.Net
http://www.m6.net
Jesse S. Somer is a human who wants to help uncover the underlying unifying power that lies in the future of the Internet.
Lastest Headlines for "Internet"
- Comcast to Place a Cap on Internet Downloads (New York Times)
Comcast, one of the country?s largest Internet providers, will put a 250 gigabyte-a-month cap on residential users, a move certain to create tension. - New trial in Internet killing case (UPI)
FLINT, Mich., Aug. 30 (UPI) -- A federal judge has reversed the conviction of a Michigan woman convicted of getting a man she met on the Internet to kill her husband. - Millions of young Chinese addicted to 'unhealthy' Internet games: report (AFP via Yahoo! News)
Around four million Chinese youngsters are addicted to the Internet, mainly attracted by "unhealthy" online games, state media reported Friday, citing a top legislator. - U.S. is losing Internet leadership (Houston Chronicle)
The Internet's balance of power is shifting. Data is increasingly flowing around the United States, which may have intelligence — and conceivably military — consequences. - Comcast says 99% of users under Internet cap (Houston Chronicle)
Comcast's announcement that it will put a monthly ceiling on Internet activity may have some customers counting gigabytes. - Comcast to Cap Monthly Internet Use (Time Magazine)
Comcast Corp., the nation's second-largest Internet service provider, said it would set an official limit on the amount of data subscribers can download and upload each month - Comcast to set official limit on Internet use (Chicago Tribune)
NEW YORK (AP) _ Comcast Corp., the nation's second-largest Internet service provider, Thursday said it would set an official limit on the amount of data subscribers can download and upload each month. - Internet Brands names Scott Friedman as new CFO (AP via Yahoo! Finance)
Internet Brands Inc., which builds and acquires branded Web sites, said Friday that it named Scott Friedman to replace Alex Hansen as chief financial officer. - Internet Dominance Flowing Away From United States (The Tampa Tribune)
The era of the American Internet is ending. Invented by American computer scientists during the 1970s, the Internet has been embraced around the globe. - Comcast to make monthly Internet use cap official (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Comcast Corp., the nation's second-largest Internet service provider, Thursday said it would set an official limit on the amount of data subscribers can download and upload each month. [ Post your comments below. ] On Oct. 1, the cable company will update its user agreement to say that users will be allowed 250 gigabytes of traffic per month, the company announced on its Web site.