Wonderful Websites with Wix

I didn't think website creation could get much easier than iWeb--and then I found Wix. To be concise: Wix rocks!!


Wix offers professionally (and beautifully) designed Flash-based templates you use to create your own website. It even hosts and publishes them..for free!

It offers hundreds of template designs, and editing those templates is a snap with their easy editing tools. All the usual tools--font, color, shapes, etc.--are available, and you can even add effects and animations. Need help? Quick tutorials are instantly available as you work.

Wix has its own (somewhat limited) photo library, or easily connects to Flickr.

They make their money with the "freemium" concept: basic access is free, users pay more to upgrade to pro versions. For example, $4.95/month buys you your own domain name.

I've been thinking of putting together a website for my documentary workshops; finding Wix inspires me to move ahead with that, because they've removed all the usual frustrations out of website design. Much as I love iWeb, given my limited skills, I can still only create a fairly basic site. Wix allows amateurs to create sites the pros would be proud of.

Your Tax Dollars at Work (at last, something to show for it...)

I attended a workshop today on searching government sites. (Only a librarian...) The workshop was o.k; but check out these great sites I ran across while being sidetracked.

ToxTown: Explore these virtual eco-horror sites courtesy the National Library of Medicine. Choose among City, Town, Port and other neighborhoods, then explore the chemical and health concerns inherent in each.
EPA Student Center: I wish I'd known about this site when the 8th graders were researching for the Science Fair. More than the usual environmental info, the site's "In Your Neighborhood" link allows students to research the environmental stats where they live.

National Archives Digital Vault: New to the archives, this site offers a new Flash interface, where you can choose a collection or shuffle to be surprised. A "Collect" button allows you to drag items to create your own collection, then use your items to create a "Pathways" challenge with clues to solve, a poster or a Ken Burns-style movie, all right on the site.


Next blog will come from NECC! I can't wait!

Great Sites for Teachers

I'm creating a "hot" page of great websites each month for the faculty here at KLHT, and thought I should make it available for everyone else, too. So here's the link to october's websites.
I pulled 99% of these from the Scout Report, which you can subscribe to if you want it delivered right to your mailbox each week.