A7.1: Web Evaluation I

Linsey Cushing
October 3, 2007

Web Evaluation I

Site Name and URL:
BetterDogFood.com; http://www.betterdogfood.com/

Accuracy:
1. Does the author cite sources used to develop the site?
No – I could not find any cited sources.
2. Is it possible to verify the legitimacy of these sources?
No – I could not find any sources, so it was impossible to verify them.
3. Does the background of the author point to knowledge of the subject covered?
The site does not list specific authors; however, it does list a Management team consisting of Rebecca Hargrave, Carl Malamud, and Spot (a dog). Rebecca Hargrave is noted for her design and interface skills. She is also credited with designing and digitalizing Today’s Breeder Magazine. When I clicked on the link for this magazine, it took me to a Purina site that said the file was not found. Carl Malamud is noted for his job at The Telephone Company, a supposed fax company. Spot is the mascot. Clearly, these people do not have a good background for this type of subject besides an interest in animals.
4. If the site is research-based, does the author clearly identify the method of research and the data gathered?
The site is not research-based and does not display any type of research used or data gathered.

Authority:
1. Do you recognize the author’s name?
I do not recognize the names of the Management team. However, I looked up Rebecca Hargrave and Carl Malamud through Google and found that Rebecca is a famous digital photographer and Carl is well-known for putting government information online and promoting the Internet. I also discovered that the two are married.
2. If you don’t recognize the name, what type of information is given about the author? Position? Organizational affiliation? E-mail address? Biographical information?
The only information provided about Rebecca states that she is the President and Chief Creative Officer of the site. Her e-mail address is petchick@betterdogfood.com. Carl is the Chairman/CEO/Founder of the site and he does not have an e-mail address listed. As far as biographical information, Rebecca is a designer who loves animals and designed and digitized Today’s Breeder Magazine. Carl previously worked for The Telephone Company, frequently speaks internationally in places like Kazakhstan (supposedly), and has a dog named Bob.
3. Was the site referenced in a document that you trust?
This site was linked through my class weblog, so at first, I thought it would be valid. However, after reading through the site, I know that it is not valid.

Objectivity:
1. Determine what is the aim of the author or organization publishing the site.
The aim is to give the customer the dog while selling dog food along with it. They also strive to have customers invest in stock with their company. (Two totally opposite ideas)
2. What is the purpose of the web site: Is it advertisement for a product or service? Is it for political purposes? Is it trying to sway public opinion on a social issue?
This web site is an advertisement for a service (selling dogs and dog food).
3. Do you trust the author or organization providing the information?
I absolutely do not trust the authors for providing the information because it is clearly not valid information.

Currency:
1. Is a date clearly displayed?
The only date displayed is the copyright date, 2000.
2. Can you determine what the date refers to? When the page was first written? When the page was first posted on the Internet? When the page was last revised or updated? The copyright date?
The date refers to the copyright date. The only date given for the entire web site is 2000 so I cannot answer the other questions. It does not look like it has been revised or updated.
3. Are the resources used by the author current?
The only “resources” used were links, and these would show web sites with error messages or say that the “file cannot be found.” Therefore, the author has not updated these links or they never existed in the first place.
4. Does the page content demand routine or continual updating or revision?
This page should be updated and revised, but I do not think this has ever occurred.
5. Do the links on the page point to the correct Internet site addresses?
Not all of them. The link for the supposed Today’s Breeder Magazine turned out to be “file not found” and other links produce an ERROR message. The link for Carl’s work, The Phone Company, did work.

Coverage:
1. Are the topics covered on the site explored in depth?
No. The topics are briefly covered and mainly include a lot of complex language when really saying something simple.
2. Are the links on the site comprehensive or used as examples?
The links are not comprehensive.
3. On the site, are the links relevant and appropriate?
Some of the links, such as The Phone Company, are not relevant to dogs or dog food. Many of them, such as the Today’s Breeder link, actually connected to sites other than what I expected, making them inappropriate. Also, when the site comes up and says, ERROR, “file not found,” or “no longer active,” I do not think the links are appropriate.
4. How valuable is the information provided?
The information provided is not valuable at all. I did not learn anything about dogs or dog food by searching through this web site. According to their slogan, “We give you the dog and then sell you the dog food!” If this were really so, I would think they would have a lot more information about either of these topics on the pages. It was humorous to look around the site though and see all of the random things that were included that had nothing to do with their focus.

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