Stories.com
Reviewed By: Sue Willman
REVIEW
Stories.com http://www.stories.com/main/read.php
General Description and Coverage
This site is visually pleasing as one enters it. A creative trademarked title graphic is at the top left corner of the screen. One drawback is an ad banner to the right of the title graphic. However, it is a small one, so it's not terribly distracting. The page is well organized for ease of navigability. Quick links at the very top of the page, over the ad banner, include: Register Now, Tell a Friend, Search, Contact Us and Help. Below the banner is a row of quick link buttons for things such as Sponsored Items, Awarded Items and Book Reviews, etc. These buttons serve as quick links to the sections that appear underneath, which take up half the length of the home page. In addition to the sections listed above, some of the other sections link to personal journals that individuals can post on the site for viewing, interactive stories, and an image collection. Story.com Premium members can create web pages at the Web Page link. Below this area is a lengthy list of story subject links by genre, which includes all types of subject from academic to fiction to hobbies. A log in box and selected items from some of the sections discussed previously extend down the left hand margin of the home page. Basic membership grants the user access to an online portfolio, user tools and email. Upgraded memberships include the ability to upload images, create survey forms and organize groups. The site offers proprietary software, such as that found in the Interactive Stories section. The site's purpose is to provide a creative and imaginative environment.
Authority
There is a copyright notice at the bottom of the page, declaring the site the property of Dictionaryof.com, which is linked here. An About Us link at the top of the page displays information about the nature of the site. This is an online community of readers and writers. The site was founded in September 2000 and claims to be the largest online writing web site today. Stories.com staff monitors the website around the clock, responding to questions and queries. I was rather concerned that no person's name is mentioned anywhere on the Story.com or Dictionaryof.com pages. There are several ways to email the site administrators and a contact address is given: Stories.Com, C/O DictionaryOf.Com, Inc., P.O. Box 22131, Lehigh Valley, PA 18002-2131.
Currency
The site is updated continually, as content consists of the contributions and postings of the members. Each day hundreds of members join, according to the description, and this can be verified by a counter that tracks membership numbers.
Objectivity and Accuracy
Objectivity and accuracy cannot be assumed since the contributions are authored by anyone who wants to join.
Reviewed By: Lori Ragsdale
REVIEW
DictionaryOf.com sponsors this website. The copyright date is 200-2002. The webmaster address is included. This website offers a free membership to anyone interested in joining the Stories.Com organization. The website is geared to readers and writers of all ages and interests, parents, teachers, and students. An upgraded membership is also offered for a fee.
This is a very commercial-looking website. There are flashing logos and contests to enter. The flashing logos were distracting. I found the overall look of the website to be a turn-off.
The website includes stories and poetry written by any author who cares to submit their works. There is a rating scale at the end of each work for the reader to rate the story or poem. The works are also rated for different age groups, G, PG, and R, for example. There are many categories of stories to choose from-children, drama, mystery, sci-fi, teen, and others.
This website is unique in that it includes original works from amateur authors of all ages.