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Physics > PhysLINK |
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Physics > PhysLINK |
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PhysLINK is a huge site that is oriented more towards a student/teacher audience. It includes various resources for students, such as homework help, discussion, reference, software and the like. It also contains resources for high school teachers, including free software that they mail out each month, along with teaching plans, information and new demonstrations.
The site covers these categories: Advanced Topics, Atomic Theory, Basics, Electrodynamics, Electrostatics, Energy, Forces, General Relativity, Gravity, Light, Momentum, Motion, Nuclear Physics, Optics, Quantum Mechanics, Sound, Special Relativity, Subatomic Physics, Thermodynamics, Vectors, Wave Motion, Work.
Content: 30/30
The site has information on a wide variety of topics and includes an innovative "Ask an Expert" feature that fosters discussion on various physics topics. PhysLINK archives questions and allows visitors to search for answers.
The superb community features make up the lack of traditional "textbook-style" content.
Aesthetics: 12/15
Aesthetically, the site is laid out with navigation on the top and right, with a hierarchical "you are here" at the very top of the page. Quotes from famous scientists and philosophers are displayed in a left panel (a nice touch!). The colors are non-intrusive and serve to highlight and give form to the content. Spelling and grammar are followed throughout the site, except in isolated user posts in the forums. The site has advertisements, but they are stashed away in the top right corner and do not pop-up.
It would be better without the advertising, and at times one gets the impression of too much clutter. A little simplification would be a good thing.
Organization: 15/15
Navigationally, PhysLINK has a nice hierarchical strip along the top of each page that lets the visitor know where in the site hierarchy he or she is. PhysLINK also provides a site map and search feature. The site is quite huge, and the site map and hierarchy makes it much easier to interact with it.
All the necessary elements to get around quickly are implemented and easily accessible.
Interactivity: 0/20
PhysLINK has no java applets or any other content of an interactive nature.
Community: 20/20
The site has an active community that is replete with experts, professors, students, and others who are active in discussing physics concepts.
The active community is a great asset for this site.