The Audience:
While the Paris Past and Present website never explicitly stated the audience they are intending to reach, from the implications, this project is likely to bring in college-level students who are history majors, architects, engineers, and other different majors in the arts. Outside of college, it draws in grad students looking into the history of Paris and development and construction during the medieval times.
Outside of the classroom venue, the Paris Project appeals to people who are interested in the history of Paris, those who are into 3D buildings and models or are teaching themselves CAD and want to see examples., and medievalists who are attempting to gain further understanding of a time period and culture which has lost some of its structures. Other reasons that people would be interested include: easy access to view reconstruction of buildings, description and history of the buildings, and timelines that show progress in the development of buildings.
The Peers:
Rebuilding the Notre Dame
The design, accessibility, and the way information is portrayed, are just some of the ways The Paris Project compares and contrasts itself to other projects. One project that was looked at was Rebuilding the Notre Dame. Although the website is written in French, it is identifiable that Rebuilding the Notre Dame has Similarities to The Paris Project. Each project shares an easy access side bar to reach different sets of information. They also share the ability to access pictures of the Notre Dame and information regarding the picture. However, The Paris Project allows for more interaction and more description, all while staying on the site itself.
https://www.scientifiquesnotre-dame.org/fiches-thematiques-1
Digital Himalaya
Another project that was looked at was Digital Himalaya. The project works to preserving the Himalayan culture digitally under one site. It works. as a mass database for those who are interested to study the culture, or just gain information. The site is very simplistic with no visual appeal. It has a side bar with easy access to other parts of the site just like The Paris Project. The Paris Project is different for its visual appeal and easy access to see “first-hand” Paris. Digital Himalaya has much more information condensed onto its site, whereas The Paris Project gives abstracts to their pieces.
