Observation of Two Pioneer Web Sites

After observation of the website addressed www.buffalobill.org, I noticed that it lacked the quality and detail of up to date websites of the present. The History portion of the website seemed to be the most informal which gave readers details about Buffalo Bills time period of inhabitance. A segment that caught my attention the most which was found in the History page states, “Today there is a lot of confusion about the relationship between Buffalo Bill and the Indians. Cody treated his former foes with great respect and dignity, giving them an opportunity to leave the reservation and represent their culture when many were trying to destroy it.”( http://www.buffalobill.org/history.htm). This statement derails the readers mind of the typical violent relationship that all the Americans and Indians had during the Westward movement. Unlike many others who viewed the Indian tribes of the Western Frontier as “savages”, Buffalo Bill viewed them as American citizens and was able to comprehend that they were only fighting to protect their families. Later in the readings I was also able to find that Buffalo Bill was also experienced in the business aspect as well. For example, towards the bottom of the history page the paragraph titled “Buffalo Bill in Colorado” reads, “In addition to performing, Buffalo Bill had business dealings in Denver. In 1911 Cody acquired some horse halters from the Gates Tire and Leather Company in Denver. He liked them so well that he provided an endorsement for the product. This gave the fledgling firm such a boost in sales that it became the largest halter manufacturing firm in the U.S. It eventually became Gates Rubber Company.”( http://www.buffalobill.org/history.htm). Yet this website turn out to be very informal, it seemed to be more towards steering tourist towards a possible vacation spot for the family.

On the other hand Annie Oakley’s website addressed http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/oakley, was both more informal and up to date. Her site was able to share more details that were oriented for discovering the history and events that took place in and around Annie Oakley’s life and environment. The most significant factor that I noticed that separated Anne Oakley’s website from Buffalo Bill’s was the timeline page. Spanning approximately two pages and covering events in such great detail that the reader can almost feel the type of vibe that the Western frontier had to offer. For instance a statement on the timeline dated 1885 reads, “March 9: After his shooting equipment is lost in a steamship accident, Bogardus quits Cody's show. Oakley promptly renews her request for a job. Buffalo Bill is still skeptical, but he agrees to an April try-out in Louisville, Kentucky. While preparing for the audition, Oakley catches the attention of Cody's business manager, who hires her on the spot. That season she appears before 150,000 people in 40 cities, and Oakley will perform in Cody's Wild West show for almost all of the next 17 years.” (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/oakley/timeline/index.html). Even though Buffalo Bills website is not as detailed and organized As Annie Oakley’s, they both mention the pairing up of the two in his wild west show where she is able to promote Bill and her self as well with her amazing talent of marksmanship.