Another assignment I chose to complete is the Way Back Time Machine. The assignment called for “Using the Way Back Time Machine website on Internet Archive, take screen shots of a favorite website overtime. Then, look at how the website has changed for better and worse.” The site I chose to analyze is ESPN , and I am going to check the site’s progression in 2 year intervals, beginning with 1998. Here, the site looks rather bland, as was the standard in the 1990′s. If this were the ESPN site today, it would not be looked upon as the “worldwide leader in sports” anymore.

Next, we have ESPN in the year 2000. As you can see, the site has become more interactive with a score ticker, as well as a survey on the right sidebar. There is also a lot more color present. Clearly, there has been much progress since ’98.

Next, the year is 2002. The webpage content is similar to what it was in 2000, however the major difference is the new logo. I have to agree that the new logo is more aesthetically pleasing.

Next, in 2004, all whitespace has finally been eliminated from the homepage, which is customary for webpages today.

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In 2006, you can finally see the resemblance to what the site looks like today, with links to the main stories of the day on the side of the page. These links are helpful as they provide a detailed title, which gives the user an idea of what links will interest them.

In 2008, you can see the first mention of mobile integration of ESPN. They are advertising their podcasts that can be listened to on your phone. How innovative! Also, we get a first glimpse of the top score bar that is used today.

In 2010, the site is essentially the same as we know it today. This is also the first instance we see the option to choose your city on the top of the page.

And finally, here is ESPN.com as we know it today.

All in all, this was a very interesting experience to see the progression of ESPN’s landing page throughout the years. From the times of Dial-Up connection to the Wi-Fi today.