The main focus of Private Art is the collection of letters he wrote and received during his employ with the U.S. Government. In fact his wife's original intent had simply been to transfer the letters into her computer before age rendered them unreadable. Fortunately, she was persuaded that the material would be of interest to a wider audience than her immediate family, and just as fortunately, the content is accessible through what is easily one of the most effectively and intelligently designed websites I've ever seen.

When you download Private Art the front page immediately determines your browser's capabilities - whether you have Java enabled, and if so, which browser you're using. If you do have Java enabled, you'll get a new window which has no toolbar, but don't worry, you won't need the Forward and Back buttons, and it frees up real estate for the four, count 'em, four Frames that will occupy the screen.

Here, finally, is a Web site that serves as an argument for frames, rather than against them. Each Frame has a well-defined purpose and integrates seamlessly (both visually and functionally) with the others. The main content frame displays letters, recollections and the other materials that are the reason for the site. To its left, a smaller frame aids navigation within a given topic (a clickable calendar to accompany the letters, choice of pages for an army booklet about Furlough...) or holds photographs and other visual compliments to the main frame. The bottom frame uses a string of Dog Tags to allow the visitor to peruse the LETTERS ARCHIVE, a SOLDIER'S SCRAPBOOK, present day recollections and WAR ERA REVISITED. This last option takes you to a selection of RealAudio files of such period songs as Straighten Up And Fly Right and American Patrol, which you can then open in a separate 'jukebox' window and play while you surf the rest of the site.

The Dog Tags also include an invitation to MEET THE PRIVATE. Here they guide you through the Private's army and civilian life, while accompanying photographs occupy the left hand frame. Finally, the top Frame, which alternates as either the top of a wall calendar or a Western Union Telegram points you to an e-mail link and site credits.

Not only do all these frames work so well together that someone who normally hates to see them at all is writing this rhapsody to four, but they are well thought out individually as well. Never does a Frame's content exceed the width of that frame - there is no constant scrolling back and forth to try to get the 'whole picture'.

Private Art is a new site and still a work in progress. There will be more recollections, more memorabilia, and something I thought was an unfortunate oversight until I read about future plans - scanned samples of the original letters. (Even if you can't read the writing, it's nice to see something more personal than webpage typeface.) There is also a page of outside links which by itself is worth the price of admission. Artwork and visual design is as strong and appropriate as everything else in this project.

Have a look at Private Art, and imagine what it would be like if all websites were this well done. Then give thanks that they aren't - we probably spend too much time online already.

Private Art can be found at http://www.private-art.com/.

-- Jim Regan