Before I will start with my answer, I have to point out three issues. First of all, I’m not sure if I had to do this because I’m a little late with this due to my study trip to Madrid. Secondly the Internet site acts a bit awkward. My birthday seems to be invalid! I really, really don’t understand it! Apparently the first of May doesn’t count as a true birthday! So from now on I was born the 11th of May. Secondly I am sorry to say that I have some small RSI problems. Nothing big, but it did result that I couldn’t investigate the sites that thoroughly.
For both the Internet sites you can say they picked a certified way of presentation to appeal to certain segments of the population. The 24 site must be a gift from the gods for fans, because after the show you van click your way through new information, with a small part of interaction; the struggle to find the new information. But that’s not real interaction, not on a level the Coca-cola site has created. You can find new data, get more explained and most important of all you get triggered to watch the new show.
They menu of 24 is very conveniently arranged; on the left you see icons that will provide the information that pops up on the right side of the icons. It is a handy and helpful site for the fan. Although I couldn’t care less about the show, the site looks very professional and you can spend some time there.
In comparison to the Coca-Cola's website, the Coca-Cola site would be more fun for the common Internet user. Although Coca-Cola ‘fans’ (if there are real Coca-cola fans… That makes me wonder, for instance, if there were Coca-cola fans, would there be Coca-cola hooligans too? Fighting the Pepsi Hooli’s every Saturday night...? Probably not…) would love the site, the ‘just-surfing’ people can spend there more time than on the 24 site. It’s more interactive than the 24; you can create your own character and let it live in the virtual Coca-cola world. The creating part is quite comprehensive too; you can name your character, have diverse cloths and skin color possibilities and you can act the way you want (within the boundaries of the field of course, but there are a lot of choices to be made). You can make music, share your songs, and make Internet contacts, maybe even friends, so yes, it’s quite interactive.
The games are quite fun for some times and the possibilities of places to go are quite extended, but the layout appeals more to a younger than a slightly older crowd. The layout is a bit obscure, it’s less methodical than the 24 site; I couldn’t always find the icons to click on. So when you talk about layout or use of space, I’d say the 24 site is better organized than the Coca-cola site but the Coca-cola site would be more fun for a younger crowd. The sites structure is I think well designed to appeal a young and ‘wanting-to-be-entertained’ crowd. But, how nice the sites may be, they didn’t trigger me for wanting to see the 24 show while drinking a coke.