Web Design 236: My Experience

Web Design Tools

noreply@blogger.com (Debra Contreras) — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 00:36:00 +0000

Good Web Design in One Phrase

noreply@blogger.com (Debra Contreras) — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 15:30:00 +0000

"As I have been learning about web design and it's related topics, especially SEO, I have learned to distinguish sites that try to do it all. Meaning they apply every tip suggested to a site, and it ends up looking bad all over. As I have been learning, the phrase that comes to my mind repeatedly is "simple elegance".

Have you ever noticed that simple and elegance often are termed together? What makes an item elegant is the use of high quality elements and classic style lines and using decorative elements economically. For that reason, I keep thinking that phrase is good way to encapsulate good web design: use high quality elements, classic style lines, and do it in moderation." © Debra Contreras ©

This is a visual of how I interpret "simple elegance":
Fabric is unadorned, but lush.
Color scheme is monochromatic but dramatically interesting.
Shape elements are balanced: figure and fabric are curved lines; all other lines are straight, angular
Negavtive space is effectively utilized, balancing complete space of picture plane.
Overall Effect is harmonious: no clashing elements.

Four Days Before Class Starts

noreply@blogger.com (Debra Contreras) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 20:27:00 +0000

I've checked out the "Materials" page, and read through the introductory information. We are starting with five chapters in week one: lots of information to get through this week.

LOL: these ideas crack me up!!

noreply@blogger.com (Debra Contreras) — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 17:43:00 +0000

Instructions for how to turn your old Mac computer into:

An iWipe

A Mini-Fridge

For more cool things to make with old computer parts, visit
Cool Things To Make With Your Old Computer @ Squidoo

Week One Objectives

noreply@blogger.com (Debra Contreras) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 20:32:00 +0000

Identify purpose and target audience.

Illustrate a site architecture map.

Web Research

noreply@blogger.com (Debra Contreras) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:37:00 +0000

From the Textbook:

1. The World Wide Web Consortium creates standards for the Web.

Visit its site at http://www.w3c.org and then answer the following questions:

a. How did the W3C get started?

The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) was founded by Tim Berners-Lee after he left the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in October, 1994. It was founded at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Laboratory for Computer Science (MIT/LCS) with support from the European Commission and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), which had pioneered the Internet.

W3C was created to ensure compatibility and agreement among industry members in the adoption of new standards. Prior to its creation, incompatible versions of HTML were offered by different vendors, increasing the potential for inconsistency between web pages. The consortium was created to get all those vendors to agree on a set of core principles and components which would be supported by everyone.

External Factors Influencing Site Behavior and Visiblity

noreply@blogger.com (Debra Contreras) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 17:45:00 +0000

An integrated development environment (IDE) also known as integrated design environment or integrated debugging environment is a software application that provides comprehensive facilities to computer programmers for software development. An IDE normally consists of:
a source code editor a compiler and/or an interpreter build automation tools a debugger
List of Web Browser Engines Comparision of Layout Engines

My First Flow Chart in Google Docs

noreply@blogger.com (Debra Contreras) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 16:42:00 +0000

I'm taking notes with Google Docs for Chapter 10: Web Site Development. The flow chart for web design wouldn't copy right, and I couldn't find a diagram that was an exact match in steps to the text book. So, I did my first flow chart in Google apps. Overall, I am pleased with the results.

Go me--I love it when something goes right!

Chapter 10 Review Questions

noreply@blogger.com (Debra Contreras) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 18:09:00 +0000

Chapter 2 Review Questions

noreply@blogger.com (Debra Contreras) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 19:04:00 +0000

1. Which tag pair contains text that is indented from both the left and right margins?

2. Which tag pair is used to create the largest heading?

3. Which tag configures the next text or element to display on a new line?

6. Which type of XHTML list will automatically number the items for you?
a. numbered list b. ordered list c. unordered list d. definition list

7. Which of the following is a reason why the text contained by the title tag should be descriptive and include the business or organization name?
a. The title is saved by default when a visitor bookmarks a web page.
b. The title may be printed when a visitor prints a web page.
c. The title may be listed in search engine results.
d. All of the above are reasons why the text contained by the title tag should be descriptive and include the business or organization name.

8. When do you need to use a fully qualified URL in a hyperlink?
a. always
b. when linking to a Web page file on the same site
c. when linking to a Web page file on an external site
d. never

9. Which tag pair contains the items in an ordered or unordered list?

10. What does an e-mail link do?
a. automatically sends you an e-mail message with the visitor’s e-mail address as the reply-to field
b. launches the default e-mail application for the visitor’s browser with your e-mail address as the recipient
c. displays your e-mail address so that the visitor can send you a message later
d. links to your mail server

Fill in the Blank
11. The meta tag can be used to ____________________.
12. ____________________ can be used to display characters such as the copyright symbol.
13. The ____________________ is the preferred element to use when you need to emphasize text.
14. The ____________________ is used to place a nonbreaking space on a Web page.

Short Answer
15. Explain why it is good practice to place the e-mail address on the Web page and within the anchor tag when creating an e-mail link.

For All Review Questions, click here

For Answers, click here

What I learned today....

noreply@blogger.com (Debra Contreras) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 18:32:00 +0000

AHA!! I was doing some hands-on practice in the book. It is a simple web page, meant to teach XHMTL coding, working with tags and elements.

So, one practice built on the first and I got through three practices. I learned the basic components of Web pages using XHTML. However, the last practice ended up showing the same line twice, which wasn't supposed to be. But I figured out where the mistake was in the code and corrected it all by myself with what I learned today! Now my page shows the headings and text properly, without repeats.

I love it when I figure out how to do something that works correctly!!

Today, a baby step. That means I'm on my way now!

Mama is Birthing

noreply@blogger.com (Debra Contreras) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 19:30:00 +0000

I just finished this completely boring site: white background, basic black letters, with 3 absolute links and two relative links. Absolute links are used when you link other web sites to yours, while relative links "bind" pages of yours together. Which will lead to navigation lessons; I love good naviagation!

I don't even have it posted to a server, cuz it's a practice site that you build as you go along in the book. But I'm so excited, since I've just used automated web page designs. Which are way easier and super cool, sin duda. Doing this is like re-inventing the wheel, a process I wouldn't want to do when trying to create something with lots of bells and whistles on a client's deadline.

What I find exciting is the understanding what is going on under the drop and drag sites I've done. I've also played around with making customizations in small ways. Because I don't know the fundamentals, I'm afraid that changing the code too much will mess everything up. So I'm having fun fiddling with those little things I take for granted, like drop down menus and point and clicks to change something like heading sizes and alignments.

I'm saving each version, like a proud parent snapping pictures as the baby crowns.

Chapter 1 Review Questions

noreply@blogger.com (Debra Contreras) — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 13:47:00 +0000

1. Of the following organizations, which one coordinates applications for new TLDs?
a. Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA)
b. Engineering Task Force (IETF)

c. Corporation for Assigned Numbers and Names (ICANN)
d. World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)

2. Which of the following is a network that covers a small area, such as a group of buildings?

a. LAN     b. WAN     c. Internet    d. WWW

True/False
7. The World Wide Web was developed to allow companies to conduct e-commerce over the Internet.

8. A URL is one type of URI.

9. A domain name that ends in .net indicates that the Web site is for a networking company.
10. Markup languages contain sets of directions that tell the browser software how to display and manage a Web document.

Fill in the Blank

11. ___________ combines the formatting strengths of HTML 4.0 and the data structure and extensibility strengths of XML.

12. A standard language used for specifying a markup language or tag set is ________________.

13. _________ is the set of markup symbols or codes placed in a file intended for display on a

Web browser.

14. The World Wide Web was developed by an individual working at ________.

15. Frequently communicating by posting brief messages at a social networking site is called

_________________.

16. The purpose of ____________  is to ensure the integrity of the communication.

17. Which of the markup languages listed below is intended to extend the power of HTML by separating data from presentation?

a. XML   b. XHTML     c. HTML 5    d. SGML

18. What is a unique text-based Internet address corresponding to a computer’s unique numeric IP
address called? a. IP address     b. domain name    c. URL    d. user name

19. Which of the organizations listed below takes a proactive role in developing recommendations and prototype technologies related to the Web?
a. World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)
b. Web Professional Standards Organization(WPO)c. Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)
d. Internet Corporation for Assigned Numbers and Names (ICANN)

20. Describe the difference between the Internet and an intranet.

21. Explain three events that contributed to the commercialization and exponential growth of the Internet.

22. Describe the difference between the Internet and the Web.
4. Describe the components of the client/server model as applied to the Internet.

5. Identify two protocols used on the Internet to convey information that use the Internet but do not use the Web.

6. Explain the similarities and differences between a URL and a domain name.

For anwsers, click here

Week 1 – DQ 1

noreply@blogger.com (Debra Contreras) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 13:48:00 +0000

Due Day 3 (Thursday, May 15, 2010) : List the reasons why a website would need to be redesigned. Why do you think it is important to always be planning the next site redesign for a company?

A company web site is capable of multiple business functions. At the simplest level, it operates as advertising. However, functioning at the most basic level doesn't make the most efficient use of web site capabilities, nor does it allow a business to use it as a business strategy. Adding an on-line catalog and purchasing functions allows a business to increase it's customer base in an efficient, streamlined manner. Additional services, such as customer support, can add more cost efficient functioning to a business' strategy.

One of the benefits of having a computer-based information system is the agility it has to respond to shifting business needs as customer behaviors fluctuate. In like manner, a company's website needs to be able to fluctuate with changing needs of a business' customer base. According to web researcher and lecturer Iain Middleton, the importance of a company's web site can not be diminished in today's business world. A site needs to be both flexible and functional, able to adapt with agility to changing business needs. According to his article published in 2008, businesses should take into account the following considerations of a corporate web:

Compliance/Accessibility--With content served from database sources it is possible to enforce standards through the use of templates which can ensure compliance with disability legislation and Web standards, as well as with corporate standards and style.

Multi-language Support--Organizations with multinational customer and employee bases require Web sites to cater for each major language group. Building separate Web sites represents unnecessary duplication of effort & introduces more risk of errors and inconsistencies.

Multi-device Support--Different templates can be applied to the same content to cater for different devices e.g. for PCs or mobile phones, ensuring maximum customer reach.

Personalization--Enabling user-targeted content to be served according to user preferences.

Document & Records Management--Capturing, managing, sharing, and destroying of vital records, e.g. suppliers, customers, and financials.

Content Management--Creating, managing, and deploying multiple Web sites.

Digital Asset Management--Digital assets from scanned documents to rich media formats and applications.

Workflow Management--Web applications to automate and facilitate business processes.

Collaboration Management--Extranets and other forms of collaborative work

Any of these points may lead to a site being redesigned or redirected. For many companies, entrance into the web arena begins with a site that is basically a billboard. The initial goals for this type of site is to make customers aware of their products and services and simply to create a web presence. Once companies experience the power of the web, many companies seek to add more on-line services, such as dynamic on-line catalogs, electronic payments, and customer support. Adding functionality, especially if it is interactive or adding media files, creates a need to update and possible redesign a site.

Redesigning a site may be necessary when a company decides to change the way it does business for any reason. A book store, for example, may find it more economical to complete all transactions on-line. Amazon is an example of such a business. Another reason for changing a site is a change in the functions of their site. For example, Lowe's Hardware stores has an on-line magazine, as well as tutorials for home improvement products on its site, adding both convenience and additional functionality for Lowe's and for their customers. Adding information that extends beyond the on-store catalog may lead to a site redesign as information gets difficult to navigate. The amount or type of information offered may require a re-organization and new navigational aspects to a growing site.

In fact, the reason for a web site redesign could be summed up in one word: "change". As a business grows and changes, it's web site should be reflective of that growth. In today's global economy, it is simply good business strategy.

References

(n.d). Web Site Management: Strategies in Large, Distributed Organizations. Retrieved from Faulkner Information Services: Faulkner's Advisory on Computer and Communications Technology (FACCT) database.

Basic Components of Web Page Coding

noreply@blogger.com (Debra Contreras) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 14:02:00 +0000

Web pages are composed of files containing Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) and other markup languages that describe Web pages. HTML was developed using Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML). SGML prescribes a standard format for embedding descriptive markup within a document and for describing the structure of a document. SGML is not in itself a document language, but rather a description of how to specify one and create a document type definition (DTD).

HTML is the set of markup symbols or codes placed in a file intended for display on a Web browser page. The purpose of markup symbols is to identify structural elements such as paragraphs, headings, and lists as well as place media and describe fill-in forms. The browser interprets the markup code and renders the page. HTML permits the platform independent display of information across a network.

Week 1 – DQ 2

noreply@blogger.com (Debra Contreras) — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 20:26:00 +0000

Week 1 – DQ 2: Saturday, May 15, 2010: According to Zhang, Prybutok, Ryan, and Pavur (2009), what are three factors to consider for building trust within a company’s target audience? How are these factors relevant to website planning?

The study by Zhang, Prybutok, Ryan, and Pavur (2009) studied eight different hypothesis regarding trust and consumer behaviors connected to web site activity. Some consideration was also given to differences between male/female behaviors. Because e-commerce is a relatively new business strategy, there is much to learn regarding how consumers respond to business sites. According to the article, the study looked at consumer trust in relation to a web's design, specifically: "perceived quality of presentation, perceived ease of navigation, and several user attributes: prior internet experience, Web users' self efficacy, and gender differences"(Zhang, et al, 2009).

Many researchers, as well as consumers and businesses in general, appreciate that it is lack of trust that inhibits the Business-to-Consumer (B2C) environment. Researcher Kyung Kyu Kim states that a "possible reason for the delayed acceptance of the Internet as a retail distribution channel may be the lack of trust consumers have in the electronic channel and in the Web merchants"(2004). In other words, there are two factors affecting consumer trust: first is the medium of transaction (Internet), and the second is the business providing the goods or services.

The first factor affecting trust--the electronic medium for business transactions--is based in part on foundations outside of a business' control. Prior Internet experiences and Internet self-efficacy are two of the important foundations of trust that individual consumers bring to the e-commerce experience. Consumers who have had negative experiences are less likely to trust other e-commerce transactions. A consumer's self-efficacy in Internet usage--how comfortable they are with using technology--is another foundational aspect of consumer trust that is also out of the control of a business. However, by carefully considering web site developments, a business can help establish it's own relationship of trust with a consumer.

Three factors that web developers can use to motivate positive consumer experience are:

1). Perceived Presentation Quality and Trust: high quality content, well organized information, combined with ease of navigation, are conducive to establishing trust between the consumer and business.

2). Presentation Quality is broadly determined by

(a) where information is located,

(b) how graphics are used,

3). According to this study, knowledge of targeted audience's internet self-efficiacy and gender.

(a) Consumers who are Internet/technology savvy are more open to trust than those who are inexperienced.

(b) Females are more concerned with perceived quality of presentation, while males consider perceived ease of navigation more important.

A business should view their website from varying lenses. First, it is the portal by which consumers become familiar with how the company presents itself. When designing a web site, a business needs to unify the site's physical presentation to it's corporate identity. Additionally, consumers experience not only a business' products and services, but the way in which it conducts business. Consumers choose to spend their money with businesses that anticipate, prepare for, and fulfill the consumer's expectations and needs. According to Zhang, et al: "Web designers must take care in the presentation of the information on the home page to entice the user to continue further into the Website, and to feel comfortable sharing personal information, making purchases, and acting on Web vendor advice."

References:

Kyung Kyu Kim; Bipin, P. (n.d). Initial Trust and the Adoption of B2C e-Commerce: The Case of Internet Banking. Database for Advances in Information Systems, 35(2), 50. Retrieved from ProQuest: ProQuest Computing database.

McClure, C. R., Wyman, S. K., Beachboard, J. B., & Eschenfelder, K. R. (1997). Developing system-based and user-based criteria for assessing federal websites. Journal of the American Society for Information Science, 34, 78-88.

Zhang, X., Prybutok, V R, Ryan, S., & Pavur, R. (April-June 2009). A model of the relationship among consumer trust, Web design and user attributes. Journal of Organizational and End User Computing, 21, 2. p.44(23). Retrieved May 11, 2010, from General OneFile via Gale:http://find.galegroup.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/gps/start.do?prodId=IPS&userGroupName=uphoenix

Debra Contreras:
"As you meet your brain, you will realize your infinite value, and become an 'artist of life.'
Then you can create new values, a new culture, and a new world." Ilchi Lee
αxynΩ

Week 1 Summary

noreply@blogger.com (Debra Contreras) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 20:24:00 +0000

Each of us lives in a world full of objects that we use everyday, taking them for granted, counting on their functioning, without really knowing how they work or why. This was the feeling that accompanied me as I studied this week. Using computers, surfing the web, automatically analyzing web pages without thinking about the background work involved-- I realize how much I know, but also learned how much I don't know this week. I have a deeper appreciation for web pages as I've learned more about how they work. I've also enjoyed the class input, which has been both interesting and informative.

This week was full of practical information about the foundational approaches to professional web design. I appreciated this information as my experience with web design has been for my own entertainment. Consequently, my approach is just to put information on however and whenever it pleases me. When designing a professional site, using the web development cycle is a good planning guide. Having a team of web design professionals, from administrators to graphics designers and copy writers are necessary to designing a professional site, especially if it is to have a large amount of information and functions.

I also learned the steps involved in properly planning a professional site. First, you need to be able to identify your target audience, which leads to creating site specifications and content goals. Content goals can vary from billboard, to customer support, and e-commerce only sites. When you have decided audience, specifications, and content, designing, creating, and publishing your web site becomes the fun part of the web design cycle. The final steps are to keep it properly maintained as you market your site to your target audience.

The most important part of this week was learning how XHTML codes work. Learning the eight parts of a page according to code, as well as the elements and tags that determine how a page displays in a browser, was the most practical and informative part of this week. I've tweaked headers, elements in a body of a web page, but never learned how the code was put together. Learning how the page was determined by tags, and how content was placed in the header and body by elements, was a big aha moment for me. It gave me the framework to put the bits I've learned into a proper perspective, with the ability to see the complete picture instead of the pieces.

Debra Contreras:

"As you meet your brain, you will realize your infinite value, and become an 'artist of life.'

Then you can create new values, a new culture, and a new world." Ilchi Lee

αxynΩ

Week 2 Reminders:

noreply@blogger.com (Debra Contreras) — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:02:00 +0000

Univesity of Phoenix

If you have never had an on-line class, here is a look at one week. Reading material varies from class to class; this week, we have four chapters and two articles to read. Written assignments are based on assigned readings. Here at University of Phoenix, all classes have a final team assignment. Completing the assignment demonstrates student learning, so tests aren't required in most classes.

Week Two Objectives

noreply@blogger.com (Debra Contreras) — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 20:32:00 +0000

Define fundamental Web design terminology.

Explain design principles for effective site navigation.

Identify Web design tools and their applications.

Review Questions: Chapter 3

noreply@blogger.com (Debra Contreras) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 19:42:00 +0000

1. List three technology constraints that can affect the way a user views your Web site’s content.

2. Consult your Web server administrator when you need to determine the _____________ and _____________ for your site.

3. Name two inconsistencies that can cause broken links when you upload your files to a Web

server.

4. List three characteristics of filenames that vary by operating system.

5. The international standard for filenames often is called _____________.

6. Which computer operating system is case sensitive?

7. Rename the following files so that they are compatible across all operating systems:

My file.htm _____________

case:1.htm _____________

#3rdpage.htm _____________

8. What is the default main page filename for a Web site?

9. What are the two types of URLs?

10. What are the four parts of a complete URL?

11. What type of URL links to another server?

12. What type of URL links within a server?

13. What affects the format of the URL for your Web site?

14. What is the benefit of purchasing a domain name?

15. Why should you never specify an absolute path in partial URLs?

16. What is the benefit of building a site with relative paths?

17. Files that reside in the same directory need only the _____________ to refer to each other.

18. List two benefits of diagramming your site before you start coding.

19. How does a Web site become live?

20. List the four variables to consider when testing your Web site.

For printable version with answers, click here

Identify the Content Goal

noreply@blogger.com (Debra Contreras) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:04:00 +0000

The following types of Web sites demonstrate ways to focus your content:

■ Billboard—These sites establish a Web presence for a business or commercial venture. In many cases they are informational and offer no true Web-based content, acting as an online brochure rather than offering Web-based interaction. Many businesses build this type of site first and then slowly add functions such as online ordering and product demonstrations as they become more comfortable with the medium.

■ Publishing—Most major newspapers and periodicals now publish both to print media and to the Web. These Web sites are some of the most ambitious in breadth and depth of content, often containing multiple levels of information with many page templates.

■ Portal—Portals act as gateways to the Web and offer an array of services including searching, e-mail, shopping, news, and organized links to Web resources. Many of the major search engines have been converted into portals to attract more users. These sites are often heavy with advertising content, which is their main source of revenue.

■ Special interest, public interest, and nonprofit organization—These sites include news and current information for volunteers, devotees, novices, a specific audience, or the general public. Public-service Web sites contain links, information, downloadable files, addresses, and telephone numbers that can help you solve a problem or find more resources. Nonprofit organizations can state their manifestoes, seek volunteers, and foster grassroots virtual communities.

■ Blog—Short for “Weblog,” a blog is a personal Web page that reflects the personality and interests of the author. No matter what your interest, a community of bloggers (blog authors) on the Web is devoted to it.

■ Virtual gallery—The Web is a great place to show off samples of all types of art and design. Photographers and artists can display samples of their work; musicians can post audio files of their songs; writers can offer sections of text or complete manuscripts. However, keep in mind that any copyrighted material you display on a Web site can be downloaded to a user’s machine without your permission. As a solution to this problem, software companies such as Digimarc (www.digimarc.com) offer digital watermarking technology that lets artists embed digital copyright information in their electronic files as a deterrent to piracy of proprietary content. This information cannot be seen or altered by the user.

■ E-commerce, catalog, and online shopping—The Web has become a viable shopping medium that continues to expand as more users improve their Internet access and learn to trust the security of online commerce. Web commerce already has begun to compete successfully with traditional retailing, offering many advantages over mail-order shopping, such as letting the customer know immediately whether an item is in stock. Other types of commerce on the Web include stock trading, airline ticketing, online banking, and auctions. Many software vendors offer turnkey systems that can be integrated with existing databases to speed the development of a commerce site. A good e-commerce site provides users with quick accessto the item they want, detailed product descriptions, and easy, secure ordering.

■ Product support—The Web is a boon to consumers who need help with a product. Manufacturers can disseminate information, upgrades, roubleshooting advice, documentation, and online tutorials through their Web sites. Companies that provide product support information on the Web often find that the volume of telephone-based customer support calls decreases. Software companies especially benefit from the Web; users can download patches and upgrades and use trial versions of software before they buy.

■ Intranet and extranet—An intranet is a smaller, limited version of the Internet on a company’s private local area network (LAN), accessible only to those who are authorized to use their network. Many companies have telecommuting employees who need access to company policies, documentation, parts lists, pricing information, and other materials. These employees can be reached via an extranet, which is a part of the private intranet extended outside the organization via the Internet. Many organizations mandate a particular browser for employee use, making the Web designer’s job a little easier, because they only have to code and test for one browser.

From the text: Principles of Web Design, by Joel Sklar

Web Site Analysis

noreply@blogger.com (Debra Contreras) — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 19:46:00 +0000

1. Browse the Web and find a site you like. Write a brief statement of the Web site’s goals.

2. Browse the Web and find Web sites that fit the following content types:
a. Billboard b. Publishing c. Special interest d. Product support
Write a short summary of how the content is presented in each Web site and describe how each site focuses on its users’ needs.

3. Browse the Web and find a site that does not contain a user survey form. Write a 10- to 15-question user survey that you would use on the site. Tailor the questions to the site’s content and goals.

4. Find a billboard-type Web site. Write an analysis of the site that includes functions and features you would add to extend the site’s effectiveness for its users.

5. Visit www.winzip.com and download the latest version of WinZip. If you have a Mac, visit http://www.aladdinsys.com/ and download the shareware version of Stuffit. Practice using the software to archive and compress multiple files into a single file.

6. Browse the Web to find examples of the following site structures and describe how the content fits the structure. Think about how the chosen structure adds to or detracts from the effectiveness and ease of navigation of the site. Determine whether the site provides sufficient navigation information. Print examples from the site and indicate where the site structure and navigation information is available to the user.
a. Linear b. Hierarchical

7. Browse the Web to find a site that uses more than one structure type and describe why you

think the site’s content benefits from multiple structures. Consider the same questions as in

Project 3-6.

8. Are there other structure types that are not described in this chapter? Find a site that illustrates

a different structure content. Create a flowchart for the site and determine how it benefits from

the different structure type.

9. Write a test plan for your Web site.

a. Create a section for each design variable.

b. Spell out the exact steps of the test and the different variables to be tested. State explicitly

which browsers and version should be used, and on which operating system. Detail the

different screen resolutions and connection speeds. List the exact pages that should be

tested.

c. Walk through the test procedure to test its validity.

10. Write a sample user feedback questionnaire.

Hands-On Projects

11. Write a maintenance plan for your Web site.

a. Include a schedule of content updates for the different sections of the Web site.

b. Include a schedule of design reviews.

c. Plan for link maintenance.

Individual Case Project

Write a site specification for the site you defined in Chapters 1 and 2. Include as much information

as possible from the project proposal you completed at the end of Chapter 1. Make sure to

include a mission statement. Determine how you will measure the site’s success in meeting its

goals. Include a description of the intended audience. Describe how you will assess user satisfaction

with the site. Include technological issues that may influence the site’s development or function.

Prepare a detailed flowchart for your site using the preliminary flowchart you created at the end

of Chapter 2. Create a filename for each page that matches the ISO 9660 standard. Indicate all

links between pages. Write a short summary that describes the flowchart. Describe why you chose

the particular structure, how it suits your content, and how it benefits the user.

Web Site Structures

noreply@blogger.com (Debra Contreras) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:26:00 +0000

Linear Structure

The linear information structure guides the user along a straightforward path. This structure lends itself to booklike presentations; once into the content, users can navigate backward or forward. Each page can contain a link back to the main page if desired. Pages may also contain links to a related subtopic. If the users jump to the subtopic page, they only can return to the page that contains the subtopic link. This structured navigation returns them to the same point in the content path.

Tutorial Structure

The tutorial structure builds on the simple linear structure. The user navigates the concept, lesson, and review pages in order. Notice that the table of contents, index, and site map pages are linked to—and from—all pages in the course.

Web Structure

Many smaller Web sites follow the Web-type content structure which is nonlinear, allowing the user to jump freely to any page from any other page. If you choose to use this type of content structure, make sure that each page includes clear location information and a standardized navigation bar that not only tells users where they are, but where they can go.

Hierarchical Structure

The hierarchical structure is probably the most commonly used information design. It lends itself to larger content collections because the section pages break up and organize the content at different levels throughout the site. Navigation is primarily linear within the content sections. Users can scan the content on the section page and then choose the content page of their choice. When they finish reading the content, they can return to the section page. The site map allows users to navigate freely throughout the site. A navigation bar on each page lets the user jump to any section page, the main page, and the site map.

Cluster Structure

The cluster structure is similar to the hierarchical structure, except that every topic area is an island of information, with all pages in each cluster linked to each other. This structure encourages exploration within a topic area, allowing the user to navigate freely through the content. All pages contain a navigation bar with links to the section pages, main page, and site map.

Catalog Structure

The catalog structure is ideally suited to electronic shopping. The user can browse or search for items and view specific information about each product on the item pages. Users can add items to their shopping cart as they shop. When they are finished, they can review the items in their shopping cart and then proceed to checkout, where they can enter credit card information and finalize the order.

From the text: Principles of Web Design, by Joel Sklar

Currently Reading: Inside Steve's Brain by

noreply@blogger.com (Debra Contreras) — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 17:54:00 +0000

The book I am currently reading is "Inside Steve's Brain" by Leander Kahney. From his website, "about the book":

Most of what is written about Apple CEO Steve Jobs is negative. Recent biographies are catalogs of tantrums and abuse. They paint a portrait of a sociopath who does little but scream and shout. There’s very little coverage of what Steve Jobs does right, and clearly, he’s doing everything right.

It’s hard to believe that one man revolutionized computers in the 1970s and ’80s (with the Apple II and the Mac), animated movies in the 1990s (with Pixar), digital music in the 2000s (with the iPod and iTunes), and now communications (the iPhone). No wonder some people worship him like a god. On the other hand, stories of his epic tantrums and general bad behavior are legendary.

Inside Steve’s Brain cuts through the cult of personality that surrounds Jobs to unearth the secrets of his unbelievable results. It reveals the real Steve Jobs, not his heart or his famous temper, but his mind. So what’s really inside Steve’s brain? According to Leander Kahney, who has covered Jobs since the early ’90s, it’s a fascinating bundle of contradictions.

Jobs is an elitist who thinks most people are bozos — but he makes gadgets so easy to use, a bozo can master them.

He’s a mercurial obsessive with a filthy temper — but he forges deep partnerships with creative geniuses like Steve Wozniak, Jonathan Ive, and John Lasseter.

He’s a Buddhist and an anti-materialist — but he produces mass-market products in Asian factories, and he promotes them with absolute mastery of the crassest medium, advertising.

In short, Jobs has embraced the traits that some consider flaws — narcissism, perfectionism, the desire for total control — to lead Apple and Pixar to triumph against steep odds. And in the process, he has become a self-made billionaire.

In Inside Steve’s Brain, Kahney distills the principles that guide Jobs as he launches killer products, attracts fanatically loyal customers, and manages some of the world’s most powerful brands.

The result is a unique book about Steve Jobs that is part biography and part leadership guide, and is impossible to put down. It gives you a peek inside Steve’s brain, and it might even teach you something about how to build your own culture of innovation.

Week 2 - DQ 1

noreply@blogger.com (Debra Contreras) — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 16:24:00 +0000

This week's first discussion question was to create a glossary of ten basic Web design terms, which lead me to an excellent on-line Web Design resource: Smashing Magazine. According to their "about us" page:

"Founded in September 2006, Smashing Magazine delivers useful and innovative information to Web designers and developers. Our aim is to inform our readers about the latest trends and techniques in Web development. We try to convince you not with the quantity but with the quality of the information we present. We hope that makes us different. Smashing Magazine is, and always has been, independent."

I got inspired, and created an ABC list of Web Design terms that I am interested in learning more about, and you can access them at: Some ABC's of Web Design: A Glossary with Links to Web Design Resources

**Please remember that all I have done here is edit someone's else's information for my personal educational purposes.**

Read more »