NED23

This unit was a lot different to any I have previously completed. Although I learnt a lot, I haven't had one of those "Eureka!" moments Edwin mentioned, where it all snaps together. I didn't need a Eureka moment; I found it all snapped together from the start.

I found a lot of this course was common sense, such as using conventions, creating uniformity amongst what can be clicked, and keeping instructions to a bare minimum. Other aspects completely surprised me, such as the need for so much testing, and the resevoir of goodwill.

Suggestions to make the course better?... well, the assignment descriptions in the course handbook could to be clearer. I can't really think how to make them clearer, although at a couple of stages in this course I felt I was muddling through an assignment making up some aspects of what needed to be done as I went along.

Perhaps I'm just used to RMIT programming assignments, where everything you need to do is laid out, almost in step-by-step order :P.

I enjoyed reading the conversations on the discussion boards, from which I learnt a lot. I didn't post much as I am a firm believer in only speaking when you have something meaningful to add. I felt all bases were covered in most conversations I read.

Looking back, I realise this blog should have been updated more often. But with what? I still don't see the point of posting things such as screen designs when the same images will be included in an assignment.

All in all, I found NED23 very enjoyable. Thank you Edwin.

Navigation flowcharts and web storyboarding - useful links

Just a few useful resources I have found for storyboarding and flowcharts (not sure if I'm the only one who hasn't studied this). Anyway, hopefully be helpful for somebody.

Web Flowchart
What is a storyboard?
Organising and storyboarding a web site
Storyboard you web site

Some observations while browsing for a book

While browsing for a book, I came upon www.teachyourself.co.uk.

First thing I noticed was the 4 large rotating books near the bottom of the home page. This made me think - are these the only books on offer, or do I need to browse for more? I feel this thought came about because the section had no heading telling me (below there is something that vaguely resembles a heading - below?).

From here, I instantly recognised the bright yellow panel to the left as a menu. Science was what I was after. Up came a page with a big white space in the middle, bordered to the right to several thumnails of books. Looking for something to click straight away, I click a thumbnail (I choose randomly, clicking a book which vaguely represents what I'm after). Nothing happens. A thumbnail that isn't clickable - now that's something.

So I'm forced to think - how do I get a list of books this company produces?

I look at the page a little closer. The two identical page headings throw me, but a under I see the link I want.

To purchase a book I see in the PDF catalogue, I need to go back to the Science page, read instructions (on a good note - they're short and to the point), and manually copy the ISBN to another web site.

Well, that's how to buy a book. Not exactly hard in the grand scheme of things, but could be so much more simple. For a start, the PDF file should be replaced by a HTML list of books in the Science category. A link to the ordering page should be included in the HTML book listings, if it is not feasible to order the book directly from the Teach Yourself web site. A PDF catalogue should be made available for printing.

www.teachyourself.co.uk has plenty on opportunities for improvement.

Market Research Questionnaire

Well, this is my response to the market research tutorial and the questionnaire part of the market research assignment. Hopefully I'm on the right track. I kept it short and easy, because that's how I would want a questionnaire.

1. How many emails are you happy to receive each month from Bay West BUG?
a. 0
b. 1 to 3
c. 4 to 6
d. more than 6

2. If the BUG had a web site, which of the following would you use it for?
(select all that apply)
a. General information about the organisation.
b. Information about our upcoming bicycle rides.
c. Information about our advocacy efforts.
d. Viewing photos of past bicycle rides.
e. Refering it to a friend for the purposes of the friend's membership.

3. If the BUG had a web site, would you prefer it to have a basic or advanced design?
a. Basic design
b. Advanced design

4. At present, do you feel the BUG has a home?
a. Yes b. No

5. Do you regularly have access to the Internet?
a. Yes b. No

6. Are you a regular Internet user?
a. Yes b. No

7. What is your age group?
a. under 20 b. 20 to 29 c. 30 to 39 d. 40 to 49
e. 50 to 59 f. 60 to 69 g. over 70

It's formatted rather poorly compared to the OpenDocument version, but you get the idea.

So... comments?

My proposed web site

I've decided that a web site for the local Bicycle User Group (BUG) would best suit my proposed site. A BUG is a non-profit organisation, however I see no problem with that. I believe the best part of this choice is that I know the testers in person.

I guess that's it for this post - I'm stuck for ideas as to what to write here!
John

10 things I hate, 5 things I love (about the Web)

10 things I hate about the Web

1. Antiquated information

Information should to be kept up to date. In a world which is advancing at a rapid pace, information quickly becomes redundant and superseded by more recent information. Little is as annoying as reading a page only to reach the bottom and discover that many significant events concerning the subject have taken place since the publishing date.

2. Inconsistency in navigation and design

For me, a major drawcard of a site such as Wikipedia is that all the information is presented using a fairly consistent navigation method, and the same design from page to page. Web sites that require the user to become accustomed to the design or navigation of each page tend to interrupt the browsing process, and make the user think!

3. Over-bearing advertising

I feel that as with any medium, the Web should have its fair share of advertising. However some ads are far worse than others.

4. Email Spam

If I want a canned meat product, I'll buy it at the supermarket. (or, if I want your marketing offers, I'll subscribe)

5. Not finding the information I searched for

With the modern algorithms of advanced search engines, this is not much of a problem from dedicated search engines, such as Google. However, insite searching is often a tedious process. Why not just make sure the site gets indexed by Google and have a Google search box? (of course not for sensitive areas of the site)

6. Things not where they're supposed to be

Somewhat of an marginal point, however just as annoying as the others. Just little things, such as the "Submit" and "Clear" buttons being placed the opposite way to convention.

7. Flash sites without a suitable HTML alternative

Fairly self-explanatory!

8. Long and elaborate registration processes

I prefer not to divulge enough information to fill an autobiography just to access information I can get elsewhere.

9. Forced compliance to a particular design parameter

Includes things such as not being able to change font size, or not being able to use any [mainstream] browser.

10. Sound in web pages!

Often I browse with music playing in the background, only to stumble across an unfamiliar site and be scared out of my wits by a loud "song" which could be straight out of Star Trek.

5 things I love about the Web

1. Huge amounts of free information

Of course with a mention to Wikipedia.

2. User-built web sites

Again with reference to Wikipedia, and also to sites such as Digg, Flickr and YouTube, this really brings the web into a whole new generation. No other medium has had such an incredible reach to connect people and groups.

3. Simplicity

Most (if not all) of the large and popular web sites are very easy to use, because the are simple. The steps taken to do a task seems logical. Of course this is not true for all web sites (dare I say only a few).

4. Business to Consumer and Consumer to Consumer eBusiness

These technologies have made it far easier to shop. Especially for those of use who don't fancy shopping malls!

5. Lack of centralised control

A medium which is not owned or regulated, and more-or-less free from government or institutional intervention. I know this statement would be easy to find fault with, but I'm being general.