Time for a little ftp action.
I successfully uploaded my personal web page to the my web host and now I'm going to try ftping the 'Metal Chicks Unite!' page that I put together for an earlier Module 3 to my personal web space.
http://pruedwyer.com/metal
Success!
The key questions to ask when uploading pages to the web are:
- is the page named correctly?
- are all relevant links or images in the appropriate folder?
FTPing documents is quite a simple process - as long as you have an FTP client that you are comfortable using and the ftp address of where you want to transfer the data, Bob's your uncle!
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Module 3: FTP
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Module 3: WWW Standards - optional ‘standards’ task 2:
W3C VALIDATION
W3C hmmm?
I tested my Metal Chicks Unite! page on the W3C validation page and it had 35 errors so failed validation.
I went through the errors listed and they were all related to formatting - what was standard code for font colour etc raised red flags in the W3C validation. This would cause a display issue which in turn would affect usability of the page.
LEGAL ISSUES
The images I've used on my website are referenced back to the original source which was the owner's requirement for use. This usage does not contravene copyright laws.
The words I've used on my website are my own or referenced if appropriate. I've linked to appropriate Wikipedia pages within the document but have not referenced the links. This should be ok, but a reference stating that the links are to Wikipedia would ensure that this was ok.
Placing the Curtin logo on the page would not comply with the branding guidelines of the university. My site is not affiliated with the university and placement of their logo on this site would suggest that they accept and condone all information on the page.
If the Curtin logo were to be used, it would require agreement by the University's branding regulators and use of a disclaimer.
W3C hmmm?
I tested my Metal Chicks Unite! page on the W3C validation page and it had 35 errors so failed validation.
I went through the errors listed and they were all related to formatting - what was standard code for font colour etc raised red flags in the W3C validation. This would cause a display issue which in turn would affect usability of the page.
LEGAL ISSUES
The images I've used on my website are referenced back to the original source which was the owner's requirement for use. This usage does not contravene copyright laws.
The words I've used on my website are my own or referenced if appropriate. I've linked to appropriate Wikipedia pages within the document but have not referenced the links. This should be ok, but a reference stating that the links are to Wikipedia would ensure that this was ok.
Placing the Curtin logo on the page would not comply with the branding guidelines of the university. My site is not affiliated with the university and placement of their logo on this site would suggest that they accept and condone all information on the page.
If the Curtin logo were to be used, it would require agreement by the University's branding regulators and use of a disclaimer.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Module 3: WWW Standards - optional ‘standards’ task:
The second task in Module 3 looks directly at web writing and what some the accepted standards are. This was quite an interesting task as it covered some of the same sites that I had researched for the concepts assignment, and it is also interesting to look at web site design from different angles. Imagery and layout are important but the words that will appear on the page - and how they will appear - are an integral part of a viewable, accessible web page. There is no point having a page that could be a fantastic resource if it isn't designed in a way that makes it easy to access that information.
Prue's TOP 5 tips for writing for the web:
Tip 1: Start with the conclusion.
To entice the reader to continue perusing the material available to them on your page, you need to provide a summary straight up. It is important to grab the readers attention in their first scan of the page and give them enough data to establish whether or not this information is of use to them.
Tip 2: Get to and keep to the point.
As research has shown that the average web user scans text rather than reading word for word, it's highly likely that information will become lost if it doesn't stand alone.Don't create a page of marketing filler that promising to fufil your readers ever hope, wish and desire - but doesn't. Stay on track and write one paragraph per idea. Don't launch into a new idea halfway through, start a new paragraph for each new point or relevant tantilizing tidbit of information.
Tip 3: Don't waffle, itemize.
Make your copy easy to scan with keywords that stand out from the page. Keep your writing succinct by using short paragraphs, bullet points or lists. Do use headings, sub-headings etc to break the information into "bite-sized" pieces of data easily consumed in a quick scan of the page.
Tip 4: Be the strong link in the chain.
Add credibility to your information by supporting or emphasizing them through the use of hyperlinks. Whether you are linking to other pages on your site or to other sites, links stand out and make it easier for the user to quickly navigate to the where they need to go.
Tip 5: Keep your design simple.
Don't over-clutter the page or go overboard with glitzy animations that distract the reader from their reason for being on your website. Use imagery and graphics to enhance, not overwhelm. A simple, clean design will head users go directly to the point of interest on the site. If they have to hunt for it, it becomes time consuming and likely that they will just go somewhere else.
After reading the articles, much of the core content is similar - keep it short, simple and don't be afraid to let formatting emphasize your point through lists, bullets, pull-out quotes, highlight keywords and use of hyper-links. The more modern articles also focus on the design and the layout of the page which has become a more technical process since Neilsen's paper in 1997. The development of different techniques and software that supports them has certainly made the web more visual than it was a decade ago. It is much more common to have flash based websites that are interactive and to use images to replace large blocks of text.
It is interesting to note that while the visual aspect of the internet has changed dramatically in the past few years, the way we in which we interact with it as a informational tool is still very similar. Overall, Neilsen's paper still stands true. Many of the points he made in terms of how people read the web and interact with it are still relevant and supported in more current articles on this topic.
Prue's TOP 5 tips for writing for the web:
Tip 1: Start with the conclusion.
To entice the reader to continue perusing the material available to them on your page, you need to provide a summary straight up. It is important to grab the readers attention in their first scan of the page and give them enough data to establish whether or not this information is of use to them.
Tip 2: Get to and keep to the point.
As research has shown that the average web user scans text rather than reading word for word, it's highly likely that information will become lost if it doesn't stand alone.Don't create a page of marketing filler that promising to fufil your readers ever hope, wish and desire - but doesn't. Stay on track and write one paragraph per idea. Don't launch into a new idea halfway through, start a new paragraph for each new point or relevant tantilizing tidbit of information.
Tip 3: Don't waffle, itemize.
Make your copy easy to scan with keywords that stand out from the page. Keep your writing succinct by using short paragraphs, bullet points or lists. Do use headings, sub-headings etc to break the information into "bite-sized" pieces of data easily consumed in a quick scan of the page.
Tip 4: Be the strong link in the chain.
Add credibility to your information by supporting or emphasizing them through the use of hyperlinks. Whether you are linking to other pages on your site or to other sites, links stand out and make it easier for the user to quickly navigate to the where they need to go.
Tip 5: Keep your design simple.
Don't over-clutter the page or go overboard with glitzy animations that distract the reader from their reason for being on your website. Use imagery and graphics to enhance, not overwhelm. A simple, clean design will head users go directly to the point of interest on the site. If they have to hunt for it, it becomes time consuming and likely that they will just go somewhere else.
After reading the articles, much of the core content is similar - keep it short, simple and don't be afraid to let formatting emphasize your point through lists, bullets, pull-out quotes, highlight keywords and use of hyper-links. The more modern articles also focus on the design and the layout of the page which has become a more technical process since Neilsen's paper in 1997. The development of different techniques and software that supports them has certainly made the web more visual than it was a decade ago. It is much more common to have flash based websites that are interactive and to use images to replace large blocks of text.
It is interesting to note that while the visual aspect of the internet has changed dramatically in the past few years, the way we in which we interact with it as a informational tool is still very similar. Overall, Neilsen's paper still stands true. Many of the points he made in terms of how people read the web and interact with it are still relevant and supported in more current articles on this topic.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Module 3: HTML tags
HTML tagging ... it's something I haven't done for years and this ol' brain didn't just slide back into. I've become Dreamweaver lazy so the tutorials were a great refresher to get myself back into the rhythm of the code.
The tutorial was useful and I learnt things I hadn't previously know how to do - such as the horizontal lines. I enjoyed the tutorial and building my web page based on the basic code that had been covered. It was quite eye opening to see how much code is still quite relevant and taken for granted and how CSS makes things so much easier in some ways.
I found this to be an easy, enjoyable exercise. I kept the task very simple with basic coding, using a little CSS but 95% HTML on the page. I used little in the way of imagery as I really wanted to see what I could create with text and basic code. It was a pleasant surprise.
Being a Dreamweaver fan, I'd forgotten the simplicity of HTML tags - of the impact a page can have even when it isn't covered with images and animations, and doesn't have any savvy flash coding isn't turning it into a glossy brochure. Sure, it looked a lot like a web page straight out of the mid 90's ... ok, it looked like web pages I made in the mid 90's ... but it loaded quickly, was easy to us and didn't cause an epiletical fit for my audience (well not that I know of!). It was good to 'get back to basics'.
Differences between HTML and blogging? HTML can be a part of blogging. I usually write my blog in the Edit HTML window or set it up in Notepad and copy it into the Edit HTML window. I try to keep things simple and not have a lot of flashing stuff going on - after all, my blog is all about words, maybe an image or two but nothing I can't manage in HTML. For me, it's a great combination of something I enjoy - making words look pretty.
I see blogs and HTML pages as being very similar - it is about the layout and design of the information that you've herded together for others (and yourself) to use. Whether that is in the form of words, images, music etc.
The tutorial was useful and I learnt things I hadn't previously know how to do - such as the horizontal lines. I enjoyed the tutorial and building my web page based on the basic code that had been covered. It was quite eye opening to see how much code is still quite relevant and taken for granted and how CSS makes things so much easier in some ways.
I found this to be an easy, enjoyable exercise. I kept the task very simple with basic coding, using a little CSS but 95% HTML on the page. I used little in the way of imagery as I really wanted to see what I could create with text and basic code. It was a pleasant surprise.
Being a Dreamweaver fan, I'd forgotten the simplicity of HTML tags - of the impact a page can have even when it isn't covered with images and animations, and doesn't have any savvy flash coding isn't turning it into a glossy brochure. Sure, it looked a lot like a web page straight out of the mid 90's ... ok, it looked like web pages I made in the mid 90's ... but it loaded quickly, was easy to us and didn't cause an epiletical fit for my audience (well not that I know of!). It was good to 'get back to basics'.
Differences between HTML and blogging? HTML can be a part of blogging. I usually write my blog in the Edit HTML window or set it up in Notepad and copy it into the Edit HTML window. I try to keep things simple and not have a lot of flashing stuff going on - after all, my blog is all about words, maybe an image or two but nothing I can't manage in HTML. For me, it's a great combination of something I enjoy - making words look pretty.
I see blogs and HTML pages as being very similar - it is about the layout and design of the information that you've herded together for others (and yourself) to use. Whether that is in the form of words, images, music etc.
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