Week 12 Why accessibility is important to you

What is accessibility

It is a term that is more associated with architectural thought, rather than Web Site Design. There is a legislation, which determines the minimum standards for new buildings.

According to the World Wide Web Accessibility Initiative, providers have the following benefits:
1. Increase Market Share and Audience Reach
2. Improve Efficiency
3. Demonstrate Social Responsibility
4. Reduce Legal Liability

Accessibility is critical for a web site's success

For example, in the UK alone, there are 8.5 million people who are classified as having some sort of disability. That's a big percentage to exclude from the web; from a moral viewpoint, it is surely wrong, but from a commercial viewpoint, it is disastrous.

When designing web pages, try putting them through a text reader, like the ones used by those with visual impairment.

You will soon realize how difficult it can be for a user who cannot see that a new window has opened - hence the need to overtly tell users that a new window has indeed opened.

http://www.webnauts.net/accessibility.html

Week 11 What is Web 3.0?

Web 3.0 is one of the terms used to describe the evolutionary stage of the Web that follows Web 2.0. Given that technical and social possibilities identified in this latter term are yet to be fully realised the nature of defining Web 3.0 is highly speculative. In general it refers to aspects of the internet which, though potentially possible, are not technically or practically feasible at this time.

Web 3.0, a phrase coined by John Markoff of the New York Times in 2006, refers to a supposed third generation of Internet-based services that collectively comprise what might be called 'the intelligent Web'—such as those using semantic web, microformats, natural language search, data mining, machine learning, recommendation agents, and artificial intelligence technologies—which emphasize machine-facilitated understanding of information in order to provide a more productive and intuitive user experience.

Web 3.0 has been described as the "executable web". In the analogy to file system permissions, Web 1.0 was "read-only", Web 2.0 is "read-write", and Web 3.0 will be "read-write-execute".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_3.0

Week 10 Other forms of web marketing

Some of the popular forms include: Contextual advertising:
Contextual advertising is one of the most popular forms of search advertising. Contextual advertising entails the placement of ads on web pages, whose content match with the content displayed on the website.

PPC [Pay-Per-Click]:
The URL gets listed only when the keywords typed in by the user matches with those selected by the advertiser.

Affiliate Marketing:
Basically, the affiliate has to display a banner, products or URLs of the advertiser on its website. The commission can be paid on cost-per-click, cost-per-sale, cost-per-lead basis.

Rich Media Advertising:
Rich Media Advertising refers to the use of streaming audio and video as well as applets for the promotion of the website. The audio or video placed on a web page offers interactivity to the viewers.

RSS:
RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication. If a web surfer chooses a RSS option for a particular website, he will be able to keep abreast of the latest content that is being uploaded on a website. RSS is also being popularly used by the advertisers to inform the customers about the latest discounts, bargains and offers.

Blogging:
allows them to slip the information about the likely new launches in a rather stealth manner. Businesses are also exploring the option of sponsoring a blog, which shares its synergies with the products and services of the company. Many business entities are also going in for getting their ads displayed on blogs.

Viral Marketing:
A friend reads an interesting offer, article or informative write-up and informs his friend. This friend then forwards, the same to his friend and the chain continues; thus, acting like a virus. Experts have noticed that the spread of information is faster if there are some freebies, discounts or special offers up for grabs.

Search Engine Optimization:
Search Engine Optimization is tweaking the site to enhance the rankings obtained by it on the search engines. It involves processes such as optimizing the content with a proper set of keywords or key phrases as well as making the site navigation structure much more friendly to users. It also includes taking small but vital steps such as getting linked to sites having higher page ranks, submission of sites to directories etc.

Podcasting:
Podcasts can be used for the purpose of information dissemination. This form of Internet advertising entails the insertion of audio clips in the audio files that are available for listening. The biggest advantage of podcasting is that it allows one to target niche audience.

Behavioral advertising:
If a web surfer frequently visits sports section or sports site, then under behavioral advertising, he will mostly witness ads that are related to sports. So, even if he is surfing the net to buy that occasional pizza, he will be able to view sports ads. Thus, under behavioral advertising, the content of the site becomes irrelevant and the ads shown to a visitor are purely related to his past surfing habits.

Mobile marketing:
Under mobile marketing, the target audience is usually sent a SMS or a MMS to inform about the latest product or services that might be of interest to them.

http://www.isedb.com/db/articles/1693/1/Internet-Marketing-And-Its-Different-Forms/Page1.html

Week 8 What are the most popular Web analytics tools?

Google Analytics
Google Analytics (www.google.com/analytics/) is in a class by itself. It offers substantially more functionality than the basic tools above, but is free
If you find you're running into substantial limitations with Google Analytics, and you're ready to invest in a more predicable and powerful package, there are plenty of available options.

ClickTracks (www.clicktracks.com).
ClickTracks offers solid mid-priced to top-end analytics packages targeted toward non-technical marketing folks. Both an online version (similar to Google Analytics; you add a piece of code to your site and view the reports online) or an installed version (on your Web server) are available. ClickTracks is easy to use and offers many options for on-the-fly analysis of what different types of visitors are viewing on your site.

WebTrends (www.webtrends.com).
detailed data-mining features, including segmentation, click paths, conversion reporting, and a number of predictions and alert functionalities (for instance, you can be notified if your site reaches a certain level of traffic). Several of the experts we consulted with report that WebTrends is harder to use than others in this category, especially for non-technical staff. Their customer service, however, is easy to reach and helpful.

WebSideStory HBX Analytics (www.websidestory.com).
widely regarded as one of the most powerful and usable hosted analytics solutions, appropriate for complex and highly trafficed Web sites.

Omniture's SiteCatalyst (www.omniture.com).
It offers powerful segmentation and data-mining features that integrate with the tools's other functions, like email campaigns and site search.

http://www.idealware.org/articles/fgt_web_analytics.php

Week 7 What kind of assistive devices are there?

Assistive technology products are designed to provide additional accessibility to individuals who have physical or cognitive difficulties, impairments, and disabilities

Braille embossers
Braille translation programs convert text scanned-in or generated via standard word processing programs into Braille, which can be printed on the embosser.

Keyboard filters
Keyboard filters enable users to quickly access the letters they need and to avoid inadvertently selecting keys they don't want.

Light signaler alerts
This is useful when a computer user can not hear computer sounds or is not directly in front of the computer screen. As an example, a light can flash alerting the user when a new e-mail message has arrived or a computer command has completed.

On-screen keyboards
On-screen keyboards often have a scanning option that highlights individual keys that can be selected by the user. On-screen keyboards are helpful for individuals who are not able to use a standard keyboard due to dexterity or mobility difficulties.

Reading tools and learning disabilities programs
make text-based materials more accessible for people who have difficulty with reading. Options can include scanning, reformatting, navigating, or speaking text out loud.

Refreshable Braille displays
A Braille "cell" is composed of a series of dots. The pattern of the dots and various combinations of the cells are used in place of letters. The user reads the Braille letters with his or her fingers, and then, after a line is read, can refresh the display to read the next line.

Screen enlargers, or screen magnifiers,
increase legibility and make it easier to see items on the computer. Some screen enlargers allow a person to zoom in and out on a particular area of the screen.

Screen readers
are used to verbalize, or "speak," everything on the screen including text, graphics, control buttons, and menus into a computerized voice that is spoken aloud. In essence, a screen reader transforms a graphic user interface (GUI) into an audio interface. Screen readers are essential for computer users who are blind.

Speech recognition or voice recognition programs,
enter data using their voices rather than a mouse or keyboard. Voice recognition systems use a microphone attached to the computer, which can be used to create text documents such as letters or e-mail messages, browse the Internet, and navigate among applications and menus by voice.

Text-to-Speech (TTS) or speech synthesizers receive information
Using speech synthesizers allows computer users who are blind or who have learning difficulties to hear what they are typing and also provide a spoken voice for individuals who can not communicate orally, but can communicate their thoughts through typing.

Talking and large-print word processors
use speech synthesizers to provide auditory feedback of what is typed. Large-print word processors allow the user to view everything in large text without added screen enlargement.

TTY/TDD conversion modems
allow an individual to type a message on a computer and send it to a TTY/TDD telephone or other Baudot equipped device.

http://www.microsoft.com/enable/at/types.aspx

Week 6 What tools are available for SEO?

What are the best ways to boost your position in search engines? What keywords should you use on your web-pages? And which tools should you use to improve the quality of backlinks, link popularity and Google Pagerank?

Alexa

Backlink

Domain Popularity, Domain Stats Tools

Google Page Rank Checker, Adwords Keyword Tools,Google Banned Tools

Keyword Analysis Tool, Keyword Density, Keyword Suggestion Tools

Link Popularity Check, Site Link Analyzer, Link Value

Meta Tag Generators

Miscellaneous Tools

Search Engine Position Checker, Spider Simulator, Ranking Report, SERP Tracker

SEO Analyzer, Scanner

Robots.txt Tools

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2006/09/22/complete-list-of-best-seo-tools/

Week 5 What are the most popular fonts on the Web?

Verdana is one of the most popular of the fonts designed for on-screen viewing.
simple, straightforward design, and the characters or glyphs are not easily confused.

The spacing between letters in Tahoma is tighter than either Arial or Verdana, giving a somewhat "scrunched together" appearance, especially when compared to Verdana, and especially when used for long passages of text. Tahoma is still an acceptable font, but is probably somewhat less readable overall than Verdana or Arial/Helvetica for long passages of text.

Trebuchet may decrease overall readability for long passages of text. Some of the glyphs are also presented in a non-standard, more decorative format, such as the ampersand (&), which may also decrease readability.
In terms of accessibility, it is better than some fonts, but not as good as others.

Georgia is somewhat easier on the eyes than Times New Roman, although high resolution screens with font smoothing technology also display Times New Roman quite well. One advantage of using Georgia is that it is not the default text of the browser. It is easier for users to see that the designer has applied some style to the font when fonts other than the default font are specified.

http://www.webaim.org/techniques/fonts/

Week 4 Benefits to using Web standards

By using web standards, vistors of web site, client of the web project and even you (designer of the project) can be benefits:

VISITORS view:

1.Files will download faster (less code, no overall tables, valid code)

2.Content is accessible to wider range of users (normal users, blind users, vision impaired users, dislexic users, motor skill impaired users etc)

3.Content is accessible to wider range of devices (screen readers, browsers, text based browsers, hand helds, search robots, printers, fridges etc)

4.Allows users to customize site appearance (style switchers)

5.Provides print friendly versions for all pages

CLIENTS view:

1.Easier to maintain (less code, modular code)

2.Cheaper hosting costs (less code)

3.Better search engine ranking

4.Content can be restyled easily without changing code

5.Provides users with customization

6.Provides print versions without replicating content

7.Improves accessibility (essential for Government clients)

Your view:

1.Easier to code (modular code)

2.Easier to maintain (less code, modular code)

3.Less device dependent coding (stable across wider variety of devices)

4.Provides a competitive edge as more of the world moves to using Web Standards.

http://www.maxdesign.com.au/presentation/benefits/

Week 3 What are the different deliverables for information architecture?

Depends on the situation, audience, budget, time constraints, skill set of your team, and various other factors will affect what are the deliverables we need to have in information architecture

1. Conceptual Model

There are three types of models that occur when creating a product
Implementation models
Conceptual models
Mental models.

2. Content Inventory and Organization

a complete list of all the content that the site holds and will hold.

3. User Flows/Scenarios

User flows are simple diagrams that follow a user down a path of activity.

4. Task Analysis

This is a discrete step-by-step analysis of how users accomplish their desired tasks. This allows the IA to carefully analyze each step a user needs to complete any give task.

5. Site Map

This is the IA's workhorse, the one thing we all do when building a website.

6. Page Architecture

They must show items on page, importance of each item on page and behavior of each item on page

7. Decision tables

The tables allow precise documentation of the design of every interaction possible. It is especially useful when designing error handling.

http://www.sitepoint.com/article/architecture-deliverables/

Week 2 usability

Usability can be used in different field. In Human-computer interaction and Computer science usability usually refers to the elegance and clarity with which the interaction with a Computer program Web site is designed.

We can rate the one by thinking learnability(How easy is for users to finish basic tasks the first time ? ), efficiency(how quickly can they perform? ), memorability(When users return to the design after a period of time, can they perform it again? ), errors(How many errors do users make, how severe are these errors, and how easily can they recover from the errors? ) and satisfaction(How pleasant is it to use the design? )

If the design have a good usability, it will have high revenues through increased sales, increased user efficiency , reduced development costs and support costs.

Usability have become requirement everyone need to concern in producing a good design. No matter how beautiful your design is, you will also need to take a concern on usability

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usability

Week 1 Understanding disability issues when designing Web sites

First of all, you need to know what is the four main categories of disability. They are visual, hearing, mobility, and cognitive and learning disabilities.

For visual disability, it is best to use multiple attributes. For example, if both color and a fill pattern are used on different bars on a graph, they can be viewed in either color or black and white. Instead of using size attributes on the font element to denote a heading, the heading element should be used to correctly mark up a heading so that assistive technology can identify headings.

For hearing disability, the primary concern is to ensure that audio output information is provided in a redundant equivalent visual form.e.g.blinking error messages

For cognitive and learning disabilities, Web developer can reuse the same layout and design for each page, so a person with a cognitive disability can more easily navigate through a Web site.

Just remember that creating a Web site that is accessible by people with disabilities is relatively easy as long as the Web developer and author follow some basic guidelines. Sometimes, we try to design with lots of complex graphics and multimedia applications to enhance the look of the web site. However, these kinds of things will become new problem and barriers of people with disability browsing web site. So, think about it.

http://www-03.ibm.com/able/access_ibm/disability.html

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