On this assignment I had one spelling error, however no points were deducted and I earned the 40/40 possible for this one. For this paper the APA format was used. Two of the four references were from online sources of which one was a NY Times article by Lisa Guerney and the second was New Media Options column by Elizabeth Brown Lawler. The NY Times one can still be referenced, however no longer with the original link from 2002 and has a paywall. The site for the New Media Options column is no longer able to be referenced at the original link. I still have both of them printed. I thought of scanning it and uploading the whole thing along with the articles, however a search of my old files and I located the original word document and due to copyright decided against the scanning and including the complete online articles.
Here's a photo collage of the paper and just the heading of the articles as reference.
Except for extracting/blocking my name, not including the top right page count as per APA format, and of course some slight spacing differences since this is on one long blog instead of printed with the APA format, it is as originally written and submitted for your reading pleasure.
Running head: WEB DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS TO NEW TECHNOLOGY
Web Design Considerations to New Technology
prepared
for
Professor Marc Rogers
by
Xxxx Xxxxxxx
at
University of Advancing Computer Technology
in
MKT110
section
TC153-02
Due Date: April 3, 2002
Abstract
New technologies enhancing the way web pages are designed are ever evolving. They allow the designers with an infinite number of possibilities to express their visions fully. The growth of these “enhanced” web pages can be seen throughout the Internet, already. The addition of these new technologies to web sites are becoming increasingly important in attracting new users and keeping the existing customers coming back. The headline on the article by Lisa Guernsey (2002) for www.nytimes.com, presenting the idea of a maturing web where fun is “hard to find”, is a perfect example of the need for web sites to include the usage of these new technologies. Although it seems as a good idea to option in to the inclusion of designing a web page with the use of new and growing technologies there are some negative situations to consider when using them. The designer will need to explore the positive and negative effects of implementing the use of the technologies, and ultimately attempt to predict whether it will be beneficial to the web site.
Web Design Considerations to New Technology
As technology advances, becoming faster, more efficient, and reliable, there is also a growth for the creation of new web design. The advanced technologies give the designers an endless of possibilities of presenting their work. Streaming audio and video, online games, and interactive pages are just a few of the growing number of features a designer can add to a site. All this exciting elements adding to the online experience are not always the best route to take. There are many considerations why these enhancements may turn out non-beneficial. Such considerations are browser compatibility, file sizes, user connectivity, download times, etceteras. When presented with the idea of web page design with the use of new available features, it is good to have a concise idea of the implications they may bring.
The first thing that the designer needs to do is assess the need for added features on a site. Once there is a need established, the designer needs to consider the factors these will encompass. File size is one of the many considerations. “Things have to look good at a much lower resolution than designers are accustomed to in printed work. And the slower-than-the-speed-of-light rates at which data can be moved from one part of the globe to another over the Internet make it crucial to make the audiovisual components of the message as compact as possible” (Davis, J and Meritt, S, 1998). This is true whether the files being used are video, audio, animations, or picture files. Although, Internet access technologies such as satelite, cable, and dsl are making the idea of slow file transfers history, it will be a while until these mediums become mainstream and accessible to everyone. Thus, designing for the lower bandwidth user is always a good choice, unless the target audience is that who is at the edge with the new technologies.
Another factor to consider is browser compatibility. The major browsers in use are Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, and Opera. Although these browsers work similarly and handle many of the basic functions that a designer might instruct, there are some things that are better executed with one browser or the other. An example of this would be the level of compatibility when using Cascading Style Sheets. “The most popular browsers support plug-ins, which work with the browser to display additional formats” (DiNucci, D. and M and Stiles, L., 1997). Some of these include Quicktime, Shockwave, and Flash. Flash is being seen more and more throughout the web creating a sense of distinction between the “regular” web pages. There is no one right or wrong enhancement to use when implementing these added features on a web site, as long as the right message gets delivered and understood. “Exciting animated sequences can capture the attention of the audience” (Lawler, E.B., 1996), and establish returning users. This statement grows truer when the need for something flashy is what will give your site that extra inch that was needed.
As more technologies become available and the use of plug-ins on browsers increases, the web designer is able to deliver an increasingly interactive web design. Plug-ins create a new wave of possibilities yet they may not be the best solution. Lisa Guernsey states (2002), “Other users say they are less inclined to hunt for innovative sites because many of them require plg-ins or browser updates that force users to bothersome downloading. Entertainment sites, for example, usually require a program like Quicktime, and even if Web surfers take the time to download a copy, they are likely to be coajoled later into downloading and updating.” So, when considering the option of using plug-ins to enhance a web site it is really up to the designer and ultimately the owner of the web site to see whether implementing these type of features will be beneficial.
“Successful Web design includes the art of creating pages that can be viewed successfully under a number of different conditions” (DiNucci, D. and M and Stiles, L., 1997). A designer has no control over the specifications of the user’s platform or resolution at which their monitors may be set. This will affect how the user views the web site. Whether the user has graphics turned on or of on the browser and whether the most similar settings of typeface, for example, are left at the default of changed to the user’s preference. When exploring to new technologies it is always a good idea to keep in mind the lower end user and the limitations that their equipment can bring when viewing your web site.
In the past few years, there have been many developments of technologies that can enhance a web page. Flash, Quicktime, Shockwave, any others have given ground to creating much more dynamic web sited. These programs, plug-ins, browsers, etceteras, can add some great interactive and attractive features on a web site. When designing with these, it is important to remember what the implications may be upon implementing such enhancements. It is also important to remember that just because they are available, it does not mean that they should be used all the time. A professor once used the acronym KISS, meaning Keep It Simple Stupid. That is a good rule of thumb to take into account. When the web site calls for the new technologies to be used, the proper research as to which would work best for the project at hand. Knowing which tools to use for the job and which will work is essential for the ultimate goal of bringing a web site to life. And that, is a good thing.
References
Davis, J & Meritt, S. (1998). The Web Design Wow! Book. Berkeley, CA: Peachpit
Press.
DiNucci, D, Guidice, M., & Stiles, L. (1997) Elements of Web Design. Berkely, CA:
Peachpit Press.
Guernesey, L. (2002). As the Web Matures, Fun is Hard to Find. [On-line]. Available:
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/28/technology/circuits/28WEBB.html
Lawler, E.B. (1996). New Media Options. [On-line]. Available: http://www.iglou.com
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