Today we looked at different methods used in creating efficient web site navigation. After discussing different options, we explored the navigational systems of different web sites.
Here is my list for the "Top Five Rules for Good Web Site Navigation"
1. A search bar with an advanced searching options
2. Making sure the Site ID is on every page, to link back to home
3. Making sure every page has a name so that people know where they are
4. Making each page browsable by having an alpahabetical site map of some kind
5. Minimizing large ads so people aren't distracted and focus on the actual content of the page
Browsing is getting to a particular page by cliking links, while searching is typing in specific content and searching for it to bring up the page you want. While searching is ideal almost every time, since you can search exactly what you want, browsing can be important in making sure the page you want is under the right catagory. Sometimes you do a search for a title of some kind, such as on Amazon.com, and it brings you to a book instead of a CD. With browsing, you can make sure you are in the right catagory first. Ideally, you should be able to use browsing and searching on your site in order to find things as efficiently as possible.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
HW1
I created my slideshow in flash and had a difficult time trying to get it on the whalebone server through dreamweaver. I had to put it on a different server. I also had a glitch in my flash file and spent too much time trying to fix it, and now it is late. The doorbell picture can only be clicked on first...otherwise you can't get to it.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Day 2 - Lab
For this assignment, we had to take photos of 10 different interfaces that demonstrate either a good design or a poor design. We were then asked to describe which goal of HCI is most relevant, or in some cases lacking, in each photo taken.
The HCI goal most relevant to the interface of this doorbell is usability. This is perhaps as simple as you can get when it comes to design interface; a single button with a single job.
Usability is also apparent in the design of a hose spout. No manual is needed to know that turning the knob to the left is going to turn on the water, while turning it back to the right will shut it off.
Safety is certainly a goal in the design of this fuse box. When working with electricity, safety is typically a concern, and the design here has made it possible for the average person to manage a potentially dangerous task without the need of an expert. However, this design does not have much appeal. While there is no artistic pleasure in the design of the fuse box, it does not take away from the fuse box's use.
Utility is important in the design of this thermostat. The only thing we need thermostat to do is make a house or building colder or hotter. This does just that with options for heat and cold, as well as a temperature adjustment.
Appeal is probably the most relevant HCI goal to this car radio. While you can't see it in the picture, the display on the center of the radio is a mix of bright colors and patterns that attract the eye and make the radio look much more fancy than it actually is. It was actually one of the cheapest ones at Best Buy.
Dishwashers were designed mostly with efficiency in mind. The electronic dishwasher makes cleaning dishes much more efficient. You are able to get the task done in the shortest amount of time possible, especially when compared to hand washing. I would also say, however, that this particular dishwasher lacks visual appeal.
Similar to the dishwasher, microwaves were designed for efficiency. You can make something much quicker in the microwave than you can in the oven or other cooking devices. The design of this particular interface lacks visual appeal, but still keeps utility in mind as it performs all the needed functions of a microwave with some extra features as well such as a popcorn setting.
The design of popular social networking sites often contain all the HCI goals we've discussed. Some, however, do it better than others. Facebook uses a simple and clean design, making it much more visually appealing than some of its competitors. It also cuts back on advertising which can distract the viewer and take away from the site's experience. Safety is certainly considered, as apparent through the many privacy settings.
When talking about visual appeal, I believe that Myspace is lacking; especially when compared to other sites like Facebook. I dislike the gigantic advertisements placed on every single page, and the layout is just not all that attractive. While Safety is also important, it did not always used to be. In the past there have been many cases involving child predators and fake profiles on Myspace. It wasn't until these cases became public that Myspace added similar privacy features as Facebook.
I think that YouTube's visual appeal lies somewhere between Myspace and Facebook. While the big advertisements are still a part of the site, they are often times in the form of a YouTube video themselves, making it flow much better throughout the site than the ads on Myspace. I'm not sure about the privacy settings on YouTube, but it seems to me like anyone can access any video they want. All they have to do is verify a birthday if the video is considered offensive.
The HCI goal most relevant to the interface of this doorbell is usability. This is perhaps as simple as you can get when it comes to design interface; a single button with a single job. 
Usability is also apparent in the design of a hose spout. No manual is needed to know that turning the knob to the left is going to turn on the water, while turning it back to the right will shut it off. 
Safety is certainly a goal in the design of this fuse box. When working with electricity, safety is typically a concern, and the design here has made it possible for the average person to manage a potentially dangerous task without the need of an expert. However, this design does not have much appeal. While there is no artistic pleasure in the design of the fuse box, it does not take away from the fuse box's use. 
Utility is important in the design of this thermostat. The only thing we need thermostat to do is make a house or building colder or hotter. This does just that with options for heat and cold, as well as a temperature adjustment.
Appeal is probably the most relevant HCI goal to this car radio. While you can't see it in the picture, the display on the center of the radio is a mix of bright colors and patterns that attract the eye and make the radio look much more fancy than it actually is. It was actually one of the cheapest ones at Best Buy. 
Dishwashers were designed mostly with efficiency in mind. The electronic dishwasher makes cleaning dishes much more efficient. You are able to get the task done in the shortest amount of time possible, especially when compared to hand washing. I would also say, however, that this particular dishwasher lacks visual appeal.
Similar to the dishwasher, microwaves were designed for efficiency. You can make something much quicker in the microwave than you can in the oven or other cooking devices. The design of this particular interface lacks visual appeal, but still keeps utility in mind as it performs all the needed functions of a microwave with some extra features as well such as a popcorn setting. 
The design of popular social networking sites often contain all the HCI goals we've discussed. Some, however, do it better than others. Facebook uses a simple and clean design, making it much more visually appealing than some of its competitors. It also cuts back on advertising which can distract the viewer and take away from the site's experience. Safety is certainly considered, as apparent through the many privacy settings. 
When talking about visual appeal, I believe that Myspace is lacking; especially when compared to other sites like Facebook. I dislike the gigantic advertisements placed on every single page, and the layout is just not all that attractive. While Safety is also important, it did not always used to be. In the past there have been many cases involving child predators and fake profiles on Myspace. It wasn't until these cases became public that Myspace added similar privacy features as Facebook.
I think that YouTube's visual appeal lies somewhere between Myspace and Facebook. While the big advertisements are still a part of the site, they are often times in the form of a YouTube video themselves, making it flow much better throughout the site than the ads on Myspace. I'm not sure about the privacy settings on YouTube, but it seems to me like anyone can access any video they want. All they have to do is verify a birthday if the video is considered offensive. Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Day 1: Hello World
Introduction
My name is Andrew. I am a senior Broadcast Communications major at Elon University. I grew up in New Jersey but moved to Raleigh, North Carolina at the start of high school. I love music, and hope to combine that passion with my major in my professional future.
What I want from this course
I've always had an interest in web design. I have taken a few web courses at Elon already in the School of Communications, and was interested in seeing what I could gain from a similar course outside of the Communications Department.
My name is Andrew. I am a senior Broadcast Communications major at Elon University. I grew up in New Jersey but moved to Raleigh, North Carolina at the start of high school. I love music, and hope to combine that passion with my major in my professional future.
What I want from this course
I've always had an interest in web design. I have taken a few web courses at Elon already in the School of Communications, and was interested in seeing what I could gain from a similar course outside of the Communications Department.
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