Directions for Deliverables

Questions to guide your web design

1. What are the characteristics of the information that the authors suggest that web readers are wanting in web pages?

People read differently on the Web. One reason for this is that reading text on-screen is unpleasant. Given the low resolution of the computer screen and the clumsiness of the scrolling page, many readers scan onscreen and print pages for reading.

Another reason is that Web reading is not a stationary activity. Users roam from page to page collecting salient bits of information from a variety of sources. They need to be able quickly to ascertain the contents of a page, get the information they are seeking, and move on.

Also, because Web pages may be accessed directly without preamble, they must be more independent than print pages.

2. The authors suggest that you should use links sparingly web writing. Why?

A collection of links cannot create or sustain an argument or deliver a collection of facts as efficiently or legibly as conventional linear prose.
When there is no sustained narrative, readers are sent aimlessly wandering in their quest for information.

Links also become a maintenance issue, because most Web pages are ephemeral. Broken links shake the reader's confidence in the validity and timeliness of content. Links should be used sparingly and as a reinforcement of, not a substitute for, content.

3. Why is a consistent approach to titles, headline and subheadings a good idea?

A consistent approach to titles, headlines, and subheadings in your documents will help your readers navigate through a complex set of Web pages. These are the fundamental human interface device in Web pages, just as they are in any print publication.

4. What is the difference in Headline and Down text styles?

Headline style is bold and the initial letter of words are capitalized. Headline is used for document titles and proper names.

Down style is bold and only the first word is capitalized. This is used for subheads, other references, and lists.

5. What is the feature in Dreamweaver MX that assists you in creating consistent text styles? Can this feature be used in positioning in your documents?

Cascading style sheets

6. How should you create the text that will ultimately end up in a web page?

In a separate word processing program where you can use proofread tools before copying the text into Dreamweaver.

7. Can you create style sheets in your word processor and transfer to the web page?

No, you will lose those special formats when you convert to plain ASCII text for HTML use.

8. What 2 design problems can links cause?

Links disrupt the flow of content in your site by inviting the reader to leave your site. They can also radically alter the context of information by dumping the reader into unfamiliar territory without explanation.

9. What could you/should you write rather than “click here for more information” to link to another resource?

Write the sentence as you normally would, and place the link anchor on the word or words that best describe the additional content you are linking to.