Module 3 - WWW standards

The 5 most important rules for writing on line.

1. Make pictures small so that they load quickly. If the user of the website is likely to require a larger picture, put in a link so that they can click on the smaller picture to open a larger picture in a new window.
2. Use lists where appropriate to enable users to easily scan web pages.
3. Ensure any links provided are credible and supportive to the message you are trying to put across.
4. Spend time choosing colours and design. Ensure that colours do not clash and that they do not make writing difficult to read. A well designed web site helps establish credibility.
5. Make paragraphs short and to the point so that readers can get the information they require quickly.
I thought the Neilsen’s paper was still very relevant to today’s web sites. The increase in the popularity of the internet over the last ten years has resulted in an enormous amount of new sites being developed. The competition that exists between sites to gain their target audience has increased significantly. The hints suggested by Neilsen were mainly aimed at ways to increase your sites ability to get its message across to its audience. I found the studies he discussed very interesting.
When talking about establishing credibility of a site Neilsen states, “Links to other sites show that the authors have done their homework and are not afraid to let readers visit other sites”(Neilsen, 1997). However Horton talks about how links can distract the user and result in the user becoming interested in another site and not returning to the original site (Horton, 2000). I understand that both of these statements have merit and they have reminded me to carefully consider the suitability of any links I use.

Neilsen, J. (1997). Useit.com, Papers and Essays, Writing for the web. Retrieved April 20, 2009, from http://www.useit.com/papers/webwriting/
Horton, S. (2000). Web Teaching Guide. Retrieved, April 23, 2009, from http://www.dartmouth.edu/~webteach/articles/text.html
Jerz, D. (2008). Dennis G Jerz, Top 5 Web Conventions (Writing and Design). Retrieved April 23, 2009, from http://jerz.setonhill.edu/writing/e-text/conventions.htm