Design Consideration for Web-based Applications

This paper was published in the 2001 Human Factors and Ergonomics Society's Annual Meeting proceedings. By Luke Wroblewski & Esa M. Rantanen

http://www.lukew.com/resources/articles/web_applications.html

While developing web applications we also need to follow standards to provide quality applications for all end users.

This document provides guidelines for effective design and implementation for web application including web services. "weblications"—a term first coined by Bruce Tognazzini (Norman, 2000)—are defined as serious software being delivered as a service over the Web (Nail, 1998).

In general, it is often the case that weblications are used more intensively and frequently than traditional web pages. Users want the services that weblications have to offer (Norman, 2000). Therefore, they are willing to invest more time in learning the functionality of a weblication for the payoff of increased productivity.

Guidelines
1. Use Full screen to focus users’ attention, hide all tools, menus and bars make the browser less confusing.
2. Minimize the use of windows, so won’t get lost behind other windows.
3. Emphasize the contents and makes the window less obtrusive.
4. Use consistent layout enhances usability.
5. Use rollovers, appropriate application make screen clear for reading. If overuse, may result in a flickering effect.
6. Use ALT-overs when the immediacy of a rollover is not needed.
7. Avoid double clicks. Users already get use to use single click for web interactions.
8. Use the conventions of link selection in web, since users already get use to it.
9. Use inherent functionality of visual elements, users already expect this from their interface.
10. Use both saturated and unsaturated link colors, let user easy to determine which link/service is already executed.
11. Use underlined fonts as hot-spots
12. Use pull-down menus, radio buttons, and checkboxes as utilized online.
13. Use plug-ins and frames as tools for weblication design. More functionality and richer form of interaction or information display.
14. Use motion cues and animation as a feedback mechanism.
15. Use common functionality between a weblication and web browsers. Save efforts.
16. Exploit the similarities in the basic functionality of all weblications. Promote standardization and eliminates problems from implementation of non-standardize interaction.
17. Utilize the resource potential of the web in the design of a weblication.
18. Manage time and workflow within a weblication. The resulting product will be more task-oriented, guide users through the actions necessary for task completion.
19. Consider the aesthetic integrity of the interface, Aesthetic presentation can give a weblication a personality, provide users enjoyment or familiarity, and a sense of trust and professionalism

Lecture 1 summary - Browser summary W3School

Based on the static from w3school.com by 2007 Microsoft IE family got 55.9% share, where Firefox got 36.3% share, the share for Microsoft IE is droping where the pupolarity of Firefox is increasing for the passing 3 years.

CS5281 IAD my Firt Blog

THIS is my first blog after joining the class CS5281