Module 3 - WWW Standards

Make a summary of what you believe are the 5 most important ‘rules’ for writing online. Think about any differences between the articles: for example, is the advice in Nielsen’s paper -- written in 1997 – still current?

1. Only write what is important and write the bare minimum. People skim through web pages therefore you need to make sure it is clear and concise.

2. Use language that your target audience can understand and relate to.

3. Create short pages or chunks so that the reader does not feel overwhelmed with the mass of writing. But be careful not to chunk to much and lose the flow of your pages.

4. Include meaningful links that will assist the understanding of your web page.

5. Keep the design of the page simple. You do not want to distract your reader from the content with too many bright colours or pictures.

After reviewing the advice on writing in web pages it is right to say that Neilsen’s paper is still current. Neilsen’s paper addresses many of the same issues as the other papers. All of the papers refer to the patterns of people and how they approach a web page. The concepts of being clear and concise, appealing to the eye, interesting and much more still apply today and I believe will appeal for a life time. Despite the changes in our world the human mind still works the same way.

References

Useit.com (n.d). Writing for the Web, retrieved July 15 2008 from http://www.useit.com/papers/webwriting/

Horton. S. (2001). Web Teaching, retieved July 15 2008 from http://www.dartmouth.edu/%7ewebteach/articles/text.html

Jerz. D . G (n.d.). Writing wenpages: Top 5 conventions, retrieved July 15 2008 from http://jerz.setonhill.edu/writing/e-text/conventions.htm

Legal Issues

Drawing on these sources, consider these questions:

1. Have you used images or words on your web page or website that contravene copyright laws?

On my web page I have not used any words or pictures that contravene copyright laws. I have used common language to describe my web page and when I was giving an example of what can be done I ensured that I made my own example to avoid copyright. The image I used in the page was from my own collection of photos.

2. Would you be in breach of copyright if you put the Curtin logo at the top of your web page for an assignment? This information may be difficult to find so be prepared for a search and some independent thought!

If I were to use the Curtin logo at the top of my web page for an assignment I would be in breach of copyright law. Even though the use of the logo would be for the purpose of academic work permission would still be needed. A logo represents an organisation and by putting that logo on the page without permission could potentially effect the organisation.