19 March Website navigation, layout, design and research Learning objectives: Using examples, Critique log file analysis and other traffic measurement techniques (545-7, log file reading) Illustrate implications of matching content to website location and user goals (217-29) Discuss four themes that support improving usability (224-30, useit.com) Demonstrate writing for the web (useit.com) Describe factors influencing usability (useit.com) Generate basic html code (CV links) Illustrate information architecture's importance Identify correct "Elementary principles of composition" and "A few matters of form" (EOS) Activities: Hear Brett Coulstock, Pixeltech Design; submit domain name report; submit html exercise; discuss log files; debate website design Readings: Hanson, (pp 212-33 and 545-7) Strunk & White, 2 and 3 (15 Mar 1997) Be succinct! Useit.com (22 Oct 2007) Passive voice is redeemed for web headings, Useit.com (2005) Using Server Log Files and Online Experiments to Enhance Internet Marketing, Chapter XI (pp 226-249) in Contemporary Research in E-Marketing The Top Ten Mistakes of Web Design of 2003, 2004 and 2005 Useit.com (20 Aug 2004) Mastery, mystery, and misery: The ideologies of Web design, Useit.com

Discussion and reflection: What can log files tell and not tell you? What does website design influence and how? Why do you like or dislike certain websites? How does your offline and online reading differ? Why should the user or web designer have control of the browser? Why are cookies good or bad? Fun readings: (13 Feb 2008) Good web design can mean good business, IHT.com Writing for the Web, from useit.com (Jul 2006) Functionalism: A new approach to web analytics, 29 page white paper by Semphonics (15 Feb 2006) Why your customers hate your web site, E-commerce Times (11 Jan 2001) Boo.com tries again, humbled and retooled, NY Times (24 Feb 2000) Battling cookie monsters, NY Times (3 Aug 2000) A message to web designers: If it ain't broke, don't fix it, NY Times (26 May 1996) Hits, views, clicks and visits: Web advertisers face data jungle, NY Times Lecture Sites: Roy Morgan - Australian Web research firm Hitwise - Australian Web research firm Hitwise slide show on measurement techniques comScore Media Metrix - Australian branch of a US Web research firm Nielsen/Net Ratings - Australian branch of a US Web research firm Jakob Nielsen's useit.com Information Architecture tutorial, Webmonkey