I think the most important thing that I learned during my semester of Web writing is to appreciate the amount of hard work that goes into making and maintaining a Web site. I never realized how much information needs to be considered about the consumers and companies producing the site before actually creating it.
I loved getting to learn how to create the Web sites. I enjoyed trying to create new designs and using text that would visually and intellectually draw in a consumer to stay on the page.
There are many very important differences between Web writing and other forms of writing. I think the most important that content has to be short and to the point. When a consumer goes online, it is usually to look up information fast. There is no time to search through 400 pages of text to find an answer. Web writing also requires that the text be presented in an organized and attention grabbing manner. If a site does not catch the attention of the consumer, it is likely that they will move on to the next page. Last, it is also important that the information be accurate and up to date. Wikipedia, for example, can often have false information and could cause many problems if it is not caught.
I thought this class was great! I’m hoping to be able to take the specialized Web Writing before my time here at NU is up! Thanks a bunch!
-Ry
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Long Tail Effect
I would definitely say that the “long tail” effect is beginning to play a large role in society today, especially in my own life. As more and more technology and information becomes available to us, we look to find more individualized information, also considered “niches.” These “niches” refer to the fragmentation of audience that happens not only online, but in television, film, radio, and in magazines. Companies are looking to please a specific audience and gear their product or programming to satisfying a certain group of people. For me personally, I enjoy reading magazines such as Cosmopolitan and Vogue, which are geared towards women and people who like fashion. I also enjoy watching “chick” television shows such as Gossip Girl and One Tree Hill, which also appeal to specific audiences.
But how is this “long tail” affecting Web writing? Well companies are trying to cut down the digital divide, and appeal to members of all different generations and interests. By designing “niche” Web sites, companies are able to get an idea for who is using the site and their product. With so many different sites on the Internet in our society today, the best way to maintain a popular site, such as Facebook, is to create applications and provide information to a specific group and continue to edit until the site proves successful.
But how is this “long tail” affecting Web writing? Well companies are trying to cut down the digital divide, and appeal to members of all different generations and interests. By designing “niche” Web sites, companies are able to get an idea for who is using the site and their product. With so many different sites on the Internet in our society today, the best way to maintain a popular site, such as Facebook, is to create applications and provide information to a specific group and continue to edit until the site proves successful.
Design Trends!
Immediately when looking at the Current Web styles, the first thing that catches my eye in each page is the color. The colors on the websites are vibrant and pleasant to the eye. It is important when designing web sites that you find an image or color scheme that attracts your audience to stay on the page.
Another trend that is becoming common is the use of 3-D effects throughout Web pages. Effects such as animation and large pictures can help add style and interest to the Web site. It is very important, however, to use these effects sparingly. If a page is filled with 3-D effects the user may be overwhelmed and move on to another site. It also takes away from the professional look of the site.
It is also important to have space on the page. If all of the words and images are crowded together, viewers will not like the site and try to find one that is less confusing. Don’t feel as though one has to fit everything they can on one page, that’s why we have subpages!
The last trend that is important when designing Web pages is the use of large text in an easy-to-read font. The Internet is designed to help users navigate and find information easily.
Another trend that is becoming common is the use of 3-D effects throughout Web pages. Effects such as animation and large pictures can help add style and interest to the Web site. It is very important, however, to use these effects sparingly. If a page is filled with 3-D effects the user may be overwhelmed and move on to another site. It also takes away from the professional look of the site.
It is also important to have space on the page. If all of the words and images are crowded together, viewers will not like the site and try to find one that is less confusing. Don’t feel as though one has to fit everything they can on one page, that’s why we have subpages!
The last trend that is important when designing Web pages is the use of large text in an easy-to-read font. The Internet is designed to help users navigate and find information easily.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Duck Amuck!
In the Looney Tunes cartoon, “Duck Amuck,” the writer shows the process of creating and maintaining a web site without realizing. In the cartoon, Daffy Duck is talking to the artist and tries to convince him/her to create different backgrounds, clothing, and sounds for the episode. This is very similar to the process of Web design. Duffy Duck acts as the consumer in the cartoon, and the artist takes the role of the designer. The two interact throughout the entire cartoon with Daffy making suggestions concerning the way in which the cartoon is designed. In the Web designing world, it is important that consumers and designers interact in order to make the most appealing and informative Web site.
“Duck Amuck” is also a very good representation of the Web designing world, because it shows changing environment of the Web. Throughout the cartoon, Daffy’s clothes and backgrounds are always changing, trying to fit a new concept or idea that the consumer is looking for. The cartoon also shows that it important to use trial and error in order to find exactly what the site needs or the consumer is looking for. The “artist” in the cartoon may try things that normally would not fit in order to possibly stumble on to a new idea. Web writers and designers are always looking for new and interesting ways to catch the attention of the consumers and make sure that they keep coming back to the Web.
“Duck Amuck” is also a very good representation of the Web designing world, because it shows changing environment of the Web. Throughout the cartoon, Daffy’s clothes and backgrounds are always changing, trying to fit a new concept or idea that the consumer is looking for. The cartoon also shows that it important to use trial and error in order to find exactly what the site needs or the consumer is looking for. The “artist” in the cartoon may try things that normally would not fit in order to possibly stumble on to a new idea. Web writers and designers are always looking for new and interesting ways to catch the attention of the consumers and make sure that they keep coming back to the Web.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Heroin Content - It's Addicting!
As a consumer of the Web it is important for me that a site catches my attention and keeps bringing me back to visit the page. These type of pages contain what is called “heroin content.” One of the best examples that I can give of a site that contains “heroin content” would be facebook, a new and interesting website that connects students and co-workers around the world.
Facebook is the site that I visit most often, and by that I mean probably at least 10 times a day. Now multiply that by almost all the students currently in college and recently graduated, and you have a lots of hits to the site. What is it about Facebook though that keeps us coming back? I would have to say that the connection to others that the site brings, for me, is the most addictive of the “heroin content.” I check facebook ten times a day just to see if any of my ftiends have left a message or have contacted me. Another piece of content on Facebook that is so addictive is the constantly changing additions to the site. There are always new and interesting applications and features that you can add to Facebook such as “Horoscopes,” “Bumper Sticker,” and “Face-Double Celebrity Look Alike.” All of these applications are very addicting and offer more ways for people to connect to each other through interests and entertainment.
For my group project, we are working on designing a Web site for the Greater Niagara Ballet Company. In order to capture the attention of the viewers and keep them coming back to the site, it is important that we include our own “herion content.” One of the features we decided to add today, was a blog for all of the dancers and viewers. This would provide opportunity to stay connected and return to see what others are saying. Another piece of “heroin content,” is the updated schedule that will include upcoming showtimes and dates so people can come watch performances. Viewers will keep returning to see new dates and times. The pictures and videos that we will be putting on the site will also be entertaining and interesting and keep students, parents, dancers and the community coming back to visit.
That’s all for today!
~Happy Halloween ~ be safe~
*Ry*
Facebook is the site that I visit most often, and by that I mean probably at least 10 times a day. Now multiply that by almost all the students currently in college and recently graduated, and you have a lots of hits to the site. What is it about Facebook though that keeps us coming back? I would have to say that the connection to others that the site brings, for me, is the most addictive of the “heroin content.” I check facebook ten times a day just to see if any of my ftiends have left a message or have contacted me. Another piece of content on Facebook that is so addictive is the constantly changing additions to the site. There are always new and interesting applications and features that you can add to Facebook such as “Horoscopes,” “Bumper Sticker,” and “Face-Double Celebrity Look Alike.” All of these applications are very addicting and offer more ways for people to connect to each other through interests and entertainment.
For my group project, we are working on designing a Web site for the Greater Niagara Ballet Company. In order to capture the attention of the viewers and keep them coming back to the site, it is important that we include our own “herion content.” One of the features we decided to add today, was a blog for all of the dancers and viewers. This would provide opportunity to stay connected and return to see what others are saying. Another piece of “heroin content,” is the updated schedule that will include upcoming showtimes and dates so people can come watch performances. Viewers will keep returning to see new dates and times. The pictures and videos that we will be putting on the site will also be entertaining and interesting and keep students, parents, dancers and the community coming back to visit.
That’s all for today!
~Happy Halloween ~ be safe~
*Ry*
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Is the Net Good For Writers?
I think that the Net can be both good and bad for writers depending on the type of writing that you do.
The Good:
The Net can be a great way for writers to get started and get a few articles published. There is so much information and different writing topics on the web, that writers are able to post or submit their work about the topics they enjoy writing about. Although the pay is not great, writers are also able to receive compensation for their work.
The Net can also be beneficial to writers who enjoy writing short or small articles. Most of the writing done for the Web has to be short and simple because many readers will just see a large block of text and move right past it. In our society today, many readers will not stop to read something that is long on the Internet because they don’t want to stare at the computer screen for a long period of time to read one piece. The Internet is a face-paced society. Writers who are looking to write for the Web have to get right to the point and make the information very user friendly.
The Net can also be good for Writers because that is the direction, which the world is moving towards. With each day, more people are logging online to read and use the Internet. The Net is leading our generation and the ones to follow.
The Bad:
For as many good things that can be brought about for writers, by the Net, there are just as many if not bad effects of the increase in users on the Web. Though some may argue that the different forms of writing can stand together, I believe that the Internet is destroying the book and newspaper industry.
Even a little as a decade ago, when the Internet was just booming, a good portion of the country would take the time to sit down and read a book or read the newspaper. Now with the development of the Internet, kids and adults spend their time online, rather than sit and read. As much as I hate to admit it, its happened to me to point as well. With the way which our society runs, it is almost impossible not to be online at least a few times a day either to contact someone, or look up information. I hate to like being online, but with all the new interesting aspects of the Internet, its hard not to. As much as I would prefer to be sitting and reading a book, it is almost impossible with schoolwork and other aspects of our busy lives.
I believe this is ruining the book industry especially. There are so many people who do not read after high school or college. For novel writers, this is taking away many jobs. Those who normally write full-length books are unable to sell books as easily because they seem less of a novelty. It is such a shame, because it is stopping men and women from expanding their minds, or reading small things on a computer screen.
The Net is also bad for magazine and newspaper journalists because information is so easy to find on the Web, many people will not go out and buy the newspapers. Why pay when you can stay in your home and read for free. Although the industries are trying to profit off the Internet, it is still hurting these industries.
So although the Internet has it’s advantages, I believe that it is hurting the careers of many writers.
*Ry*
The Good:
The Net can be a great way for writers to get started and get a few articles published. There is so much information and different writing topics on the web, that writers are able to post or submit their work about the topics they enjoy writing about. Although the pay is not great, writers are also able to receive compensation for their work.
The Net can also be beneficial to writers who enjoy writing short or small articles. Most of the writing done for the Web has to be short and simple because many readers will just see a large block of text and move right past it. In our society today, many readers will not stop to read something that is long on the Internet because they don’t want to stare at the computer screen for a long period of time to read one piece. The Internet is a face-paced society. Writers who are looking to write for the Web have to get right to the point and make the information very user friendly.
The Net can also be good for Writers because that is the direction, which the world is moving towards. With each day, more people are logging online to read and use the Internet. The Net is leading our generation and the ones to follow.
The Bad:
For as many good things that can be brought about for writers, by the Net, there are just as many if not bad effects of the increase in users on the Web. Though some may argue that the different forms of writing can stand together, I believe that the Internet is destroying the book and newspaper industry.
Even a little as a decade ago, when the Internet was just booming, a good portion of the country would take the time to sit down and read a book or read the newspaper. Now with the development of the Internet, kids and adults spend their time online, rather than sit and read. As much as I hate to admit it, its happened to me to point as well. With the way which our society runs, it is almost impossible not to be online at least a few times a day either to contact someone, or look up information. I hate to like being online, but with all the new interesting aspects of the Internet, its hard not to. As much as I would prefer to be sitting and reading a book, it is almost impossible with schoolwork and other aspects of our busy lives.
I believe this is ruining the book industry especially. There are so many people who do not read after high school or college. For novel writers, this is taking away many jobs. Those who normally write full-length books are unable to sell books as easily because they seem less of a novelty. It is such a shame, because it is stopping men and women from expanding their minds, or reading small things on a computer screen.
The Net is also bad for magazine and newspaper journalists because information is so easy to find on the Web, many people will not go out and buy the newspapers. Why pay when you can stay in your home and read for free. Although the industries are trying to profit off the Internet, it is still hurting these industries.
So although the Internet has it’s advantages, I believe that it is hurting the careers of many writers.
*Ry*
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
So Much Information!!!
I think that the amount of information on the Web is insane. It is crazy some of the things that people write on the Web. I think that the addition of information by readers can be both a good and bad thing. In adding information to the Internet, it allows Internet users to be able to find anything on the Web, even some of the most obscure information. On the bad side, too much information can be overwhelming to many people who don’t use the Internet that often.
Although there is a lot of information available, I think it is important to learn how to use search engines, such as Google, the best way possible. When typing in a search it is important to be specific in what you are looking for. Modifying the searches and uses advance searches can also be beneficial. It is also very important to be able to look at a site and decide if it’s credible or not. This can make a huge difference, because, if you are getting information from a site that is strictly opinion you may accidentally take it as fact, making your info incorrect.
Web Writing, Web technologies, and Web design should really focus on connecting their sites to appropriate search terms, making it easier for people to find exactly what they are looking for. I think that the layout of sites should definitely be easy to understand and use because there are many people who have not grown up in the Web 2.0 world, and still need to know how to use the Internet.
Have a nice day!
-Ry
Although there is a lot of information available, I think it is important to learn how to use search engines, such as Google, the best way possible. When typing in a search it is important to be specific in what you are looking for. Modifying the searches and uses advance searches can also be beneficial. It is also very important to be able to look at a site and decide if it’s credible or not. This can make a huge difference, because, if you are getting information from a site that is strictly opinion you may accidentally take it as fact, making your info incorrect.
Web Writing, Web technologies, and Web design should really focus on connecting their sites to appropriate search terms, making it easier for people to find exactly what they are looking for. I think that the layout of sites should definitely be easy to understand and use because there are many people who have not grown up in the Web 2.0 world, and still need to know how to use the Internet.
Have a nice day!
-Ry
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