Chapter 23

Design and Maintenance Issues


CONTENTS


There is more to creating a Web site than adding some HTML files to a Web server and perhaps setting up a Web database interface. The design and presentation of a Web site is very important. Poorly designed Web sites are hard to navigate and maintain. The tips presented in this chapter will help you design a user-friendly Web site that is easy to manage.

Web Site Design Issues

A few tips and ideas that are helpful when designing a Web site are listed next. If you follow these guidelines, you will have a Web site that's easy to maintain and administer.

Creating a Logical Directory Structure

Creating a logical directory structure is very important. As shown in Figure 23.1, a logical directory structure makes it easy to maintain a Web site and to assign file permissions to various users based on directory hierarchies. Although it's possible to store all objects of a Web page in the same directory, this can turn into a mess after more directories and files are added. For example, if you have about ten directories with a few dozen Web pages and suddenly decide to make a change to an icon that's used in several Web pages, you'll likely have to browse each directory and locate the graphic you wish to modify. This can be time consuming and error prone. On the other hand, if all images are stored in a separate directory, it's easy to locate a graphic you want to change and make the modifications. After the changes are saved, all Web pages that refer to the graphic will automatically refer to the updated graphic. Also, when adding various graphics to a Web site, it's recommended that you use directories to organize them. For example, I've got hundreds of graphics at my Web site. If all the graphics were in the same directory, finding a graphic would be very time consuming. To make matters easier, the graphics directory is broken down into various sections such as Animations, Icons, Bullets, Lines, and so on, as shown in Figure 23.1 This makes it very easy to locate graphics to add to a Web page.

Figure 23.1: A logical directory structure makes it easy to maintain a Web site.

URL Naming Issues

When adding Web pages, especially ones that will be manually entered by many users, try to keep them as short as possible. (Have you ever had to retype a long URL a half dozen times to get it right?) Short URLs are easy to advertise, easy to remember, and easier to refer to when creating links from other Web pages.

URL Short Cuts

If you have Web pages at your Web site with hard-to-remember URLs, you should create URLs for them as shown in Figure 23.2. Although you're probably intimately familiar with the directory structure of your Web site, your users probably don't know it that well. For example, it's much easier to remember http://wonderland.dial.umd.edu/~sanjaya than http://wonderland.dial.umd.edu/documents/sanjaya/sanjaya.html.

Figure 23.2: Create easy-to-remember URL shortcuts for pages that are most frequently accessed.

Using a Revision Control System

A revision control system (RCS) makes it easier for several people to work on a project without stepping on each other's toes. In case a mistake is made, when RCS is used, it's very easy to roll back a file (restore the contents of a file to a previous state) to what it was before the mistake was made.

Slightly Change the Layout of the Web Site Periodically

If possible, slightly change the layout of the Web site at least once every two months to make sure it looks new and attractive to users who visit it frequently. This does not mean that you should make dramatic changes to all the Web pages at your Web site. Instead, slightly change the appearance of a few selected Web pages (such as the main Web page of a Web site) that act as an index to various informative Web pages.

Dos and Don'ts for Your Web Site

A few dos and don'ts for a Web site are listed next. By following these guidelines, you can avoid common mistakes made by Webmasters of various Web sites. Each of these guidelines is discussed in detail in the following sections.

Do Respond to Feedback Promptly

Promptly responding to feedback is the key to the success of a Web site. A user might detect a broken link and mail you about it or want to point out a mistake you've made in one of your Web pages.

Do Monitor Web Server's Access Log File

Monitoring your Web server's access log file is very crucial for determining who accessed what from your Web site. By keeping an eye on your Web server's access log file, it's possible to find out various sections of a Web site that are widely used and also those sections that are not so popular. Refer to Chapter 24, "Utility Applications for Your Server," for more information about analyzing your Web server's access log file.

Don't Use Large Graphics

Avoid adding very large graphics to your Web site. They take longer for a page to load, especially over low-bandwidth phone lines, and can be frustrating for a user browsing your Web site. Make an effort to reduce file sizes of graphics as much as possible while keeping their appearance the same. Chapter 11, "Adding Multimedia to Your Web Site," contains numerous tips for optimizing graphics for the Internet.

Do Optimize Graphics at Your Web Site

It's very important that graphics at your Web site be optimized for the Internet. By judiciously using various graphics formats, it's possible to exploit the capabilities of the graphics formats and optimize graphics for the Internet. The key to optimizing graphics for the Internet is experimenting with various graphics formats and trying to reduce the file size of the graphic as much as possible while keeping the appearance of the graphic the same.

Do Browse Your Web Site with Multiple Browsers

Browse your Web site with at least two Web browsers after creating a page. Although a page might look attractive with one browser, it might not look so attractive when viewed with another browser. Because Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator are two of the most widely used Web browsers, it's recommended that you view new Web pages with both of these browsers before adding them to a Web site. Note that this does not apply to Web pages done in standard HTML (HTML 2.0) because virtually all browsers handle standard HTML the same way.

Do Check for Invalid or Broken Links

Navigate your Web site every now and then to find invalid and broken links, especially after adding a new Web page to your Web site. Although some links might work locally, on a development machine-due to different directory structures-they might fail to work after a Web page is transferred to the production server.

Don't Use Large Background Images

Try to keep background images as small as possible. A large background image might take a few seconds to load and make it hard for a user browsing your Web site to view the contents of a page. This is especially true for users browsing your Web site with Web browsers such as Netscape Navigator. Netscape first displays the text of a Web page before loading the background image. Depending on the background color of the Web browser, text on a Web page might look almost invisible. For example, if the default background color of Netscape is gray and you created a Web page with a dark background with white text, because white doesn't stand out very well against a gray background, the contents of the Web page will look unattractive and hard to read until the background image is loaded and displayed by Netscape.

Do Remove Outdated Web Pages

It's not very attractive to have outdated information at a Web site. (Have you ever come across a URL with a NEW icon attached to it that points to a page modified six months ago?) Make a note of time-sensitive information at a Web site and remove outdated items to keep a Web site's information up-to-date.

Do Use Graphic Thumbnails

Use graphic thumbnails whenever large images are added to a Web page. Set up the graphic thumbnail so that users can see the full image by clicking on the thumbnail.

Do Make the Best Use of Browser Space

Vertical space of a Web browser is golden. Try to design Web pages so that Web browser space is efficiently used. This makes it easy for users to navigate a Web site without extensively relying on scroll bars.

Do Keep URLs Consistent

Keep URL names consistent as much as possible, especially those that have been added to various Web search engines. After a Web page is added to a Web site, its URL should not be changed unless it's going to be removed from the Web site.

Do Register URLs with Search Engines

Register informative URLs at your Web site with various search engines. This makes it easier for users to locate your Web site. Generally, you should register URLs at your Web site with as many search engines as possible. Refer to Chapter 22, "Publicizing Your Web Site," for more information about registering URLs with Internet search engines.

Don't Use Complex Background Images

When adding background images, keep in mind that the purpose of a background image is to make the text of a Web page easier and more pleasing to read. Complex background images make it hard to read the contents of a Web page. As a rule of thumb, always use background images that are either light or dark in color and use text that is of opposite color. For example, use white text in a Web page that has a dark blue background. Avoid using background images with both light and dark colors.

Do Create URL Shortcuts

Create URL shortcuts to shorten long URLs and make it easier to remember and advertise them.

Do Use the <ALT> Tag When Adding Graphics

Web browsers such as Internet Explorer use text defined in the <ALT> tag of a graphic to describe the graphic when the mouse is moved over it by using balloon text. You might have noticed when you rest the mouse pointer on the tool bar of some applications, you see some text appear that describes the purpose of the button the mouse pointer is on. This text is referred to as balloon text. When adding graphics to a Web page, use the <ALT> tag to take advantage of this feature.

Do Use Tables

Tables are very useful for formatting the contents of a Web page. Without tables, it would be impossible to use various multimedia formats and make the maximum use of Web browser space. Most Web browsers that are being used on the Internet support tables. Use tables to make the best use of browser space when using several multimedia objects on the same page.

Tips for Creating a User-Friendly Web Site

It's important that you make your Web site a user-friendly Web site. Compared to the effort it takes to create a Web site, design Web pages, and publish them on the Internet, it takes very little effort to make a Web site user-friendly and easy to navigate. The following sections discuss a few tips for creating a user-friendly Web site.

Compatibility with 640¥480 Monitors

When designing Web pages, be sure to look at them with a Web browser sized to 640 ¥ 480. Most Web surfers use this size of monitor to surf the Web. Although a page might look very attractive on a monitor with a higher resolution, it might not look as attractive on a 640 ¥ 480 monitor. With a little effort, you can create 640 ¥ 480 friendly Web pages. This can be done by browsing your Web site after resizing the Web browser window to 640¥480.

Avoid Long URLs

Whenever possible, you should avoid unnecessarily long URLs. They are hard to remember and type, and are also difficult to advertise in various documents such as newsletters.

Create a Standard Button Bar

It's a good idea to create a standardized button bar for your Web site. Users will then be able to provide feedback and return to the main Web page of a Web site whenever they want to, no matter where they are. Of course, be sure to include a link to the main Web page of your Web site as well as a link to a page that can be used to submit feedback.

Create a Map of Your Web Site

A map of a Web site is often quite helpful to users navigating it. Users will then be able to directly go to a Web page they're interested in by looking at various Web pages at your Web site all at once. When adding a Web site map, use title names of pages and perhaps even a short description of each page to make it easy for users to find Web pages they're interested in.

Add a What's New Page

A What's New page is a very important part of any Web site; however, most Web sites don't have one. A What's New page enables a user browsing a Web site to quickly locate the most up-to-date information.

Create Links to Helper Apps

There are many multimedia file formats in use on the Internet, and not everyone has helper applications for most of these multimedia file formats. Some require the setup of special helper applications and others require users to download and install various plug ins. Plug ins are downloadable software that is capable of enhancing the capabilities of a Web browser by handling special object formats not originally supported by the Web browser. When using various multimedia formats, be sure to create links that can be used to download necessary helper applications.

Use Frames

When used properly, frames can make a Web site easier to navigate. Refer to Chapter 9,
"Advanced HTML Techniques," to learn how to use frames to make a Web site easier to navigate.

Easy Access to a Feedback Form

You can make it easy for users to provide you feedback by creating a standard button bar to be included in all Web pages and by adding a feedback button to it.

Legalities

When setting up a Web site, you should be aware of certain legalities. By following a few guidelines, you can avoid unnecessary legal problems. The first thing to remember is that normal copyright laws do indeed apply to the Web. Copyright laws do not change just because the medium of information distribution changes. If you own a copyright on something, you can "publish" it on the Web; if others misuse your work, you can take legal action, and they're as guilty as if they'd done the same thing in a non-electronic medium.

You should be concerned about copyright law when designing your Web site and making information available to the Internet community. The goal of the World Wide Web and the Internet is to make information readily available to those who need it. On the other hand, copyright law is designed to restrict access and use of information to a certain degree. Therefore, there's a conflict between the intentions of copyright law and the spirit of the Internet. However, copyright law is part of the law, and the spirit of the Internet isn't. Therefore, you should make sure your Web site complies with copyright law.

Creating a Disclaimer Page

It's also a good idea to have a link to a disclaimer page at your Web site, which states that your company (or client) is not endorsing any product or other company; instead, the links are meant for informational purposes and to explore the Web. Therefore, if someone doesn't like what you've linked to (even though you're not responsible for the content at the other end of the link), he or she can't complain to you about it or take legal action against you.

Using Graphics from Other Web Sites

You should also be careful about using graphics that are trademarks of various organizations. If you want to use such a graphic, make sure you get permission first. You can get permission to use a graphic simply by asking permission from the Webmaster of the Web site containing the graphics you wish to use.

Note
If you're concerned about your work, you can register it with the copyright office for a minimal price. Furthermore, you should also include a copyright symbol " on your work. You can insert the copyright symbol by using &copy; in your Web pages.

"Obtaining" graphics from other sites and adding them to your own pages can also get you into trouble. If you'd like to have something, you should first send some e-mail and ask for permission. If not, you can simply visit one of the public graphics icon archives and get all the graphics you need.

URL
Various icon collections on the Internet:
http://www.infi.net/~rdralph/icons/
http://www.meat.com/textures/
http://www.cs.yale.edu/homes/sjl/clipart.html
http://www.yahoo.com/Computers/World_Wide_Web/Programming/Icons
http://www.sfsu.edu/~jtolson/textures/textures.htm
http://www.stars.com/Vlib/Providers/Images_and_Icons.html

Tip Summary
Ask nicely! If you would like to use information or a graphic at another Web site, ask for permission to use it beforehand. As long as the information is not too proprietary, chances are that you will be given permission to use it.

Of course, you should also avoid issues that are illegal in the real world, such as slander, libel, and child pornography. Even though the electronic medium of the Web might seem different from the real world, keep in mind that some things are illegal no matter what medium you're using. For more information about copyright law, please visit the following URL.

URL
Visit the WWW Virtual Law Library for information about various legal issues, categorized by subject, related to publishing information on the Internet:
http://www.law.indiana.edu/law/lawindex.html

Communications Decency Act

The Communications Decency Act (CDA) is a controversial law that affects the very existence of the Internet; this is because it assumes criminal liability on online access providers whose customers might publish content on the Internet that someone decides are "obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy, or indecent." Due to various restrictions placed by the CDA on the freedom of speech, it's unlikely that it will be fully enforced by the government. Legally, however, you could get into a lot of trouble for violating the restrictions. Therefore, at a minimum, refrain from publishing "adult" content at your Web site. I will not mention everything the CDA prohibits you from doing because the list is too long. However, visit the URL listed next for a full text description of the CDA.

URL
A full text listing of the CDA can be found at the following Web site:
http://www.ganson.com/jganson/cda.html

Many Web sites wear a blue ribbon as a symbol of protesting the CDA. If you believe the CDA is unconstitutional, you can obtain a blue ribbon for your Web site from the Blue Ribbon Campaign for Online Free Speech Web site.

URL
Blue ribbons that have become a symbol of protest toward the CDA can be obtained from the Blue Ribbon Campaign for Online Free Speech Web site:
http://www.eff.org/blueribbon.html

Summary

There are various design and maintenance issues that you should take into consideration when designing a Web site. You can create a user-friendly Web site that's easy to manage by following the tips and ideas presented in this chapter.

What's Next?

The next chapter discusses various applications that you can use to maintain and make it easier to perform various tasks on your NT server.