http://tc.eserver.org/dir/Design/Web-Design/Case-Studies A listing of the most recently indexed works about Design and Web Design and Case Studies in the field of technical communication. en-us Copyright (c) 2005-10 by the EServer. All rights reserved. tclib-editorial@eserver.org (TC Library Editorial Board) webmaster@eserver.org (Geoffrey Sauer) http://tc.eserver.org/images/newlogo.gif http://tc.eserver.org/dir/Design/Web-Design/Case-Studies http://tc.eserver.org/36293.html http://tc.eserver.org/36293.html Today we begin Part 1 of an 8-Part series on building a web application from absolute scratch to a complete product. I am going to kick things off by introducing the idea, and then I will be handling the design, UI, and general front-end stuff. What we’re going to create is a “list app”. The idea being focused on simplicity and usefulness. Sign up for an account, and get started making a list in just a few seconds. Sounds easy right? Even the PHP dabblers out there probably could throw something like this together fairly quickly, right? Well the fact is, no, it’s not that easy. http://tc.eserver.org/35172.html http://tc.eserver.org/35172.html Fond as I was of my site’s current incarnation, I’m a one-person show and my website is my main act. I couldn’t risk letting it stagnate. http://tc.eserver.org/34906.html http://tc.eserver.org/34906.html ユーザー調査の結果、非営利団体のウェブサイトはコンテンツが著しく不足しており、寄付に踏み切るための判断材料に欠けていることがよくあることがわかった。 http://tc.eserver.org/34487.html http://tc.eserver.org/34487.html The goal was to use Subversion (SVN) as a poor man's CMS, and take advantage of great PC-based editors like DreamWeaver (for HTML) and XMetaL (for DITA). Eventually, we could add pre-commit checks and utilities to give us some of the advanced functionality we'd really like--like link management and metadata change management--but in the meantime we could do everything manually to get by. All we had to do was install Subversion and enable the WebDAV interface in Apache. But many hurdles later, I'm exhausted from jumping over them. Every one requires me to look through 20 web pages in search of a solution, and each time I surmount one obstacle, it's only to find a new one standing in my way. http://tc.eserver.org/34455.html http://tc.eserver.org/34455.html We still had a huge, unruly Web site. It just had different graphics, a better-named Web team and more people shoveling on content and applications. Finally, out of desperation, we decided to try a new-fangled thing called a Web content management system. http://tc.eserver.org/34289.html http://tc.eserver.org/34289.html Precise communication in a handful of words? The editors at BBC News achieve it every day, offering remarkable headline usability. http://tc.eserver.org/34292.html http://tc.eserver.org/34292.html User research finds significant deficiencies in non-profit organizations' website content, which often fails to provide the info people need to make donation decisions. http://tc.eserver.org/33929.html http://tc.eserver.org/33929.html Most users believe that MySpace started as some kind of fluke—a happy accident that began in Anderson's bedroom or garage—and many still don't wonder, know, or care about the site's real business history and model. Heralded as a haven of DIY self-expression, MySpace was actually created by executives whose backgrounds are anchored in spam and mass marketing. The real genius of MySpace lies in its re-imagining and repackaging of spam. While most internet users expend time and energy attempting to keep it out, MySpace is spam that they actually invite in. http://tc.eserver.org/33765.html http://tc.eserver.org/33765.html The ability to interoperate across disparate vendors, platforms and infrastructure stacks is inherently important to the adoption of Web Services technology. For most organizations, cross platform interoperability and the move to a loosely coupled, Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) is usually the main rationale for adoption of the underlying Web Service technologies. In this paper we will discuss some of the issues and stumbling blocks towards interoperability. We will also demonstrate with an example, how an application developed in Java and deployed in a J2EE 1.4 compatible container can interoperate and be consumed from a different client, developed in C# on the .NET platform. http://tc.eserver.org/33455.html http://tc.eserver.org/33455.html Usability scores for 51 websites show some correlation between navigation, content, and feature quality, but no connections to other usability areas. http://tc.eserver.org/33175.html http://tc.eserver.org/33175.html Two Web design experts suggest a more "scrumptious" feel and better search capabilities to strengthen the food site. http://tc.eserver.org/33177.html http://tc.eserver.org/33177.html This paper will discuss the issues associated with the creation of useful, appropriate, and entertaining Web space for teenagers, in the context of the formation of the Internet Public Library (IPL) Teen Division during the fall and winter of 1995. http://tc.eserver.org/33160.html http://tc.eserver.org/33160.html This paper presents a case study in user-centred design as applied to the redesign of the Monash University web site. It begins with an overview of user-centred design which is then contrasted with traditional development processes. The case study provides some background information about the project and the choice of methodology, an outline of the user-centred design methods used, and the nature of the multi-disciplinary team responsible for the project. http://tc.eserver.org/33161.html http://tc.eserver.org/33161.html This paper provides an overview of the process and organizational transformation that IBM has gone through in improving the user experience with our offerings. http://tc.eserver.org/33068.html http://tc.eserver.org/33068.html An intranet can deliver return on investment (ROI) by either reducing the cost, or expanding the ability, to communicate. By shifting manual processes to the intranet, the cost of accessing and processing information is reduced. The intranet speedily delivers information to large numbers of people. This gives the organization a greater capacity to change. http://tc.eserver.org/33054.html http://tc.eserver.org/33054.html This case study presents the findings from five different intranet reviews, with the aim of exposing some of the issues being confronted across different organisations. These reviews also show that even within seemingly-similar organisations, the intranet issues can be quite different. This highlights that there is no 'one size fits all' intranet solution, and emphasises the value of conducting meaningful 'needs analysis' activities, such as those outlined in this article. http://tc.eserver.org/32925.html http://tc.eserver.org/32925.html How could an $11,000,000,000 company fail so miserably in its e-commerce efforts that it had to turn its storefront over to a relative newcomer? And what is the Big Lesson we can learn from Toys'R'Us' difficulties? http://tc.eserver.org/32927.html http://tc.eserver.org/32927.html It's all too common for IT players to emphasize the technology and ignore the information that the technology exists to convey. Take my friendly local cable provider, MediaOne. http://tc.eserver.org/32930.html http://tc.eserver.org/32930.html With April 15th approaching, Lou needed some basic tax information, but Merrill Lynch's labeling system made the easiest answers tough to find. http://tc.eserver.org/32836.html http://tc.eserver.org/32836.html More and more countries have passed laws stating that Websites must be accessible to blind and disabled people. With this kind of legal pressure, and the many benefits of accessibility, the big players on the Web must surely have accessible Websites, right? http://tc.eserver.org/32863.html http://tc.eserver.org/32863.html There are several reasons inaccessible Web products get published. One we discussed in my last article is that some clients just don’t care about accessibility. Their reasons make a lot of sense if you put yourself in their shoes. Another reason is developer mistakes. Making mistakes is natural, and suffering the consequences and learning from them is what makes us better developers and better people. http://tc.eserver.org/32604.html http://tc.eserver.org/32604.html Website and software application usability is a classic intangible, hard to measure and even harder to sell to clients or management. Ironic, as I think it safe to say that at this stage in the game there are few sites that would not benefit from a usability survey and a bit of tweaking. Nevertheless, some companies have taken the cue and great usability case studies are beginning to emerge. http://tc.eserver.org/32510.html http://tc.eserver.org/32510.html A comparison of the redesigned websites of two Swedish newspapers, GP.se and HD.se, that were both launched in late 2006. http://tc.eserver.org/32269.html http://tc.eserver.org/32269.html After the split of the Czechoslovak Republic into two republics in 1993 the idea of creating a common digital parliamentary library originated. The Czech Parliamentary Library started this project in 1995 and Slovakia joined in 2002. According to the agreement between of the two parliaments the joint digital library should in its complete shape contain the complete full texts of parliamentary prints (proposals, interpolations, explanations, decisions, invitations) and stenographical documents (shorthand writings) from 1848 until the present, in electronic form. The aim is to create and operate an automatic system of current and historical parliamentary documents. In 2000, the project was awarded the prestigious `Czech @' prize by the International Conference on Internet Use in Public Administration and Self-Government. The Joint Czech and Slovak Digital Parliamentary Library is now widely used in both countries. http://tc.eserver.org/32272.html http://tc.eserver.org/32272.html This paper argues that metrics can be generated from search transactional web logs that can help evaluate search engine effectiveness. Search logs from the BBC website were analysed and metrics extracted. Two search metrics — the time lapse between searches and the number of searches in a session — were developed to see whether they could measure search success or satisfaction. In all, 4 million search statements by 900,000 users were evaluated. The BBC search engine possessed a number of functional attributes which sought to improve retrieval and these were subjected to the two metrics to help determine how successful they were in practice. There was some evidence to support the proposition that the search outcome metrics did indeed indicate the effectiveness of engine functionality. The authors argue that this result is significant in that the identification of search outcome metrics will pave the way for assessing the effectiveness of site specific search engines and a greater understanding of the effectiveness of search engine functionality. http://tc.eserver.org/32112.html http://tc.eserver.org/32112.html What better way to start the year than with a little typographic inspiration. Last year I published 15 Excellent Examples of Web Typography, and owing to its popularity and people’s sateless appetite for lists, here are another 15. http://tc.eserver.org/29973.html http://tc.eserver.org/29973.html In early 2007, I started the task of reworking the ageing HyperWrite Web site. The site was originally created in 1995. It underwent a major rework (to a frames-based design) in 1997, and was reworked in 1999, 2000 and 2002. In the decade since the Web site was launched, not only has Web technology moved on, but HyperWrite's activities, focus and business direction are now quite different. Time and budget were set aside to renovate the site to better serve HyperWrite's business needs, and to serve as a practical example of the company's capabilities. http://tc.eserver.org/28441.html http://tc.eserver.org/28441.html Artorg.co.uk is an online community for artists and designers. At first view, this is a really nice-looking site. It has an appealing, soft colour scheme offset with well-chosen graphics, and the content appears solid and orderly. http://tc.eserver.org/28440.html http://tc.eserver.org/28440.html The Business Improvement Network is a highly successful free club for quality improvement professionals who meet together to share their knowledge and experience. A busy website serves the network's needs well, attracts new members every week, and gives members access to lots of free information. http://tc.eserver.org/28442.html http://tc.eserver.org/28442.html www.foruse.com is the web site of Constantine and Lockwood. Have a look at their home page to learn more about them. This case study incorporates a brief critical review of the home page, plus a redesign. http://tc.eserver.org/28359.html http://tc.eserver.org/28359.html It's true: even simple projects get messy. Christina Wodtke comes clean on Swiss Army knives, the writing on the wall, and the untidy glory of the Boxes and Arrows redesign contest. http://tc.eserver.org/26481.html http://tc.eserver.org/26481.html So-Net are part of the Southbourne Internet group who provide online new media services. The So-Net Journal was created to highlight case studies of its clients, work and technical writings on the subject of the Internet. http://tc.eserver.org/25615.html http://tc.eserver.org/25615.html When PeopleSoft decided to unify its websites, the information architects involved used bottom-up techniques to make sense of the enormous number of different pieces of content. http://tc.eserver.org/24300.html http://tc.eserver.org/24300.html As technical communicators attempt to keep up with a burgeoning product set, the need grows for a glossary that can explain 'terms not in the common vocabulary' to a worldwide audience. Sun Microsystems, Inc., faces a challenge every time it introduces a product, such as the Java™ programming language, that has a unique terminology. To meet these challenges, a project team determined to provide efficient reuse of terminology in target languages. http://tc.eserver.org/23784.html http://tc.eserver.org/23784.html In this web site usability case study, two methods of participative inquiry are used to align a development team’s objectives with their users’ needs and to promote the team’s awareness of the benefit of qualitative usability analysis. Findings reveal a web site that lacks integration between its components and differences between the team and its users’ definitions of a “customer-focused” web site. The study produced an implementation blueprint based on a cognitive-oriented instead of an information-oriented taxonomy. This blueprint guide conveys intangible concepts that the team intuited or observed during contextual interviews and redefines its new web site usability strategies. http://tc.eserver.org/23686.html http://tc.eserver.org/23686.html A case study of the 2002 redesign of the website for Catholic Community Services in Newark. http://tc.eserver.org/23060.html http://tc.eserver.org/23060.html In January 1998, Kodak introduced a new top-level structure and visual design for its Web site. This paper describes the user-centered approach utilized in the design process. We discovered that combining the knowledge gained from a variety of data collection methods was critical to understanding and defining Web site user requirements. We also found an on-line preview and survey to be a useful tool for assessing user acceptance of new designs. A sampling of results is provided to illustrate the process we used and to discuss its effectiveness. http://tc.eserver.org/22461.html http://tc.eserver.org/22461.html A website can be both attractive and easy to use. Usability and good looks aren't mutually exclusive and one doesn't necessarily have to negate the other. http://tc.eserver.org/22141.html http://tc.eserver.org/22141.html The plumbing division of Kohler Co. is no stranger to managing their content. They had been using BroadVision's document-management system, Relation Document Manager (RDM), for three years and authoring in Interleaf since 1989. But when BroadVision stopped supporting RDM, Mark Peterson, the technical publications manager at Kohler, was desperate to find a replacement. BroadVision offered BladeRunner, but that tool didn't sufficiently support the heavy and stringent print requirements of Mark's department. Plumbers don't always have adequate or readily available access to the Internet. http://tc.eserver.org/21345.html http://tc.eserver.org/21345.html In September 2000, Razorfish, Germany was tasked to redesign the main websites for Audi. In the process they explored workgroup software, utilized technology to support the brand ideals and challenged the status quo of current web navigation thinking by proposing a right handed navigation system. http://tc.eserver.org/21346.html http://tc.eserver.org/21346.html When PeopleSoft decided to unify its websites, the information architects involved used bottom-up techniques to make sense of the enormous number of different pieces of content. http://tc.eserver.org/21337.html http://tc.eserver.org/21337.html A case study of the website for Schwab Learning, a service of the Charles and Helen Schwab Foundation, is dedicated to helping kids with learning differences be successful in learning and life. http://tc.eserver.org/21108.html http://tc.eserver.org/21108.html The WebWord content management system is not technical, it is human. In fact, the technology is minimal and the web site works because a human understands and maintains the content using very simple tools. While this approach consumes a lot of time, it is simple and cost effective. Small and medium web sites can get along without using content management systems. http://tc.eserver.org/20642.html http://tc.eserver.org/20642.html We discuss here the results of usability tests on two booklets which were transferred from print to the Web. The booklets provide the public with basic information on various cancers, cancer treatment, and other cancer-related topics. The booklets were written by the National Cancer Institute's Office of Education and Special Initiatives (NCI OESI). http://tc.eserver.org/13199.html http://tc.eserver.org/13199.html Data General’s R&D organization had developed disparate web sites. It was hard to find relevant information and difficult to know what others were doing. We volunteered to create a unified web presence to solve these problems. Taking initiative while building consensus, we crafted a highly used and highly useful intranet. This paper describes how we did it. Our success allowed us to broaden our department’s scope and change its name from “Documentation” to “Documentation and Web Services.” Our experience shows that documentation departments are well suited to create and maintain intranets, and that documentation professionals have the skills to become content developers or information architects.