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This section contains General Notes
and Hints on creating a Great Web Page.
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Use the non-breaking space to place more than one space between text:   .
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For horizontal spacing - create a fully transparent blank gif image of a small size (1x1 pixel), then use IMG with height & width to reshape image.
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If you don't want a line break to occur between two words - use <NOBR>
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Set border=0 to eleminate borders on linked images (if you leave it off it doesn't assume value of zero).
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To make the browser not cache your web page (must be refreshed from source each time it is
viewed), add the following to the head section:
<Meta http-equiv="expires" content="Tue, 01 Jan 1981 01:00:00 GMT>
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<FONT> and <CENTER> are going away. You should use Style sheets to set the
font styles, and use the "ALIGN="center"" attribute for the <DIV> element to center
text.
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You should always indicate the size of the document that is available for downloading or
printing. Always try to ZIP large files first.
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Keep images small, then resize within HTML (good for background gifs or cliparts, but not with photos).
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If you are linking to a large image, state size and file format type. (Can use "alt" attribute to inform).
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Use windows color map (256 colors) when creating images.
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Use jpeg for photographs and gifs for clipart.
Raw images should have limited colors.
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You can make background transparents by using GIF89A.
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GIF89A also allows animation - but need to have the first and last images the same.
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Before reducing an image - smooth it beforhand (resampling), or you can reduce color depth (flattening).
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Dithering is a mixture of available colors closest to original color.
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Interlaced images displays a rough outline first, then detail later.
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The total number of images on a web page should be less then 20K.
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Page Banners should not be more than 570 pixels in width X 100 pixels in Height.
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If you embed elements, provide instrctions how to obtain the plug-in.
Use navigation tools to help users thru your website. If have a large page, use links to
the top and bottom of the page. If you have a series of documents, have links to the
previous and next documents.
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When you use image maps, don't change the size of the imagemap with the width or height attributes.
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Every active image element should have ALT defined.
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You can store the active image map either on the HTTP server, or within the HTML document itself
Steps to creating a Great Web Site
- Be consistant with the use of HTML elements.
- Use date last modified (use month spelled out)
- Keep heading levels consistant.
- Use template with navigational buttons already setup (can use cascading style sheets).
- Keep tree depth of 3 to 5 pages.
- Name and label categories to reflect material.
- Be informational (explain meaning and function of navigation buttons).
- Keep original image files used to create graphics.
- Storyboard your collection first.
- Prototype the page layout. Use contrast, repetition, alignment, and proximity.
- Plan for future growth and features.
- Make navigation easy, link back to master navigation pages - have obvious exit points.
- Make sure links work (use link checks).
- Use UP, PREV, NEXT, and HOME links on all pages (where applicable).
- Include a Table of Contents, and an Index.
- Never move the main pages - or if necessary, provide some redirection.
- Get appropriate Internet Domain Name.
- Make resources easy to find.
- Use Web server log files to analyse how your documets usage flow.
- Note changes and updates.
- Don't include links to other sites on high-level pages (you may lose your viewer before they have a chance to see your site).
- Solicit user Feedback and respond. (Provide link to author).
- Make site fast and accessable (not too many multimedia or applets).
- Have searchable contents, or newsgroup forums.
- Profide a page outlining security methods used in onlline transactions.
- Provide clear confirmation of an on-line order.
- Page size should be less than 1500 words.
- Only have seven sections of logical information.
- Create customized mini-site index page instead of letting them get the "404 Not Found" page.
- Make page narrow enough to be printed on A4 paper.
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