Opinins on Website

It doesn't matter if you do all the error checking in the world, or if you have the most beautiful graphics, if your site or application design isn't usable, it's not going to do well. Get input and advice on usability and user interface issues here.

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dal_oscar
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Posts: 21
Joined: Fri Apr 07, 2006 6:00 am
Location: UK

Opinins on Website

Post by dal_oscar »

Hi,
I took over this site from someon else, and originally it was a dark blue on a beige background, and it is a very rigid structure.
I have tried to improve the interface, but am now so used to seeing it that have completely forgotten what I disliked about it initially.

http://www.senscot.net

I am not particulary worried about the validatiosn of the code etc. But would like a more design and usability oriented repsonse

All opinions welcome. Thanks.
Roja
Tutorials Group
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Re: Opinins on Website

Post by Roja »

dal_oscar wrote:I am not particulary worried about the validatiosn of the code etc. But would like a more design and usability oriented repsonse
That site has severe, and crippling usability problems. First, validation of the code is part of accessibility and usability. It has over *200* compliance errors, making it nearly impossible for a screen reader to even parse it. That locks out a huge number of people trying to use the site.

Second, the navigation is entirely image-driven - with no alt tags! (Which you would have caught with validation). That means that if I can't see the images, I can't use the main navigation bar. Serious usability problem there.

Many of the triggers for JS are mouseover-driven, so using a keyboard means I get little functionality. (And you don't offer a noscript alternative).

The linearized version of the page isn't ideal, it uses deprecated tags, and it gets more things wrong than it gets right when it comes to usability and accessibility.

My personal opinion is that the site needs a serious amount of work if you honestly want to strive for usability and accessibility, and job #1 is validation.
dal_oscar
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Joined: Fri Apr 07, 2006 6:00 am
Location: UK

Post by dal_oscar »

Ya...thats what I thought too. The reason why I said I wasnt worried about validation was becasue I already knew it had so many errors - and was looking for other problems as well (besides poor code).

The developer before me has encrypted almost all his files. I am still trying to work though the web development slowly.
timvw
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Post by timvw »

I browsed with links to the main page. And then followed the link to "the directory". From there it's absolutely unusable.
dal_oscar
Forum Newbie
Posts: 21
Joined: Fri Apr 07, 2006 6:00 am
Location: UK

Post by dal_oscar »

hmm...not looking good huh. well, thanks to both of you!
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Luke
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Post by Luke »

The navigation changes as you move throughout the site. BIG NO NO! That is the thing that stood out immediately to me. You should NEVER have to go back to move forward. Everything on a site should be within 3 clicks.
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