Internet Studies

Let’s start with hate. Many annoying usability problems I don’t like. There are many more but here are a few in no particular order:

1. Blinking, flashing, moving objects or another example scrolling text in the status bar (which I check out regularly)
2. Orphaned pages without logo, any sort of navigation or link back
3. Bad colour combinations (for example red/green). When using white text over black background, apply certain adjustments for legibility such as bigger font-size and more generous leading. Use colour-checking tools online to check for possible colour blindness problems, not enough contrast…
4. Default audio plating in the background – especially when no option to turn it off is provided. Luckily my computer’s volume is muted. Example websites: itrainer.com.au—the speaking illustration reloads on every page because the site doesn’t remember my selection choice. Another example ixwebhosting.com brings up a talking sales woman that I turn off as quickly as I can.
5. Sites that only work on IE (not even FF, not to mention Safari). Examples: my bank, oasis on Curtin (the reply email I got from Curtin was: the site supports IE and Netscape and I should really use these specific browsers)
6. All Flash sites or splash pages with or without “Skip intro” link.
   Solution: don’t. But as a minimum, provide an HTML version and let your users select which version they would like.
7. Long download times or using full size images.
   Solution: optimise your pages and images.
8. No indication/feedback to your actions
   Solution: Always provide feedback. Easily done with a minimum of a :hover state.
9. Bad naming selections—using marketing buzzwords instead of web conventions, which then I can’t figure out where to find what I’m looking for.
   Solution: keep it simple. Don’t make me think.
10. No printable version of the site, especially when the content section is floated and isn’t printable.
    Solution: use print stylesheet and unfloat your content.
11. No contact information (email or phone or any postal address) or even who you are

What I love about the Internet?

1. Online services—mainly distant study but also online banking, shopping. We also bought a house online last year.
2. Communication capabilities—email, IM
3. Online programmers communities—forums, mailing lists and groups
4. Online bookmarking
5. RSS feeds and podcasts—great when you want to stay up to date or out of country