Readability and Usability

Readability is the ease in which a document or work can be read. Things considered readable mean that is interesting and fit to be read. Interest and prior knowledge of a subject often help readers comprehend and retain information.

Readability tests were designed to meaure the suitability of books to assist educators and librarians in selecting appropriate materials for different age groups. Some testing methodology consist of the Flesch Reading Ease scale, widely used formula measuring the readability of documents on scale from 0(difficult to read)-100(easy to read). The Flesh scale is also used in Microsoft Word when providing statistics about a current document and it also tells you what reading level the writing of the document is on. I was first introduced to this in high school when my English teacher made remarks about writing at an appropriate level since we were on our way to college. The Fry test method is also a measure of readability which is now incorporated in computer programs.

Usability testing methods investigate the ease in which users can utilize a product or website. Readability tests can measure the readability of the text on websites or the text in manuals and directions for products. It is important that users can easily understand the information that is presented to them. In visual design, readability tests can determine the effectiveness of typography or copy.

Is deli.cio.us socially satisfying?

Deli.cio.us is a social bookmarking site where users can organize their favorite websites and share them with other users online- all in one site. A site of this type can also be classified as a folksonomy because it is a way to collect, categorize, and tag content in a collaborative fashion. The neat aspect about delicious (visualize the dots) is that you can share sites with others without having to send an e-mail with a long link or and Instant Message. You can share and receive interesting information without being obtrusive and annoying to your friends or colleagues.

I believe it can be considered a "democratic taxonomy" because it gives users the opportunity to browse through websites that other people have bookmarked to get a glimpse of the wide variety of websites that exists. You can search by specific tags if you are looking for websites in a particular category. An interesting feature is the hotlist where you can see the top sites that people find interesting on the del.icio.us homepage. I believe that del.icio.us can be a beneficial site for students because they can share web information in an semi-organized fashion as long as people use helpful categories and tags that are sensible. It is another Web 2.0 application that can assist with sharing information over the web among social networkers and professionals alike. It feels like you are sharing your Favorites folder from your Internet browser with the world and tends to add more value.

Here is the URL to my page where I have a collection of sites related to professional and technical communication (my current field of study) and online radio sites because I music!

I also included other sites related to sub-categories of communication such as web design, information architecture, graphic design etc.

I visit the delicious once every couple of days, but personally I do not visit it as much as theFacebook, the only other social networking community I am a part of. Maybe this will change in the future as I continue to add people to my network and get exposed to more and more websites that I would probably never see if it was not for the del.icio.us site.

Writing for the Web

It is essential for writers to possess a toolbox with various sections comprised of techniques to use in different circumstances. Writing on the web should be understandable at first glance. It is important to take advantage of the interactive medium( the Internet) and provide an experience to readers different to what they can receive in print form. Writing for the web transforms the relationship between writers and their audiences. The audience is more involved in the conversation and it is wise to produce information that will cater to a varied audience.
In place of numerous brochures and handouts, companies have reverted to creating Intranet sites for their employees to retrieve information in a more effective manner that also saves money.

Placing print items on the web should be revised to capitalize on the features of the Internet.

Product Manuals
Print manuals consist of texts and visual aids to help consumers setup and use their products correctly. While some companies, simply provide a link to a pdf or Word version of the manual that was provided with the product, others incorporate video tutorials that show users how to complete certain setup tasks. Apple's website includes video tutorials and step-by-step instructions with screenshots to assist users. The use of animations can also be helpful when preparing online manuals because users do visist the web to read text-heavy documents, they look to the web for quick answers. Online manuals should also include high quality product shots that shows the details of buttons and other small features that may be hidden in the print diagrams provided to users.

Press Releases
Press Relases are traditionally written on plain white paper with a lot of text devoted to impressing the media with a newsworthy story. Press releases should be altered for the web and can include graphics, sound and even video to bring the product or news item to life. We all know that is frowned upon to use CAPS and millions of exclamation points throughout documents to show emphasis, but with the use of sound, readers can hear enthusiasm and may give them incentive to learn more about what is being publicized. An example is a press release for an event in Pittsburgh called Soul Day, sponsored by the developers behind the Soul Pitt Website. The web press release included a logo for the event, a sound clip from the founder of the website, quotes from users of the site, links to a del.icio.us website created for the event and other relative information. There were also links that allowed users to download traditional press releases in Word or Pdf format, giving the reader multiple options to receive the information.

News Articles
Print news items contain a lot of text and black and white images that are usually not that detailed. Online news websites have become increasingly popular because they are brief and often include multiple graphics and sometimes footage of the events that they are reading about. The headline and the lead are the attention-grabbers and are what attract readers to read the rest of the story.

It is important that writing for the web includes chunky paragraphs and only information that users want to read. Designers should eliminate the need for scrolling and give users an interactive experience.

Flash: The Good, The Bad...

The introduction of Flash technology has enhanced the aesthetic appeal for some sites , but in other cases, may hinder the usability of the site and affect its overall ability to effectively convey the message of the site. In 2000, Jakob Nielsen wrote an online article titled "Flash:99% Bad" discussing how the use of Flash has had a negative impact on the usability of websites and its effects on users. My pet peeve is the lack of navigation on Flash-intensive websites. Sometimes you are forced to look at animations for an extended period of time until they provide you with a button that says "Continue" or "Click here for more". This takes away the users ability to freely navigate throughout a site and may often be a turn off for users.

Good Flash animations can increase the user's ability to understand a difficult concept, however, a bad animation can damage the message of the site and can deter a user from the site. Some sites offer the option for users to skip the introductions, which is useful, while others waste the users time with slow and bright animations to simply show the company's logo. The heavy use of Flash also requires users to quickly learn how to manipulate site features and other controls on the site that should be standard for users.

Flash technology can be used in a positive way to bring attention to an issue through the use of animations and sound to convey a message. An example is the SIRE website, which has a campaign devoted to bringing attention to the number of homeless teenagers in the Netherlands. The homepage of the website has a screen in the middle of the page showing people's eyes slowly opening and closing, which is corresponding to a counter of the number of people who have opened their eyes to the situation occurring in the Netherlands.


After you choose to enter the site, there is a flickering streetlight in the corner of the page, while the rest of the screen is dark. After a few seconds, an arrow and "Click here" appears motioning the user to click on the streetlight for the animation to continue. When the user clicks on the streetlight, there is an animation where the light gets brighter and acts as a spotlight on a teenager who is laying on the ground. Type then appears giving information about the teenager and how long they have been homeless. After clicking on a series of streetlights, the line of text that was once blurred out at the bottom of the page appears and a Continue button appears leading users to go to the next portion of the site.

The different segments of the site all include animations that are accompanied by a statistic about child abuse, sexual abuse, and prostitution rates in the Netherlands. The color palettes used in the segment devoted to homelessness involves dark hues to depict empty streets. The sounds in the background involve sirens and car noises to give the viewer a realistic feel of the scene in the Netherlands where homeless teenagers are sleeping (screenshot below).


In this instance, the animations and metaphors used throughout the site have the ability to evoke emotions in the user and may persuade them to get involved in the campaign. One negative aspect of the site is that the user does not have the ability to navigate through the site as they like. There is often a delay between parts of the animations, forcing the user to watch the animation in its entirety before moving on. The design of the animations are all similar, which can make the site dull after awhile.
The placement of the figures and the icons throughout the animations creates a well-balanced composition with a good integration of elements within the space.


Another website that uses Flash in a aesthetically pleasing manner and integrates good design techniques is the website for Patron spirits company. The website has a very clean look with a plain white background, and black and grey text. The animations on the site are simple, but add a unique flavor to the site. The various brands of liquors that the company produces appear to be sliding towards you, and you are able to click on individual bottles to learn more about the product. The navigation is very clear and easy to use on the site. There are no long animations that you are required to view before going to another portion of the site. The use of fading techniques for text or links that have been read or used also helps the user identify where they have been on the site. Along with the useful information on the site, it is also a nice site to play around with to see what functionality it has. The sound effects throughout the site are of people talking and utensils hitting plates similar to a scene at a club or a restaurant.

Some designers may overdo Flash animations and it could make the site appear loud and overwhelming. Users are interested in sites that are designed well and are easy to use; they are ready to sacrifice the usability of a site because it looks good.

Web 2.0 and Information Architecture

In my previous post, I discussed the term Web 2.0 and the effect of the applications that have came out of the phenomenon. Web 2.0 has also effected the practice of Information Architecture. This article by Dan Brown, titled Information Architecture 2.0 provides details about the effects of Web 2.0 and what information architects should be aware of in their positions.

Web 2.0-Making us lazier or smarter?

The term Web 2.0 can be defined as the revolution of the Internet and web applications. The term Web 2.0 was first coined by Tim O'Reilly . The web has evolved into a platform offering services related to almost every aspect of daily activities and any hobby/interest you can imagine.



Web 2.0 is the extension of applications and web services that were popular in the early years of the Internet. The success of the Web 2.0 revolution is contributed not only to the tools that are constantly being created, but the manner and frequency in which people use them.

Web 2.0 services aim to increase accessibility and save people time by enabling users to complete tasks and activities at their convenience. People often turn to the web to read news headlines, check the weather, read their e-mail or even catch up on an episode of their favorite television show that they missed the night before. The web has transitioned to allow collaboration, user-participation and increased social interaction. Web 2.0 not only refers to the delivering of services to the needs of the users, but also the development of design patterns and techniques that make these services easier to use. Although you can join social or professional networking sites such theFacebook or LinkedIn, the Internet does not provide the means for parents to tuck in their children at night or allow one to brush their teeth. Therefore, the rise of Web 2.0 has provided a convenience for many individuals, but it is not the answer to everything.

One web service that is a result of the Web 2.0 revolution and has become increasingly popular is the introduction of online banking. It is a convenient online service offered by many financial institutions that have physical branches, but there are also banks that entirely exist online.
Online banking allows users to access their account information at any time. Previously, people only had the option of waiting in long lines to interact with tellers and perform financial transactions at their local branch. Accessibility was a major issue because bank hours are very restrictive and there are often long waiting hours on the telephone. Some banks, such as Bank of America, are now offering Mobile Banking in addition to online banking and physical branches, allowing users to keep track of account activity and perform tasks, on-the-go; no longer requiring the user to be in front of a computer. Either way is still better than waiting in a line on a Friday at a local bank.

With the increase of web technologies, the interfaces for online banking have improved, but some are much more interactive than others. I personally prefer Bank of America's site because it includes the use of graphics that are aesthetically pleasing and the content is organized which increases the usability of the site.
The addition of online bill paying has been a breakthrough for those who have many bills to pay each month and have trouble keeping track of their individual deadlines. This is also a way to ensure that companies are receiving your payments in a timely fashion, rather than the risk the chance of them getting lost in the mail. Through online banking, you can view statements, transfer funds to other accounts or people you want to give money to, and also keep track of pending transactions so your account does not get overdrawn.

There is always the question of security when doing anything online, especially financial transactions. Many banks have implemented the use of SiteKeys and security questions and answers to prevent identity theft and help users to protect themselves from fraudulent websites with similar web addresses. One of the other disadvantage of heavily relying on online banking is technical difficulties. This may present a slight inconvenience to those who have physical branches, but may very troublesome for those who belong to a financial institution that is solely online.

Online banking will not replace physical branches because there is no way the money you want to deposit will automatically appear in your account, if the cash is in your hand. There are many people, my mother for example, who do not feel comfortable putting personal information online and will never use the service of online banking. It is very convenient and significantly decreases the paper trail while you are managing your finances.

Aesthetics in Paintings

Aesthetic value is an important factor when evaluating the visual design of paintings and other compositions. Take for intance this still-life by Evaristo Baschenis.

The main object in the painting is the table with the open drawer, but my focus soon turned to the arrangement of the instruments on the table. The smaller instruments laying on the table are overpowered by the cello lying face-down covering portions of the other instruments bodies. The painting is asymetrically balanced with more weight on the left side of the painting where the bulk of the cello is and the open drawer with a music score cascading out of it.In terms of hierarchy, the most important element visually is the cello laying face down on the table. This is the only instrument whose body is fully shown in detail.

The brush strokes and color of the music sheets give the impression that they are worn and have proceeded to curl up at the edges.There is also a good use of lighting to create shadows underneath the table and near the fruit on top of what appears to be a guitar. There is tension between the various instruments because they are placed close together with some overlapping others. The colors mutually agree with one another and do not create unnecessary noise, but the colors of the ribbons are the only items that particularly do not get lost in the warm tones of the instruments, cases, and color of the floor.

This painting could appear in the halls of a performing arts school ( we had similar ones at CAPA), a doctor's office or even an ad in a retirement magazine. It could symbolize how one is leaving their instruments behind to pursue other extracurricular activities.