Hello,
> http://home.etria.org/webware/TODO
>
> Complete with very in-complete TODO list.
One thing that the current site does well, although it could be just my own
personal perception, is the organisation of content. I find that the things
I want to find most quickly when visiting a software site are:
* Concise descriptions of what the software does. Often, I don't
find my own expectations met immediately, especially when I
just want to know whether the software provides a specific
feature or way of doing things. The current Webware site
conveniently describes Webware in an immediately visible
location.
* Links to downloads and documentation. Quite often, these are
placed in "navigation bars", and this is what the redesigned
site does, but one has to be careful not to design such
navigational aids "into the background" in the sense that
readers effortlessly ignore or skip over them in their
stressed search for the information they need.
It has been noted that the Python site, for example, has suffered from its
own evolution, and it is now the case that unless you know what Python is,
you need to scroll down before you find anything that might immediately
qualify as an explanation. On the left hand side, the reader potentially
drowns in a sea of possibly meaningless links. I would suggest that the
Python site serve as an example of the pitfalls of intuitive site
organisation.
> Once I have a decent method for 'skinning' the site, I'll toss a note
> out to the list. I can even give a template so peeps can see what
> var's go where and can submit their own templates.
Interestingly, on the subject of site skins, I'm increasingly getting used
to Plone-like site layouts, although I do feel that they are somewhat
constraining and suboptimal.
Anyway, it's interesting to see what you've been up to, and I look forward
to future developments.
Paul
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