MAT 165 - Web Design 2

Blog Topic #7: Net Neutrality

noreply@blogger.com (Karl Cleveland) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:45:00 +0000

Many attribute the meteoric growth and diversity of the Internet to early telecommunication policies and the underlying architecture of the Net, which ensured that the network was an open, nondiscriminatory platform for all kinds of communications traffic. Common-carrier regulations of telephone industry dictated that no one company or organization could maintain monopolistic control over the network because lines of transmission were open to competitors and did not discriminate between differing types of content. Beyond this, the Internet’s architecture and networking protocols — Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and Internet Protocol (IP) — were open, decentralized, and nondiscriminatory by design. The protocols treat all information as equal, favoring neither content types nor content providers. Millions of websites sprang up as a result, each with an equal opportunity to attract an audience online.

But the democratic nature and spirit of openness that characterized the birth of the Internet is in danger of disappearing. According to the FCC, the “open access” requirements of the dial-up Internet do not apply to broadband cable, satellite, and DSL companies. The FCC has defined broadband Internet access as an “information service” rather than telecommunications, effectively exempting broadband companies from the common carrier requirements of the traditional dial-up Internet. Moreover, companies such as Ellacoya Networks are already offering hardware and software packages to broadband networks that give them “Total Service Control” of their network and the ability to discriminate between users, content types, and content providers. Such network control subverts the open, nondiscriminatory nature of the Internet’s guiding protocols.

Comcast has used such network control to prevent or slow down the use of peer-to-peer sharing and other traffic on its networks. But, recently the FCC bolstered the fight for network neutrality by acting against Comcast's actions. Comcast is appealing the FCC decision, setting the stage for a court-battle. Meanwhile, the FCC is currently debating rule making that would make Net Neutrality official policy. And, legislation in Congress has gained similar momentum, but is far from decided.

What are the implications of an Internet without open access requirements? What is network neutrality? What are the repercussions of an Internet without Net neutrality to the use of cutting-edge broadband technologies such as file sharing, peer-to-peer communications (P2P), voice over Internet protocol (VoIP), Internet radio, podcasting, multimedia applications, video blogging, and Internet TV? Who stands to benefit and who stands to lose?

Some resources for more information:

Possible points: 30 points

Blog Topic #6: What is Experience Design?

noreply@blogger.com (Karl Cleveland) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:42:00 +0000

Many designers have found a rigid focus on usability design stifling to creativity on the Web. The incorporation of experimental navigational systems, animation, sound, high-end graphics, and multimedia elements are often left out of sites who focus on fast-loading pages and making things as easy as possible for the user. However, as broadband connections become increasingly common, so too have many designers become increasingly interested in creating user experiences on the Web; sites where users can do more than simply read a brochure or shop at a store. Companies and designers are discovering that the Web can also be a place for drama, emotion, and a branding experience. Such designers are working in a relatively new design area sometimes called "experience design."

In your own words, define experience design. What considerations would be important for you as a designer if you were designing a site that focuses on "experience." Can you find a site that is a good example of experience design? Why is it a good example and how does it differ from other sites? Like debates between form and function, designing for experience and designing for usability are frequently put at odds. Why is this? Do you think they are mutually exclusive? Or, can they co-exist in design?

One good resource:

Glossary of Experience Design terms from author Nathan Shedroff

Possible points: 25 points

Blog Topic #5: What is Usability?

noreply@blogger.com (Karl Cleveland) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:40:00 +0000

There is a lot of talk in the web design community about user experience and usability design. What is usability? What is meant by usability testing? What considerations are important for you as a designer if you were designing a site that focuses on "usability."

Can you find a site that is a good example of usability design and/or that provides resources or insights into usability?

A few resources for you to check out:

Article on effective web design/usability with 10 principles to keep in mind.
Article on 30 Usability Issues to Be Aware Of
The site from Jacob Nielsen, probability the best known advocate of strict usability design.
Don't Make Me Think - A good book about usability
What resources can you find?

Possible points: 25 points

Blog Topic #4: Customize This

noreply@blogger.com (Karl Cleveland) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:34:00 +0000

Designers sometimes use blogging software and sites such as Blogger and WordPress as content management systems or as ways to allow clients to easily self publish. Often, they need to customize their blogging sites to fit their clients needs and/or branding.

Not so much a topic as a task, what ways can you find to customize the template you've chosen for your class blog? Can you change colors and fonts, add images, gadgets, or other elements? Try to customize your blog and report on what you've done, how you did it, and what else might be possible.

Possible points: 25 points

Blog Topic #3: What is RSS?

noreply@blogger.com (Karl Cleveland) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:34:00 +0000

On Blogger, you have the option of publishing a site feed which will create an XML version of your blog for RSS syndication. What is RSS? How is it useful and/or being used? How can you use the RSS feed to track updates to your fellow student's blogs? What's an aggregator?
Useful resources:

http://www.bloglines.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rss
What other useful resources can you find?

Possible Points: 20 Ponts

Blog Topic #2: Can I get a resource?

noreply@blogger.com (Karl Cleveland) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:33:00 +0000

Design and development for the Internet is a dynamic and constantly changing field. As technologies and practices change, designers need to be able to keep up. The fact is, nobody can know everything. And, there's always someone out there who knows more than you. Given this, the web design community has always been very open to sharing information and inspiration. As a designer, it's important that you learn where to find sites of information, inspiration, and resources.

Your task: find a resource and share the love. Find a site that provides information, tutorials, forums, stock resources (photos, audio clips, movies, etc.), scripts, downloads, articles, advice, design tips, or links to well-designed and inspiring sites. Tell us what the site is about and how it is useful and include a link to the URL.

Don't know what kind of sites are appropriate? Here's a very short list of resources that I like:

Adobe Support Center (lots of tips, tricks, and tech support right from the horse's mouth)
Blue Vertigo (lots and lots of links to great resources for designers)
A List Apart (articles and tutorials on web design)
Flashkit (for Flash tutorials and sound loops)
Actionscript.org (great source of actionscript tutorials and articles)
CGI Resource Index (great source of CGI programs and scripts for the Web)
Lynda.com (video software training)
CSS Zen Garden (Cascading Style Sheet info and inspiration)
Dope Awards (links to inspiring and cutting-edge sites)
Smashing Magazine (online design magazine)
Favorite Website Awards (links to inspiring and cutting-edge sites)
Rhizome.org (new media arts and artists)

Possible points: 15 points | Can be repeated: 1x

Blog Topic #1: Dude, this is the coolest!

noreply@blogger.com (Karl Cleveland) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 19:35:00 +0000

Find a site that you think is cool or cutting edge and well designed. Explain what this site is about and why you find it compelling. What makes the site cool or cutting edge and how does it differ from most sites that are out there? Are there special, unique, or interesting features to the site? Can you determine how the site was made and/or the tools and techniques that were used?

Possible Points: 15 points | Can be repeated 1x

Blogging Policies

noreply@blogger.com (Karl Cleveland) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:57:00 +0000

Students are required to:

Remember that the purpose of the blog is academic and that they have a responsibility to contribute to the collective learning of the group. Posts should relate in some way to course content.
Post using their real name. Knowing that others will read their postings, students should not make comments that they would not make in person to another student's face.
Refrain from posting abusive or profane content.
Refrain from posting links to content or materials that they have not thoroughly reviewed.
Strive for the best writing (including grammar use) and analysis that they are capable of.
Include links to outside sites, sources, and reference materials, particularly resources that may be useful or interesting to other students, whenever possible.

Blogging Goals

noreply@blogger.com (Karl Cleveland) — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:16:00 +0000

Goals for the course blogs include encouraging student exploration and contemplation of issues related to contemporary interactive media arts and the studios and artists making it. Students will explore the Web to find, share, and discuss compelling and cutting-edge examples of interactive media design. Students will further investigate and discuss issues and practices related to interactive media including technology use; design principles and techniques; creative, developmental and business processes; and critical/theoretical analysis.

Given that all of the students in the class will be searching and exploring the Internet for design studios, artists, projects, resources, and other information that relate to interactive media design, a collaborative course blog will allow each student (and the instructor) to be exposed to more (and higher quality) projects and resources than each may have found on their own. Beyond being exposed to a wider variety of content (and points of view) students will contribute to the "collective intelligence" of the course and play a role in shaping course content and their own experience with the course.