Wanna Be Net Smart?

Posts: 1123 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: May 26, 2005 Posts: 1123

Hey all, I just launched a new site, come take a look. It's purpose is to help new web users learn what they can do with the Internet. Thanks for looking!

www.benetsmart.com

Posts: 1123 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: May 26, 2005 Posts: 1123

Just added new articles today. Check em out.

Posts: 1123 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: May 26, 2005 Posts: 1123

Cmon folks! Need some feedback. Thanks!

Posts: 426 · Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 3:57 pm Post subject:

Ok, from the few places I have looked at, its great.

Informative, and easy to understand information.

Now let the comments begin....

Posts: 409 · Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 7:23 am Post subject:

User friendly site indeed Dave, a 13 year old would be able to breeze through the info.

Posts: 1424 · Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 8:09 am Post subject:

OK, you asked for it... Smile

The title image is a slightly different color from the page background. If this is intentional then it should have some type of border (or shadow?), if it is unintentional then there are three solutions. Either fix the image background, fix the page background or make the image background transparent.

Note that this same comment applies to the google search box (which appears to have the same background as the title image. Also, the google table has a web safe color (#CCCCCC) while the page background color is not web safe.

There is an enormous amount of content on the site presented in a very disorganized manner. Things that are links don't appear to be links at first glance. Text is center justified in columns making it difficult to read.

One recommendation is to put a site search box on each page so that the user can search for local content.

Additionally, ensure that if something is a link it appears to be a link. This means it is underlined. If you don't like all of that underlined text then add an icon that people expect to take them to the article next to each title (a file icon or an arrow for example).

Next, I would invest in some collapsible divs and organize your content by topic area, as it is done on the 'Article List' page. Only you can decide if you want to make javascript support optional. Since your user base is new users, they have probably not disabled javascript.

I would put credits and dates with the article titles and optionally provide short summaries (divs and javascript again). It would provide a more professional feel to the site thereby enhancing credibility.

The footer of each page should have a link to email the webmaster, a link to an about us page and a link to your copyright statement. I would replace your copyright statement, if possible, with a creative commons license of some type.

You should have a link for people to submit content, or to request content (again, in the footer of each page).

To increase ad revenue and improve readability, break articles into multiple pages. Ensure that the user can read the article without scrolling on the typical monitor. However, remember to add a printer friendly link for each article as well. If you aren't as concerned about ad revenue, you can accomplish the same effect with hidden divs and javascript and limit the number of page hits.

Finally I would add a section on your front page to highlight new content. This will encourage visitors to return to the site again to see what has been added (caveat: you have to continually add content to the site).

OK, that ought to keep you out of trouble for a few days.

Posts: 1424 · Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 8:13 am Post subject:

Oh, I thought of something else. You should consider allowing comments on articles, this would allow people to ask for clarification or enhance the content that was already there.

This leads me to my final thought... Have you considered repackaging the entire site with blog software?

Posts: 1123 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: May 26, 2005 Posts: 1123

Wow, now that's feedback! Very Happy

I appreciate it. I have considered the blog idea, but I'm not sure what software would be appropriate (easy of use vs cost). Any suggestions?

I'll get to work tonight on that stuff. I'm really not happy with the professionalism of the site, but I have a purpose and a means to accomplish it, so I'm willing to do whatever I have to. I really appreciate you taking the time to take a look for me.

Dave

Posts: 1123 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: May 26, 2005 Posts: 1123

What about "Blogger"?

Posts: 1424 · Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 11:17 am Post subject:

WordPress has been recommended more than once, but I haven't used blogging software yet.