CONTENTS

EDITORIAL

IN BRIEF

REVIEWS

TUTORIAL

VIEWS & POSITIONS

EVENTS DIARY

LETTERS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Issue 2, September 1997

ISSN 1368-1591

Advanced HTML authoring and effective World-Wide Web page design

A tutorial by Dr Theodoros Arvantis RT, Dphil of the University of Sussex School of Cognitive and Computing Sciences

About the tutorial

The aim of this tutorial is to identify appropriate design issues and suggest effective strategies for Web page construction. In the previous issue of SIM Quarterly, we were introduced to the basic constructs of HTML (see Issue 1). In this tutorial, we are introduced to more advanced elements of HTML (version 3.2), aiming to complete the knowledge imparted previously . Through the use of practical examples, we will extend our knowledge of Web page design and Web usability issues, with exposure to specific design 'guidelines' for WWW pages.

This tutorial is not intended as the 'ultimate' solution to WWW design. There is on-going research, especially in the field of human-computer interaction (HCI), that aims to improve Web site design and 'bring consistency, comprehensibility, and user control' (Shneiderman, 1997) over WWW hypermedia information.

The Internet, one of contemporary 'wonders' of science and technology, is the manifestation of a global interconnection of information and people. Connected computers bring together knowledge that informs, educates, and entertains - while they facilitate human communication 'without frontiers'. Thus, the Internet is undoubtedly an important element in our modern society and civilization.

Sharing of knowledge and access to information have been facilitated through the World-Wide Web (WWW), the Internet's most successful technology. The basic idea of WWW is to make computer files, from various parts of the world, accessible through the Internet and link them electronically by way of hypertext 'tags' expressed in the form of the HyperText Markup Language (HTML). These linked computer files can be accessed and examined by people with the use of 'browsers'.

However, an abundance of information and the flood of Web pages has identified the need for appropriate use of the technology. Users are faced with the burden of information overload and are constantly challenged by problems in navigating and searching for hypermedia information. The correct use of the HyperText Markup Language and careful Web site/page design has become a key issue in today's WWW.

The structure of this tutorial is based on a sequential pattern. The reader is advised to follow each of the nodes of this tutorial in a sequential order. For this reason, special attention has been given to appropriate navigation and indexing of the material. However, each node of this tutorial is self-contained. This allows more experienced readers to study specific sub-topics of HTML & WWW page design.

The tutorial is available from:

<URL:http://www.cogs.susx.ac.uk/users/theoa/simq/tutorial_issue2/index.html>

Theodoros N. Arvantis RT, Dphil
University of Sussex, School of Cognitive and Computing Sciences
Brighton, UK

Society for the Internet in Medicine

Comments to: simq@cybertas.demon.co.uk

Copyright © 1997 Society for the Internet in Medicine. All rights reserved.
Date: September 21, 1997
Document URL: http://www.cybertas.demon.co.uk/simq/issue2/tutorial.html