Analyzed Websites

I chose to analyze some social networking sites to see how they compare to the W3C requirements for validity and how they follow rules for accessibility and consistency in design and layout. User accounts are required to view most of what I found for analytical data, so it can be difficult to understand what is meant in this commentary.

http://www.facebook.com

Facebook is one of the most popular social networking sites on the Internet. It has a very accessible design and layout, and is quite aesthetically pleasing. Although it is customizeable by each user, the layout of the site and theme are consistent. The site uses external CSS sheets to organize the content. Navigation is consistent and solid throughout the site. Facebook has proven to be easy to use. Many people have found its ease of access appealing, and even the least of computer-savvy people have been able to use it effectively. Its popularity can be seen in its ease of use. Many social networking sites existed before Facebook.com, but it seems those have found a back burner since the launch of this particular site.

I like the consistent nature of the site's layout. It follows the same design for every page. It can be customized to every user, but the design and layout is consistent and flowing. The applications and input on the page used to be cumbersome if an individual had many postings on his/her page, but that has since been consolidated to only show the latest posts, resulting in less scrolling and better accessibility. From design, functionality, and accessible standpoints, this site has little I dislike. Even the advertising is consistent to the design and conveniently on the side of the page where it doesn't impose on the users and page layout. As previously stated, the site is very accessible.

Facebook.com does not validate with W3C Markup Validator.

http://www.myspace.com

MySpace is among the popular social networking sites and offers a different approach to design and layout. The site uses embedded CSS styling which provides the users with the ability to change their sites' layout and design using HTML/CSS code inputted into the content forms available to the users. Navigation of MySpace is semi-consistent, but can be changed by each individual user, so it has the tendency to not follow conformity. The original idea for the site was for sharing personal music and for bands who wanted to get their work out into the public. It has since become a popular site for social networking and the inconsistency of the pages has much to do with each individual's ability to upload themes and layouts available on the Web, or their ability to change the code themselves. It's not as easy to change the layout as I have seen on other sites, but it does provide a layout that can be predictable for beginning users, which in turn helps the usability rating of the site increase. The design of the tab-browsing in the site is nice, but I don't like the site much for design, layout, or ease of use. It seems to have a lot of excessive content and navigation that could be simplified. Advertising on the site is EXTREMELY imposing and pushes the main content down the page, which doesn't help accessibility or ease of use.

MySpace.com does not validate with W3C Markup Validator.

http://www.imvu.com

IMVU is a social networking site with a virtual world and an avatar for each user. It provides a profile page for each person. The site uses tables and CSS for content and design. It provides for user design on each avatar profile page, which is inconsistent as each user can change the layout and design of the page, but the dashboard for each user is consistent. The navigation structure is simple and not excessive. It provides a tab-based navigation, consistent layout for the user with topical links and sub-topical links. The site is easy to use and much easier to edit than other editable sites, like MySpace. It provides the users with on-page, dropdown menus for changing layout and then advanced options for more advanced users. I like the consistency of the dashboard and its layout and design. I like the ability to be able to edit HTML/CSS advanced properties on the page. I dislike the advertising of the site, but with a little CSS know-how, that can be set as 'display: none;'. The site is semi-accessible on the dashboard side, but the use of tables has limited that rating.

IMVU.com does not validate with W3C Markup Validator.

Web Development Perceptions

The development of the World Wide Web has changed life for many individuals. Before it was 'Worldwide' it benefited many departments within the armed forces, but since becoming, in a sense, a 'public service', the change has been incredible.

Software, media and personal information are exchanged across the web without monetary expense attached. The development of the GPL form of licensing promoted the expansion of software beyond the idea that those who first developed the software would be the sole authors. The rapid exchange of information has changed the speed at which information is retrieved, and as a result, people have no need for cumbersome paper file systems, libraries or - to go out on a limb - memory. Personally, I have never used the campus library for anything other than a place to do homework. Reference materials are available on my notebook computer in forms of encyclopedias, forums or even web journals. The integrity of the content can at times be questionable, but the same can even be said of published works. Those who write history make history.

Web development is prominent in the workplace where programs are delivered via the Web and data is never even stored on a client's computer. This is the way of the future. We have begun with computers that filled rooms. That has since become cell phones with nearly the same capabilities of a desktop machine when viewing of web content is concerned. Access through the web to computers in very remote locations is made easy through the programs developed over time. Browser-based LogMeIn has changed the need for travel costs while I work in my pajamas over breakfast or while watching a film. The Web has changed the world!

Now on the side of development with the dynamic nature of scripting languages such as JavaScript, ASP, PHP and others, we no longer have a need for extensive HTML knowledge to change page content. Content and coding for page-layouts can be hidden from end users. Internet media, such as pictures and videos, has been more easliy secured from 'right-click, copy' theft using Adobe Flash as a display tool. Personal data is better encrypted now with HTTPS standards. Accounts are required for access to site content and content can be adjusted to meet each particular member's jursidiction based on credentials and access permissions.

With the Web moving as quickly as it has in the direction it is going, we have a greater need for developers who can develop sites that can be administratively managed by those who have proper permissions but lack the knowledge that was required in the dry-HTML-based world of the Web. That is the test. That is our quest.