atmwebdesigns

Web Accessibility Tool

2006-04-26T22:15:00.000+01:00

My earlier blog regarding this tool, failed to get any comments!!!

You’ll be kicking yourselves when you do look at it. It is a COMPLETE toolbar, the contents of which will blow your mind.

It literally has got everything from disability simulations to links to ‘all’ the accessibility sites, as well as the ability to validate your pages, and much, much more.

The downside is it’s for IE, but don’t let that stop you.

I don’t guarantee much, but in this case, I’ll make an exception. 10/10

So go on try it!!

http://www.visionaustralia.org.au/info.aspx?page=614

Design Methodologies

2006-04-25T18:58:00.000+01:00

Prototyping with style, good points about creating content first, then css file(s) for design page layout; most client's concentrate on visual design first. Good to be able to show clients different visual (css) styles.

Don't forget Neilsen's comments about using paper first, ideal for user testing and eliminating navigation errors before any coding!

Waterfall model too rigid and unforgiving, requires client requirements 'up-front', many 'new' clients don't know what they specifically require. Clients look for guidance from developer. The process requires a more interactive approach with clients throughout the whole development and especially with user testing. Good to bring attention to ongoing maintenance, all important to keep a site up-to-date, quickly, any errors MUST be resolved at once!

Web Accessibility Tool

2006-04-21T12:16:00.000+01:00

Just downloaded this free tool for IE6, available from http://www.visionaustralia.org.au/info.aspx?page=614 Its a comphrehensive tool that allows you to test pages to W3C standards and more!

Screen Readers

2006-04-19T19:26:00.000+01:00

Just been trying a screen reader. A free version and a 30 - day trial one is available from http://www.readplease.com/english/downloads/

Have just used it on my 'home' page. It's amazing, listening to 'your' text being read certainly finds the errors. Must have read over one at least a dozen times before without spotting it.

Its easy to use and you can 'dock' it to the top of the screen - two clicks on a page and it's reading!

Learning Outcome 2 Criteria

2006-04-18T11:39:00.000+01:00

I have a problem in that there are 2 elements for this LO at 'Pass' and 'Distinction' level yet there are 3 elements at 'merit' level!

Surely there should be more elements for 'distinction', or at least the same number at this level as 'merit'!

Learning outcome 1 demonstrates this with 6 elements at 'pass' and 'merit', and 7 at 'distinction'.

This might appear a bit pedantic, but I am an auditor by trade!

Session 08:Making CSS Lists

2006-04-01T08:43:00.000+01:00

Have installed 'Eric Meyer's tabbed navbar' from Listamatic into my personal blog. Have a look at my site, when you are there you'll find the link to my blog on the left menu.

Web Site & Accessibility

2006-03-22T22:34:00.000Z

Updated website and moved it to http://www.atmwebdesigns.co.uk/WebSiteDesign/ucw.html

Several accessibility links available via Learning Outcome 3

Apologies

2006-03-21T18:22:00.000Z

Roland, sorry did not make it in today, will look at the module site and work through the tasks.

Accessibility Links

2006-03-21T18:20:00.000Z

Added some more links to web page, will make a seperate accessibility page,then do a review of the sites and docs listed.

Web Site

2006-03-21T17:38:00.000Z

Have been busy aquiring CSS code, sorry meant to say writing css code and have launched a couple of pages on my main site access from COMP4040 on left navigation bar.

Have put a chapter on accessibility on site (PDF), some good pointers to the subject.

Link to pages

Link updated 25 March 2006 @ 19.45

CSS - update

2006-03-14T22:55:00.000Z

Have been side tracked with other work, but back in the groove looking at existing web site css files. Will produce and publish own soon.

2nd Web Site Critique

2006-02-19T20:38:00.000Z

Fifa World Cup Site

What can I say about this site, it is technically suberb.

It is in 7 different languages. The top menu bar is 'always' visible, links are ever highligted or underlined on focus. Text resizes in IE6 and obviously firefox.

All the links work, navigation for a very large site is easy, there is also a 'help' section which contains no images, recommends IE5 as minimum. The site 'works' because it's size is fixed. There is some scrolling required, but I m sure users would put up with thos as it is only minimal.

As a 'shop' it only requires login at the point of sale, this does work as I have been lucky enough to buy tickets online.

5 out of 5

PS There must be some elements/ideas worth nicking!!

Wiki

2006-02-19T16:07:00.000Z

Will our wiki work? It looks a good idea and may make calloboration on projects easier, but i'm not sure whether it will be used and don't want to spend too much time on familiarisation when the object of the module is web design. I published this on 5/02/06 on Bloglines (by mistake?)

Own Blog

2006-02-09T19:19:00.000Z

Visit my Small Music Shop. On this site you will see a link to my blog. Have a look you can sign in as a guest, details are on the login page.

Web Site/Page Critique

2006-02-07T19:26:00.000Z

Site is http://www.curiousmindsmedia.com/articles/essentials.htm, in particular the "The 3 Essentials of Good Web Design" page.

The topic/purpose of site page is clear and the page loaded quickly.

The background image does not interfere with the text, the overall appearance of the page is pleasing on the eye; text colour to bacground colour is OK. The text however is Times New Roman, which makes reading less easy. The page is split into three parts, however the text within each is not 'punchy' could be bullet points?

Some links do not work - bad

Images are used as lines in menu bar do not show, and there is no 'alt' text - not really required.

Rating: 2 - Poor - considering its a site about good web design.

Make your own blog

2006-02-05T20:00:00.000Z

Purchased Foundation ASP for Dreamweaver 8 (primarily for e-commerce module last Semester, but its only just been published).

In it is a Chapter on creating a blog, using either an Access or SQL server database. Might have a go at creating one if I have time.

I'll bring it to UW if anyone's interested.

2006-02-05T12:03:00.000Z

05/02/06 - Have uploaded a Word document of the wiki formatting codes to our wiki. If you're like me i like a paper copy to work from!