A Master of His Art

I watched this video once…twice…and on the third time, I was so amazed by this man’s talent I considered finding his number to see if he wanted to go on a date. Nothing more attractive than finger puppetry – his mama must be proud…

Usability Project

In one of the Master’s courses I’m taking this semester, Writing For Electronic Communities, the class was split into groups and instructed to conduct a usability test on Rowan University’s web pages. Usability, discussed extensively by Nielson and Loranger, concentrates on the success of online web sites through how well they are designed, readability, content and several other pertinent factors that can contribute or detract to a users ability to navigate the site.

I must say the research for the usability project is making me aware of things I’d never noticed before. For instance, I hadn’t realized the design of a website could be so important. Whenever I go onto a website I usually just say “like it-don’t like it” and never think to consider what it is about the site that is influencing my decision. The problem with Rowan University’s web-pages is that there are not many sections I like, or find particularly easy to navigate. Design is just one reason for my less than enthused feelings for the Rowan website, as everything seems disorganized and out of place, along with awkward color schemes and crowded information – and that is just the Homepage!I have to admit, after reading Nielson and Loranger, I find myself looking at websites with a more critical eye, and although I still go with my initial reaction of “I like it/don’t like it” I’ve been stopping and considering what it is, exactly, that makes me feel that way about the sites I visit. The more I analyze, the more valid reasons I now have to support my dislike for Rowan’s virtual offerings…