USE TECHNOLOGY TO BOOST PERFORMANCE
BUT NOT AT EXPENSE OF THE VISITOR
Technology is great. It can be used to make a visitor welcome, help her navigate your site, enhance her learning experience, protect her privacy, and much more.
But why must a visitor buy more advanced hardware or software merely to enjoy your site? Why force her to wait while your fancy graphics, animation and other "goodies" load?
STAY ABREAST OF THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY
BUT ASSUME THE VISITOR IS 3 YEARS BEHIND
Obtain productivity software that does not burden your visitor. A few examples:
- Autoresponder - send information to the visitor
immediately upon request at the site
- Shopping Cart Software - simplifies the shopping
process for the visitor
- Statistics Analyzer - analyzes site traffic to help you
improve the site
- Email Package - automate list management and
correspondence to improve communication.
But assume your visitor has only:
- an IBM-compatible 386, 486; or equivalent MAC
- a 14.4 kbs modem
- a non-frames browser
Here are a few suggestions, which follow naturally from these assumptions:
- Use standard HTML, not extensions, which many
browsers can't handle. Avoid commands that only
Netscape, or only Internet Explorer, understand
- Avoid frames. If you must use them, supply an
additional frames-free version
- Use graphics sparingly and minimize them to speed
loading.
- Avoid animation and advanced "bells and whistles"; they
may cause the visitor's computer to crash.
Check out Web Developers Virtual Library and other sites listed in the Niche Resource Directory under Internet and Web for more ideas.
For a superior Learning Fountain:
USE THE BEST TECHNOLOGY YOU CAN FIND
