Meryl's Notes Blog

How I’ve missed thee, let me count the ways, dear digital-web. No October issue went up, but the November issue is literally full of “content,” which is the topic of the month. Now, before we get into the details of the cool issue, are you upset there was no October issue? I certainly hope not. Nick Finck and Co. are providing a free service that is as good (if not better) quality as the fee-based magazines. Sure, it was disappointing and I missed the October issue, but there is plenty to keep me busy on the Web until the next issue is available - for starters, check the d-w blog with links to quality articles and news relating to Web design.

Funny, I was seriously considering coming up with my own online zine. It certainly wouldn’t be as big or as well designed as d-w, but at least I could contribute articles with my own requirements. Despite having the site map figured out and the logo look, I decided against it. Why? (1) We are blessed with many high quality online content covering the topics I considered, (2) Fear of not being able to keep it up, and (3) Fear of not being able to offer content of interest to you. I am still brainstorming ideas on what content I can offer that would be of interest and value to you, my dear reader (kiss up, suck up, brownnose). Drop me an e-line (meryl at onramp dot net) if you want to suggest something. Every suggestion seriously considered! If ya want updates on this project, come on — put your email address in the form on the left of this blog. Please please please !

Enough whining. On with the show! One of the things I look forward to in each new d-w zine is the cover art. It’s like opening a gift and getting a surprise. Drew Europeo’s cover reminds me of a Greek heroine (I am sure this is so far off-base, hey it’s just my thought) sitting on a pile of books with lots of content coming at her. I feel like her almost everyday with information overload, but on the other hand… I know most Web designers get frustrated with content because they never can get it from the client or on time.

Christopher Schmitt authors the feature article, Content as Navigation Tool. He points out what so many of us forget… that users don’t like to do more than two clicks to get where they’re going. He quotes Section 508, "Subpart B - Technical Standards - 1194.22 (o) A method shall be provided that permits users to skip repetitive navigation links." That’s good information, people. Teach me a lesson… do you have trouble finding anything in meryl.net? Too many clicks to get anywhere? PLEASEEEEEE email me so I can fix it! Again, that’s m e r y l at o n r a m p dot n e t .

Check out the tutorial by Miraz Jordan. She trains new users who are frustrated with some of the things we have taken for granted. Think that SUBMIT button is OK? Are you sure? Really, really sure???? Some users aren’t sure that’s what they should press when finishing a form. All right, so if you’re developing a Web site targeted to Gen X (dumb name) or Gen Y (just as dumb, too), then it may not be relevant. These users are as young as 40, so take heed!

If I talk about the rest of them, we’ll be here all night. Go on and head over to d-w… but not before you finish reading my drivel!

I went to the dentist today for a check up. Everything is fine. Not the best week for it, but when is it ever the best time? My department is moving to another building about a mile north of here, so I’m having to scramble to pack up all the stuff here and cough my way through a whirlwind of dust. Not feeling too uppity lately, I decided to make a stop on my way back to the office from the dentist. A very dangerous stop, indeed, to Half Price Books. What do I end up doing? Buying a armload of books! What can I say? My willpower was weakened from a previous stop to Best Buy to look for a travel battery recharger for the Palm Vx. I looked for it and confirmed that they didn’t have it — so I quickly exited without looking at anything else (thankfully the PDA stuff was near the front doors). I got a book on PHP (probably not the best one, but they had so few), one on software engineering / processes, couple of humor books, and a couple of books about names. Geez, like I have time to read all these books in addition to the few I got last week (one is Jason Kottke’s fault!).