Usability

SENS Guidelines

It is recommended that SEAS web sites:

be readable in all major browsers for Windows, Macintosh, and UNIX, including text-only browsers and those that are enhanced for use by disabled visitors.*
have consistent navigation, following the search rules established by SENS.
support international visitors by using clear, concise English and common terms rather than slang or jargon (except where appropriate), and by monitoring the use of graphic icons to avoid misunderstanding or offense.

Questions you might have

Doesn't everyone use Internet Explorer? Isn't it the standard?

While Internet Explorer is used by many people, it is not a standard (there isn't a "standard" web browser). There are lots of reasons that people might want to use a different browser. Their computer might be old and slow and work better with an older browser. They might use a non-Microsoft operating system (such as Macintosh or Linux) and prefer to use a browser that works better with it. They might just like all the cool Firefox extensions. It doesn't really matter; the fact is that not everybody uses Internet Explorer, and while there isn't a standard browser, if you use web standards to develop your site there's a better chance that it will work in most browsers.

What is consistent navigation?

Consistent navigation just means that you need to use the same terms throughout your site to refer to the same pages. Persistent navigation, on the other hand, means that you provide the same menu on every page so that users never get lost. This is also a very good idea.

My field uses a lot of jargon. If I avoid using it, my colleagues and students won't know what I'm talking about.

Go ahead and use jargon that's specific to your field. Just avoid using too much slang or any idiomatic phrases that will be dated by next semester. Again, we're not going to tell you that you can't try to find some common ground with your students or write in a natural manner on your course web sites. However, if your web site represents SEAS in some way, we hope that you will consider the global audience when writing your content.

Where can I find out more about usability?

Here are a couple of good sites:

Usability.gov, from the National Cancer Institute
A comprehensive site for issues of usability and accessibility.
Useit.com
Many years of usability articles from usability guru Jakob Nielsen.

State University of New York - University at Buffalo

SENS Web Style Guide