Steelso vs Real Life

It Sure Didn’t Matter Yesterday

Well we got our nice mention in the Drum, you can have a wee look at what the said about the GFO website and let us know if you agree or disagree.

I also was quoted in the Do’s and Don’t section. What pearls of wisdom fell from my keyboard? Well, what was printed was….

Do Have Fun. Online is probably the best place to have fun with your brand. That’s not about breaking brand conventions, just stretching them a little to engage a little.

and this little gem….

Don’t make people think. Thinking doesn’t really go down well on the Internet. If you give your users an option to do something then make sure it’s clear, concise and explain the benefits.

As in some kind of director’s cut DVD extra type thing I will also show you what was dropped from the final edit…

Don’t reinvent the wheel. If you’re taking a process online then make sure that you’ve mapped a similar off-line process to ensure that the experience is the same. This will help users orientate themselves to the process. Worst offenders? Restaurant booking websites that ask for your personal information first before giving you an option to find out if your table is free. Not one restaurant asks for that in the real world, why do it on-line? Monkeys.

Ricky’s deffo tip was dropped too. It’s still better than what I wrote…

Immediate impact means a lot, but the subtle difference of web design to traditional printed media is trying to try to think about how you get the user to the content quickly and effortlessly. It’s all about their time online and how to get them to where they want to be as quickly as possible. I suppose it’s similar to a magazine front cover and a contents page rolled into one- it has to appeal- but it has to concisely inform too. A website which is time-consuming to navigate is like a magazine with the pages glued together- frustrating.

Remember, nobody’s got any patience when they’re online- they’re full of Web-Rage.

I know I am.

Thanks to the Drum judges for their kind words.

I like posting at lunch, it feels so self indulgent.

Had a good look at Studio 8 and so far I’m kind of under whelmed, esp Dreamweaver. Admitally I’m not the guy who uses it all day, everyday but I am looking forward to getting stuck into a project to see if it does make life easier. Jamie will be diving into Flash Pro soon and I’m sure he’ll be posting away about it. I’m excited about the mobile authoring environment for Flash so it’s going to get sweet, quickly.

A good week here, the Visible Fictions sat-site is looking good and we’re just awaiting content, the Mono website proceeds apace and I have nice chat with Langs tomorrow to go over content and video scripts.

Off to a cheeky wee networking thing to night in Glasgow’s stylish Marriot Hotel. The guy who started Yo! Sushi is doing a wee talk about stuff. I’m really selling this isn’t I! It’ll be good and Tracey is going too, minus her wee clockwork motor. I am looking forward to it and it doesn’t run on for long. I hope.

Next week, apart from all the usual stuff we’re getting re-doing out homepage and also thinking about adding additional content. If you have any thoughts, hints, tips or suggestions then let us know.

1 Comment to It Sure Didn’t Matter Yesterday

1. 

   Congratulations on your mention in the magazine…glad it isn’t just us wee loons who enjoy your lovely pearls of wisdom! It’s always a treat to see them…
   Cheers,

   Elra :-*
Elrawien on September 16th, 2005

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