Computer Application Technology

Internet technologies: Internet and

Naziya Patel

Grade 11

Term 2
 Usability of web pages and websites
• The World Wide Web (WWW) is a system of
interlinked websites that are accessed via the
Internet.
• It is important to understand that the WWW is not
the same as the Internet.
• The WWW runs on the Internet. E mail applications
run on the Internet, as do other applications.
• The Internet is the platform that makes the WWW
possible.
• The WWW is frequently referred to as the web. The
web is a collection of electronic documents in the
form of text, graphics, videos, audio or multimedia,
which are globally accessible.
• Finding your way around the web is not difficult, but
it can be frustrating. The reason is that not all
websites are easy to understand and use. In other
words, they are not user friendly or usable
websites.
• For a website to be effective, it must be easy to find
information on it.
• A website should be designed to be:
➢ efficient and deliver the content quickly
➢ enjoyable and provide a satisfying
experience for users
➢ error free with links that work
Explore and evaluate web pages and
websites
• A website can be evaluated on different
criteria, including ease of use, layout and
readability.
• Below are some of the aspects that make a
website effective, attractive and easy to use.
1.1.1. Readability
• Readability of web pages refers to the ease,
pleasure and interest with which they can be
read.

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 • For a web page to be readable, it should have
short sentences and not be too busy or
cluttered.
• They should not contain flashing
advertisements, graphic objects that blink or
move around, or pop up boxes that cover the
text.
• All of these can annoy a user and prevent
them from revisiting the website.
• The size of the font, the colour contrast of the
page and line spacing are all important to the
readability of the website.

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 1.1.2. Website navigation
• Website navigation features should be easy
to use in order to access information
efficiently.
• Website navigation refers to the methods
used to move around within a website.
• Navigation is performed via navigation
buttons and tabs or using hyperlinks. The
navigation buttons are also called navigation
elements. They are usually grouped in a row
at the top of the web page, or in a column
down the left side. They should always be
visible no matter what page of the website is
current.
• The navigation buttons are used to help users
find and get to the content they want.
• They should be clear and easy to understand.
If you hover over a navigation button, a drop-
down menu might appear.
• If the website is complex, with tens of sections
and hundreds of pages, the website designer
should include a site map. A site map is a
graphic representation of the website layout.
It could be a flow diagram, a mind map or
organisational chart. The site map should be
easy to find and access.
1.1.3. Consistency
• Consistency means that the user interface has
the same look and feel for every page you visit
on a particular website. There should be
consistency in all the design elements of the
website.
• Design elements are the font choices for
headings, the colours, button styles,
illustration styles and image choices. If the
website uses different fonts, colours and
button styles for every page, the user might

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 think they have linked to a different website
and wonder how they arrived there.
1.1.4. Layout
• The website should be well organised and
have links that work. The way the website is
organised is the site layout.
• Layout is the placement of text and graphics
on the web page.
• Text and graphics should be aligned to make
the page attractive.
• The page elements should be grouped in a
logical and visually appealing way. Page
elements are the items that make up a web
page, such as tables, images, headings and
links.
• The size of graphic images, where they are
placed and how many you use on a page are
part of layout design.
• Viewers will leave the website if the layout
does not appeal to them.
1.1.5. Typography
• Typography is the art of printing and refers to
the style and appearance of printed matter.
• Text formatting, how fonts or typefaces and
the amount of white space are used, are
typographic considerations.
• Good typography will make the web page
pleasing to look at and easy to read.
• Font size and colour should be clear against
the background colour or graphics. The
typography of a page will affect the appeal
and readability of a website.
Privacy issues and social implications of the
WWW
• The WWW is such a big part of modern life
that it reaches into many homes, schools and
businesses.

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 • The WWW makes access to information and
entertainment quick and easy.
• However, the WWW has another side to it. As
you browse and look for content, information
is gathered about your preferences and
habits. Names, contact details, shopping
habits, ages, sites visited, are all recorded
and used to target users with advertising
material.
1.2.1. Role of databases and respect of privacy
• Large gaming websites, the big online stores,
financial institutions all have information
about you.
• If the database of any of these organisations
is successfully hacked, that information,
including usernames and passwords, falls into
the wrong hands.
• Organisations who keep user details on file
are under an obligation to secure that
information against hackers.
• More than that, they may not sell or share that
information with any other party.
1.2.2. Internet ethics and respect of privacy
• The ease of access to information makes it
easy for Internet users to find and use the
ideas, writings and products of other people.
The Internet is, for some people, a source of
free stuff.
• It is easy to download music, movies, TV
series or software, but it is not always legal or
ethical. Not every site offering free
downloads is authorised to do so.
• Do not make unauthorised copies of music or
DVDs it is unethical and may be illegal.
• Many sites that offer free items are full of
advertisements and make their money from
advertising. These sites do not care about
ethics, as long as they are making money.

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 • Be aware that the copyright owner of any
website content you that you download has
the right to demand payment from you.
1.2.3.Adware
• Adware is the name used to describe
software that has advertisements embedded
in the application.
• Adware is not illegal. It is given to users free
and is a form of barter, or exchange.
• For example, you get a free computer game
and the software developer is paid by
advertisers to put adverts in the software.
• The advert displays either as the free
software is installed, or display when the
software runs.
• That might be a fair exchange for someone
who does not have money to buy software,
but sometimes the adware will contain
embedded spyware.
1.2.4. Spyware
• Spyware is software that gathers information
about you and your Internet use habits,
without your knowledge, and sends it to a
marketer.
• The marketer sells this information to
advertisers and next time you visit your
favourite website, they have an advert
targeted to attract you.
• Spyware may also gather information about
e mail addresses, usernames, passwords and
account numbers.
• Apart from being an invasion of your privacy,
this sort of advertising is unethical.
• In addition, spyware steals from you by using
your equipment and Internet connection to
send your information to a buyer.