There are several ways to consider web site structure—the tagging you have been doing for other types of information objects (newspapers, books, TV) is made explicit in HTML tags. Perhaps these explicit structures will become transparent as WWW matures (working in your word processor as saving as HTML is a first step toward this). For this assignment, consider the organizational structure of the web site at coarser level—what are the entry/exit points for each "page?" How many links are provided? How many forms are provided? How many information objects are provided? Do different links serve different purposes (i.e., can we determine a link typology?) To investigate these questions complete this form for a set of web sites.

1. Site name and URL
2. Main page layout
1. If frames are used, how many?
2. Does the site place "cookies" on your machine?
3. Number of information "sectors" (visually discernable sections)
4. Number of information "objects" (distinct elements on page)
5. Your impression of eye travel: e.g., start top left, move down and to the right; start middle, move up to the left; upper left, move down vertically; start lower left, move diagonally up and right
6. Number of forms (places to type text)
7. Number of links
8. Which links do you think are most used?
9. Are there any active objects or links? (not simple static objects)
10. Other observations

Examine the following sites and complete the form for each one. Give a BRIEF answer (1-2 sentences) to the questions at the end of each set of web sites.

A. Library of Congress

Library of Congress www.loc.gov

Library of Congress American Memory http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/

How does the child site (American Memory) differ from the main site?

B. Federal government information

Fedstats www.fedstats.gov

Bureau of Labor Statistics www.bls.gov

How does the specific statistical agency site differ from the aggregate agency site?

C. University

UNC www.unc.edu

SILS www.ils.unc.edu

How does the "corporate" site differ from the unit site?

D. Corporation

General Motors www.gm.com

Microsoft www.microsoft.com

Discovery www.discovery.com

Disney www.disney.com

How are these corporate sites alike? Different?

E. Search services (portals)

Altavista www.altavista.com

Yahoo www.yahoo.com

Excite www.excite.com

How are these search engines alike? Different?

F. "Design" sites

Visit the following sites in rapid succession. After visiting each site, pick three and complete the structure form for them.

How are the three sites you selected alike? Different?

Information Design sites:

http://www.dove-tail.com/

http://www.inter-effects.ch/

http://www.tirellidesign.com/

http://flow.dreamhost.com/

http://www.world.com/~redhair

http://pacinfosb.com/

http://www.frankwords.com/

http://members.aol.com/mefactory/

http://www.indl.com/english.html

http://www.somepig.com/about.html

http://www.axysdesigns.com/info.html

Be prepared to discuss in class how the mission (purpose of the site), target audience, and popular culture influence web site structure and design.