Who am I?

Hello my fellow techno-friends. I am a newly-senior at the one and only WWU. Represent! I'm taking a communication course called Emerging Communication Technologies and we are working to gain skills and experience working with, well, emerging communication technologies. I'm assuming since you're reading this blog - online - you are some what familiar with some of those communication outlets. If you aren't, I suggest you Google them. If you don't know what Google is then I guess you're shit out of luck. Anyway, all quarter I will be working towards creating my very own website from start to finish. I thought I would research a few rules on the do's and do not's of website design so my website can be, eh, functional. Luckily there are many webpages already created on how to be the most effective.

• Rule #1 - Do NOT overdo it. Nobody likes a when it looks like a unicorn just blew up on their screen. Keep things simple, yet visually pleasing. That does not mean no graphics or pictures or color, just don't be the site that when users click on the link they are instantly blinded.
• Rule #2 - Do not name your site something ridiculous. Make sure it is memerable enough for users to want to return (and can!)
• Rule #3 - Use a minimal number of font faces. Again, refer to rule #1.
• Rule #4 - Be a social website! Humans are social creatures and like to be able to chat with each other about anything, even if it has nothing to do with your site (hey, at least you're getting traffic).
• Rule #5 - Do not use the horizontal scroll bar. Seriously, who invented that one? It's bad enough I have to scroll down, but when I have to take the extra energy to scroll sideways I've completely lost it.
• Rule #6 - Entertain your users, but do not go overboard with Flash. Users want something to do while they are on your website. It makes their experience more enjoyable. Hence the social aspect.
• Rule #7 - Have an obvious goal. People are visiting your site for a reason, so don't disappoint them.
• Rule #8 - Make your pages navigate-able with little confusion. I personally won't go to sites if I know I won't be able to find the answer within three clicks of my mouse.
• Rule #9 - Do not hide content. Although ads can be excessive and overbearing, they are necessary. Not only do they keep your site running, but they actually attract more users (well, okay, maybe not to your site, but did I mention they make you money?)
• Rule #10 - Make your fonts readable. Do not, and I repeat, do not make your font and background the same color. I know it might seem tempting, but just don't. Nobody can read it and nobody will enjoy your website. Again, refer to rule #1.
• Rule #11 - Create a website you are knowledgeable and passionate about! It will rock if you put enough effort and love into it.

(credit to http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/jun2008/id20080623_750025.htm and http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2009/06/10-web-design-rules-that-you-can-break/ and myself)

Oh, and my name is Whitney.