HCI 432: User-Centered Interactive Web Development

Winter 2001

Individual Assignment 2

Advanced HTML Pages: Product Support Site

Due Tuesday January 23

Overview

You will prepare a simple Web site that provides some user support to a product of your choosing.

Assignment goals

• Learn and demonstrate knowledge of advanced HTML commands including tables, navigation aids and forms.
• Practice preparing content with an end-user in mind.

Requirements

Most products could benefit from a Web site that presents some trouble-shooting, tips or additional instructions. For this assignment, you should choose a product (e.g. software, Web site, computer hardware, kitchen appliance, stereo, etc.) for which you can assemble a few Web pages to help people better use the product.

The content of your support is up to you, but it should include several different categories of help. Here are some possibilities:

• Step-by-step instructions for common tasks.
• A list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
• A list of the product's features, possibly compared to other products.
• Novel uses for the product.
• Product registration.
• Request for additional help.

Again the primary goal of the assignment is to practice HTML skills. Use a text editor instead of a WYSIWYG editor. Also, your support site should include the following features:

• The use of a table to layout a page.
• The use of a table to list items (e.g. phone numbers, product features).
• A navigation bar on every page (the use of frames is optional).
• A set of input components placed within a form (e.g. to register the product, or request for additional help).

Submission

Ideally you will post your Website on a Web server and email me its URL. If one is not available, simply submitting the files is also okay.

Grading

Full credit will be awarded to sites that fulfill all of the requirements, have an orderly display, are well-worded, and use a consistent HTML coding style. The quality of the site's organization (i.e. the information architecture) will not be graded, but students should be prepared to defend their decisions in class.