| |
Index of Pages
Non-HTML elements
- When using non-HTML elements that do not require a separate program/plug-in, such as Javascript, remember that they are not compatible with all browsers. Provide alternatives, if possible (this is not necessary if they are simply decorative). Always test on other browsers (see "Accessibility and browser compatibility"), including text-based browsers.
- When using non-HTML elements that require a separate program/plug-in (Shockwave, Acrobat, Real Audio, etc.), follow these guidelines:
- Use only to provide important content, i.e. using real audio to hear excerpts from a memorable speech, rather than just for "fun" stuff.
- Use programs that provide a free reader/player. Never require users to buy additional software.
- Provide a link to download the reader/player.
Graphics
- Use <alt>, <height>, and <width> tags on all graphics.
- Keep graphic size as small as possible (see "Size restrictions").
Software compatibility
Systems provides and supports FrontPage 98 but developers can use other software if they accept responsibility for their own training and support. Users of other software must validate their pages to ensure compatibility.
Accessibility and browser compatibility
- Design for all browsers. Do not use a "Best Viewed With X" icon. We suggest you always avoid the use of "browser tricks" (items such as blinking text, marquee, etc. that only work in one browser). Test your design on other browsers, including text-based browsers (for information on other browsers, see www.AnyBrowser.com or Webdesign.about.com/campatibility/
- Pages that use frames must have a no-frames version which contains the same information as the framed version.
- Use a <doctype> statement declaring which version of HTML you are using and validate all pages (for information on doctype and validation, see http://WDVL.Internet.com/Authoring/HTML/Validation/).
- Design for all screen resolutions and test your design at different resolutions (including 740 X 480 and 1280 X 1024).
- When using tables, set width by percentage unless a column of a certain pixel width is needed (such as a column that includes graphic buttons, no wrap text,etc.). Ensure that table percentages do not add up to more than 100%.
- Make all pages as accessible as possible to those who use text-only browsers or have special needs (such as color blindness or poor vision) use <alt> tags for art, "empty" <alt> tag for graphics such as bullets and bars, high-contrast color schemes, relative instead of absolute font sizes, etc. (for information on accessibility and to check the accessibility of your pages, see http://www.cast.org/bobby ).
- Refer to ODCTE Accessibility policys
Size restrictions
- File sizes are an extremely important consideration in building your pages. Remember that current research shows that most web users will wait only about 10 seconds for a page to load before moving on. For that reason, we suggest limiting all files on the first (home) page to a total file size of 50 KB (or preferably even less) to accommodate those with slow modems. A 50 KB page takes about 30 seconds to download using a 14,400 modem. For other pages, keep download time in mind (for a file download time calculator, see http://www-sci.lib.uci.edu/HSG/AATimeCalc.html).
- In general, it is best to put information in smaller linked files rather than one large file because of loading speed. As a guideline, if the document cannot be entirely displayed on three or fewer 24-line computer screens, consider breaking it into pieces.
Search engines
A search engine is a program that searches through some dataset. In the context of the Web, the word "search engine" is most often used for search forms that search through databases of HTML documents gathered by a robot. More about web robots here
Developers are responsible for registering their pages with search engines and directories. This takes only a few minutes to do, and it may be the only way that many visitors find your site. You should register with the major search engines including:
Check this page out first, A Webmasters guide to search engines. This site explains how search engines find and rank web pages, with an emphasis on what webmasters can do to improve how search engines list their web sites.
Naming Your Files (Very Important)
File names:
- The file name of each division's main/home page must be either index.htm or home.htm. Do not use those file names for any other pages.
- Use lower case alphanumeric characters only. File and directory names must not include upper case letters, spaces, foreign language characters, or other special characters, e.g. @, #, $, %, ^, &, *, ?, >.
- File names should follow the 8-3 rule, which means they should be no longer than eight characters, not including a three character file type extension (for example, "filename.htm," "graphic.jpg," etc.).*Note- This requirement is not as critical as in the past-however it is still a good idea to not make your file name very long.
- Spaces can be used if there is a character, example; file_nam.htm, jane_doe.jpg, file-nam.htm
Web servers encode data and place a %20 in place of a space. If your file name has a space, "file name.htm" it will encode it to as "file%20name.htm." This completely changes the file name and may result in a broken link.
- Remember file names for the web are different than file names for text programs.
File paths:
- Graphics may be kept in a separate graphics folder
- When using a graphics folder, use relative file names (such as "graphic/staff.jpg") instead of absolute file names (such as "http://www.okcareertech.org/division/graphic/staff.jpg") in your documents.
Other Considerations
Visitors to our site should not be subjected to broken hyperlinks. It is easy (through FrontPage and other software) to check hyperlinks. Check all links (including links to other careertech pages) at least once a month.
Use a descriptive page title in the <title> element that includes your division name because of search engines and for bookmarking purposes.
Use <description> and <keyword> metatags on your division's home page (and on other pages if desired) so that web users can easily find your pages through search engines. For information on metatags, see http://www.webdeveloper.com/categories/html/html_metatags.html. Also you can try Meta tag builder at this address, http://www.webdeveloper.com/categories/html/html_metatags.html.
|
