[WSG] directory structures
It's more to do with usability than accessibility, as it affects all users IMHO. But as a start, a logical directory structure is important, so long as it's logical to the user not the owner. Well, I agree and disagree. I think logical to the user not the owner is spot in for the website navigation. But the actual directory structure, where you put your content, you need to own that. And the #1 rule I aim for is that you don't want to change your directory structure (whereas you quite likely will want to adapt your website navigation). Because the directories will be reflected in the URL, you want it to be stable because you don't want the URLs to change. I'm not going to list all the reasons why here... this article by TBL on the topic is excellent. http://www.w3.org/Provider/Style/URI * The discussion list for http://webstandardsgroup.org/ *
Re: [WSG] directory structures
I think logical to the user not the owner is spot in for the website navigation. Definitely agree with that. But the actual directory structure, where you put your content, you need to own that. And the #1 rule I aim for is that you don't want to change your directory structure (whereas you quite likely will want to adapt your website navigation). Agree/Disagree. Agree that you need to own the directory structure. The directory structure for a site should make sense to the owner of the information. It may make no sense at all to a user of the information. Disagree that you dont want to change the directory structure. If you own it you should be able to change it. More importantly, you should be able to change it without it impacting on how the user of your information finds said information. IE. your directory structure is only a convenient mechanism to represent an information architecture because web servers work that way. Because the directories will be reflected in the URL Part of the problem with the way URL's worked in web servers initially (and in many cases still do) is that the web server was lazy and simply mapped everything after the domain to some point in the file system. This is an implementation thing that does not need to be so. That is becoming less and less the rule these days as organisations realise that what a user sees via a URL does not have to match up with where the resource is in their system. Even a URL that LOOKS as though it is a directory struct may not even map to the file system at all and may map to a database. That was another point I was trying to make earlier when I was talking about URN's. Just because a URL looks like it maps to directories doesn't mean it does. Gary Menzel Web Development Manager IT Operations Brisbane -+- ABN AMRO Morgans Limited Level 29, 123 Eagle Street BRISBANE QLD 4000 PH: 07 333 44 828 FX: 07 3834 0828 If this communication is not intended for you and you are not an authorised recipient of this email you are prohibited by law from dealing with or relying on the email or any file attachments. This prohibition includes reading, printing, copying, re-transmitting, disseminating, storing or in any other way dealing or acting in reliance on the information. If you have received this email in error, we request you contact ABN AMRO Morgans Limited immediately by returning the email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and destroy the original. We will refund any reasonable costs associated with notifying ABN AMRO Morgans. This email is confidential and may contain privileged client information. ABN AMRO Morgans has taken reasonable steps to ensure the accuracy and integrity of all its communications, including electronic communications, but accepts no liability for materials transmitted. Materials may also be transmitted without the knowledge of ABN AMRO Morgans. ABN AMRO Morgans Limited its directors and employees do not accept liability for the results of any actions taken or not on the basis of the information in this report. ABN AMRO Morgans Limited and its associates hold or may hold securities in the companies/trusts mentioned herein. Any recommendation is made on the basis of our research of the investment and may not suit the specific requirements of clients. Assessments of suitability to an individual?s portfolio can only be made after an examination of the particular client?s investments, financial circumstances and requirements. * The discussion list for http://webstandardsgroup.org/ *
Re: [WSG] directory structures
This is quite an interesting off-topic thread! On 12 Dec 2003, at 07:17, Gary Menzel wrote: Agree that you need to own the directory structure. The directory structure for a site should make sense to the owner of the information. It may make no sense at all to a user of the information. Mmm... You see, I agree that in terms of ownership the site owner rules the coop. But I think, if we were to get into a situation where, as others were saying, users try to navigate a site by guessing the directory structure, but were thwarted by our esoteric organisation, then fundamental questions need to be asked. I can't see many cases where the two issues of ownership are in conflict, and if organising a site in a way that makes sense to users doesn't cause too many problems, then why not do it? But a well structured site, with good navigation, shouldn't matter. Remember when we all used frames (admit it - we did) so a user would only ever see the base URL in the browser bar? I think the point I was trying to answer was that a lot of users (and I would say they are a minority in fact) use URLs to navigate a site and, as such, a logical directory structure is essential. But also, if you have a lot of contributors (even if they only contribute by saying ok) it helps to be logical. I recently sat through a painful hour of getting a site map approved in which a key player had a fundamental problem understanding that a page on the second level of the site was actually visible at all times from the front page. I'm also currently tearing my hair out with a site manager who just doesn't get the blindingly obvious site structure I set up - he would if he'd come up with it himself and I wish I'd let him, or at least (ahem) guided him. I don't think we do ourselves any favours by making things needlessly obscure. Jonathan (just got back from Christmas lunch so apologies if this post makes no sense whatsover!) * The discussion list for http://webstandardsgroup.org/ *
