Very long texts should be spread out over several web pages. The number of different pictures per page should be kept as low as possible - for every new picture, however small, the browser has to connect up to the server again. Data format and size can be optimised - the GIF format is best used for graphics using large areas of simple colour and graphics that have a transparent background as well as animations. JPEG is appropriate for large pictures with a lot of fine colour detail - photos, for example. In both formats, the right usage of technical tricks such as reducing the number of colours in the pallet or compression can reduce the file's download time without visibly reducing picture quality. Large text elements should only be presented as image data for optical reasons in exceptional cases. The rules that apply to printed media are different from those that apply to websites; not everything that is possible or sensible practice in printing can be directly transferred to web design. But the interactivity and multimedia possibilities together with the wide distribution and low price give the Web advantages that the printed media and "push" media, such as radio and TV, cannot match. On the other hand, you can overdo it with the multimedia content - not every user has a sound card, a fast graphics card and a 17" monitor or larger. 15" monitors with a resolution of 800x600 pixels are still commonplace. These are also factors for consideration when designing a web page. If you've read this far, you've already shown some tenacity. One of the most important rules is KISS - Keep It Simple, Stupid! Almost every visitor to your website has to pay a provider to see your site. As soon as visitors lose interest, they're gone.

back