An introduction to the courseWelcome to Presenting Information on the World Wide Web. Not so long ago no one could have predicted the creation and the extraordinary rise in popularity of the World Wide Web. It would have been inconceivable that people around the world would be able to communicate virtually instantaneously using words, pictures, sounds and video.
What we have seen in recent years is a new form of (electronic) communication and a new form of publication. The World Wide Web is a new publishing medium. As such, it is both similar to and different from earlier publishing mediums. Consequently, the next century will require a type of literacy that is not just verbal, but verbal and visual, at the least.
The World Wide Web is ushering in an era of democratization of information. Almost anyone can create a Web and present information for others around the world to see.
A Web site is a textual and graphical representation of structured information on a computer display (not just "raw data"). The creator or designer of the Web site makes crucial choices on how to present the information. These choices organize the information for the viewer.
The principles of good writing and good communication also apply to this medium. The more clear you are about your message and your audience, the better you can communicate with them. In general you should keep your communication as economical (uncluttered) as possible, and all the elements should contribute to your purpose of communicating information effectively.
Dom Franco
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