Overview - Web Development
With web I mean the World Wide Web, which is the part of the internet that's displayed in a browser. The browser doesn't have to be a visual program running on a screen, it could also be a cellular-phone, or a text-to-speech program.
What is actually developed?
- information in a quick, global and flexible way
- documents that render meaningful on lots of different systems
- new communication channels in companies or social groups
And for which people?
- someone trying to find software online
- someone shopping for a gift on the web
- someone reading a newspaper or magazine online
- someone wanting to provide information to the company intranet
Common misconceptions
The web is still a relatively new medium; understanding it is the first part of creating usable web sites.
What is the web?
- The web is not print;
- the web is not an operating system;
- the web is not a TV;
- the web is not a magazine;
- the web is not a library;
- the web is a bit of all of the above, and much more.
Who is on the web?
- the typical user: is not surfing around without a clear concept of what to find
- the typical user: does not want to spend hours online, reading
- the typical user: is not prepared to invest great energy to find information
Pragmatism
Who pays you, as the web developer?
Is it the boss, the client or the end-user?
- Where does your boss get the money from?
- Where does your client get the money from?
- For how long will your client be successful without the end user in mind?
- For how long will your boss be successful without the client in mind?
- For how long will you be successful without boss, client, and end-user in mind?
Some words about the client:
- the typical client doesn't always know what's best and pays for advice
- the typical client demands changes in mid-project
- the typical client wants instant, visual feedback
- the typical client doesn't want to spend much time, or money