Creating Reader-Friendly Websites

WebDesign 101 | PhotoStory 3

This wiki is a resource for faculty and students to create a reader-friendly website. You can click the links to your right in any order you wish, but they are placed in a hierarchical order, with the more comprehensive links at the top, working down to more detailed information on creating reader-friendly websites.

I will try to convince you to use a wiki as your website, as opposed to creating a static site using Dreamweaver or some other web-editing software. I think you'll find using a wiki is quick, simple, and easy. I'm using pbwiki http://pbwiki.com, but here are two others I would recommend.

http://wikispaces.com

http://wetpaint.com

What IS a wiki?

The word "wiki" is from Hawaiian, meaning "quick," and that is one of the most prominent features of a wiki. Create an account, name your wiki, and then start creating pages. It's that simple.

A wiki is really nothing more than a website, but with a twist--it is dynamic. This means that it includes a feed, a way for people to subscribe to your wiki and obtain new material you've posted. Wikis also include neat little "gadgets" that you can install to create and enhance interactivity. Wikis retain the history of each page (so you can revert to an earlier revision) and also enable others to collaborate and comment on pages. While you can do that through building your own website in Dreamweaver or other programs, wikis make it very easy to do.

Watch this GREAT VIDEO to help you understand what a wiki is: http://www.commoncraft.com/video-wikis-plain-english

Questions about this wiki or creating reader-friendly websites? Email me: bschroed@boisestate.edu