IA Project: TCC site New Thompson Conference Center Site By: Ann Dobbs Date: December 7, 2006 Class: i385e

Site Goals Advertise our services, facilities, and programs Advertise our services, facilities, and programs Make it easier for clients to find the information that they need to perform various tasks. (The tasks differ by user group.) Make it easier for clients to find the information that they need to perform various tasks. (The tasks differ by user group.)

Who is using the site? Event planners Event planners Event attendees Event attendees People looking for/participating in a variety of Continuing Education programs People looking for/participating in a variety of Continuing Education programs Staff (TCC & other Continuing Education departments) Staff (TCC & other Continuing Education departments)

Why use this site? Event planners: Check room availability & rates, get assistance with event planning, catering, online registration services Event planners: Check room availability & rates, get assistance with event planning, catering, online registration services Event attendees: Find out information they need related to attending the event, such as how to get to TCC, parking & misc. transportation information, accommodations, dining, access to the web, what's available nearby for them to do in their spare time, etc. Event attendees: Find out information they need related to attending the event, such as how to get to TCC, parking & misc. transportation information, accommodations, dining, access to the web, what's available nearby for them to do in their spare time, etc.

Why use this site? Education seekers/participants: Find what's available at TCC & in the Div. of Continuing Education (housed in TCC) and quick access to the appropriate department sites. Clients are looking for a variety of different programs: personal or professional development, credit and non-credit courses. Education seekers/participants: Find what's available at TCC & in the Div. of Continuing Education (housed in TCC) and quick access to the appropriate department sites. Clients are looking for a variety of different programs: personal or professional development, credit and non-credit courses.

Navigation & Wayfinding All pages have a global navigation bar for frequently accessed links & to quickly return to the homepage All pages have a global navigation bar for frequently accessed links & to quickly return to the homepageglobal navigation barglobal navigation bar Secondary navigation system shows all major sections, which are based on user groups/tasks Secondary navigation system shows all major sections, which are based on user groups/tasks Secondary navigation system Secondary navigation system Each category is expandable but color indicates which section you’re in. Each category is expandable but color indicates which section you’re in.

Initial Navigation Design

When is the site used? Pretty much 24/7, lighter traffic around holidays. Lighter at night, mainly due to international use. Pretty much 24/7, lighter traffic around holidays. Lighter at night, mainly due to international use. New: Upcoming events, Spotlight section on homepage, other content as needed New: Upcoming events, Spotlight section on homepage, other content as needed Old: most (~3/4) of the content is relatively static information Old: most (~3/4) of the content is relatively static information

Use: Search and Browse Users will use both search and browse methods to find the information that they need. Because of the wide variety of users with differing needs, both techniques are being used. Users will use both search and browse methods to find the information that they need. Because of the wide variety of users with differing needs, both techniques are being used.

Site map

Prototype/Wireframe

Controlled Vocabulary The vocabulary evolved through user input, past experience, and card sorts. When the card sorter was given the 4 major user groups/tasks, the sorts came out very similar to the current vocabulary. The vocabulary evolved through user input, past experience, and card sorts. When the card sorter was given the 4 major user groups/tasks, the sorts came out very similar to the current vocabulary.

IA Mechanics: Site validates to Priority 1 and 508 standards Site validates to Priority 1 and 508 standards Valid XHTML (via Dreamweaver) Valid XHTML (via Dreamweaver) Uses external style sheets, different ones for respective templates Uses external style sheets, different ones for respective templates

Low resolution: 800x600

New site vs. Old Site TCC’s new site is at: wwwtest.utexas.edu/cee/tcc/test/tcc/ TCC’s new site is at: wwwtest.utexas.edu/cee/tcc/test/tcc/ wwwtest.utexas.edu/cee/tcc/test/tcc/ TCC’s old site is (temporarily) at: wwwtest.utexas.edu/cee/tcc/test/tccOl d/tcc/ TCC’s old site is (temporarily) at: wwwtest.utexas.edu/cee/tcc/test/tccOl d/tcc/ wwwtest.utexas.edu/cee/tcc/test/tccOl d/tcc/ wwwtest.utexas.edu/cee/tcc/test/tccOl d/tcc/