IAT 235 – Information Map 1.5
February 23, 2009
The following is a documentation of the changes made to my Semantic Web information map. I was working alone on this project. The piece can be found here:
I will show the most significant changes made in the form of screenshots from before and after the changes. The first screenshot is before, the second after. The before shots contain the class’ critiques and my own reflections, and the after shots how the map was changed to be stronger based on the feedback.
Please note that the variation in the font in these screenshots is an error that occurred when attempting to edit this project on a mac from a PC, the inconsistency is not present in the finished piece.
The title screen of my semantic web information map, before.
Critiques:
- The flashing of the “next screen” arrow is distracting, unnecessary
- Didn’t know what the graphic on the bottom left was representing.
- After changing to the next screen didn’t make the connection that the upper blue was the web, and lower orange was semantic web examples. Need something to tie screens together.
The title screen of my semantic web information map, after.
Changes:
- Arrow no longer flashes, but has text to draw attention to its function.
- Added a brief explanation above each diagram.
- Added lines emerging from web/semantic web buttons to add a visual connection to the next screen (this theme is continued throughout)
The second screen of my semantic web information map, before.
Critiques:
- Again, no connection between elements across top and bottom.
- Didn’t know what the smiley faces meant.
- Flashing of elements that have mouse-over popup is distracting while trying to read (the outlines fade from white to grey)
The second screen of my semantic web information map, after.
Changes:
- Bridges connect bottom and top stages of example.
- Text placed in an easier to read position (from vertical in gap to horizontal on bridge).
- Added text explaining smiley faces are users so it’s immediately obvious.
- Changed fading in and out of mouse-over elements to be twice as slow so it’s less distracting.
The semantic web example screen of my semantic web information map, before.
Critiques:
- Arrows are messy, difficult to understand meaning behind them.
The semantic web example screen of my semantic web information map, after.
Changes:
- Removed arrowheads and connected lines to computers directly as they are in the web example above to make the graphic style more consistent.
Reference List:
Herman, Ivan (2009). WC3 Semantic Web Activity. Retrieved February 24, 2009, from World Wide Web Consortium Web site: http://www.w3.org/2001/sw/
Wilson, Tracy (2006). How Semantic Web Works. Retrieved February 24, 2009, from HowStuffWorks Web site: http://computer.howstuffworks.com/semantic-web.htm
(2009). Semantic Web. Retrieved February 24, 2009, from Wikipedia Web site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semantic_Web
