User:Andy Maloney/Notebook/Lab Notebook of Andy Maloney/2009/09/23/Websites to emulate
From OpenWetWare
Websites
List the websites here that we like.
- UT Austin
- Rice
- University of Houston
- UNM Optics program Yep, better than the physics one.
- Anthony Salvagno:I find this to be HILARIOUS
- UW Madison Physics
- MIT Physics
- Anthony Salvagno:I like this one a lot because it is nice and very simple (the main page). There are 4 main link (in the square) and then 3 other important links but not as important just outside it.
Things that every webpage (like this) should have
- Easy navigation
- links either contained in a sidebar or on top of the web page
- drop down menus that make sense
- Visually pleasing and simple
- simple colors that don't distract
- fonts sized appropriately and with nice fonts
- Main part could contain:
- news items
- application links
Things we dislike about UNM's site
- Way too overwhelming.
- It's structured horribly. Nothing on the page catches the eye to be drawn to the most important things about the department such as the academics or the subfields.
- The colors are disgusting and the back drop shouldn't be a picture of a mountain, it should be white or a light color with a gradation. Preferably white.
- Confusing drop down menus. Shouldn't programs really say "degree programs"? And academic information should be in the page for the graduate program/undergraduate program, not linked to in the "programs" button.
- The menus really are poorly organized.
- Font is too small.
- The research interests of faculty page is retarded. I like the idea of the page but they should have a link to professor's lab website or something. You can't go anywhere from this page. Also finding research topics at UNM is hard to do. I know i had a hard time finding it when i was a perspective student.
- Anthony Salvagno:I agree. I remember not being able to find anything. It is way better now then back in the day, but it is still no great shakes.
- Not easy to find important information. possibly a link for perspective students, link for graduate student requirements. I guess it is a good idea to brainstorm the most important things. and then make a link directly there from the front page.