Topics

Code (255 articles)

Markup, style, scripting, and server-side techniques in the service of user-centric interfaces and tools. Cross-browser XHTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Roll your own X using scripting or markup language Y. Producing clearer, saner, more secure code that plays well with others. The love/hate relationship between layout and markup. Workarounds for that irritating bug and why (or why not) to use them. Includes: Browsers, CSS, Flash, HTML and XHTML, Scripting, Server Side, XML.

Content (25 articles)

Better writing and more effective communication on the web. Working with, and in some cases, building your own content management systems. Writing for the medium. Designing for readers. The “what”? and “why”? of audio, video, and animated content. Web narratives and design as content. Crafting content-focused digital products and brands. Includes: Brand Arts, Community, Writing.

Culture (76 articles)

This web life: emerging ideas, thoughtful topics, insights and provocations. Legal and social issues of web creation and publishing. Innovations and abuses, freedom and constraints. Patents and copyright. Trends versus tipping points. All the messy stuff that happens outside of your projects. Includes: Industry, Politics and Money, State of the Web.

Design (100 articles)

Visual communication, art direction. Designing systems or interfaces to help users achieve goals. Graphic design, interface design, user experience design, typography, illustration, photography, artwork. Creative and technical techniques for crafting great interfaces. Developing an appropriate look and feel. How web users respond to design. Identity systems and brand development. Visual styles, influences, and trends. Includes: Graphic Design, User Interface Design, Typography, Layout.

Process (57 articles)

The business of business. Workflow, project management, keeping projects on target, brainstorming, scope creep, building and working with teams. The creative process. Ideas and inspiration. All the messy stuff that happens inside of your projects. Communicating with clients and colleagues. Selling. Listening. Listening, listening, listening! Includes: Business, Project Management and Workflow.

User Science (76 articles)

What does a user want? Designing for needs. Putting the user first. Making web content accessible to more people and more kinds of internet devices. Designing and testing usable interfaces. Use-case models and model users. Scenario development, wireframes. Usability testing on the cheap. And on the not so cheap. How to spec a site people will want (and be able) to use. Includes: Accessibility, Information Architecture, Usability.