Web Usability, February 2008
Website
Lost Video Island: http://lostvideo.net/
A fan created website for the television show Lost on ABC. It is member interactive and contains a bulletin board for discussions.
Audience Analysis
Lost Video Island (LVI) was created in 2005 to offer fans of the television show Lost a place to showcase their love of the show as well as their fan created art. Its main purpose is to attract viewers of the show Lost. People will visit LVI to discuss the show itself, speculate on future happenings of the show, and to interact with others who admire the show and to offer support and critique of user created artwork.
Usability Guide
Page Titles and Headings were used effectively?
1 2 3 4 5
Comments:
The use of the website title is added to each page along with the title of each page. Upon clicking each one, it is consistent and easily read and every page has it’s own title. The header is a graphic which repeats on every page and is also very consistent.
Page Length was appropriate for the site?
1 2 3 4 5
Comments:
The pages did not stretch horizontally with content except with the users monitor resolution settings and did stretch vertically if the content required it to do so. The content of each page was within the required needs for the average user and easily understandable with links and explanations.
Search capabilities were available on the web site?
1 2 3 4 5
Comments:
A search box was implemented into the site which allowed me to search only for members and videos. The search results were displayed neatly and orderly displaying 15 results per page but did not give me the option to choose which page I wanted to view, only the option to see the next or previous page.
The site used sound navigational principles?
1 2 3 4 5
Comments:
Navigation from page to page was done with ease. On every page a user-bar was displayed which had the main directional links as well as an option to return to the main page but it wasn’t displayed plainly, instead being disguised as the header image.
Graphics were used effectively on the site?
1 2 3 4 5
Comments:
The graphical content was well placed and not overdone. Though not dial-up friendly, it was not an issue to load all the graphics to view the pages. The colors were slightly distracting but reflected the overall theme of website.
The use of fonts was appropriate for the site?
1 2 3 4 5
Comments:
The sizing and color were pleasing enough to compliment the background color. The choice of font was legible and easy to read.
The content layout and organization were appropriate for the site?
1 2 3 4 5
Comments:
Content was useful to the user with hyperlinks clearly pointing to the necessary information. It was organized with relevant information and not bogged down with opinions and commentary.
The site was accessible to multiple audiences with multiple needs?
1 2 3 4 5
Comments:
Element properties were clearly defined and alternate text was available for graphics. Scripts were clean, and accessibility was up to standards.
The site followed appropriate design principles?
1 2 3 4 5
Comments:
Overall, the website is easily useable to the average user as well as the more experienced one.
Recommended Changes
Though the colors are consistent on both the main website and the discussion forum, the use of darkened colors and fonts can sometimes make reading it difficult. The search feature should also include the ability to search the website content and not just member profiles and videos. I realize that the main focus of the content is solely for the videos, but the average new browser is not going to be able to find everything immediately and may become frustrated. The lack of a clear way to the main page is a big issue for me because someone could get lost. It should be clearly displayed on the navigational bar or even at the bottom of the page.
This website really has no other issues with content or layout. The design was well thought out and planned, and aside from some minor issues is easily navigated and thoroughly usable.