Critique of a website: The Times Online

 I have critiqued how well The Times Online engages with its users through use of searchability, usability, navigation, design, content and interactivity. The findings of which are as follows:

Searchability

• - When searching ‘The Times Online’ or ‘The Times’ in popular search engines (Google, MSN search, Yahoo and Ask) the first result is The Times Online with several links to different sections of the website proceeding it, as such it uses its potential search engine optimisation.

Usability

• - The Times Online is quite simple to get to grips with and easy to use. The hyperlinks work and pages are quick to load which makes for a stable website that works to its advantage as users are likely to return.
• - Generally, it is easy to find information on The Times Online which fulfils its purpose to inform the reader. However, it was found that there might be slight confusion for users that were using the website to look for holidays. It may be assumed that ‘holidays’ would be located under ‘travel’ in the navigation bar whereas it’s actually located under ‘jobs and classifieds’ leading the user to the ‘travel directory’ but with useful navigation tools, the user will not get lost.

Navigation

• - There is one main horizontal navigation bar at the top of the page on The Times Online which makes the website simple to use.
• - It reads left to right which is natural, logical and easy to follow.
• - There is a secondary horizontal navigation bar at the bottom of the page that repeats the same links as the navigation bar at the top. This allows the user to read to the bottom of the page and be directed to pages without having to scroll back to the top of the page.
• - The hyperlinks are clearly signposted making it efficient for the user to navigate around the website.
• - There is a lot of intra-linking which keeps the user contained to the website and creates more hits.
• - At the top and bottom of every page there’s a “where am I?” hyperlink that tracks the page that the user goes to recording their history which makes it easy for the user to back track and not get lost
• - There is also a search bar at both the top and bottom of the page which makes it easier for the user to find their desired content.

Design

• - The layout is simple but effective, there is a white background and a consistent colour theme that matches the logo which looks professional and does not distract from the content.
• - The main site logo constantly stays at the top left of the page when navigating around the site which makes the website consistent.
• - There is an advertisement above the main site logo. This could be considered as distracting from the content.  However, as it’s above the logo, at a glance, it’s not noticeable and is separate from the main page.
• - The homepage is divided into two columns, seperating information.
• - The left hand column features news stories that have been divided into categories with hyperlinked bold sub-headings. The headings break up information which makes it easy for the user to scan the text and find the latest news stories according to their interests.
• - In the left hand column, hyperlinked images are used to grab attention and direct users to featured news stories and generally, this is effective.  However, around the website it is found that images have been stretched. This is unimpressive and looks unprofessional.
• - In contrast to the left hand column, the right hand column is unorganised and cluttered with a mixture of adverts and information. An example of this is that a box containing the popular searches of The Times Online is halfway down the page, below several advertisements which can be confusing to the user and may be better suited at the top to encourage and direct users.

Content

• - As The Times Online is a News website, visitors have expectations to find the latest information and the content must be kept up-to-date for visitors to return. The Times Online updates the content regularly, so the users know that they are getting the latest information this is a reason for its popularity.
• - The stories on The Times Online are arranged in order of importance which makes the information easily accessible and suits the websites purpose.
• - The Times Online has the right amount of information for the user to feel informed without overload.
• - The Times Online also features some UGC* in which users are invited to submit and publish reviews. These can be found in the entertainment section, this is unique information that visitors cannot read elsewhere which also offers users a sense of importance, believing that what they say matters.

Interactivity

• - The use of video on The Times Online offers visual stimulation and breaks up text to make a story more interesting.
• - On The Times Online users have the option to sign up to the website where they are able to create a profile. Once a member, users have access to a range of interactive features including: competitions, games and puzzles, polls and the ability to comment on news articles which is successful in building a community and encourages users to return.

*User Generated Content

This critique was heavily influenced by the work of Jakob Nielsen.

A short story

This is a short story that I have written for the professional writing unit of my university course.

Acceptance

“Good morning sweetheart” I whispered into my wife, Gemma’s ear.

Her response was indecipherable, a grumble. I stroked her hair and she stirred, opening her eyes for a split second before deciding that the light of the mid morning sun was too much to bear. It is summer and the sun streamed through the blinds, heating up the room to an uncomfortable temperature. The fan located to the right of the bed on the chest seemed to be redundant, only recycling the warm air rather than actually cooling it. Today is Sunday, Sunday is my favourite day, our favourite day. As it is a Sunday, the alarm has been disabled allowing us to sleep in, a luxury which I normally appreciated but the heat of the room made a lie-in impossible today.

I looked at Gemma lying peaceful, silent, and seemingly unaware of the dense heat that blanketed us. She looked cool and calm and beautiful as ever, her curly red hair framed her face as she lay. Her unusual red hair is something that had attracted me to her, the clash of the red with the green of her eyes screamed spectacular beauty to me. She was like no one I had ever seen before and every day I wake grateful to be graced by the sight of her. I brushed her hair from her eyes and kissed her forehead and she woke.

“How long have you been awake?” she smiled.

“Not long” I replied.

“I suppose it’s time to start the day” she sighed exhaling deeply before continuing “What time is it?”

I checked the alarm clock before turning to her “It’s only 10:31”

She got out of bed and sauntered to the bathroom. She mumbled something as she left the room but I didn’t catch it.

We live in a one bedroom flat in the East of London. The flat is decorated modestly, a collection of both mine and Gemma’s belongings. Although it was far from perfect it had a rather homely feel to it. There is a narrow hallway as you walk through the front door, which is where we dump our coats and shoes. To the left as you walk in leads to the open plan kitchen/living room and straight ahead leads to our bedroom and ensuite. Traces of Gemma were all over the flat, the vase of flowers in the hallway, the cushions strewn on the sofa, the incense sticks in the bedroom, the photographs of us and the family throughout. It was a relaxing place to escape to, a place that was ours.

Gemma came back into the room, whilst brushing her teeth and said something to me whilst trying to control the toothpaste foam dripping from her mouth.

“Did you sleep okay?”

I think that is what she was trying to say although it sounded significantly different to that. I nodded at her and smiled politely and she attempted to smile back.

I turned to retract the blinds to allow more air to circulate the room, as I leaned out of the window my face was hit by a hazy breeze. Inhaling deeply, the smell of petrol and exhaust fumes stimulated my nostrils. I glanced across the street, there were children playing in the park opposite. I could hear a faint sound of screams and laughter muffled by the sounds of the city.

Several lazy hours rolled by. In that time, I went to the market to pick up some fresh vegetables for dinner whilst Gemma showered and changed. Together we completed the majority of the crossword puzzle (something that we attempted every Sunday) had a roast dinner with all the trimmings and were now collapsed sprawled on the sofa in front of the television.

We had just got comfortable when without warning the doorbell rang. I felt uneasy. We don’t often get visitors and the flat wasn’t tidy enough to entertain.

“I’ll get it” Gemma said, she had obviously noted my expression of unease.

“No, it’s fine, I’ll get it, you stay there” I replied sounding noticeably worried.

I stood up slowly and took a deep breath in, holding it until I reached the door. I looked through the spy hole. It was someone I didn’t recognise. Thoughts raced in my head, I felt irrational, afraid. I took hold of the handle and opened the door.

“Hello Mr. Wilson… is it alright if I call you Gregory?” she said politely, with an aura of calmness.

“Hello, yes, call me Greg” my voice had begun to tremble, affected by my fear.

“I thought maybe I could pop in and have a word with you, have you got a few minutes?”

“Who are you?” I questioned.

“My name is Hillary Wheeler, I’m from the Royal London Hospital. I’ve just come here to check up on you”

“Check up on me? What do you mean check up on me?”

“Honey who is it?” Gemma shouted from the living room.

“It’s no one” I shouted a reply to Gemma.

I turned to Hillary, looking her up and down. She was a young woman, shorter than average in height. She had a slim figure disguised in a baggy shirt and ill fitting jeans. She had short brown hair and matching brown eyes. She was pretty, but nothing like my Gemma. She looked at me, not like you normally look at someone. No, I mean she really looked at me, as if she were studying my every move. She looked at me analytically, critically, and I didn’t like it. Besides, what did she mean, ‘check up on me’.

“So can I come in?” she repeated.

“I suppose”

I followed closely behind Greg, he seemed uneasy about my visit, perhaps he didn’t receive the call of warning from the hospital. The flat was like nothing I had ever witnessed. The first thing that hit me was the putrid smell of mould and decay. I had to prevent myself from gagging. As I stepped through the door I stumbled over piles of old mail. Weeks old I suspected. I ran my hands up the wallpaper which was saturated with damp, it felt cold and oily. I quickly withdrew my hand and kept it closely to my side. I walked past the small table in the hallway which on it lay a telephone. I noticed that the answer machine had 23 blinking messages, that would explain why he didn’t know I was coming I thought.

“I’m sorry it’s not very tidy, we weren’t expecting company” Greg turned to me.

 “Come through here” Greg said, leading the way.

I certainly wasn’t prepared for what I was about to see. As Greg opened the door, the buzzing of flies could be heard and I was exposed to the full smell of rotten food. Reluctantly, I followed him in to the room. My face contorted as I recoiled in disgust. The living room was a mess. There were clothes, mugs and newspapers all strewn across the room. There was nowhere to sit and little floor space to even stand. The filth was indescribable. I stepped further into the room and looked to the right, the kitchen. Plates upon plates of uneaten rotten food were stacked on every available surface. I held my breath to avoid the stench and then suddenly something moved underneath an old newspaper an inch away from where I was stood. Greg looked at me, apparently unaware of filth in which he lived.

“Mr. Wilson, there is no easy way of saying this but I am here to assess your mental condition”

Hillary stared at me as if to gauge my reaction. I didn’t know what to say or indeed what she was saying.

“What does she mean your mental condition honey, who is the woman?” Gemma looked up at me from the sofa.

“I’m not sure Gemma, her name’s Hillary, she’s from the hospital” I answered.

“Who are you talking to Greg?” Hillary said looking at me concerned.

“Oh, sorry, I haven’t introduced you both, Hillary, this is my wife Gemma” I pointed to where Gemma was sat.

Hillary looked to where I had pointed. She then looked at me and frowned.

“There’s no one there Greg” she said calmly

“What do you mean there’s no one there? Gemma is there, she’s sat right there!” I said looking at Gemma.

“Greg, your wife Gemma died in a tragic car accident three weeks ago. You were with her in the car when it crashed and rather incredibly you managed to survive. Stricken with guilt, you’ve taken the accident very badly and have experienced exceptional traumatic shock and severe depression.

“The hospital have called you several times urging you to book an appointment, these calls went unanswered and as such I have been sent around for a home visit to assess your mental state”

Hillary looked at me with such concern, I listened to her words and the crash replayed in my head over and over again. I fell to my knees and broke down in tears. She knelt down beside me and told me that understanding is the first step to acceptance, and only with acceptance can there be recovery.