In a blog, you can use this fancy "What you see is what you get" editor. or you can hand-code the HTML yourself. Most users prefer the WYSIWYG editor. but once you've taked IT240, you don't need to fear the HTML editor ever again!

Here's a picture of Bro.Draper's family in 2007:

Kevin Schlag Lecture

Kevin Schlag came to speak in our IT240 class about his career in Enterprise Information System Department. He supervises the school website and make sure it is up to date and well organized. It is very interesting to me that all the school website we see now is done with DreamWeaver program. Brother Schlag said, "Why do we have to spend a lot of time learning HTML, if we have wonderful and powerful tools out there to help create great websites?" I think he is right at some point. But I think you can never go wrong learning the basic and foundation of anything, including the language of HTML. I know for the fact that this knowlege will benefit me in the future. In fact, it has benefited me since I am the webmaster of @RTIMOS Website.

What amazed me the most is actually the history of BYU-Hawaii website. It was first created by college students years ago. Now, maintaining the website is a job. I like the fact that the school is planning a new layout for the school website based on the audience. I think that is very smart of them to do so. I remember when I first got to BYUH website, I was kinda lost a little bit at first, eventhough the website is divided into different groups of audience. I still think they could have done a better job, which they are doing right now.

In short, I really enjoy Kevin Schlag's lecture, however, I am not sure if Brother Draper would like what he had to say about learning the "old school" HTML language to create a web page ;)

Cary Countryman's Lecture

Today Dr.Countryman came to give us a lecture on how to create an effective website, because our beloved teacher Brother Draper decided to go on a vacation in the Mormon Land. Surprisingly, I missed him. Anyway, I learned a lot from Dr.Countryman! Especially, since I am a webmaster for @RTIMOS Productions.

Dr.Countryman gave many examples of both effective and ineffective websites. One of the things which I really like is that the Web site should be simple and avoid using too many complex multimedia features or technology tricks. I tend to do that, putting a lot of multimedia features on my web site, which look cool to me; but not in others' view. However, having "Magic" (as used by Dr.Countryman) on the web site will add a lot more to audience's experience. So, I went home and added the countdown clock on @RTIMOS web site, to remind people about the upcoming benefit concert in Honolulu.

I have noticed that my web site is quite slow. Dr.Countryman offered a possible solution indirectly through his lecture that using pictures under 40kb in size and GIF format can make the web site load faster; and to keep text simple and to a minimum. So, I have been adjusting my images on the website and try to make it look clean and simple, yet attractive.

Another important aspect to consider when making a web site is the targeted audience. Dr.Countryman suggested that the web site will be more effective if it's divided up by customer segments. For example, it would be wise for you to know how Japanese people read or navigate the website, because according to the way they read they do from right to left. I thought that was very interesting and true.

These are just a few examples of how to make an effective website from Dr. Countryman. I was very excited to listen to him. So, I guess having Brother... oh no... Dr. Draper away for a week isn't so bad after all. :)