The Exponent - opinions


11-02-2004	Previous edition: 11-01-2004

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Confusion arises after revamping of Web page

As students are adjusting to many changes that have taken place this semester and over the summer, there are still some alterations in the Purdue Web page that are difficult to adjust to.

The Purdue Web page received a facelift over the summer that eliminated the basic structure that many students had become accustomed to using.

The structure, for those who may remember, included a picture along with roughly 10 links. The page, although boring, was easy to understand and to access. It was simple and precise; now it's anything but.

The Web page, which is a crucial recruitment tool for prospective students who surf the Internet, is filled with so many words and typing that it's confusing for users to know where to begin. Even as students and regular users of the site, it can be difficult to find precisely what's needed from the Web site. Developing a more organized and less wordy flow is necessary to make it a successful page.

One of the biggest flaws concerning the Purdue Web site is its search engine. It's always been difficult to find information regarding a particular organization or academic program by typing it into the search engine. Although the service does show how closely related the results are to the desired search, it usually doesn't provide much help. To students who are familiar with such search engines as Google, Purdue's search capabilities are lacking.

Revamping this would make searching the Web site much easier, not only for current students but for prospective students as well.

Although it's good to keep students informed about the news that's taking place at Purdue, it makes the Web site look too cluttered to include all of that information on the first page. Perhaps it should be cut to the top two major news issues with links to more stories.

The key to having a navigable website is to stick to the motto 'less is more.' This will give the students less headaches when they need to use it, and it wonÕt be too overwhelming for prospective students and site visitors. Printer-friendly version