This site was composed in DreamWeaver4, a cutting edge web creation program. With repeated usability testing serving as a guide to features, this site:

    • has been designed to work within the two most common browsers: Microsoft Explorer and Netscape Navigator. Additionally, DreamWeaver checks the version of these two browsers, sending users with a version less than 3.0 to a no frames arrangement;

    • has been designed to work with the modified version of Microsoft Explorer used by America On Line;

    • has been designed to automatically fill the browser window at any resolution, whether the browser is full page or minimized. Many sites are presented in one size, which creates problems with low resolutions (the user must scroll from side to side to see all of the content) and high resolutions (where the site only takes up 3/4 of the available space). Some users use a minimized browser window, leaving some content off screen with other designs;

     • is very user friendly. The link to "Contact Us" is available from any page, and provides numerous methods to share observations and problems. Most of the main sections encourage users to submit their own articles and information for indexing. Repeated usability testing of the PA audience finds errors, bottlenecks, and sets the tone of the site;

     • has optimized graphics and art work at low resolutions, resulting in average page load times of less than twenty seconds at the slowest dial-up phone connections.

     You may notice the lack of animation, either the small animated GIFs so common today or Flash files, a special web authoring program used for extensive animation. Small animation were rejected based on the Usability Testing reported by Nielsen (www.useit.com), which found that animation distracted users, increased wait times for opening a site, and were resented by experienced users of the Web.

     In summary, The PA Page.com loads quickly in the most common browsers at any resolution, and fits itself to the dimensions of the browser window. Content is targeted, easy to read, and is free of distractions. User comments are solicited frequently, and a variety of user feedback mechanisms are available on every page. Usability testing on the PA audience is conducted at least weekly, with findings immediately incorporated into the format, content, and style of the site. Ownership of the site by the PA audience is fostered by peer-review and professional conventions regarding medical education, patient information, and sponsorship.