|
TV related problems for web developers include only 2Mbytes
of memory to work with, and problems with horizontal scrolling
and presenting too much text on a page.
There is currently no support for Java, JavaScript, ActiveX, Shockwave,
and many other advanced features of the web.
However, the features of HTML 2.0 and HTML 3.2 are well-supported.
Plain white backgrounds do not work well with WebTV - they glare,
and cause distortion and dark patches.
Dark backgrounds with light text and links work well.
Imagemaps work but their use is cumbersome; e.g. the cursor can only be
moved slowly, horizontally or vertically at any one time.
The user does not have a mouse with which they can quickly reach parts
of the image, but the remote control device permits cursor movement up,
down, left, or right.
Many sites have home pages with white backgrounds and an imagemap for
navigation. These will probably need re-thinking for WebTV optimisation.
Navigation is supported with the
sidebar
tag to set up the sidebar, on the left side of the screen.
Viewers can use the arrow buttons on the remote control to move
between selectable items in the sidebar and items in the content area.
The sidebar doesn't scroll with the rest of the content of a web page.
All HTML tags within the <sidebar>...</sidebar>
tags will be rendered in the sidebar area.
The <sidebar>...</sidebar> pair should be
placed outside the body of the web page, between
definitions for the head and the body.
Other tags within the web page display in the content area,
to the right of the sidebar.
Web content should be used to create a
more television-like experience for the viewer.
When you are creating Web pages for this new audience,
follow these basic guidelines:
- Don't overload your viewers with too much information at a time.
- Design your pages to
reduce load time and create the impression of instantaneous response.
- Use moving images and sound to enhance the page.
- Take advantage of low-bandwidth multimedia technology,
such as MIDI audio, to heighten the user experience.
- Remember that television is a visual medium.
| 