Channels.
Being ‘online’ creates many possibilities. The global system of interconnected computers lets us to publish information in a variety of ways. How do you want to communicate?
Websites
This is the 'traditional' way to publish content on the internet by using a collection of webpages to form a website. They can be an:
- internet website - accessible to the public,
- intranet website - 'hidden' behind a company firewall and only accessible to staff,
- extranet website - publicly available website, but protected by password entry.
Websites can be designed to be presented for desktops monitors (big) or smartphone screens (small). They can be formated as a collection of static webpages, database driven, as a blog, or in other ways.
In many ways, email is opposite to a website. Where one has to visit a website to find out information, with email, the content is delivered to you. Each recipient has a dedicated address and usually the message is sent privately to one person or a selected group.
However, email has now broadened its capabilities along with the technology. Webmail means emails can be received by logging-in to any internet computer, and not tied to one specific device. Text conversations can be had using the likes of Instant Messenger. Plus, some social media services have in-built email systems.
Apps
Apps are self-contained applications which provide services and content for specific devices. Today they are most common on smartphones, but apps are also available elsewhere, including desktop computers.
There is a move towards making more app-based technology in the cloud, meaning software won't be fixed to one device, but shared across many, along with any files and settings.
Feeds
Content available on one platform, commonly a website, can be made available to others by the use of a feed. Content can be syndicated across the internet and not have in confined to one place, i.e. a website.
RSS feeds commonly lets someone collect their favourite sources of information in one place. These can then be looked at using an RSS Reader. Another feed format is API, which specifies a set of rules to make data and services available in a raw format for it then to be used by third-parties in new and original ways.
How you publish content is only one aspect. The way it is delivered, received and consumed by an audience is another matter entirely. As previously mentioned, there is not an absolute standard to follow, and those that exist are flexible by design.
Devices.
The device someone uses to read and consume your content can vary. Think beyond the traditional desktop PC; this may currently be the most popular way, but this trend is changing rapidly.
Other devices are quickly becoming the preferred and normal way to be online. Many people now own one or more internet-connected device and use them all to view content.
- Desktop computer
- Laptop
- Mobile / smartphone
- Tablet (iPad)
- Console (xbox, Playstation)
- Interactive TV (red button)
Connections.
The internet has no one single connection method or speed. At home, broadband has finally (hopefully) replaced most of the slow dial-up connections, but even this can vary greatly, from slower 2mbps to superfast 100mbps speeds.
Mobile connections are now capable on many devices too. The internet is available on a 3G 'phone' connection, or using public wireless (wi-fi) hotspots. The speeds data can be sent and received on these also greatly differs, mainly depending on how many other people are using it at the same time.
Connection speeds matter if you are publishing content that is 'data-heavy'. Audio and video especially needs a lot of bandwidth, so it's worth taking into consideration your file sizes. Large images and weighty documents can take a while to download on slower connections.
Screens.
Never has their been such a wide variety of screen sizes all trying to consume the same content. From small mobile (smart) phone screens, to giant widescreen desktop monitors. Naturally, giving everyone the same experience each time is almost impossible. So instead it's best to tailor and adapt by using different designs for each device.
It isn't just physical the size of the screen to consider, there's also the screen resolution to take account of. This determines the number of pixels used in the screen display - the more pixels, the smaller each one is meaning a greater depth or detail. However, resolution is set by the user based on their needs and preferences. So how they see a page can be radically different to how others - and you - see it.
