Techtv.Com Analysis

Introduction

Our analysis of a commercial website will focus on TechTV.com. As stated in the About Us section of the TechTV website, "TechTV is the cable network that showcases the smart, edgy, and unexpected side of technology. By telling stories through the prism of technology, TechTV intrigues viewers with everything from help and information to cutting-edge documentaries to outrageous late-night fun. TechTV viewers are highly interactive and passionate about engaging in the television experience, while TechTV.com logs a monthly average of 1.5 million unique visitors. Owned by Vulcan Inc., TechTV is currently available in nearly 40 million homes in the United States and distributes content to more than 70 countries."

TechTV Logo

Areas Analyzed

The areas that will be examined are:

* Navigation

* User Interface

* Content

* Forms

* Media (Audio/Video)

TechTV Home Page

Navigation connects the user with the content. Graphics, links, and buttons give the user a sense of place and aid in allowing users to quickly and logically navigate to the information they need. The main navigational element on the home page is the interactive Flash content area, which is centered on the page. The more interesting stories of the day are listed here, along with a thumbnail image and brief introductory text, the show name and time to entice you to click it and jump directly to the article. I think this is a nice tough that allows you to quickly decide what interests you and immediately jump in.

Flash Content Area

The second navigational focus of the home page is the category-based choices. The categories are Tech News, Products, Help & How-To, and Entertainment. Under each category are related articles and links to further entice you.

Category-Based Sections

The navigation is continued with the blue column on the left side of the TechTV home page. This column displays the current shows for the day and allows you to quickly jump to that show. Each entry lists the show name, main topics, and show time.

Blue Navigation Column

The next navigational element is the "Select a TV Show" drop-down menu at the top-left portion of the page. This TV Show menu lists all shows in alphabetical order. The menu is made interactive by using JavaScript to immediately jump to that shows website when a show is selected from the menu.

Select a TV Show Menu

After leaving the home page, the blue navigation column is replaced by a gray table version of the category-based choices mentioned earlier: Tech News, Products, Help & How-To, and Entertainment.

Category-Based Navigation

Finally, the horizontal navigation allows you to easily jump to critical areas of the site for help, services, membership, books, jobs, as well as navigating up one or more levels back to the home page.

Various Horizontal Navigation Bars

The User Interface, or visual design, of the TechTV website comes across as clean, simple, and intuitive. Graphics are small, relevant, and the primary design element is the layout of the text and content. Since the pages are mostly text, the web pages load quickly, so users who are still on dial-up will appreciate this.

The Site Map can be reached by clicking on the Site Help link in the red horizontal navigation bar. The site map allows you to get a snapshot of the entire websites structure, organization, and grouping of content and information.

TechTV's Site Map (Partial Listing)

As the saying goes, "Content is King." And TechTV has everything covered in the technology area and programs that should interest even the most discriminating geek. There show lineup consists of Anime Unleashed, Conspiracies, CyberCrime, Fresh Gear, Nerd Nation, Invent This, Robot Wars, Spy School, and The Screen Savers, just to name a few. Needless today, TechTV has something for techie in all of us.

Forms on the site are kept to a minimum, as the focus is on the content. If you want to receive newsletters from the various shows, you have to become a member. As listed on the sign-up page, the following is a list of membership benefits:

* Chat with other viewers and TechTV hosts.

* Get answers to your tech questions on our message boards.

* Become a TV star using our Netcam Network.

* Win great tech stuff in our giveaways.

* Read tech tips in our email newsletters.

* Receive special offers and more!

Becoming a member is quick and easy. First, click the Member Services hyperlink, then click the link to whether you are over thirteen or not. Next, you will answer some basic questions to setup your account. You are prompted to enter your login information, which consists of login name and password. Member information is entered next, which entails full name, email address, zip, age, country, and gender. Afterwards, you are asked to select up to thirteen email newsletters that you would like to receive, either in HTML or plain text format. Finally, some optional information asks to select what shows you like, interests, your industry, and occupation. Click the Join Now button and you are setup. To log in, just click the Member Services link and you will be prompted to enter you login name and password.

Member Login

The Contact Us link takes you to the Contact Us page where you can enter your name, email