No. 199, September 2003

Contents

Clear the fog from Web writing
Consider Producer for online educational presentations
Site by site: We’re making progress!
Never underestimate the power of the flash
Extension success stories on the Web

CLEAR THE FOG FROM WEB WRITING

By Peg Herring, Web writer

Is your Web page message buried in too many words? Are your pearls of wisdom lost in a verbal fog? It’s time to cut through the haze hanging over your Web site.

Studies have shown that removing as much as half of a Web site’s words can double the amount of information that readers actually absorb. When you cloud your message with inessential details, you risk losing your audience. That may be true for all kinds of communication, but it is especially true for Web writing.

People rarely read Web pages word by word. Most skim through information quickly, and click links to get particular details. To write effectively for the Web, you need to distill your message into small chunks of information that can be easily scanned.

Start with your main point. Consider the one thing you want your audience to understand, and put it first.

And, as you write for the Web, for print or even for email, cut out the clutter from your message. Try cutting half the words and see if your message becomes clearer and more focused.

Saying less can communicate more.

CONSIDER PRODUCER FOR ONLINE EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS

By Bob Rost, communication specialist

Looking for a simple, effective way to deliver educational presentations to clients via the World Wide Web? A Microsoft product called Producer may be worth a look. An add-on (offered as a free download) for PowerPoint 2002, Producer makes it easy to capture, synchronize, and publish audio, video, slides, and images. With it, you can create engaging and effective rich-media presentations that can be viewed on demand, in a Web browser.

Producer has specific computer processor, hard drive, and RAM requirements. It also requires either the Microsoft Windows® XP Professional, or Windows 2000 Professional operating systems. Take a look at several demos.

Producer is not designed to deliver online educational programs, but it is useful for delivering educational presentations. For more information, check out this site.

If you have questions or a project that might have potential for online delivery with Producer, give me a call (541-737-3381) or send me an e-mail.

SITE BY SITE: WE’RE MAKING PROGESS!

By Scott Gilpin, multimedia designer

As of late August, seven county Extension offices have converted their Web sites to the new Extension template system. Take a look at the Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center (SOREC) site to see an example. Eleven counties are in different stages of conversion.

Those who have used the new templates tell us they’re easy to use when creating new pages or converting existing pages.

As each county updates its site, Extension’s Web presence becomes even stronger. A consistent look to our sites reinforces the organization’s identity with our visitors and makes site maintenance much easier. We hope all Extension Web sites will convert to the new design. The templates and training are available to all Extension units.

Call (541-737-0813) or e-mail me for more information.

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER (OR USEFULNESS) OF THE FLASH

By Lynn Ketchum, multimedia specialist

Today many cameras have a built-in flash. Often it’s an automatic feature. Typically it fires when light levels are low. But it can also be a powerful tool in bright light. Some camera models have controls that allow the photographer to use the flash to fill in, highlight, or balance exposure.

For example, when shooting subjects silhouetted against a sunset or sunrise, use a flash to lighten up the foreground. Whenever the sun is behind the subject, the flash helps balance the exposure between the bright background and the dark, shadowy foreground.

Flash also fills in or lightens facial shadows such as deeply set eyes--common problems if photographing people when the sun is overhead.

And there are other reasons to “fire up” the flash:

EXTENSION SUCCESS STORIES AVAILABLE ON THE WEB

By Bob Rost, communication specialist

Educating Oregonians about the Extension Service and the value of its programs is a top priority for everyone in the organization. Twenty brief success stories now are on the Extension Web site.

If you want to refer people to the stories, direct them to the Extension Home page and then to the "Success Stories" under the “Quick Links" drop down menus” on the left side of the page.

These stories give Extension clientele a quick snapshot of who we are, what we do, and our impact in Oregon communities. The stories were part of the legislative briefing packet prepared earlier this year, and were designed for helping clients and other Oregonians understand the range of Extension programs. If you have any questions, please e-mail or call me (541-737-3381).

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