Web page design for HTML (and friends)

Abstract

In a world where Web pages can be generated automatically what sense does it make to discuss Web page design? Why can't a technical writer just write a document, "save as HTML" and coordinate with marketing's multimedia expert? The paper examines the presentation triangle as it applies to the First Rule of the Internet-"Speed Lives"-and takes the hypothesis that good Web page design: builds structures which improve speed and user connections; uses different file formats only to improve speed or to make new connections; provides attractive connections without disrupting speed (too much). In short, the paper (and Web site) takes the position that good Web page design has nothing to do with paper. It is connected to the Internet. But by the time a Web site is (well) connected, then the fundamental definition of a "document" has been altered-as well as the role of the technical writer.