| March's WETA goes to... |
| Dive Tutukaka |
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The most interactive website we have featured for some time, Dive Tutukaka involves the visitor in a number of multimedia 'activities'.
Real video is employed to give, at least, a glimpse of what it might be like below the surface of waters of the Poor Knights Marine Reserve. An interactive "dive site" map provides good background on the geography of the region and, species to be encountered - including pictures of some of the more unusual marine inhabitants. Unlike many sites we have experienced, the inclusion of multimedia hasn't been at the expense of the sites usability. Navigation is excellent and, contextual, with menus varying from one page to the next according to subject matter. Never to such a degree however, that one might get lost! There's a site map too. Helpful for those eager to get straight to information of particular interest. After last month's 'soapbox sermon' we don't want to rant too much about succinct domain names but... www.diving.co.nz is a little easer to type or, remember than something along the lines of "www.ourfreewebsite.com/timbuckto/users/21876/me.htm" or whatever else some sites seem to end up with! Other areas which pleased the judges were the well set-out rates with a currency calculator effectively implemented and, a secure means of accepting credit card payments. Criticisms were few. One judge felt the white type against fairly bright blue backgrounds tended to get a bit hard on the eyes after extended viewing. Perhaps a darker blue or, occassionally varying to a lighter background with dark type might help. Otherwise the site seemed to have a very good mix of effective design, thorough content and engaging multimedia. |