The "Basic Printing" setup guide has several factors that makes it appealing to viewers. The directions, overall, are very easily understood. The images are just technical enough to identify every piece of the printer, yet simplified enough to make setup simple. For more detailed instructions, smaller step by step information is provided below appropriate images. From the illustration, it is obvious that the printer allows two seperate printing configurations, and that you must set up a driver on your computer to use it. Specifically what I think the judges liked about the documentation was the simple color scheme, the clear illustrations, and the step by step guide to even the most simple movements. The color scheme is unobtrusive and reflects real life, leaving the printer white and indicating important information with colors typically associated with important imformation, such as yellow. The icons within the instructions are easy to understand, and maintain common symbols seen throughout society. Arrows indicate direction, exclimation points show points of interest, check marks for completed actions, and so on. The intructions do not simply assume the user knows what they are doing, but rather makes every little detail clear and consice. This makes the illustration easily understood and succesful in its execution.

The Weather Channel website is arranged in a manner fit for a normal news site. Because people usually go to the site specifically for weather forcast, it is not coy with the information. Directly on the front page like a headline at another news site is the current weather forcast informtaion someone might need. If they do need further information, users are able to enter their zip code information right at the top of the page for instant access. This field displays on every page of the site, so no matter where the user is, they can effectively retrieve information about the weather. Other news stories related to lifestyle and recreation, which could be tied to the weather, are place nearer to the bottom of the page due to relevance, but also hold a spot along the top navigation bar along with the other important topics found within the site. However, it is the websites obvious emphasis on weather, with news items placed directly in the middle, front and center, that creates the primary focus. The Weather Channel effectively does what it sets out to do simply by arranging the information in a prioritized and focused manner.

1. Almost immediately it is noticed that the design of the Basic Printing setup guide is very clean and concise. The guide uses a numbered system to clearly show the steps in order for different parts of the printer. The guide is also sectioned off by lines so that it is difficult to be confused by the numbering. The zoom views provide extra detail to particularly difficult steps which increases the ease of use. Although the guide does not have a lot of text to support it, the illustrations provide adequate instruction.

2. The arrangement of the Weather Channel Website is well though out and professional looking. The website follows a very clean style with navigation at the top and bottom of the page. The contents are then displayed in the middle 2 or 3 columns(depending of the page). The website also has a feature which allows you to input your zip code or city and it will send you back local weather reports. On the home page there are videos of news reports which is great for finding specific reports. All of this leads to a well organized arrangement.

1. I think the judges would have liked how there were two sets of instructions, both of which using appropriate graphics. If you look at the graphics, they display clear depictions of each step required in refilling the printer with paper. Also, the steps are clearly marked, so the user has a good understanding as to which step to approach next. There are good visual cues, describing which way to feed the paper in the printer as well as detailed pictures that have zoomed-in bubbles to further show accuracy. The final steps inform the user when the process is complete by a check mark, followed by brief instructions making sure the printer has accepted the paper properly.

2. By looking at the Weather Channel's website, I have decided to analyze its sense of purpose. The main purpose, as the name implies, is to accurately provide forecast weather information for any city in the United States. Not only does it serve this main purpose, but it also serves many other purposes as well, including regional weather information, various maps to display different data and news about upcoming storms. The regional weather information can be a valuable bit of information for people who travel often, for it will show them approximately what type of weather to expect, as well as how to prepare for the weather. The various maps displayed on the website are extremely helpful, in that in a brief amount of time, any user can find information about the amount of rain or snow fall in an area, the approximate climate, as well as tornado information.

The judges most likely liked the "Basic Printing" technical document for several reasons. First, it had a clear purpose: the necessary steps and configurations available for basic printing. Right away, it shows that there are two configurations available, and it even maps out the path paper takes, which is extremely helpful for double-sided printing. Additionally, the numbered steps are very easy to follow, from left to right, the order that Americans consider normal. However, the document does not just help English speakers; instead, it presents images in a fashion that can ideally be understood universally, with accompanying captions in six total languages. The text is kept to the bare minimum, to prevent clutter and promote legibility. Also, the bright red and yellow inks are reserved for important points of the chart that should be focused on; namely, the directional arrows and warning symbols. Lastly, a web address is provided so that customers with further questions can assuage their curiosity.

The Weather Channel website is arranged in a fashion that most internet users are familiar. Navigation is presented close to the top, so that users can quickly and easily jump to the sections they want. Additionally, the footer repeats some of the basic navigation, allowing users to once more find their desired page without having to scroll back to the top. The footer also contains copyright information and links to other sites, which is placed at the bottom because it is non-essential to the function of the site and thus does not need to be seen, unless specifically looking for it. The body of the website is centered on the page, which keeps the content from looking out of place, especially on extremely large monitors that leave swaths of empty space. Interestingly, The Weather Channel website designer chose to make the drop-down navigation "drop" up. Although most websites feature navigation menus that drop down when moused over, the up feature of The Weather Channel allows the links to cover up non-essential information (ie. the header image) instead of covering up the important body content. The remainder of the site—the main content—is broken up into columns based upon the type of content. The leftmost column holds videos, the middle column primarily contains text-based HTML pages, and the far right holds weather-related applets. Overall, it is a fairly well arranged site, with the information you want easy to find.

1) On the "Basic Printing" guide the judges may have liked how the guide was divided to explain for two different printers and yet wasn't disorganized or confusing. The author made good use of vertical and horizontal lines to divide the sections without drawing your attention to them. The two different printers had the same final steps, so instead of illustrating them twice the author merged the two sets of instructions where they became the same. Each step was detailed but not to a point where it gave worthless information. Where two steps could be condensed into one, like step three in the bottom half, it saved space and time.

2) The Weather Channel website is mainly for anyone with access to a computer who wants to know what the weather of today and upcoming days will be. The purpose of the site is to clearly and quickly display weather information whether it be local, national, or international. They have an input box at the top of the page so you can enter a zip code or address and get the weather for that area. The ability for the user to check the weather anytime and almost anywhere is a major advantage for making plans. The links that allow you to check the local weather, which is most likely the most used link, is right at the top of the page and clearly marked. The rest of the links are arranged below in a categorized manor. Below those are news stories related to weather issues such as the coming of Tropical storm Hanna.

1) I believe the judges might have liked the way the content was displayed on the page. It is well organized, clear, and concise. I also think they might have liked the way the pictures are emphasized rather than words. Most people can follow picture instructions, not everyone can read English if the instructions are only in English.

I think the instructions are easily understood. The red arrows are very helpful in guiding the steps. I do believe it would have been better if there were words explaining each picture incase someone could not follow the picture. And if a non-english speaker/reader, can't read it, then they can look at the pictures.

2) The purpose of The Weather Channel website is so anyone can access the weather at anytime. On the website anyone can check their local or outer city weather reports and alerts. Anyone can see videos as you can see when you first open the website. A person on the site can also check temps, traffic conditions, weather for the airport, school closings, weather all around the world, and emergency alerts. It also provides upcoming events (like football games) and what the weather is going to be like for those games.

1.

The judges for this contest probably liked this document because it is extremely organized. Each step of the basic printing process is labeled neatly and is lined up in order from left to right. Therefore the step by step process is easily recognized by the viewer. I believe the judges also thought the use of symbols and colors made the directions much easier to follow. Several arrows are used to indicate which direction objects should be placed. The arrows are also continuously the color red, which helps them stand out. This drawing also shows a lot of detail. The smaller areas which are harder to see are blow up right next to the original drawing which is necessary to understand what the picture is actually showing the viewer.

I thought the document was very easy to follow. A picture paints a thousand words. It is much easier for me to see a series of pictures and put something together than have to read a document. The colors definitely helped clarify objects. It probably would have been more difficult to understand the directions if the pictures consisted of only black and white. For me, the arrows played a huge role in understanding which direction things were supposed to go. Also the numbering of the pictures help me understand which direction the pictures were to supposed to be followed in.

2.

The weather channel’s audience consists of anyone who lives in the United States and wants to be aware of what type of weather should be expected in certain areas. People who are going on vacation would probably go to weather.com to see a weekly forecast for whatever area they will be vacationing in so they can bring the proper attire. They would also check the weather for traveling conditions. There could be snow delays for flights or construction traffic if they are traveling by car. The typical type of person who checks this site could also just be someone who checks it daily to see if they will need an umbrella or a coat. The audience would also be someone who is driving to work and wants to know if there are any traffic delays. Therefore the audience is strictly anyone concerned with the weather forecast.

1. I think the judges really liked this finalist's technical piece because it was easy to follow. It had a minimum number of words in the direction so no matter what language you speak, it would be easy to follow. The pictures are clear and concise, drawn in a chronological order, making a very clear step by step guide. The pictures also have zoomed in areas to help filter the eye to other important details that may otherwise be missed. Overall it fits the needs of the consumer very well.

2. The Weather Channel uses several mediums to reach its audience. The Weather Channel has it's own cable network with 24-7 capabilities. This is how the weather channel first started reaching its audience. The weather channel also has the weather.com website that has current conditions and forecasts for over 77,000 locations worldwide. The Weather Channel can provide weather data to any company's website, personal computer desktops, and/or phone/PDA. The Weather Channel works with several newspapers and radio stations to provide weather information to over 250 radio markets across the United States. The Weather Channel provides customized weather packages to newspapers to allow them the best service possible. Overall, the Weather Channel is reaching many different people in several types of mediums.

Well it is hard for me to understand the Basic Printing guide because of the horrible translation to PDF, but overall, the pictures appear to be clear in their intent, it is designed in a way the eyes move quickly in the way it's meant to be read, and there is enough information in the small design for a quick overall-help guide. It would be very easy to follow this guide and learn how to load the paper into this particular printer.

With the Weather Channel website, it is my favorite site to look up weather. The site has expanded to more purposes than just typical weather. The purpose of the site overall is to obtain information on weather conditions anywhere in the world, up to ten days. The site also promotes the newer Weather Channel shows, gives travel help, traffic reports, and much more. The site can give you warnings and information on upcoming disasters, and allows you to see the weather in real-time. The main purpose is to give the most up-to-date weather information for any event, anywhere in an easy to read and detailed manner.