Culture's Impact on Arabic Website Design - Aaron Marcus and ...
Culture's Impact on Arabic Website Design - Aaron Marcus and ...
Culture's Impact on Arabic Website Design - Aaron Marcus and ...
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AM+A.Document: Culture’s <str<strong>on</strong>g>Impact</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong><strong>Design</strong> of <strong>Arabic</strong> <strong>Website</strong>sFile: AM+A_XCult<strong>Arabic</strong>_19May09.docPage 5Aar<strong>on</strong> <strong>Marcus</strong> <strong>and</strong> Associates, Inc.www.AM<strong>and</strong>A.comLike many similar university <strong>Website</strong>s, the images of this universityarchitecture <strong>and</strong> a logo in Figure 3 represent the university’s history <strong>and</strong>importance. The metaphorical references to the university are simple <strong>and</strong>clear: university m<strong>on</strong>uments <strong>and</strong> laboratories. The <strong>Website</strong> does not providea challenge to the user; rather it reflects a calm experience, through its color<strong>and</strong> relative simplicity. Throughout the <strong>Website</strong>, there are many pictures ofthe university's leaders, but these do not appear in the Home page. Therealso seem to be many distinct passwords menti<strong>on</strong>ed, but they do notinterfere with rapidly exploring the c<strong>on</strong>tent. Passwords generally indicate ahigh power-distance value, with some moderati<strong>on</strong> in this site.The mental model seems clear, <strong>and</strong> the c<strong>on</strong>tent is classified, organized, <strong>and</strong>distributed effectively throughout the <strong>Website</strong>. For example, a secti<strong>on</strong> offersanswers to frequently asked questi<strong>on</strong>s. Menus presented in a clear way helpthe user to keep in c<strong>on</strong>trol <strong>and</strong> navigate effectively. This <strong>Website</strong> seems toemphasize c<strong>on</strong>cern with social issues <strong>and</strong> culture, satisfying people with highuncertainty-avoidance.The site could be classified as a l<strong>on</strong>g-term time-orientati<strong>on</strong> <strong>Website</strong>, becauseit maintains its relati<strong>on</strong> with students who have graduated. In additi<strong>on</strong>, thesite allows users to deliver their questi<strong>on</strong>s <strong>and</strong> opini<strong>on</strong>s through E-mail indifferent ways. This feature emphasizes the <strong>Website</strong> as more interactive. TheWeb served the individualism for both students <strong>and</strong> other users, <strong>and</strong> it couldbe c<strong>on</strong>sidered as a task-oriented <strong>Website</strong>.Figure 4: Al Isra University (Jordan), http://www.isra.edu.joThe <strong>Website</strong> of Figure 4 displays a logo that represents the university’simportance at the top right side. The mental model has is richly categorized<strong>and</strong> deeply structured. Many links <strong>and</strong> menus appear in the Home page tohelp with navigati<strong>on</strong>. There are issues of security, as indicated by offering the
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