[Sigia-l] regional sites vs. language versions

[Samantha Bailey]

Another concern I'd have with this approach is that if I were to encounter a
label called "The Americas" I would assume that was speaking to Canada, the
US *and* Mexico--and as such, would be confused as to whether I would
encounter English, Spanish or both on that site.

Samantha Bailey
samantha at baileysorts.com | http://baileysorts.com

"Do you know what that trick is? Magicians would call it the redirection.
A theologian would note that it parallels a theme found in all religions:
the paradox of turning away from the goal to achieve the goal."
-Karl Fast


----- Original Message -----
From: "Adam Greenfield" <adam.greenfield at razorfish.com>
To: <sigia-l at asis.org>
Sent: Wednesday, September 25, 2002 9:16 PM
Subject: [Sigia-l] regional sites vs. language versions


> Colleen said:
>
> > My question:  When it comes to the new global homepage - users will be
> > given a choice to choose their site based on what language they want.
> > However, there will be:  English, German, Japanese, Korean, French,
> > Italian, Spanish - and ... The Americas Regional Website.  I am confused
if
> > users will understand the difference between Americas Regional Site and
the
> > Global English site.  I am wondering if anyone has any experience with
> > mixing general websites with location-based websites that feature
> > localized, region-specific information.  My boss  (global marketing
> > director, little web experience)seems to think that worldwide English
> > speakers will be "just fine" with the US-site.... I am not so sure, as
lots
> > of the content is inappropriate.  Don't want to offer content only to
turn
> > around and say "thanks for reading, but this doesn't apply to you." Am I
> > out of my mind? Would love to hear any thoughts either way.
>
> I'm going to agree with you, Colleen. You are most definitely not out of
> your mind; in fact, I'm a little taken aback by your boss's arrogance.
> (Maybe I shouldn't be by now...)
>
> Your intuition is right on. When you've once established a cognitive
> category like "language," as opposed to "location," violations of it are
> bound to confound and dismay users. Especially if, as you've made clear,
the
> US-only content is marginally appropriate to other Anglophones.
>
> If you're going to offer a choice of languages for
global-audience-relevant
> content, that's great, but that choice should be distinguished from
> selecting country-specific content (which would then presumably default to
> the language in use in the given country).
>
> Best of luck,
> Adam Greenfield
> Lead information architect
>
> Frontage-Razorfish
> Tokyo
>
> T +81 3 5475 2055 (direct)
> F +81 3 5475 2021 (fax)
>
>
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