[Sigia-l] Site maps for web apps, vs for content sites?

[Stewart Dean]

>From: "Jonathan Baker-bates" <Jonathan.Baker-bates at framfab.com>
>To: <sigia-l at asis.org>

>One thing that intrigues me is that you talk of "navigation" in a site
>map as if that was axiomatic. If I have a box called "home page" which
>links to three boxes beneath it called "about", "products" and "contact
>us" then what does that say about those three boxes? Are they related to
>each other beyond being "children" of "home"?

By default all children pages of the same parent share navigation.  You 
could draw lines between all the pages that are connected but we all know 
what happens if you do that.

>Can you get from "about"
>to "products" without going via "home"?

Web sites do have their own standards that many take for granted. The answer 
would be yes always to your question.



>What if I want to communicate
>different navigation treatments depending on the context of the boxes
>(referring page, etc.). Are these things that you can efficiently
>communicate on a site map?

You can using wireframes or using a content matrix. A content matrix allows 
you to specify as many aspects of a page as you'd like, for example if you 
have a 'see also' section you can, if  you had time, hard code what page 
linked to what or set up the method by which see also sections are 
generated. The site map is part of the functional definition, not the only 
defnition.



>They may be, but as some others have pointed
>out, once you get over a certain number of "pages" (whatever a "page"
>is...!) then you're on silly street.

I understand this in theory, but I'm looking to translate my understanding 
into practice and so far have waded through heaps of conceptual discussions 
I understand but see working along side 'top down' approach. You can't build 
a website purely based upon facets, for example.

So, if you don't mind me asking again, if you don't use a site map to 
communicate how the site works then what are you using?

Stew Dean





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