This research aims to suggest key design characteristics that are necessary for developing usable e-commerce websites in the Arab world. A comprehensive usability evaluation of four leading Arab e-commerce websites was conducted using the heuristic evaluation method. The results identified major and minor usability problems and major and minor good design characteristics on the selected websites. Based on the results, 51 key design characteristics were suggested. The recommended key design characteristics comprised two levels according to their priority: level one which includes mandatory key design characteristics and level two which includes supplementary design characteristics. The key design characteristics in each level were categorized under specific pages and areas that can be found on any e-commerce website. Such categorizations could direct website evaluators and designers to important pages and areas that should be considered to improve the overall usability of e-commerce websites. The results of this research are particularly important to developing countries which are still facing challenges that may affect the design and accessibility of usable and useful websites. These relate to low speed of accessing the Internet and a lack of website designers who have experience in customers’ needs and websites’ usable design characteristics.

In many cases, temporary websites may be simple, accessible solutions for knowledge management and dissemination of information. However, such sites may become outdated as the funding ends, but yet in many cases, still publicly available through the Internet. The issue of website sustainability is a relevant topic for all organizations that have websites. Website lifecycle, knowledge management, and website sustainability issues are discussed through a theoretical-based literature review. These issues are then summarized and used as lessons learned for the case study approach of this paper. The aim is to identify a solution to address a website’s life and longevity, post project. A practical case study assessment of the issue of project website sustainability is needed to address the website’s longevity—post project—as creation is often made through temporary endeavors. Recommendations for future project websites are made as the outcomes and results of this study and are expressed in the form of suggested practices for project website sustainability in future projects.

Aim/Purpose: Professional companies selling persuasive-communication services via the World Wide Web need to be exemplars of effective informing practices. Their credibility is at risk if their websites do not excel in marketing message and use of medium. Their unique brands need to be expressed through website technology and content, or they cannot compete successfully. Background: Compares marketing communication consultants’ websites with expert criteria. Methodology: Content analysis of 40 advertising agency websites. Contribution: Links an evaluation of advertising agency compliance with expert website criteria to established branding constructs. Findings: Most small advertising agencies could improve their brand reputations through better compliance with experts’ recommended website design and content criteria. Recommendations for Practitioners: A hierarchy of recommendations for practitioners is offered, addressing ease and importance. Impact on Society: Clarity and credibility of message and medium improve our ability to practice effective informing. Future Research: Explore online communications of specialized populations such as digital marketing experts.

I APPLAUD the government’s plan to introduce targeted subsidies for RON95 petrol as announced in Budget 2025. In the long run, this approach will ensure that subsidies reach those who need them most.

This targeted move means funds can be better spent on essential services such as healthcare, education and infrastructure. It also avoids wasteful spending where the wealthiest and even foreign nationals currently benefit disproportionately from subsidies meant to help the average Malaysian.

However, the communication surrounding this important change has been a complete mess.

Since the announcement, various government figures have given conflicting messages, leaving the public confused and anxious.

For instance, while the prime minister mentioned that around 85% of Malaysians would still benefit from the subsidies, other officials have added confusing layers.

We have Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli suggesting a
two-tier pricing system that differentiates prices based on income, introducing the concept of a “T15” group. Days later, he conceded that the definition of T15 is still in the works.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke further added a suggestion of using MyKad at petrol stations to restrict subsidies to Malaysians only. Treasury Secretary-General Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican then weighed in, saying the government is “considering” a tiered subsidy similar to electricity. So, which is which?

Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah has asked the public to avoid speculation as the income threshold is still undecided.

With these overlapping, sometimes contradictory statements, Malaysians are left wondering: What exactly is happening? Is there even a clear plan? Or is each ministry proposing its version, leaving the people in limbo?

These confusing signals do more harm than good. They create a sense of uncertainty and give the impression that there is no cohesive approach to implementing an important policy.

A unified, single message
is essential, especially when dealing with subsidies that affect people’s daily lives.

The government must assign a clear project leader to this subsidy reform. Is it the Finance Ministry, the Economy Ministry or the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry?

Once the lead is determined, all communications should flow directly from this designated ministry to avoid confusion.

A good example of effective communication was seen in the recent diesel subsidy rationalisation.

Information was straight-forward, easy to understand and delivered consistently. People knew what to expect and who to turn to for information.

If the government does not get its act together on communicating the RON95 subsidy reforms, it will only cause anxiety, confusion and distrust.

Getting communications right is not just a matter of public relations – it is crucial for gaining public support and making this beneficial change work smoothly.

Abdul Latiff Abdul Hakim

TOY manufacturer Mattel have removed thousands of its ‘Wicked’-branded dolls off the shelves after discovering a x-rated printing error on the packaging.

The dolls were made in collaboration with the movie adaptation of the award-winning musical ‘Wicked’, fashioned after the characters.

CNBC reported that the website link printed on the dolls’ packaging lead to a pornographic website instead of the ‘Wicked’ movie adaptation’s official website.

Quoting Mattel’s apology statement, the company stated it was “aware” of a misprint on the doll’s packaging, mainly sold in US, intended to direct consumers to the movie’s landing page.

ALSO READ: M’sian netizens mock local uni for spelling ‘exercise’ as ‘eksesais’ in congratulatory post

“We deeply regret this unfortunate error and are taking immediate action to remedy this. Parents are advised that the misprinted, incorrect website is not appropriate for children,” Mattel was quoted as saying.

The company also advised consumers who have already purchased the dolls with the misprint to throw away the packaging or “obsure”, as quoted, the website link.

Following the misprint revelation, several online retailers across the US have pulled the dolls off their shelves as of Monday (Nov 11).

However, it is unclear if the toy manufacturing company will release the dolls with the correct print details or provide stickers to cover the mistakenly printed link.

ALSO READ: ‘Rail My Life’: KTM’s free ride campaign poster leaves netizens amused at mistaken wording

YouTube said that this new goal can be used in ads displayed on Shorts and to drive more traffic towards websites

Among web users, there is probably no one who’s never heard about the Intense theme. And all because it is a #1 best-selling website template on the TemplateMonster marketplace. Multipurpose, developed with users in mind, and up-to-date — these …

The post Intense Multipurpose Website Template: Technical Overview appeared first on Template Monster Help.

This tutorial is going to show you how to install a WordPress template on your existing website and make it look like the live demo preview.

The post WordPress. How to install template over existing website appeared first on Template Monster Help.

This tutorial shows how to change website scroll speed in Wordpress.

The post WordPress. How to change website scroll speed appeared first on Template Monster Help.

Is it possible to launch a website in 12 hours? You start out having lots of time ahead, yet at some point, the deadline creeps closer, and you realize you don’t have enough hours left to do the work.

This …

The post 12-hours deadline: launching a website on the run (based on Monstroid2) appeared first on Template Monster Help.

A database of pirate sites maintained by City of London Police for more than a decade is set for a makeover. Earlier this year vendors were invited to bid for a contract to supply
a new portal for Operation Creative, the anti-piracy initiative responsible for the Infringing Website List. Nominated for inclusion by mainly overseas rightsholders, the list predominantly features overseas pirate sites. The winning bid of just over £221,000 will be settled from the UK public purse.

From: TF, for the latest news on copyright battles, piracy and more.

The picture shows a person using VPN on mobile phone. — Canva/FilePTA blocks over 844,000 websites, more than 100,000 URLs for explicit content.Unregistered VPNs cited as security risks; PTA accelerates VPN registration.Complaints of slow VPN speeds rise as PTA restricts unauthorised...

GEO BON announces the launch of their newly designed webpage located at the same address: www.geobon.org

The site’s home page welcomes visitors with a clean uncluttered design with featured content focused on GEO BON's to improve the acquisition, coordination and delivery of biodiversity information and services to users, particularly decision-makers,  achieved through easier navigation to content, applications and products, but also for the site to serve as a data portal in future.

Go and explore if you haven't done so: www.geobon.org

Europe's main zoological taxonomic index - Fauna Europaea presents its updated and modernized website at http://www.fauna-eu.org/. Scientific names and distributions of all living, currently known, multicellular, European land and freshwater animal species are available in one authoritative database.Fauna Europaea offers key information on:

• Taxonomical index for European land and freshwater species
• Information on the geographical distribution of many species
• Database on taxonomic experts in Europe
• References on literature of European species taxonomy and distribution
• A browsable taxon tree

Fauna Europaea provides access to its rich and quality-checked data via this public web portal that also links to other key biodiversity services. It is installed as a taxonomic backbone in a wide range of biodiversity services and actively contributes to biodiversity informatics innovations in various initiatives and EC programs. Fauna Europaea started in 2000 as an EC funded FP5 project and provides a unique taxonomic reference for many user-groups such as scientists, governments, industries, nature conservation communities and educational programs. Fauna Europaea was formally accepted as an INSPIRE standard for Europe, as part of the European Taxonomic Backbone established in PESI. Today it is hosted by the Museum für Naturkunde in Berlin.

SBSTTA 19 - Nineteenth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice will take place from 2 to 5 November 2015 in Montreal, Canada.

Specified Technologies announced the launch of its new corporate website. The new face of stifirestop.com is designed with customers in mind, increasing discoverability and ease of use while still empowering the core group of power-user customers.

In late June, the Gypsum Association took its website to the next level with a complete redesign that offers—among other things—more robust search functionality, new content, and both video tutorials and video FAQs.

In late June, the Gypsum Association took its website to the next level with a complete redesign that offers—among other things—more robust search functionality, new content, and both video tutorials and video FAQs.

EIMA announced the launch of its newly redesigned website. The modern, user-friendly platform is set to become the go-to resource for the Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems industry, providing an extensive array of technical resources, advocacy tools, educational materials and a gallery showcasing exemplary EIFS projects.

The Architectural Glass and Metal Certification Council hosted its annual meeting in Salt Lake City on Oct. 23-24. During the meeting, AGMCC announced a new website and continued progress with both the North American Contractor Certification and Architectural Glass and Metal Technician programs, North America’s only third-party credentials for glazing contractors and glaziers.

Thermafiber launched a new mobile website to make it easier for users to access product information from mobile devices.

Silver Spring, MD – A new website from the Center for Construction Research and Training aims to help construction workers and contractors prevent hand injuries and disorders.

Washington – The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has announced a detailed plan to update its Safety Measurement System website, which provides ratings of truck and bus carriers.

Washington – The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration no longer will publicly display most information involving motor carriers’ safety performances.

Washington — A new Department of Labor website – available in English and Spanish – features information on immigrant worker rights and other job-related resources.

The latest apps, websites, white papers and everything online in the security industry.

Harrisburg, PA — A new website launched by the Emergency Responder Safety Institute will help track struck-by incidents involving first responders on the nation’s roadways.

Website operators who seek to bind visitors to the terms of an arbitration agreement must make those terms “reasonably conspicuous” under the law.

Apart from making FireProtect 2 a fully certified solution in residential fire alarm systems, the BSI Kitemark certification imposes additional requirements such as bi-annual factory production control inspections, quality control standards, and more.

Arlington, VA – The American Transportation Research Institute, the research arm of the American Trucking Associations, has launched a website on commercial motor vehicle operator fatigue management.

Silver Spring, MD – A new online tool from the Center for Construction Research and Training (better known as CPWR) allows users to confidentially save, retrieve and edit plans for reducing worker exposure to silica.

The National Roofing Contractors Association and roofing manufacturer GAF have teamed up to create a website intended to help roofing contractors keep their employers safe.

Washington — The National Occupational Research Agenda Manufacturing Sector Council has created an online resource guide intended to assist organizations in beginning, maintaining or enhancing their hazardous energy control programs.

Covington, LA — Helping farmers and ranchers navigate occupational risks and providing information on health and safety issues is the goal of the AgriSafe Health Hub, a new website.

DMP has retired and replaced its website with a new, updated version.

Infusion Direct Marketing Inc. announced it has recently launched a new website along with an expanded portfolio of marketing and technology services.

NAPCO Security Technologies announced a new website to coincide with the launching of its new Napco Access Pro Dealer Program.

The company’s new website represents a dynamic shift in approach, using search engine optimization and a strong web presence to reach a wider audience than ever before.

Level Lock was founded in 2016 by John Martin and Ken Goto and has approximately 70 employees. 

Atlanta – In an effort to help employers start or expand employee health promotion programs, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has created the Workplace Health Resource Center website.

This white paper provides detailed guidance from J. J. Keller’s safety and compliance experts on selecting the right equipment for the job, such as hard hats, footwear, respiratory devices, high-visibility apparel, hearing protection and more.

Washington — The Department of Education – together with the departments of Health and Human Services, Justice, and Homeland Security – has launched a new website it calls a “one-stop shop of resources” for K-12 teachers, administrators, parents and law enforcement to identify, prepare for, respond to and mitigate school safety threats.

Blacksburg, VA — The Virginia Tech Helmet Lab is planning to venture outside of sports and recreation to create ratings for safety helmets.

St. Louis – In an effort to help residential construction workers stay safe, a new website is providing details on fall protection methods and equipment.

Bilbao, Spain — When carcinogens are present in the workplace, “employers must do everything in their power to prevent workers from coming into contact with them,” the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work says.

The new AKFP site is a gateway for food manufacturers to source bulk-quantity ingredients.

Featuring an expanded customer center and investor section, as well as responsive search capability, the new website is an important step forward in the company’s Vision 2022 journey.