What is it?
A website optimized for use on handheld devices such as cellphones, iPods, and PDAs:
http://library.duke.edu/mobile
- These are new web pages created specifically with the needs of mobile users in mind.
- This pilot project does not duplicate the main library web site — mobile device users can still access the content on the main library web site when in need of more detailed information.
Key points about our pilot:
- Compact display: information optimized for the very small screen space available on handheld devices — every pixel counts.
- Compact file size: patrons often pay a fee for each byte transmitted to their device, and handheld devices often have very slow connection speeds — every byte counts.
- Tightly focused content: the content we provide is closely tied to the tasks people are most likely to undertake on a handheld device — context counts.
- Optimized Navigation: navigation is optimized for handheld devices (e.g., using access-keys for keypad navigation).
Feedback, Suggestions, or Questions?
We are keenly interested in your ideas. Please post your comments letting us know what Library information would be helpful to you if it were part of the http://library.duke.edu/mobile website.
Nicely done.
The one feedback I’d share is that although every byte is precious on a mobile connection, it doesn’t mean that you can’t think about using graphics to convey information that is best described graphically. In particular, I’d bet that a carefully cut to size line drawing map added as an image on your various “directions” pages would add a lot to them, without bloating page size.
It’s now also possible to use Worldcat from most mobile devices. It even uses GPS technology to locate local libraries. Here is the link to the press release with links to the pilot website as well as the mobile site address.