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Information Technology Systems and Services

Web Design References

Web Design Glossary: I

I

@import rule
In CSS , the '@import' rule allows users to import style rules from other style sheets. Any @import rules must precede all rule sets in a style sheet. The '@import' keyword must be followed by the URI of the style sheet to include. A string is also allowed; it will be interpreted as if it had url(...) around it.
ID Attributes and Selectors
Document languages may contain attributes that are declared to be of type ID. What makes attributes of type ID special is that no two such attributes can have the same value; whatever the document language, an ID attribute can be used to uniquely identify its element. In HTML all ID attributes are named "id"; XML applications may name ID attributes differently, but the same restriction applies.The ID attribute of a document language allows authors to assign an identifier to one element instance in the document tree. CSS ID selectors match an element instance based on its identifier. A CSS ID selector contains a "#" immediately followed by the ID value. ID selectors have a higher precedence than attribute selectors. For example, in HTML , the selector #p123 is more specific than [ID=p123] in terms of the cascade.
If Structure
In programming, an if structure allows you to execute select lines of code only when specified conditions are true.
If...Else Structure
In programming, an if ...else structure executes a statement based on the value of if. If the tested condition returns false, PHP allows you to specify another block of code to be executed using the else keyword. Each of these conditionally executed blocks of code is known as a branch, and each branch must be placed within braces if it contains more than one line of code.
Image Map
An image map is an image that has either a region or regions that act as a hyperlink.
Inclusive Design
Inclusive design means developing systems or web sites flexible enough to serve the broadest possible range of users. Inclusive design calls for adaptable interfaces to be built into the product early in the design phase, producing features easily used by everyone. It allows for customization based on user preference. It provides equivalent access to content (e.g. auditory and visual) based on user preference. Inclusive design provides access to users with disabilities and provides better usability for everyone.
Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
A generic name for all of the technologies involved with communicating with computers.
Information Architect
A person who organizes inherent patterns in data to make complexities clear. He or she uncovers patterns and relationships and then structures content allowing users to find paths to knowledge.
Information Architecture
Information architecture is the organization of information. This field studies how to organize information most effectively to help people find and use the information. It also refers to the structure or organization of a website, especially how pages relate to one another.
Informative
Consult Non-Normative.
Inheritance
A mechanism in CSS by which some values are passed down to the children of an element in the document tree. Each property defines whether it is inherited or not. It is the mechanism by which styles applied to an element are assumed by any descendant elements.
Inline Box
In CSS , the inline box is the addition of (half-)leading to the content-area for each element. For for replaced elements height of the inline box of an element will be exactly equal to the intrinsic height of the element plus any margins, borders, or padding. For non-replaced elements height of the inline box of a non-replaced element will be exactly equal to the value for line-height.
Inline Element
Inline (also known as "text level") elements typically contain text and other inline elements. When rendered visually, inline elements do not usually begin on a new line. Inline content is displayed with no line breaks before and afterwards. Examples of inline elements include emphasised text, strong text and links.
Inline Style Sheet
An inline style controls the appearance of a single element. CSS rule(s) are placed in the HTML via the style attribute. With inline, style and content are intermingled in the body of the document.
Inquiry
Inquiry is a broad category of usability evaluation methods. It is part one of the "Usability Evaluation Toolbox". With inquiry methods usability evaluators obtain information about users' likes, dislikes, needs, and understanding of the system by talking to them, observing them using the system in real work (not for the purpose of usability testing), or letting them answer questions verbally or in written form. Numerous methods exist for doing inquiries. For more information consult Inquiry.
Inspection
Inspection is a broad category of usability evaluation methods. It is part two of the "Usability Evaluation Toolbox". In the inspection approach, usability specialists, users and other professionals examine usability related aspects of a user interface. Numerous methods exist for doing inquiries. For more information consult Inspection.
Internal Style Sheet- consult Embedded.
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to serve users worldwide.
Inverted Pyramid
The inverted pyramid is a type of writing style where conclusions are presented first not last. It begins with a conclusion then moves to the key information followed by background information. Usability studies show that web users want instant gratification. That is why the inverted pyramid style is important. For more information consult Inverted Pyramids in Cyberspace by Jakob Nielsen.
Iterative Design
Iterative design is a process where a web site progressively develops in a repeated cycle. Iteration is repeated revisions.