Reboot bbc.co.uk

BBC-13

mrCharlie

With my design I have tackled the issue of "How can the BBC show all of its content on one page, without it becoming cluttered."

I decided the best way to go about this would be using "Web 2.0" ideas to create a customisable homepage which is personal to every user, and that can use RSS feeds to bring content from other sources to help compete with other leading homepages, such as Google's "Personalised Home" and Microsoft's "Live.com".

To fully explain about my design is to start from the beginning. Group-13 (Group-13.com) Started developing a product codenamed "Novus" (which is currently still under development.) This used Web 2.0, to customise your homepage. With this in mind, I decided to design something with similar capabilities, but moving in a much different direction.

Now, onto my design for BBC.co.uk, I designed this layout with "userbility" in mind. I wanted every user to be able to use my design, without much experience with Web 2.0 ideas.

You will be able to use the "Page Editor" to add and remove features, such as the RSS/XML Feeds, and other parts of the page you do not want.
You will notice there is another button to the left of the close button. Clicking this activates the "Preferences" for each box. Take an RSS box for example. Clicking on the arrow displays options for you to, "Edit your Feed" This allows you change the URL the feed downloads information from, and change the amount of items it displays.
Other uses for this menu would be adding, editing, and removing things from your planner, allowing easy use.

I have tried to incorporate all of the current features of the BBC, and I have thrown a few of my own, original ideas into the mix.

The litREACHER – (Bad name; I tried coming up with something rather than search engine, as in essence, that's what it is.) With litREACHER you can search, news and other external texts to find reading material that will interest you.
It does based on entered keywords, hobbies or previous texts you have enjoyed.

The showCASE – (Another bad name; I tried coming up with something rather than search engine, as again that's what it is.) showCASE will browse BBC.co.uk and other sources for TV shows which may interest you. This search is also based on keywords, interests and previously enjoyed shows.

Another feature I have designed is "Your News". Your News is in effect, a news rating system. It will display the most likely news you want to see, although you can see all of the news via, the "All News" button.
You can rate news using a rating panel, of perhaps 5 stars, 5 being you liked the story, and 1 being you disliked. This will help filter news that you do not like to read, and keeps you up to date with your interests and such.

The "Personal Planner" and as if by magic, something appeared to help you remember when shows are on, wherever you are.
You can add shows to you're planner, and by accessing the site you can keep track of what shows are on, and when, to help you remember them.
You could also receive reminders via Email, or even SMS, to make them truly portable reminders.

If I had more time I would have increased the amount of modules you can see on the homepage, including things such as Flickr Feeds, and other interesting bits and pieces.

Feel free to leave me feedback, and questions.

- Charlie.

• 23 May 2006 12:14