The use of metaphorical structures for internet sites

Information services, such as regional or tourist information services, are currently developed everywhere. Whenever a site gets very large, providers understand the need for asystematic development. Site development is simil ar to database co-design, which includes structures, functionality, and int erfaces. Additionally, interfaces are even more important for sites and nee d a very sophisticated support whenever the site is raising to large sites. Metaphorical structures, i.e., metaphors, allegories, metonymies or synecd oches, can be used to help the scanning user understand a page. In general, metaphorical structures have a communicative or cognitive function. For ex ample, many users do not realize that within a computer context a trash can often stand as a metaphor for the action of deleting files. The users can understand content, functionality, and intention intuitively via using such metaphorical structures. Site development can profit from well-integrated metaphorical structures aimed at focus on a deeper context explanation as w ell as on a more specific navigation and selection. Metaphorical structures for sites can be developed based on linguistic and cognitive research. Sta nd-alone metaphors have often been used for sites. The power of metaphorica l structures can be best exploited if they are used for complex actions and in an integrated way together with structure, functionality, and interface s. This paper shows how the co-design approach allows for the consistent de velopment of metaphorical structures in an integrated manner. (C) 2000 Else vier Science B.V. All rights reserved.