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As we noted at the beginning of the chapter, the Center Park Web site has limited screen "real estate"; indeed, most if not all Web sites have this same problem. From more Windows-like menu systems to utilizing graphical image maps, savvy Web designers have tried—since the early days of the Web—to present as much information onscreen as possible, but without it being overbearing or otherwise appearing overly busy to the reader.
Rotating images can be a great way to address this problem, as each group or issue being advertised gets as much space on the screen as the next—they just have to share it with their allotted amount of "screen time". For the Center Park school this works very well, as it allows the school administrators to give each group (and whoever audience they might want to reach) an equal amount of space on the Web site; but by using rotating images they refute any argument of bias, as everyone really does get their "fair share" of screen time.
By using JavaScript and other features of the Web browser (and as we've seen in this chapter, with special focus on Internet Explorer), you can utilize the rotation image to serve the informational requirements of your site and make it attractive in the process. As we've discussed throughout this project, form needs to follow function, but that doesn't mean (especially with the visual and other media-rich presentation qualities of the Web) either the "function" or the "form" have to be boring.
As we'll see in the next chapter, by combing rotating images with some DHTML (and additional JavaScript) you can elevate even the most rudimentary Web site into something that is visually appealing, or in other words has a high "eye candy" quality without again being overly busy, or appearing unorganized.
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