General information and guidance services on the web include a series of information
presentation modalities:
- simple or structured hypertext informative pages;
- downloadable documents (Word, pdf);
- data bases that can be interrogated;
- multimedia resources.
Individualized services include a series of web techniques:
- standardized forms: to assist clients in the clear formulation of the
information or counselling request, an online form will have to be filled in;
there are certain requirements: clear statement about the qualification of
counsellors who will answer the request, maximum time interval for
response, data security and confidentiality policy; - electronic discussion lists: these allow regular sending through e-mail of
useful news and information to a list of users who sign up and select their
interests; - individualized accounts: password-protected access allows personalized web
spaces that contain information specific to the client’s needs; - reserved web areas: unlike individualized accounts, these allow access to
specific information to a limited number of users who have a username and a
password. It is thus allowed to adapt information function of the geographic,
social, economic context, and the requirements of user groups; - chat: highly individualized counselling by written communication in real
time; - videoconference: distance communication in real time by means of
technology, realized through simultaneous audio-video transmission, which
is closest to face-to-face communication.
- Making it happen. Although design presupposes a series of previous attempts, it
functionally overlaps the making itself of web pages. Most often than not the final result
is much different from the initial idea, and it is always open to further changes. The web
page development requires a HTML (HyperText Mark-up Language) page editor such as
Macromedia – Dreamweaver, Front Page, etc. Although the current profile of carer
counsellors includes ITC competence, including web site creation, a beginner is advised
to seek professional help. Once created on the personal computer, the web site will be
uploaded to an Internet-connected server with a specific address, so as to be accessible
online.