e-references

Other than email, most e-references are hyphenated. Commonly used e-references include:

• CD-ROM, RAM and URL, which are abbreviations and must be written in capital letters
• e-business
• e-commerce
• e-learning
• email, which is one word
• internet and intranet (not capitalised)
• online (not hyphenated)
• website, which is one word.

Including URLs in print publications

Some general principles:

• It is not always necessary to include 'http://' at the beginning of a web address in print unless the URL does not contain 'www' (for example http://itassist.usyd.edu.au). Always check that URLs work before you go to print.
• Extensions such as 'index.shtml', '.shtml', and '.html' may be excluded where the URL works without them. This makes it is easier for the user to type and remember. Always include the extension for files that are not web pages. Again, always check that URLs work before you go to print.
• If the URL appears at the end of a sentence, do not include a full stop. This can lead to an incorrect URL being keyed in by the user.

Always check URLs that you plan to include in print publications, preferably in different browsers. Different styles may apply for different websites, depending how each website is configured.

Providing links on web pages

• All links (within web pages, to new web pages, to other files) should use clear explanatory text. For example 'download the full transcript', 'read the code of conduct policy' and 'how to apply' are more useful than 'click here' or 'more information'. This is especially important for blind users and search engines.
• Where linking to a file that is not a web page (ie an MP3 file, a PDF or a DOC) always include the file extension and where appropriate the file size in brackets after the link, for example: 'The University of Sydney Annual Report (2MB PDF)' or 'Annual and financial reports – Book 2 (673KB PDF)'. This is extremely helpful for the web user.