Do people "pass by" plain-text sites?

[Loretta Weiss-Morris]

Hi: I thought I'd tell you about my own experience. I often use a computer
that's typical of a lot of folks out there--a 486/50 with a v.34 modem and
Windows 3.1. This means I use an older browser too. Again, one reason I do
this is that I review a lot of stuff and I like to use technology that
represents what many typical office and home users have. 

(And even the fastest technology ultimately bumps up against the
limitations of Internet phone line delivery (unless you're talking about
closed Intranet systems). I know a top executive at one of the
largest computer training companies in the world. Because of the
quality of phone service where he lives and works (a city in the Southeast
U.S.), his ability to download web pages is worse than mine!)

Anyway, I'm RELIEVED when I come across a site that keeps photos and other
non-text stuff to a minumum, as long as the web site pages are designed
along good principals (e.g., a couple of eye pleasing colors, enough
"white space", and vital information readily findable).

Nothing frustrates me more than waiting a long time for a graphic
item to download that turns out to be a photo or something else that isn't
absolutely necessary for MY benefit.

I once waited an incredibly long time for what turned out to be 
a photo of the company's empty training room--and they were selling
courseware--not even training room equipment!)
	
I LOVE sites that make their most important information easy to
find, with as little muss and fuss as possible.

I'm probably a typical busy adult in that regard. As for kids, I
recently witnessed several adolescents give up quickly on Internet-based
games because the response time was too slow. Nintendo etc., has spoiled
most kids for the typical Internet download time.
	Sincerely, Loretta Weiss-Morris
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On Tue, 29 Jul 1997, KAREN SCHNEIDER wrote:

> On another discussion list, in the midst of  a debate about the
> relative value of graphics on websites, the statement was made
> that "there are MANY,MANY people who will pass a plain, text
> only (no graphics) site right by."  
> 
> Do we actually *know* this?  Or is it a WOM (Word Of Mouth)?
> 
> Karen G. Schneider/schneider.karen at epamail.epa.gov
> Contractor, GCI/Director, US EPA Region 2 Library
> http://www.epa.gov/Region2/library/
> 
> 
>