[Web4lib] Web technologies and public access

[Richard Wiggins]

On Feb 4, 2008 2:21 PM, Richard Wiggins <richard.wiggins at gmail.com> wrote:

> Sigh,
>
> I should've used Martin Luther King and CSS.
>
> Karen, I appreciate when a Web site uses a clever or appealing design.  I
> appreciate a good aesthetic.  I try very hard not to judge the words by the
> font.
>
> /rich
>
>   On Feb 4, 2008 2:00 PM, K.G. Schneider <kgs at bluehighways.com> wrote:
>
> > > I reject the notion that a particular Web site needs to keep up with
> > > fashion
> > > or hew to a particular style.  I don't care if a given Web site looks
> > > like
> > > it was designed on an Underwood typewriter if the words ring true.
> >  Sure,
> > > you appreciate savvy design, but wise words are wise words.  I doubt
> > > Gandhi
> > > would be doing PowerPoint if he were alive today.
> >
> > Um... did you really put PowerPoint and usability in the same paragraph?
> > ;)
> >
> > I most emphatically embrace the notion that a website "needs to keep up
> > with fashion." Aesthetics matter; so does emotional content. The design
> > is part of the message. We want people to enjoy our websites -- to
> > linger on them and to feel better about us because of them.  (And
> > because you're a good guy I know you won't translate that to "Karen
> > hates usability and thinks websites should be built with Flash.")
> >
> > Also, in terms of Nielsen's site, his site wasn't just ugly (imho, still
> > is), but for a very long time, it was hard to read. You shouldn't have
> > to move your head to read the text on a webpage, or squint your way
> > through long undifferentiated paragraphs in a san serif font.  If you
> > want to be an authority on something, then walk the walk. I know, it's
> > scandalous cuz he's been the Man when it comes to usability, but I am
> > not alone in this opinion (and in fact I came to that opinion All By
> > Myself and was quite relieved to find out just how not-alone I was...
> > and how LONG I've not been alone!).
> >
> > To the extent that there's an unfortunate gulf between graphic designers
> > and usability experts, Nielsen has not helped close that gap.
> >
> > This does not mean that Nielsen hasn't contributed a lot to the web
> > world or that he won't continue to do so. But you either believe
> > aesthetics are part of functionality, or you don't. I do.
> >
> > K.G. Schneider
> > kgs at freerangelibrarian.com
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> >
>
>