[Web4lib] Web technologies and public access

[K.G. Schneider]

Rich, if design were an issue, my blog wouldn't have any readers. But
that aside, while I too focus on content and have loved many an ugly
book, it's not a question of our tolerance level--it's about what users
want, as well as the image we're projecting. 

Karen G. Schneider


On Mon, 4 Feb 2008 14:22:01 -0500, "Richard Wiggins"
<richard.wiggins at gmail.com> said:
> 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
> > > _______________________________________________
> > >  Web4lib mailing list
> > > Web4lib at webjunction.org
> > > http://lists.webjunction.org/web4lib/
> > >
> >
> >
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