bookmark_borderCommentary

Hanni linked to a post which discusses whether weblogs and standards are ruining the internet, with the entire thing prompted by Heather Champ, the woman’s influence is considerable. I’ve commented about this on the former linked sites but thought I’d expand (clarify) my position here. If you are so inclined I suggest you go and read the above links including my comments, in reverse order.

If you’re not so inclined, stop reading. This is about how people ‘use’ the internet. It also contains many generalisations. I know both topics bore some people.

In response to the original article then:

“I’ve long since given up worrying too much about this kind of thing. The cycle at the moment is leaning towards 2/3 columns. It’ll veer back to single column or multi column again at some point. Hell, if someone comes up with a workable alternative to frames expect that to be the next big thing (you heard it here first! LOL).

As for standards – I wish people would refer to them as guidelines or references. A standard isn’t “standard” until it’s adopted by everyone, and I’m afraid the browser creators have a way to go yet. When THEY get their collective acts together maybe I’LL start worrying a little more about it. For now, a ‘close enough’ attitude is suiting me fine thankyouverymuch.

Question – if I redesign my blog to be ‘different’ will people know how to navigate? where to find the info? No they’ll have to learn MY way. What kind of designer does that?”

Hanni then asked me to expand on the navigation aspect, don’t worry, she’ll learn not to ask in future (honestly, I never realised how much I can GO ON, you should have told me!).

Well, it’s quite simple. I think it’s called commonality or something but it’s the reason why certain UI features prevail even if ‘in theory’ they are ‘wrong’.

For example, if you see a dialog box with OK and Cancel buttons, you expect that OK will confirm an action and make the dialg box disappear. The Cancel button will NOT confirm an action and make the dialog box disappear.

Now consider if, for some reason, Microsoft changed that so that you had to click Cancel to have an action confirmed (easily done by changing the wording on the dialog to negative terms). It would throw everyone and there would be outrage.

Same goes for website navigation. The lowest denominator tells us that blue underlined words are links to another webpage. We’ve since learnt that the link can change colour, be underlined or even be an image. Most designers ensure the navigation is obvious, and place site navigation in one place on all/most pages. That way people learn that “when I visit site A, the text down the left hand side links to other parts of the site”.

Taking that further, I think it’s safe to assume that most sites have their main/core navigation (to the main areas of their site) in either the left or right side, or under a banner/header.

Now, what would happen if we all switch to 4 column layouts and placed the navigation in the 3rd column, and made it look like plain text? Confusion.

Some people would figure it out, others wouldn’t even try as it wouldn’t be obvious and if there is one thing the web tells us it’s that if it ain’t easy to use, people won’t.

And there you have it. The core reason that, whilst I do read many of them, I don’t comment often on any of the sites that focus on web design is because they too often concentrate on code, standards, and the like, forgetting one thing. The user, the audience.

What say you?

bookmark_borderShe's still missing

Muse-less I wander the dessert, spoon in hand. I have no content to create, only that which to pass on… please bear that in mind as you read on:

Q. How many surrealists does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
A. Fish.

Q. Why can’t engineers tell jokes timing?

Q. A bass drum and a cymbal fall out of a tree.
A. Ba dum dum CHING!

Q. What’s invisible and smells like worms?
A. Bird farts.

Two lions are walking down Oxford Street. One turns to the other and says “Quiet. Isn’t it”.

An ethics question: If you were able to clone yourself, and you took your clone to the top of a building, striped all his/her clothes off and pushed him/her off over the edge…

Would it be?
1. murder
2. suicide
3. just another obscene clone fall.

bookmark_borderOld Dog

The matchsticks snapped, the caffeine hallucinations haven’t kicked in yet and sitting here with my head soaking, hair dripping, at my desk this is about the best I can come up with. Sorry.

You know, sometimes it’s almost like I’ve just started blogging. It’s ridiculous really, you’d think I’d know better than to post about not being able to post. Next I’ll be moaning about how life is crap and posting photos of kittens. Honestly… I despair sometimes.

Instead how about a little referrer log snooping? That’s always good for a giggle, right?

First up an apology, despite being the second hit for this search, I don’t do riddles: “I am the beginning i am the end .you can see me twice in a week but not in a day.Once in a year but twice in a decade. So who am i?”

And whilst I did live there for 20-odd years, I was unaware of any XXX establishments and certainly took no photos, so no point in looking right? Wrong?

Equally I am NOT the best person to ask about decorating a 8 & 3 bedroom.

And… that’s about it. Well that filled a couple of minutes eh?

Hmmmm.

I guess I should really be pondering the reasoning behind my desire to post something today. The desire to post ANYTHING is an odd one sometimes. Feels like I’m cheating you, dear reader, if I don’t post. But I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t mind being cheated out of reading this tripe eh?

bookmark_borderGive her back

Someone has stolen my muse. If you know of her whereabouts, please let me know. In the meantime I’ll be consoling myself with another coffee whilst propping open my eyelids with matchsticks.

Posted in UncategorizedTagged

bookmark_border*yawns*

I love getting presents. I love getting late presents too (I’m still waiting on pressies from my wife, although it’s Amazon’s fault).

In saying that, presents that arrive at 7.50am on a Saturday morning, aren’t THAT welcome.. initially at least. Particularly when you’ve been out for curry, several beers, and only got to sleep around 1.30am.

On the plus side it did mean that we got into Glasgow before 9am and had completed our shopping before 11. One new shirt, and two ties for me (couldn’t decide between them, decadence!) and a tiara or two for Louise. She likes wearing them whilst hoovering and dusting*. She is a true domestic goddess.

Of course rising early on a Saturday has a price, namely reducing Saturday evening to a couple of DVDs and an early bed. It did mean that I finally got to watch the ‘new’ ending to Return of the Jedi. Personally I think it works but I know a lot of purists are outraged, but really guys, get over yourself. It’s a movie!

* Not really, they are for the wedding in a fortnight’s time. She’s the bridesmaid and couldn’t decide between the two either. Just as well they were in the sale.
Posted in UncategorizedTagged

bookmark_borderSelf Destructing Post

Back from curry, several pints of beer and pondering how to spend £25 in the iTunes store.

In a remarkable show of self-restraint, I’m NOT buying anything at the moment, no, I’m not THAT drunk (hic).

No, I’m going to ask your opinion, but don’t rush. You’ve got all weekend to consider.

You have £25 to spend in the iTunes Music Store. You can buy an entire album or three, or individual tracks.

What would you buy?