 |
 |
At Wed, 27 Sep 2000 16:05 Barbara Knight <[log in to unmask]> wrote >Please note: this is not intended to be criticizm. But I think this >needs to be added to your 'primer on html: designer vs viewer.'... i appreciate your interest my html 'primer' was a one shot deal, though there are lots of html education sources on the wwweb already i was trying to clear up what seemed to be a mis-understanding >Besides accessibility the web page designer needs to take >into account readability. In today's world, most computer users >are familiar with pages containing graphics and colors pleasing >to the eye. When you design a web page you need to keep 'balance' >in mind and make the page as attractive but still utilitarian -- >otherwise, you will lose the majority of the people who stop to >browse. And you can always offer the 'customer' a text-only >version if they have problems loading graphics.... i think you have again missed my point at the receiving end the customer has the choice of how to display the content in how their browser software is configured at the sending end all the designer needs to do is comply with www3 standards that's the entire premise upon which html was developed sites like mjf's (as far as i know) are not compliant and thus are not universally accessible >'..........or plain text in a preferred font in a preferred size' >The font recommended most is Times New Roman. In looking at your page >source, the font you're using is New Courier, and is rather indistinct, >kind of a typewriter version when you need a new ribbon. I would at >least experiment a little making the type on your pages in bold for those >of us who may have vision problems - even changing the background color >would help.... these choices are all available to the customer whether there is a personal preference [eg. i don't like orange backgrounds and i don't like times new roman as a font] or a functional preference [eg you may need to adjust the brightness and contrast levels on your monitor] also e.g. in my old netscape browser, if i want to, i can 'force' all the text to be to be 'times new roman' font in white on a purple background with yellow and green links (irregardless of whatever 'strange' ideas the designer may have had) >It's also recommended once you've developed your webpage, try it out >in different web browsers to make sure fonts look OK and everything works. >Another important thing easily forgotten is to retest your links >periodically to make sure they still work. Computer users get easily >discouraged if they try a few links and get errors - or nothing at all. >They may not return to your page to see if everything is operable... thank you, but i already know these tips, bk these are basic html practice guidelines and should be followed by anyone in the biz >It doesn't hurt us to adapt to new things, new practices. We >never stop learning, do we? You have so much useful and needed >nfo collected on your pages, it's a shame more people don't take >advantage of them... i don't know where you get these ideas!? learning new things is my middle name i knew zilch about html two years ago i have never received a complaint about the pages at "a new voice" only compliments and almost 9,000 visitors in under a year and a half >I'm guess I'm thinking of myself and others (some of your >'customers' )-who skip your pages because of the way they >are formatted. Think about it. Looking at a monitor screen >is not like reading a good book. Not only are monitors >hard on your eyes, but using a stark white background and >thin indistinct type makes it hard to concentrate and you lose interest in reading the content.... as per my earlier points, i suggest you change your browser software settings the background colour at "a new voice" is frequently used on the web and is considered 'comfortable' for most viewers >If you aren't interested in any assistance then sobeit... i'm interested in your comments but as i say i think you missed the main point of my initial message (i don't think i need any assistance at the moment though, thank you.) >As you said: >the end-users or the 'customers', >i.e. you and me and the blind lady down the street >call the shots......' >So if you are happy, and your friends are happy, then retain >the status quo. But if you're interested in improving your >website so it attracts more people to educate them on PD, >I'm still here. My offer remains open.... ummm i doubt that my 'friends' are the main visitors but i could do an analysis if you are interested i do know that over half of the 'hits' are from aol.com people your offer...? i'm sorry bk i must be misssing something here are you an html designer? do you have a web site i can look at or gain tips from? so far i've gleaned my html knowledge from the www3 standards and from the html writers guild and i have found their guidelines most professional and helpful i highly recommend them to all janet janet paterson 53 now / 44 dx cd / 43 onset cd / 41 dx pd / 37 onset pd TEL: 613 256 8340 URL: http://www.geocities.com/janet313/ EMAIL: [log in to unmask] SMAIL: PO Box 171 Almonte Ontario K0A 1A0 Canada