Re: [telecom] Please critique the new online version of the Telecom Digest

Oct 03, 2022 0 Replies



>> The "online" version of the Telecom Digest is now ready for Beta
>> test, and I need your help.


> The new version is at
formatting link
.


>> Please let me know what your opinions are concerning the web-based
>> version, and answer these questions for me:


> 1. Is it readable on your device, and if not, why not?


>>
>> 2. Does it present a professional appearance? In other words, does it look good? >>
>> 3. What would you change if you could? Why?
>
> I don't like the white text on black background. It is harder to
> read than black on white properly rendered. The text is also a notch
> too large. I don't like tiny text but the current text is too
> large. Sans-serif is also harder to read than serif typefaces. Look
> at the Boston Globe site (articles, not home page) for an example of
> readable text -- note the type is a bit tighter and smaller but
> retains wide leading (space between lines).
>
> I'm sorry, Bill, but it looks like Geocities called from 1998 and wants its
> designs back.

Well, I NEVER! ...



... took a course in typography, or learned how to run a Linotype machine. ;-)



But, seriously: I was so impressed with the increase in readability I got by enabling "High Contrast" in Windows 10, that I decided to try white-text-on-black-background for the "online" version of the Digest.



My eyes are old, and I've had cataract surgery, and I'm probably not the "typical" web-page reader. That doesn't necessarily mean that I'm doing something unproductive: younger eyes are more adaptable, and the whole idea is to make the page easily readable by *EVERYONE* - so I'll crabwalk a bit, and ask that other readers with more expertise on these matters than I contribute their suggestions for improvements.



To keep the debate focused on essentials, we'll stick to a single issue and make only suggested changes. The list of changes is at -



formatting link
... and readers can click through to any of the demo pages.



Bill Horne, writing only for himself as a self-taught, slightly out-of-date web designer.



P.S. Geocities? REALLY? I'm going to ask Northeastern University to revive the lynx machine: we'll set the WayBack machine to 1982!


Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required