4 ms·

I'd like to see some evidence that today's sites are less readable than those that went before us. Otherwise, it just looks like nostalgia for the 'good old day

by blowski 10y ago

I'd like to see some evidence that today's sites are less readable than those that went before us. Otherwise, it just looks like nostalgia for the 'good old days'. Well I remember the 90s when we there were plenty of unreadable sites, ugly monstrosities with unreadable typography and garish colour schemes. Meanwhile, much of the web is now dominated by sites like Facebook, Google, BBC, etc - all of which are extremely readable. Both then and now, the reason for the bad sites is that they are made by amateurs. They're the same people that make those terrible leaflets with 20 fonts and loads of clipart. Just because they exist, it doesn't mean the web is getting worse. My anecdotal experience is that it's improving.

ThomPete 10y ago
Actually they weren't unreadable they were just ugly :)
- blowski 10y ago
  There was an awful lot of black on dark blue, yellow on red, etc. That's just as unreadable as grey on grey.
zild3d 10y ago
> Meanwhile, much of the web is now dominated by sites like Facebook, Google, BBC, etc - all of which are extremely readable. The author actually calls out Google and Apple specifically, for breaking their own contrast suggestions His example: https://kevinmarks.github.io/appenginebefore.png https://kevinmarks.github.io/appenginebefore.png https://kevinmarks.github.io/appengineafter.png https://kevinmarks.github.io/appengineafter.png
- OJFord 10y ago
  I actually find the 'after' example an improvement for legibility - something about the spacing I think is the improvement; I don't find the colour a noticeable disadvantage at all.
  - wldcordeiro 10y ago
    In terms of layout, font choice, etc yeah I agree it's an improvement, but the shades could be given a bump in darkness without resorting to full black and have a general improvement.
  - wott 10y ago
    An improvement for the legibility of what? There is nothing left to be read...
josho 10y ago
As another commenter pointed out Apply/Google seem to set design trends, as evidence of this take a look at OmniFocus (a professionally built Mac App). It loves to use grey text on white. I used to use this program extensively, but found my eyes grew tired while using the app. Note, I raised this with the Omni team and their response was to add theming support. Sigh, so now I can customize a better contrast. What about all those other folks that simply don't know why their eyes get tired after using these beautiful displays.
coldtea 10y ago
>I'd like to see some evidence that today's sites are less readable than those that went before us. Otherwise, it just looks like nostalgia for the 'good old days'. Usually evidence is only really needed when there is no direct empirical validation. >Both then and now, the reason for the bad sites is that they are made by amateurs. They're the same people that make those terrible leaflets with 20 fonts and loads of clipart. Just because they exist, it doesn't mean the web is getting worse. My anecdotal experience is that it's improving. Your complaint seem to be about amateur sites and designs. The concerns of the post and most here are about sites and apps done by handsomely paid designers and large companies. It's more about great UI paradigms being buried under designy graphics and hipster aesthetics than about tacky or 200-fonts bonanza issues.

by blowski 10y ago

ThomPete 10y ago

Actually they weren't unreadable they were just ugly :)

blowski 10y ago
There was an awful lot of black on dark blue, yellow on red, etc. That's just as unreadable as grey on grey.

zild3d 10y ago

> Meanwhile, much of the web is now dominated by sites like Facebook, Google, BBC, etc - all of which are extremely readable. The author actually calls out Google and Apple specifically, for breaking their own contrast suggestions His example: https://kevinmarks.github.io/appenginebefore.png https://kevinmarks.github.io/appenginebefore.png https://kevinmarks.github.io/appengineafter.png https://kevinmarks.github.io/appengineafter.png

OJFord 10y ago
I actually find the 'after' example an improvement for legibility - something about the spacing I think is the improvement; I don't find the colour a noticeable disadvantage at all.
- wldcordeiro 10y ago
  In terms of layout, font choice, etc yeah I agree it's an improvement, but the shades could be given a bump in darkness without resorting to full black and have a general improvement.
- wott 10y ago
  An improvement for the legibility of what? There is nothing left to be read...

josho 10y ago

As another commenter pointed out Apply/Google seem to set design trends, as evidence of this take a look at OmniFocus (a professionally built Mac App). It loves to use grey text on white. I used to use this program extensively, but found my eyes grew tired while using the app. Note, I raised this with the Omni team and their response was to add theming support. Sigh, so now I can customize a better contrast. What about all those other folks that simply don't know why their eyes get tired after using these beautiful displays.

coldtea 10y ago

>I'd like to see some evidence that today's sites are less readable than those that went before us. Otherwise, it just looks like nostalgia for the 'good old days'. Usually evidence is only really needed when there is no direct empirical validation. >Both then and now, the reason for the bad sites is that they are made by amateurs. They're the same people that make those terrible leaflets with 20 fonts and loads of clipart. Just because they exist, it doesn't mean the web is getting worse. My anecdotal experience is that it's improving. Your complaint seem to be about amateur sites and designs. The concerns of the post and most here are about sites and apps done by handsomely paid designers and large companies. It's more about great UI paradigms being buried under designy graphics and hipster aesthetics than about tacky or 200-fonts bonanza issues.