Re: Re: software-keyholes Digest, Vol 3, Issue 11

George Arvell wrote:
[SNIP]
> On a commercial web site?  I would rather look at the web site that is
> offering me the better price or product.  I'd rather read the
> Washington Post than the Schenectady Daily Courier, and that
> preference for the (author controlled) content is going to compensate
> for a whole lot of author controlled display.  I'd rather order from
> the online book dealer that gives me prompt delivery, excellent
> customer service, and the best price - even if their display is
> keyholed.

We are mixing issues here I am afraid.  The things you add are not those a
Web designer is in control of.  He is in control of the Web interface, so
that is where he can add to the company success.  If you take two companies,
with similar service, (e.g.: two online newspapers) you will certainly
choose the one, which will give you less headache.

> I'm not arguing that keyholes aren't a pain in the butt; I think they
> should be eliminated, too, and I think Scott's advice is excellent.
> I am not quarreling with his conclusions.
>
> But what I found on first reading to be the dominant argument was one
> that I don't lend a lot of credit to, just like I find your argument
> above irrelevant.  If I were trying to sell the case, I wouldn't use
> your argument either.
>
>> One more point: while Scott is right about the user being in control
>> being a good thing I would add something - since we went a bit into
>> philosophy/psychology.  The user (only) needs to _feel_ he is in
>> control.
>
> Once again, let me disagree.  Vehemently.

Why?  Let's change wording and leave out CONTROL.  If this is a negative
buzzword.  Of course it is the Web designer who is in control of the Web
page!  That is the reason why he has to do all (reasonably) in his power to
transfer some aspects of this control to the user.  What do I mean?  The
user needs to FEEL well served and needs to FEEL in control.  Really.  I
will not let that part go. :-)  So what I mean is: the Web designer should
not decide about things he cannot.  Things where he has no idea about the
information needed for the decision.  Giving me a 800x600 Web page for my
1600x1200 screen is like sending me a 32 shoe (metric) instead of the 42.5 I
need.  The same way sending a 1024x768 site to someone with a 1/4 VGA mobile
phone is equally bad.

>  The user is in some
> control of *some aspects* of the web page experience: some of the
> resources available to it.  But the author is in control of
> everything else.  The issue is not ceding control over the website to
> the user, the issue is responding gracefully to a wide variety of
> resources and platforms.  The user will have unpredictable resources,
> the author should use those to best advantage. Especially when the
> cost of a more flexible display is very small.

Exactly.  So the argument is somehow goes to the direction that since the
Web designer is in full control of the Web experience he should not make the
mistake to make a decision about certain things, otherwise he will
(unnecessarily) limit the users abilities to use the Web page - thereby
creating a keyhole.

>> Sorry if I sound harsh I did not mean it - it is a birth defect. :-)
>
> With a name like Attila, I expected much worse!  Don't worry about
> the tone, I'm only interested in the argument.  (Ironic, I suppose,
> since my argument is just the opposite.)

According to my father there was a Frenchman who said something like this:
Sir, I do not agree with your opinion, but I am even ready to die to make
sure that you can express it. :-)

So I see the point here really that the designer must not decide about
screeen size or letter size but open up the possibility for the user to
decide.  I was thinking that even knowing the DPI won't help.  If a 800x600
display is viewed from 1.5 feet is very different than the same screen
behind a protective glass in a public net access space where you have no
chance to look at it close than over 3 feet...  Of course my 1600x1200 looks
VERY different at home (15" LCD) and at work (21" CRT).  Reported resolution
is the same.  But at home I really need bigger fonts.  Which I am unable to
set with many many sites.

Attila