Posted by dorayme on 05/28/05 03:25

> From: "Travis Newbury" <TravisNewbury@hotmail.com>

> dorayme wrote:
>>> I do feel everyone is way too picky when it comes to websites.
>> Yes, ok. But maybe think of it this way: one point of *this* newsgroup is to
>> chew the fact on websites.

oops, a typo, I meant "fat" ('chew the fat' is an expression for throwing
ideas back and forth, talking... I expect it is more than an Australian
expression. The typo conveyed the wrong impression. Sorry)

>
> Don't get me wrong, I completely agree that the "facts" everyone says
> here. From a "one size fits all" viewpoint they are right on the
> money. Frames cause problems, using Javascript for navigation will
> make it so some people can't see you site, Flash is almost always bad.
> But I completely disagree on the philosophy behind what makes a good
> web site good. I disagree with "one size fits all".

Well, it is a complex matter. It is a bit unfair to caricature the views of
many here as 'one size fits all'. First, there are quite a range of
different views. From the rigid and silly to the more mature advocacy of
high standards.

Take Flash. Mostly I think, many people here take a sensible stance that
Flash is fine where it adds to the site in a way no other more assessable
method will and where people who cannot or do not use Flash are catered for
in some alternative way where it is important that they be catered for. This
last bit is surely unexceptional? To use it for navigation and to not give
another choice is not too reasonable if you want to get a general audience.

Often, advice given here is for a good overall starting attitude to website
design. Perhaps you take the views expressed too rigidly? I can understand
your sentiment and it is one i think many others have felt. It is
frustrating to be held to high standards, but it is better to know what they
are and to be diverging with open eyes if one does...

> Now at the same time, I know that I am on the losing side of the
> argument. Eventually we will have a very bland generic web that
> everyone can see no matter how they view it. The lawyers of the world
> will make sure that happens. But I think it will be sad day when it
> does happen.

If you follow the idea that people are given choices and not forced off a
site by devices and facilities like Flash which they do not use, then no
such sad day will come. If I may say, you are being sidetracked by the not
so important manner of the way some people express themselves. It does often
seem so cool and arrogant, presumptuous. Forget all this, forget the petty
schoolyard stuff, the strutting to which few of us seem able to resist and
underneath may be something good and true and beautiful. A tear has formed
in my eye now and a lump in my throat and I cannot continue... sorry...

dorayme

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