New Web Site Design and Legibility

[pharding]

Beautiful web site, except the fonts are absurdly small. Too small to read. Is there a setting that I can make the fonts larger so that I read the material? Please look at the font sizes on e60.net which are reasonable and legible.

[MattCline]

Paul:

There are usually settings under your web browser options to allow for larger or smaller font sizes than the ones the HTML code defaults to from any particular page. The fonts (as far as I can see) are the same size as the old page, but for whatever reason, your page may not look like mine (different browser, settings, etc.). Changing some local settings for your browser may help for now. I will pass your observation and suggestion along to the development group.

Thanks.

Matt Cline
Web Page / Chat Moderator

[archfan]

If you use Internet Explorer, starting at the top of the page, choose the following menu picks: View --> Text Size --> Larger (or Largest).

If you use Firefox, you can pick View --> Text Size --> Increase, or type control-+.

For both browsers, you can also press the control key and use the mouse wheel to increase or decrease the font size.

Now, about the gray text on silver background....

[pharding]

I have tried setting Internet Explorer to the largest text size. Grey lettering on a grey field is very hard to read when it is small text. Also grey ultra-small text is extremely difficult to read on any background. The other potential issue is that many graphic designers use Macs and as I recall their screens appear to have higher resolution than the highest resolution windows screens. Anyway text on this wonderful new web site is very difficult read on my computer here at home.

[DavidC]

I'm having trouble staying logged in w/ the new board format. With the old one I just saved the cookie and saved the site/page to my favorites - and every time I would click on it I would remain signed in. Now, I have tried doing all the same as before - including clearing everything old out, checking the Log me in automatically box and, saving a new cookie and new page to favorites - but still I get logged out each time I close down the page.

Any ideas on how to remedy this? I'm using IE7.


David

[MattCline]

I have been talking to one of the web developers about the readability issue and they are looking into it. I will also mention the login status issue and see of we can produce it and determine why it is happening for you. Thanks for all your feedback.

[SDR]

Mr Harding's post above is a dramatic example of what is amiss with the new design. (Leaving all other text gray and highlighting the principle field, as shown, solves the problem for me.) On the discussion index page, similarly, the titles on the left might be strengthened a bit; I hate to enlarge the text size on my computer just to suit one website (I have a new iMac w/ 17" display).

I fully appreciate the effort to arrive at a handsome (if very restrained) new look for the forum pages -- although it could be argued that the color scheme looks more "IBM/corporate" than "FLlW/organic". I wonder what was found lacking in the previous design ?

Thanks for the efforts -- and the great site. SDR

[pharding]

The web site is wonderful and a joy to use. I offer the following suggestions to improve the legibility.

1. The background color fields especially taupe or grey beige field would be much better if it were lighter in value. Where the messages are posted to be read, the text should be black and the point size larger.

2. On the opening page the small grey text of articles definitely needs to be larger. The ultra small grey text is extremely difficult to read.

3. Legibility also has to do with the idea that what is quite legible for a twenty something graphic designer is not legible for a 55 year old architect like me.

Hopefully these suggestions will not be misconstrued to imply that I don't appreciate all of the hard work/expense that was put forth to make this wonderful new web site a reality. It is a great job and will help fullfill the important mission of the FLWBC. I just enjoy reading the text without struggling to see it.

For a good example of legibility e60.net is quite legible.

[LikaComet]

I also would aprreciate a larger font size. Also, the background color in relation to the font color/size is also an issue for me.

However; I thoroughly enjoy the site in general. Keep up the fantastic work.

Thanks, D.L.Yaffe

[dkottum]

I appreciate those who offer this great web site, but it is now hard to read and the color scheme is, well, non-Wrightian. Any chance to return to the previous fonts and colors?

Doug Kottum, Battle Lake

[Paul Ringstrom]

On the old website you were automatically logged in when you visited. Even though the new website has a box to check to enable that feature, it does not appear to be working properly.

[JimM]

On the old website you were automatically logged in when you visited. Even though the new website has a box to check to enable that feature, it does not appear to be working properly.

Ditto, and my status icons still remain "unread" after reading a post until I log off then back on. After a few days, I also find the gray on gray text a little difficult to read. These are usability issues, although I do agree the new color scheme is not exactly "Wrightian".

But I appreciate all the effort nonetheless!

[MattCline]

Yes, this is an issue the web folks are looking into. The "soft launch" of the site was so we could find and workout problems like this is a much more ease-into-use way rather than a grand opening shakedown. Thanks for your reports of issues. Your attention is appreciated and the developers are working on it.

Matt Cline
Web Site / Chat Moderator

[jim]

The new design really makes me want to stop using this site - too small gray typeface on gray background – I think FLlW would have designed something both beautiful AND legible, were he here today and putting up a website.

[sjnorris]

"The color scheme is, well, non-Wrightian"

What exactly is a Wrightian color scheme?