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General discussion

Need feedback on arrow size

Jul 30, 2004 7:30AM PDT

Since many of you suggest we changed the size of the arrows for better viewing of what has been read and unread, what is reasonable size you would suggest?

Currently it is at 8 x 10 pixels
I can increase the size, but I cannot make it too big because I still have to maintain the sites look and feel, so please let me hear what you have in mind?

Would 10x12 be enough?

Let me know..
Thanks!
-Lee

Discussion is locked

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(NT) (NT) Re: Thanks for all the feedback Sounds good, Lee! Thank
Aug 3, 2004 10:48AM PDT
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Re: Need feedback on arrow size
Jul 30, 2004 10:58AM PDT

Need to see the arrows to know for sure about what size is best. But, CNET yellow is not a good color for any arrow because of poor contrast.

How about this: have larger arrows for unread and new messages, but NO arrow (or a white one that blends into the background, just to preserve proper spacing) for read messages. That would make the unread and new messages stand out much better.

DE

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Re: Arrow vs. white -- Good idea, DE!
Jul 30, 2004 1:34PM PDT

Lee, the problem with a gray vs. orange arrow is that they're indistinguishable to anyone who's color blind. I'm not, but probabilities say we have several color blind members, as 8-10% of males of European ancestry are color blind. DavE's suggestion would allow color blind members easily to distinguish read from unread.

-- Dave K, Speakeasy Moderator
click here to email semods4@yahoo.com

The opinions expressed above are my own,
and do not necessarily reflect those of CNET!

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Re: Arrow vs. white -- Good idea, DE!
Jul 30, 2004 4:09PM PDT

To continue on, I think that something along these lines would be the best:

1. Read messages -- have a white arrow that blends into the background invisibly, just to preserve proper spacing. Adding visible arrows or any symbol at all for read messages is eyeball-clutter that makes no sense.

2. Unread messsages -- have a colored arrow. But not a yellow arrow because yellow is the worst of all colors for contrast on web pages.

3. New messages -- have a colored rectangle. A different color than the arrows, but again, preferably not CNET yellow.

That would make unread and new messages stand out at a glance for everybody, including those who are color blind.

DE

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Arrow vs. white -- Good idea, DE! It's timing and the time
Jul 31, 2004 1:32AM PDT

Well DavE, I was going to propose the same thing for the read threads, i.e. white arrows for preserving the alignment. Actually, it's similar idea that I proposed in this Alt Tags for Read / Unread / New Post / Lock ? for non-image view.

Yeah, I see no feedback there. Anyway, for the non-image there was no impediment for the implementation vs. non - implementation, because how many will use it or acess the Forum from non - standard gadgets.Wink

However, for the image view, the only objection I'd see is from someone who did the page layout's decision and intend to keep its "original" idea.


BTW, DavE there are several discrepancies in displaying the time. In the Main page yours was posted at 23:09:42 PDT, in the thread's minitree it's 11:09 PM (no PDT) opening your message is 23:09:42 PDT. Another one it's on Date Last Visited (member's profile page). That's displayed using the GMT base.


Cetin


Trying to unweave, unwind, unravel
And piece together the past and the future,


T. S. Eliot

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I like this idea best
Jul 31, 2004 11:07PM PDT

Is there any way to change the color of the headings on read messages to a light gray also? That combined with a bright arrow to unread would REALLY make the unread messages jump out at you.

Evie Happy

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Observation and suggestion after reading thus far.
Jul 31, 2004 1:51AM PDT

I replied to a message on the "Computer Help Forum," 07/31/04 4:44 AM, and went on to other forums throughout the morning without having close IE. At 10:46 AM, I returned to that forum and noted the "right-arrow", which should have dipicted the message was read on that message, was still in the Unread display.

Isn't there something wrong with that as well as their not staying recorded after IE is shutdown and restarted?

However, why not simply the "Blue" dot for messages "unread" and a background colored dot for those already read. Course it would be nice that such a feature operate correctly to begin with.

Win98FE and MSIE v5.02SP2.

Bill Gaston

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I'm not color-blind, but....
Aug 1, 2004 12:25AM PDT

... do have a problem with central vision. Those arrows are too small.

I favor the suggestions made to scrap the orange - regardless of the size or shape. The "white" sounds like a good idea, and would make the page less cluttered.

I wonder about using bright green (or is that difficult a color for the color-blind?) as was used in the old forums for "M's".

If others are like me, they scan the page looking for new stuff, and less clutter would make that easier.

(BTW, I really like all of the new buttons!)

Thanks,

Angeline

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(NT) (NT) As large as you can possibly make them, Lee! :-)
Aug 3, 2004 9:43AM PDT