Web ignored Lessons from Hypertext, says Expert Bernstein

'We've known since 1990 that colour was a bad idea for links', said Mark Bernstein, founder of Eastgate Systems, the early developer and publisher of hypertexts, as he described how hypertext research was ignored in developing an orthodoxy for the Web. He was speaking at last month's "Dust or Magic" conference in Oxford, on working in the new media industries.

Colour is inappropriate for links as it conflates emphasis and linking, while blue is a particularly bad choice as it is the hardest colour to read, making the link content less obvious, he said.

Consistency in the appearance of links has been an early and enduring part of usability guidelines. However, designers have increasingly ignored calls for broader consistency across the Web as they develop their own set of markers - a move to internal consistency on sites. There has also been a move away from text links generally and, in particular, blue text. Perhaps slowly and in patches, the wheel is being reinvented.

Bernstein also took the opportunity to crticise information architecture: 'IA is a respectable club with which to beat complexity,' he said. 'Information architects are devoted to taming the creatives.'

He was joined in his opinion by other speakers at the conference. Brendan Dawes of Magnetic North likened the work of usability to that of the child-catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. 'When a technology is new, there is a lot of bad taste to start with,' he said, then, quoting Picasso, added: 'but good taste is the enemy of creativity.' Asked if he saw a neo-puritanism developing, he said that he was by nature rebellious. 'But I don't wake up and say 'Jakob Nielsen: you're gonna die', I just have fun...'

Nielsen and an overdependence on guidelines also came in for attack from Chris McEvoy of First Circle (see also The Time and Place for Usability).

'Internet addiction' linked to Depression
Source: BBC, 9 February 2010
 
There is a strong link between heavy internet use and depression, UK psychologists have said.

Could *You* be more Usable?
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Bet you could.

Stowe Boyd on 'Steampunk' thinking about the Future of Computing
Source: Stowe Boyd's blog via Experientia, 6 February 2010
 
Are established metaphors of user experience holding us back from new ways of structuring our interaction through computers?

Nokia's User Experience Programme
Source: UN, 5 February 2010
 
Nokia has put together a rich and informative website covering the key elements of user experience.

Interfaces magazine: latest issue available now
Source: HCI News Service, 4 February 2010
 
The latest issue of Interfaces is now available in pdf format, free from the Interaction Website.

A Lighter Brigade of Chargers
Source: UN, 3 February 2010
 
Lots of gadgets, one charger. At last.

Mobile Touch Screens could soon Feel the Pressure
Source: MIT Technology Review, 2 February 2010
 
A quantum switch could add pressure sensing to mobile screens.

Usability, Usability, Usability: why the iPad will Succeed
Source: Econsultancy, 1 February 2010
 
The tech critics love it, hate it, love it again, shrug it off. What do usability experts say?

British Airways - at last some good news
Source: Loop11, 30 January 2010
 
In a recent website usability study for the world's leading airlines, the British Airways website proved to be the most user friendly, with Malaysia Airlines and Virgin Atlantic having the lowest user experience rating.

Computation of Emotions in Man and Machine
Source: Royal Society, 29 January 2010
 
Advances in computer technology now allow machines to recognise and express emotions, paving the way for improved human-computer and human-human communications.