Gothic Eye Strain
If I disregard the comments accusing me of being in the pay of SIS or a ‘shadow-stealing dealer of Obi’, my blog only gets the occasional complaint. As much as a writer should ignore criticism, I do listen to reader feedback. From the enigmatic Mr. Lomax with his grumbling over my overuse of the word ‘sodium’ to the Ruby Empresses and her complaints of me not having written a decent piece about cooking for an age. I even listen to Kid Atari and his protests about not having slipped in any obscure Bowie references for several months.
However, there are some complaints I just refuse to take seriously – even if they come from trusted sources. According to one Mr. Dove, the design of my blog causes ‘gothic eye strain’. If someone is staggering around an office, retinas imprinted with throbbing afterimages, I am not going to accept that English Dreaming, English Rain is to blame.
However, there are some complaints I just refuse to take seriously – even if they come from trusted sources. According to one Mr. Dove, the design of my blog causes ‘gothic eye strain’. If someone is staggering around an office, retinas imprinted with throbbing afterimages, I am not going to accept that English Dreaming, English Rain is to blame.
Labels: Obscure Bowie Reference, Reader interaction, SIS, Sodium Orange
posted by David at
9:05 PM
19 Comments:
I think it's relaxing, not "gothic." Perhaps you could use black text on the black background (or is it a "blackground?). Maybe that would make the goths happy. It certainly would reduce eyestrain.
And maybe you should mention potassium more, you know, to balance things out.
I think your writing's fine the way it is. You are an official author. You can do whatever literary thing you darn well please. ;-)
David, I'll back you up on this one. According to Dr. Russ Brown - who taught me everything I know about good ergonomic design and usability - white text on a black background is generally easier on the eyes than many other colour combinations. For those folks with impaired vision, any high-contrast arrangement (white on black or black on white) is much easier to read. Interestingly (and mysteriously), white on black can pose problems for people suffering from dyslexia. It's a personal preference, but some people do experience a ghosting or glowing effect from white on black that *does* make it most annoying to read a page. And finally, someone has worked out an argument that white on black is more enviro-friendly since a monitor does not have to work as hard vs. displaying a white background. I'm suspicious of the math, however.
*sigh* Thousands of dollars worth of education - culminating in the ability to produce this post.
Marvin – You are right, I am not utilising potassium enough. I will try to rectify it.
Crazylegs – Thank you for the back up. There are many reasons for the white on black, my dyslexia is one of them. Of course, the fact that black looks so cool plays as part as well. I am not sure I buy the Blackle maths either.
White on Black is just fine, as Crazylegs observes about as good a colour combination as you can get from an accessibility POV. However, I suspect the red on black of the link styles probably doesn't quite provide enough contrast for some of the stricter WCAG guidelines. Never had any problem with it myself, but it may be what's behind Mr Dove's Gothic Eye Strain problems in the past. Good to have you posting again David.
Does the white on black ease your dyslexia? As Crazylegs said, for some dyslexics it makes it worse, but I actually find it helps mine. While complaints and complaining are being raised, can I ask when I might expect another OBR?
OMG- I can't believe you receive complaints such as this!
It is your blog-and if someone has a problem with it, then use google reader to read it or cut and paste it into a word program and choose your own background and color to satisfy.
Obviously, what keeps the reader is the written word, not the layout of your blog.
LOL. That's funny David! Gothic Eye Strain. I wonder if I could use that as a sick day excuse....
Nick – I should probably do more on WCAG, but the red on black is a classic combination. Thank you. I am pleased to be back and will try to return to good posting habits.
KA – Yes it does seem to ease for me as well. You cannot force OBRs, you will just have to wait for one to occur naturally.
GM – You are of course quite right, exquisitely right. I suspect Mr. Dove is not only a whinger, but lazy.
Z – For a small fee I can provide fake sick notes for employers.
I find that white on a black background causes the lines to float and merge, but I don't think there's a happy medium for me because a white background with black lettering makes my eyes feel like they're being bleached so I usually have my screen turned down unless checking colours. Black is good though, it feels like a meditative deep space, and floating and merging seem an appropriate experience in the circumstances. It's like planet Earth, it's blue and there's nothing I can do, or something like that.
yes please David. I need one for the anxiety I am currently experiencing over the job we just got for a piece for the bank. I'm maybe just a little bit more than nervous about it.
I love your colors! My purples on black receive a comment now and again, (also a bit Gothic I suppose), but it's fine on my monitor! I think sometimes it's how a person's monitor is adjusted. My type shows up darker on some than it appears to me.
Captain Mod – English Dreaming, English Rain is often a meditative space. I am sure you win the Kid Atari award for best recent OBR, though I am not sure if the prize is worth having.
Z – Doctor Southwell prescribes relaxing into the knowledge that you will do a great job. However, the slow pull down of anxiety is a serious matter and you are more than entitled to a sick note.
thank you Doctor Southwell. Can I have a bottle of White Zinfindel with that note? :)
Doctor Southwell actually recommends a Zinfandel Rose for your condition.
I'll do it. Thanks Doctor Southwell. :) You rock.
I always found your design to be tasteful... minimalist due to the excellent content.
When I blogged I always had to go for outrageous due to lack of content I wish I could have had a minimalist page... I don't sound envious at all do I ;)
ps still not blogging but my current template makes even me feel queezy downright nauseous
keep up the good work sir!
Lol -- @ "Gothic eye strain"..:D
Is it me or is everyone a critic?...
I think that Shadowfalcon would have take issue with me...grin!...I have a lot of problem with the line between "commentary" and "critisism". I figure, why bother with a letters to the editor page (which a comment section is after all) if you don't want to hear opposing viewpoints.
Fortunately, the use of lettering and fonts and their eyestraining readabillity is fairly easy to comment on without being critical.
Personally, I rather like the white lettering on black but due to my red colourblindness, the red on black looks to ME like a sort of dark grey on black....and is a little hard to follow. The word "comments" for instance, looks like ccnnlnls.
I wonder if changing the red to light blue like your eyes would be an evil thing....
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