Actually, Frank's comments about setting their resolutions to 600x800
brings up one of my pet peeves. The idea that users should have to
reduce the functional capability of their monitors to 1970's technology
levels because a UI team can't be bothered validating the layout
capability with section 508 compliant font size and resolution is absurd!!!
I am one of those whose vision is failing, but rather then reduce the
number of pixels available to the display to 1970's levels, I have
chosen to increase the system font size proportionately. Unfortunately,
if you do this, you quickly discover that the majority of the programs
haven't been tested with system fonts more then about 10 or 12 pixels.
The idea that someone might want to use all the pixels available to the
display and simply increase the font size to make them readable
obviously never occurs to most 20 year-old UI designers. Consequently,
all their dialog boxes, text entry windows, menu bars etc, cut off
half the display.
It's real simple. The size of textual items on display does NOT belong
to the application developer with 20/20 vision. All text display on an
application should be proportionate to the font size, which is set by
the END-USER!!!
Frank Reid wrote:
From: "Gordon Clarke" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Gordon,
I have been volunteering for several years at the Ogden Regional
Family History Center. We see all types of patrons who use the FS
website regularly. One of the dichotomies of getting programmers for
working on genealogy programs is that most of them are young, under 40
- many under 30, and although they are very good programmers they know
nearly nothing about actually doing genealogy. Most have never used
PAF for example, or the FS site.
On the other hand we have older people, over 40, who are very
experienced in all the different programs to get their work done but
they know nothing about the inner workings of the programs themselves.
What is needed is a combination of the two. Since it's probably not
possible for an older experienced genealogist to learn programming,
it's best to find younger hot-shot programmers who have been doing
their own genealogy for some time.
Our patrons regularly use PAF, PAF Insight, Legacy, FamilySearch, the
old DOS version of Family Search, TempleReady, Ancestry.com, RootsWeb,
besides various utilities such as GenViewer and FamilySearcher. Often
they will use most of these in the same session.
Someone here wrote that what is needed is a game-type program that
would lure the user to do genealogy. If a person hates the work so
much then nothing will lure them in no matter how exciting. Those who
finally get converted to the work want programs that work well and
will do what they are supposed to do. A reasonably attractive UI is
sufficient but with an easy flow of logic to the steps and commands.
Because the majority of people who actually do genealogy are a little
older they suffer from vision problems. This makes larger text very
high on their wish lists. We often set our monitors to 800 x 600 to
make the text readable. Programmers often use large screens with high
resolution to create their work without realizing others won't be
using that same equipment. I have been an engineer for many years and
my 21 inch monitor is set at 1280 x 1064 but I couldn't ask a patron
to look at my screen.
Younger programmers are anxious to create a "really cool" interface
without running it past their parents or grandparents. Maybe just
good and plain is what is needed.
Just my $.02 worth.
Best regards,
Frank Reid
-----------------------------------------------------------------
With six classrooms, a large main room, and 135 computers the Ogden
Regional Family History Center is the Church's largest *independent*
FHC. Independent because we are not linked to the mainframe but rely
on the Internet like everyone else.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
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A. Rick Anderson
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