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> > > would 'disa The CGI-generated page Donna Randell refers to (and needs) mistakenly spits out two colors for link and vlink that are both almost black. link="#Oc6c87" vlink="#004d46"> On most old monitors it will likely look like both are indeed black. I can't imagine that was the intention. Changing one character in the the vlink (the first) to vlink="#F04d46"> results in a bright red. The link itself should be a conventional blue. Then those doing serious genealogical research would clearly see which lines are links (blue), and which of those 300+ inks (blue) they have already visited (red). It would save them an enormous amount of time and confusion. If (as it seems) we are reluctant to vary from the black-on-black scheme, Donna and others involved with this site might be advised to place it on Tripod or FreeYellow or any number of free sites that do not have such design constraints. Bob Adams IP Training 464-9258 Johnathan Thibodeau wrote: > > Doug, > I think there might be other, non-client side, solutions. What I > mean is non-Javascript. While I used to be a heavy user of Javascript, > I've cut back because client side applications can be unperdictable. In > fact not too long ago I had written a piece of perfectally viable > Javascript code, and yet it would crash (something Javascript should be > incapable of doing regardless of what the code is) Netscape 4 / WinNT, and > only that. Now the only place I use Javascript would be in a frame, and I > would try and keep it to Javascript 1.0, that way the only browsers that > would see the code (Netscape 2+ or equiv.) would be able to handle it. > > One of the reasons that we used SSI in the new template is so > system wide changes would be much easier; it may also prove to be a > valuable tool in our current situation. > > Since all documents that use the template are generated partially > on the fly, and they all use the same source files (which contain the body > and table tags). Implementation of a change in colour could be done with a > few keystrokes now, and we could continue discusion of a more versitile > solution with at least a temporairy fix in place. > > One solution that would utilise our already-in-place SSI would be > to have a script generate the body tags based to cookies retrieved from > the user (Lynx has some, although limited, support for cookies, but that's > beside the point). This way, we could have a custimization page that would > send a cookie that would stay with the user visit after visit. > > But for the time I agree that we should move forward with a > temporary solution. > > Johnathan Thibodeau > > On Sun, 30 Jul 2000, Douglas J. McCann wrote: > > > Hi David > > > > Further to my previous message, there are other design considerations that > > should be addressed. The new template does not take advantage of other > > browser functions that would improve the overall appearance and > > functionality of the web page. > > > > Hover functions. > > Graphics and other objects can display additional information when the > > cursor 'hovers' over the object. See > > http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Chebucto/webmaster/vLink2.htm > > > > -When the cursor hovers over the CCN logo it displays the message "Serving > > Your Community's Online Needs". > > > > -Over the Preferences object the cursor causes the message "Click to defer > > to browser defaults" to appear. > > > > > > For more elaborate messages, cursor control (style function) can change > > the cursor from an arrow to a question mark. On click, an alert box can be > > displayed, or a new informational page displayed. > > > > -Over the title "Chebucto Community Net" the cursor changes to a (?). > > Clicking on the title launches a popup window providing CCN details. > > > > -Over the title "Webmaster" the cursor changes to a (?). Clicking on the > > title displays an alert box. > > > > > > > > Default Background > > This discussion began with allowing users to take advantage of their own > > browser vlink and link defaults. However, there are other browser > > defaults such as text size and background colour. > > > > If users have selected a background colour that is non-white, then our > > page turns ugly. Various areas have table cells, where the background > > colour is set to white. For example, in vlink.htm set the background > > colour to grey. Then try the same thing in vLink2.htm. > > > > http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Chebucto/webmaster/vLink.htm > > > > http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Chebucto/webmaster/vLink2.htm > > > > > > The solution to this problem is to not force cell background colour. > > > > <TD bgColor=#ffffff height=29 width=477> </TD></TR> > > <!--second row--> > > > > <TD height=29 width=477> </TD></TR> > > <!--second row--> > > > > > > > > Transparent Gifs > > To correct for background colours and gif files, the gif background colour > > must be set to transparent. > > > > > > > > So, while on the surface the new template looks good, there are many > > design elements that were not considered before implementation. I think > > it is incumbant on all our volunteers to review the template and present > > their observations. Otherwise, we will be continuously 'adjusting' the > > template, and redoing past efforts. > > > > > > > > Doug McCann > > > > On Sat, 29 Jul 2000, David L. Potter wrote: > > > > > > > > Hi Doug... > > > > > > I've not bumped into this before... or at least not noticed it on other > > > sites... as an individual surfing along and finding myself on a page > > > such as the webcam page (for example) how would I know that I could > > > change the colours... and how would I do it (especially if I was > > > having trouble with the colours)? Would I have to be a 'regular user to > > > know/be bothered to invoke it... as a one time or ocassional web visitor > > > would I bother to change the interface or just leave in frustration...? > > > > > > Even if all of those questions have a positive answer, I not sure I see any > > > significant benefit. From a design perspective, our 'known look and feel' > > > only works if the individual has 'normal' vision, for all others, the > > > look and feel is 'unknown'. > > > > > > If we design our pages to display well with the browser defaults (this > > > becomes our known look and feel) then I would say we've done our job... > > > whatever the user wants/needs to see should really be left to them should it > > > not...??? > > > > > > As a fundamental design principle, I'm not sure that it makes a lot of > > > sense to me for us to settle on an interface design that is known to give > > > our users/visitors problems...? I would think that would qualify as a > > > fundamental flaw in the the design. In the least, if there is a need for > > > 'work-a-rounds' to accomodate individuals with a disability it would be a > > > stretch to consider it a 'friendly' site. > > > > > > dlp > > > > > > > > > > > > On Sat, 29 Jul 2000 aa935@chebucto.ns.ca wrote: > > > > > > > Hi David > > > > > > > > By imbedding a user interface option creates an environment where CCN can > > > > create a web page with a known look and feel, but also permits users to > > > > customize the page to meet individual requirements. > > > > > > > > If we use the general default options, then CCN pages will have an unknown look > > > > and feel. For example, we have a light blue <td bgColor=#deeee1> trim. If a > > > > user were to set their default vlink to the same color then a followed link > > > > would 'disappear'. > > > > > > > > The number of users who would require a customized interface should be small. > > > > By offering a customized option, we are meeting special needs without imposing > > > > upon the general population. > > > > > > > > The solution presented is only important in its concept, that it is possible to > > > > create an interactive options menu. Since it may not function with all > > > > browsers, then we should explore other scripting possibilities (Visual Basic, > > > > c++, etc.). > > > > > > > > Doug > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quoting "David L. Potter" <potter@chebucto.ns.ca>: > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Netscape 4.73 produces javascript errors... however, isn't this > > > > > effectively the same effect as using the 'users' default colour scheme > > > > > with the small added challenge that we're making them figure out another > > > > > way of changing the colours...? > > > > > > > > > > dlp > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Sat, 29 Jul 2000 aa935@chebucto.ns.ca wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > Hi all > > > > > > > > > > > > Earlier this month when Donna presented the problem regarding followed > > > > > links > > > > > > (vlink) colour, I threw down the challenge to allow users to customize > > > > > colour > > > > > > selection. > > > > > > > > > > > > For a solution see > > > > > > > > > > > > http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Chebucto/webmaster/vLink.htm > > > > > > > > > > > > I've only tested this with Internet Explorer 5. > > > > > > > > > > > > The underlying function can be adapted to modify bgColor and other BODY > > > > > > attributes. > > > > > > > > > > > > Doug McCann > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quoting Donna Randell <drandell@chebucto.ns.ca>: > > > > > > > > > > > > > Hi - just back from vacation and wanted to follow up on this > > > > > discussion.... > > > > > > > When I view the > > > > > > > Recent Changes at Chebucto Page - it is still in shades of grey/green. > > > > > I > > > > > > > guess you didn't get > > > > > > > around to making that colour preference change....... I know it's not > > > > > just > > > > > > > my puter - Mom's in > > > > > > > Newfoundland is the same! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Smiles! > > > > > > > Donna > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Donna Randell wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > YES!!!!! THIS WORKS FOR ME!!! High contrast - and everyone can > > > > > choose > > > > > > > colours that work > > > > > > > > for them - In my case red. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Thank you Andrew and all for working through this problem. I do > > > > > > > appreciate all you do at > > > > > > > > Chebucto. And even more so now that things can work again for me, I > > > > > > > hope this can go into > > > > > > > > place soon! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > THANK YOU!!!!! > > > > > > > > Smiles! > > > > > > > > Donna Randell > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "Andrew D. Wright" wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Try http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/~awright/test/recent2.htm. > > > > > This > > > > > > > one > > > > > > > > > does not specify a visited link color at all, using whatever your > > > > > > > browser > > > > > > > > > defaults to for the visited link color. On my copies of Netscape > > > > > and > > > > > > > > > Internet Explorer, this comes out as purple. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Sun, 9 Jul 2000, Donna Randell wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Hi Andrew and all, > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Yes I can see a difference with the new version - barely. I am > > > > > sorry > > > > > > > but pastel > > > > > > > > > > shades are my weakness. Again - I have never been classified as > > > > > > > colour blind but > > > > > > > > > > strong or vivid colours work for me. Now as a woman I understand > > > > > > > your trying to > > > > > > > > > > colour co-ordinate the page..... so could you use that pale green > > > > > to > > > > > > > indicate tried > > > > > > > > > > links..... In my humble opinion it's something like that or > > > > > using > > > > > > > stronger colours - > > > > > > > > > > like the brighter green in the Chebucto Logo...... > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Smiles! > > > > > > > > > > Donna > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "Andrew D. Wright" wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Hi Donna. I've read your comments about having > > > > > difficulty > > > > > > > with the > > > > > > > > > > > visited link color on our new webpages and have prepared two > > > > > test > > > > > > > pages > > > > > > > > > > > for your viewing. Both are identical copies of the Recently > > > > > Changed > > > > > > > > > > > Documents page from a few minutes ago. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The first is the standard version in effect now and > > > > > uses > > > > > > > the > > > > > > > > > > > present visited link color. The second is a version which uses > > > > > a > > > > > > > grey > > > > > > > > > > > color instead of the different shade of green. Could you please > > > > > > > take a > > > > > > > > > > > look at them and tell me if the new page is better than the old > > > > > for > > > > > > > > > > > telling what are the visited links? Thanks! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The two pages are here: > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/~awright/test/recent.htm > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/~awright/test/recent1.htm > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Sat, 8 Jul 2000 aa935@chebucto.ns.ca wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I would suggest bringing in Donna Randell and others into the > > > > > > > discussion. Donna > > > > > > > > > > > > would provide a more expert opinion regarding colour > > > > > contrast. > > > > > > > She is from a > > > > > > > > > > > > group of users that are experiencing difficulties with the > > > > > new > > > > > > > template. The > > > > > > > > > > > > other editors can provide alternative solutions. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Editors: to participate, subscribe to ccn-webmaster. Also, > > > > > see > > > > > > > > > > > > http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Chebucto/webmaster/index.html > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Doug McCann > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > --------------------------------------------------------------- > > > > > > > > > > > > This mail was sent through the Nova Scotia Provincial > > > > > Server, > > > > > > > > > > > > with technical resources provided by Chebucto Community Net. > > > > > > > > > > > > http://nsaccess.ns.ca/mail/ > > > > > http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/ > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > --------------------------------------------------------------- > > > > > > This mail was sent through the Nova Scotia Provincial Server, > > > > > > with technical resources provided by Chebucto Community Net. > > > > > > http://nsaccess.ns.ca/mail/ http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/ > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > --------------------------------------------------------------- > > > > This mail was sent through the Nova Scotia Provincial Server, > > > > with technical resources provided by Chebucto Community Net. > > > > http://nsaccess.ns.ca/mail/ http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/ > > > > > > > > >
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