April 26, 2003
TypePad, top story of blog world
As many have blogged, the MT for non-geek users coming soon: TypePad. Six Apart should have done this much earlier. I am sure there are lot of users out there long for this hosted, installation/hassle free version of Movable Type, after hearing so many good things about it.
NBA Playoffs 2003, 3rd game of Spurs:Suns (99:86)
Spurs is now leading with 2:1. I like Suns. Looks, they have determined Marbury, Shawn Marion, backed from injury's Hardaway, and Rookies of the year Stoudemire, what an EXCITING team!! But they do need over-average, hot play, as what they did at the first game of playoffs with Spurs, else there is no way of advance to the next round. With 4 star players, powerful center is really what they lack of? Check out the rebound of this game: Spur 51, Suns 35. It means a lot to such a team.
Off-topic: It is difficult to get permenant link on tradictional news site. I can't easily find a permalink to Rookie of year 2003 in www.nba.com. This is really different than blog convention. High end media should learn and copy from Blog.
Users want to be in control
Low-End Media for User Empowerment>>
These technical issues will pass away with time. Within ten years, most users will hopefully have broadband, and user interface standards for websites will likely stabilize, making advanced features easier to operate.Still, low-end media will remain a favorite because of one fundamental factor: it lets users control their experience. The Web exists to provide instant gratification. Users place their hand on the mouse and decide where to go. The easier it is for users to get exactly what they need, when they need it, the more satisfied they will be.
How many website managers need the education to learn about web usability? Low end media is a clear win over high end, complex media. As Jakob noted in his latest Alertbox, the key processes where users wanted to be in control: Reading, Finding relevant content, Authoring. It helps a lot to have a clear layout for users to read and navigate. It boost your website performance if it has less annoying and distracting multimedia on your web. Your website would be more reachable if Googlebot likes it. And good and easy authoring tools attract more writing, it means a lot to community website.
So, is weblog kind of low end media which wins? Yeah, sure. Blog community has excellent authoring tools. Most of the blogs providing clear and simple navigating. And google do like blogs, there are times the top search result come with blogs instead of those official websites. With brilliant blogger like Mark gave excellent guide on accessibility, blogs are more sensitive and friendly to users with disabilities.
The key problem is that's so many ignorant manager out there highly depend on design agencies, vendor -- who pushes whatever "happening" technology and whatever design tactic to increase earning.