Expectations change for newly-launched websites. They have to stand against other newly-launched websites, and that can make or break them. For websites with a long history with a particular design, I would be surprised to ever see them change, unless the web itself undergoes some fundamental change.
Here is an anology - probably a bad one, but one that makes sense to me. My local grocery store (Publix) is laid out a certain way, and I have become very comfortable with that way. I recently moved a few miles down the street, and had slightly closer access to another Publix. Same food, same prices. But the layout was completely different. Thinking about it, the layout was actually smarter and more logical than my old store. But even so, the layout was so different from what I was used to that I decided to drive the extra 2 miles to go to the old store. It was easier for me to do that then to get comfortable with a new layout.
And that is an important idea that most people tend to overlook when they talk about the older designs of some of these exceptionally popular websites. Everyone talks beauty versus ugly, functionality, usability and all those words when it comes to updating websites. But, for the sites that have been around a long time, most of that is completely overshadowed by maintaining the comfort level of their users.
Those sites weren't that bad looking when they were first set up mid- to late-90s. The problem is that they are *so* popular, that changing the interface, even slightly, could result in tremendous user backlash.
Price? I am not sure if E3 is the place where price comes out, but to me, that seems like the logical detail to be omitted. I would think that price would come closer to launch.
Well, if you are looking for games or, even better, series that were cut down in their prime, then I think the Freespace series deserves mention.
In terms of space sims, both Freespace 1 and 2 are each easily near the best, if not the best, in the genre. I was disappointed when a Freespace 3 didn't materialize. I guess space sims just aren't that popular.
No, but I do know the track record of each company's consoles over the last few iterations. I know which company has put out the family-fun games, and which company has put out the "mature" games. Doesn't take a lot of effort to realize that each company is going to continue to do those same types of games, no matter what the hardware.
They can copy the idea all they want, but the key to selling it has to be the games.
The difference between Sony and Nintendo is that Sony will use their version of the controller to sell the same old games. So basically selling a new control system to the same hard-core gamers. Business as usual, when you look at it in detail.
Nintendo is actually looking at using the controller to create entire new genres. The controller is just the springboard to those games. So they aren't just selling new control to hard-cores - they are selling new games to new gamers. This is the Revolution. The change of target audience.
Everything being the same, it is the games that helps sell the system, and Nintendo has a strong history of making games everyone wants to play. And now a large barrier - the 100 button controller - is taken out of the picture.
How exactly is this reply, or the one you point to, any less conjecture than the one's that say the system will cost $900? You provide no references for your own numbers, much like the parent you are replying to.
Not to be bitter, but I put this story in on Tuesday, when the news release was announced.
I found this admision by Sony pretty ironic, seeing as how it came on the exact same day that Sony denied that the PS3 would be delayed. Deny in the morning, admit in the afternoon. I wonder if left hand knows what right hand is doing.
"I'm a bit too old school to like the Revolution controller."
The irony of that statement is that by turning the Rev controller on its side, and you have the "old school" NES controller, which will be able to play most (all?) of the "old school" NES games via download. Just something to think about.
I wouldn't consider "just for fun" the same as "no particular reason." In fact, the latter, which was the true response, could indicate that those people go online because they feel compelled to, sort of like an addiction.
"...I'm afraid that many consumers that buy the DS for it's simplicity and pick-up and play style may shy away from the technology."
But that is the beauty of putting it into a cart instead of loading it on the hardware itself. The DS starts, and is always at its root, a gaming machine. Putting these sort of things on carts let those who want more get more, while those who don't care for this sort of stuff easily ignore it.
Except that thumb-on-top is the natural position for you hand. It is the natural state of your hand and arm, and forcing them to remain in any other position is causing your muscles to work. If you pay attention, you naturally grab most things with your hand in this position.
However, I do agree that a sideways mouse makes little sense at first glance. But I wonder if that has to with the fact that we are so used to the way they work. I would be interested to see how a two-year old child actually grabs and holds a mouse when exposed to it for the first time.
In either case, in terms of ergonomics and "inherent" usability, nothing really tops a pen tablet. Most people who have ever held a pencil understand it immediately. And the two-year old will naturally grab the pen and address the tablet in a thumbs-up position.
I would disagree. I would call "torrent" the protocol, not BitTorrent. Either way, BitTorrent is easily a protectable trademark. Just because a particular vendor's brand name for a product becomes a way to refer to the product in general does not mean that the mark is not enforceable. Band-aid and Kleenex are the obvious examples of this.
My wife could give $0.02 about gaming consoles. Yet she has told me that we are definitely getting a Rev, because she wants to play all the old school games from when she was a kid.
That, in my mind, is the target audience for this sort of feature.
Amen on the first part of your comment. I am an excellent web designer, but my programming skills are weak. And most of the programmers I know at work don't know the first thing about designing a front end that is accessible, usable, and attractive.
Controllers were designed by the Flying Spaghetti Monster, which is why they have so many buttons. Only the FSM could use any of the current gen controllers to their full potential.
That is already how they are doing it for the left curve.briefarticles { padding: 0; background: #ccc url("//images.slashdot.org/slbc.gif") bottom left no-repeat; border-top: solid 2px #066; margin:.3em 0 1em 0;}
Its pretty simple if you have ever had any experience in accessibility.
Screen readers can give just a list of links, reading out the words that are linked. Which means to properly "anchor text" something, you should pick the one that makes the most sense if you were reading the link out of context. Your examples would result in:
1. Geekery Times reports 2. reports 3. reports a decline 4. reports a decline in proper anchor texting 5. decline in proper anchor texting 6. proper anchor texting
Which one makes the most sense to you? I would lean towards #5 myself.
Slashdot Mirror
Expectations change for newly-launched websites. They have to stand against other newly-launched websites, and that can make or break them. For websites with a long history with a particular design, I would be surprised to ever see them change, unless the web itself undergoes some fundamental change.
Here is an anology - probably a bad one, but one that makes sense to me. My local grocery store (Publix) is laid out a certain way, and I have become very comfortable with that way. I recently moved a few miles down the street, and had slightly closer access to another Publix. Same food, same prices. But the layout was completely different. Thinking about it, the layout was actually smarter and more logical than my old store. But even so, the layout was so different from what I was used to that I decided to drive the extra 2 miles to go to the old store. It was easier for me to do that then to get comfortable with a new layout.
And that is an important idea that most people tend to overlook when they talk about the older designs of some of these exceptionally popular websites. Everyone talks beauty versus ugly, functionality, usability and all those words when it comes to updating websites. But, for the sites that have been around a long time, most of that is completely overshadowed by maintaining the comfort level of their users.
Those sites weren't that bad looking when they were first set up mid- to late-90s. The problem is that they are *so* popular, that changing the interface, even slightly, could result in tremendous user backlash.
Basically, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Price? I am not sure if E3 is the place where price comes out, but to me, that seems like the logical detail to be omitted. I would think that price would come closer to launch.
"Or is it Intelligent Design? I can't really tell."
I guess it depends on who is playing it.
So the questoin is, why is that statement only now making news, 6 years later? I guess it is a slow news day.
Metroid Prime: Hunters (DS)
Well, if you are looking for games or, even better, series that were cut down in their prime, then I think the Freespace series deserves mention.
In terms of space sims, both Freespace 1 and 2 are each easily near the best, if not the best, in the genre. I was disappointed when a Freespace 3 didn't materialize. I guess space sims just aren't that popular.
Apple has way more important things to create, like leather Apple-branded iPod cases!
No, but I do know the track record of each company's consoles over the last few iterations. I know which company has put out the family-fun games, and which company has put out the "mature" games. Doesn't take a lot of effort to realize that each company is going to continue to do those same types of games, no matter what the hardware.
They can copy the idea all they want, but the key to selling it has to be the games.
The difference between Sony and Nintendo is that Sony will use their version of the controller to sell the same old games. So basically selling a new control system to the same hard-core gamers. Business as usual, when you look at it in detail.
Nintendo is actually looking at using the controller to create entire new genres. The controller is just the springboard to those games. So they aren't just selling new control to hard-cores - they are selling new games to new gamers. This is the Revolution. The change of target audience.
Everything being the same, it is the games that helps sell the system, and Nintendo has a strong history of making games everyone wants to play. And now a large barrier - the 100 button controller - is taken out of the picture.
How exactly is this reply, or the one you point to, any less conjecture than the one's that say the system will cost $900? You provide no references for your own numbers, much like the parent you are replying to.
Pot, meet kettle.
Not to be bitter, but I put this story in on Tuesday, when the news release was announced.
I found this admision by Sony pretty ironic, seeing as how it came on the exact same day that Sony denied that the PS3 would be delayed. Deny in the morning, admit in the afternoon. I wonder if left hand knows what right hand is doing.
"I'm a bit too old school to like the Revolution controller."
The irony of that statement is that by turning the Rev controller on its side, and you have the "old school" NES controller, which will be able to play most (all?) of the "old school" NES games via download. Just something to think about.
I wouldn't consider "just for fun" the same as "no particular reason." In fact, the latter, which was the true response, could indicate that those people go online because they feel compelled to, sort of like an addiction.
"...I'm afraid that many consumers that buy the DS for it's simplicity and pick-up and play style may shy away from the technology."
But that is the beauty of putting it into a cart instead of loading it on the hardware itself. The DS starts, and is always at its root, a gaming machine. Putting these sort of things on carts let those who want more get more, while those who don't care for this sort of stuff easily ignore it.
Here is your Nintendo info...
Revolution, between 200 and 300. Games. Just games.
Except that thumb-on-top is the natural position for you hand. It is the natural state of your hand and arm, and forcing them to remain in any other position is causing your muscles to work. If you pay attention, you naturally grab most things with your hand in this position.
However, I do agree that a sideways mouse makes little sense at first glance. But I wonder if that has to with the fact that we are so used to the way they work. I would be interested to see how a two-year old child actually grabs and holds a mouse when exposed to it for the first time.
In either case, in terms of ergonomics and "inherent" usability, nothing really tops a pen tablet. Most people who have ever held a pencil understand it immediately. And the two-year old will naturally grab the pen and address the tablet in a thumbs-up position.
I would disagree. I would call "torrent" the protocol, not BitTorrent. Either way, BitTorrent is easily a protectable trademark. Just because a particular vendor's brand name for a product becomes a way to refer to the product in general does not mean that the mark is not enforceable. Band-aid and Kleenex are the obvious examples of this.
My wife could give $0.02 about gaming consoles. Yet she has told me that we are definitely getting a Rev, because she wants to play all the old school games from when she was a kid.
That, in my mind, is the target audience for this sort of feature.
Amen on the first part of your comment. I am an excellent web designer, but my programming skills are weak. And most of the programmers I know at work don't know the first thing about designing a front end that is accessible, usable, and attractive.
"...this is exactly the sort of utility that will make hardware like the PSP more useful to people."
As opposed to, you know, playing games.
Controllers were designed by the Flying Spaghetti Monster, which is why they have so many buttons. Only the FSM could use any of the current gen controllers to their full potential.
No doubt. The penguin population would explode in such a situation. And believe me, the last thing this world needs is more penguins!
That is already how they are doing it for the left curve .briefarticles { padding: 0; background: #ccc url("//images.slashdot.org/slbc.gif") bottom left no-repeat; border-top: solid 2px #066; margin: .3em 0 1em 0;}
Change left to right, and flip the image.
Its pretty simple if you have ever had any experience in accessibility.
Screen readers can give just a list of links, reading out the words that are linked. Which means to properly "anchor text" something, you should pick the one that makes the most sense if you were reading the link out of context. Your examples would result in:
1. Geekery Times reports
2. reports
3. reports a decline
4. reports a decline in proper anchor texting
5. decline in proper anchor texting
6. proper anchor texting
Which one makes the most sense to you? I would lean towards #5 myself.