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Re: Re: Single Spacing, Double Spacing, and Doing It Ones Own Way
Subject:Re: Re: Single Spacing, Double Spacing, and Doing It Ones Own Way From:Susan W. Gallagher <sgallagher5 -at- cox -dot- net> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Tue, 11 May 2004 16:44:22 -0400
David,
Trust me <g>. I know the difference between scientific study
and opinion.
I have an article I saved from the December 1996 issue of
intercom entitled "The Things Our Readers Do", written by
Brad Connatser. I don't know if it's online or not; STC
members may want to check.
The article discusses formatting issues by talking of eye
movements -- saccades, fixations, and focusing the fovea
centralis... This is information that I can learn from and
put my trust in. Unfortunately, the article does not cover
the "one space or two" issue.
Design is an opinion, plain and simple. "Looks better" isn't
a scientific study. Art, while important in and of itself,
is not the same as science. Design and usability do not
necessarily walk hand-in-hand.
Unless and until I see a true study of eye movement and
retinal focus that proves the issue one way or t'other,
it's all just opinion and you are as free to express yours
as I am to express mine.
Me, lack an understanding of who the usability experts are?
<EEeeerrrrrrrrt> Guess again.
-swg
>
> From: David Neeley <dbneeley -at- oddpost -dot- com>
> Susan, unfortunately you seem to lack an understanding of who the "usability experts" are when it comes to type as a tool that can enhance communication. Type designers, layout artists, psychologists, and many others have over many decades developed a high level of understanding of what goes into clarity or "usability" regarding type.
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