Comments on: The Unknown Blogger and First Impressions http://fadtastic.net/2006/06/30/the-unknown-blogger-and-first-impressions/ thoughts on | comments about | examples of } web design trends. Sat, 06 Sep 2008 06:16:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.2 By: Steven Teskey http://fadtastic.net/2006/06/30/the-unknown-blogger-and-first-impressions/#comment-2050 Steven Teskey Fri, 30 Jun 2006 08:52:46 +0000 http://fadtastic.net/2006/06/30/the-unknown-blogger-and-first-impressions/#comment-2050 Great article, very simple and easy to follow. Although, I believe that, from a design perspective, we all have to take into account the little / often overlooked things. Take typography for instance, your site can look either cheap or proffessional, just by the type face, size and color. How the design leads the user, if it's hard to understand, users will generally not take to well to it. The one I have the most trouble with is finding a design that doesn't do too much, simple is accessible, it may leave you wanting more, but that's why at that point you concentrate more on guiding the viewer. Great article, very simple and easy to follow.
Although, I believe that, from a design perspective, we all have to take into account the little / often overlooked things. Take typography for instance, your site can look either cheap or proffessional, just by the type face, size and color. How the design leads the user, if it’s hard to understand, users will generally not take to well to it. The one I have the most trouble with is finding a design that doesn’t do too much, simple is accessible, it may leave you wanting more, but that’s why at that point you concentrate more on guiding the viewer.

]]> By: Jason Spector http://fadtastic.net/2006/06/30/the-unknown-blogger-and-first-impressions/#comment-2052 Jason Spector Fri, 30 Jun 2006 14:07:38 +0000 http://fadtastic.net/2006/06/30/the-unknown-blogger-and-first-impressions/#comment-2052 Yes, there are certainly other design elements, like typography, that need to be considered when creating any site as well as generally-accepted usability best practices. I think we can both agree on that. What I am addressing in this post, which I think is complimentary to yours, Steven, is that a blog is a conversational tool and adds another level to a carefully-crafted on-line perception that you need to take into account. As you discussed, we all need to be aware of the impression we leave and our reputation in the greater on-line universe. But what is often overlooked, especially in a blog, is the first impression people have of you. A potential reader, who has never seen your posts, comments, search results, reviews, etc. will still make that first impression of you the instant they enter your blog. They are then building everything else off of that first impression, good or bad. Thanks, Steven. I enjoyed your article. Yes, there are certainly other design elements, like typography, that need to be considered when creating any site as well as generally-accepted usability best practices. I think we can both agree on that.

What I am addressing in this post, which I think is complimentary to yours, Steven, is that a blog is a conversational tool and adds another level to a carefully-crafted on-line perception that you need to take into account.

As you discussed, we all need to be aware of the impression we leave and our reputation in the greater on-line universe. But what is often overlooked, especially in a blog, is the first impression people have of you. A potential reader, who has never seen your posts, comments, search results, reviews, etc. will still make that first impression of you the instant they enter your blog. They are then building everything else off of that first impression, good or bad.

Thanks, Steven. I enjoyed your article.

]]> By: Andrew Faulkner http://fadtastic.net/2006/06/30/the-unknown-blogger-and-first-impressions/#comment-2054 Andrew Faulkner Fri, 30 Jun 2006 14:43:27 +0000 http://fadtastic.net/2006/06/30/the-unknown-blogger-and-first-impressions/#comment-2054 I do think that a lot of blogs (this one included to be honest) assume that all readers are return readers and therefore don't always encourage newcomers to sit and stay around a while.. Also, the trap that designers can fall into is that they assume all their visitors read everything on the blog. This isn't the case. Good read. Jason, do you think it's important to know if a writer is male or female/USA or elsewhere etc? Why? I do think that a lot of blogs (this one included to be honest) assume that all readers are return readers and therefore don’t always encourage newcomers to sit and stay around a while.. Also, the trap that designers can fall into is that they assume all their visitors read everything on the blog. This isn’t the case.

Good read.

Jason, do you think it’s important to know if a writer is male or female/USA or elsewhere etc? Why?

]]> By: Jason Spector http://fadtastic.net/2006/06/30/the-unknown-blogger-and-first-impressions/#comment-2056 Jason Spector Fri, 30 Jun 2006 16:05:38 +0000 http://fadtastic.net/2006/06/30/the-unknown-blogger-and-first-impressions/#comment-2056 Great question. I don't think it's important to know the gender when interacting with someone on-line just as I don't think it's an issue in the real world. I do think that some people will have stereotypes, biases, and assumptions that might find their way into those interactions. This could occur at a subconscious level, but it does happen. Internationally, there are subtleties of language and culture that may show up in the words/phrases that we choose. Unless you are specifically targeting an international audience, I doubt most people will know what all those subtleties are. In both of these cases, as Steven said, it’s best to remain professional. Professional etiquette is global and will be appreciated by all parties involved. Great question.

I don’t think it’s important to know the gender when interacting with someone on-line just as I don’t think it’s an issue in the real world. I do think that some people will have stereotypes, biases, and assumptions that might find their way into those interactions. This could occur at a subconscious level, but it does happen.

Internationally, there are subtleties of language and culture that may show up in the words/phrases that we choose. Unless you are specifically targeting an international audience, I doubt most people will know what all those subtleties are.

In both of these cases, as Steven said, it’s best to remain professional. Professional etiquette is global and will be appreciated by all parties involved.

]]> By: Johan http://fadtastic.net/2006/06/30/the-unknown-blogger-and-first-impressions/#comment-2059 Johan Fri, 30 Jun 2006 17:09:49 +0000 http://fadtastic.net/2006/06/30/the-unknown-blogger-and-first-impressions/#comment-2059 another question (or problem): everyone has a personality, and communicates accordingly. Very soon you will know how others address you (you may like it or not). It should never offend you since it is a public place - the Net. You can leave any place as soon as a click away - right. Nobody is perfect, of course. Even the sweetest person can go overboard, even the toughest person around can change. We are humans and we interact as humans. It is like you go to that bar (since you like the atmosphere) but not to that tavern (which annoys you like hell) - you can simply choose. When it is fun with people on the same frequency and are decent people - nothing wrong. I have no great feelings for blogs as a community thing ... freedom of speech I respect but I am not interested in how you bake your cookies ... as I can find thousands of recipes on the net (from the best cooks on the planet) My 2 pennies ... another question (or problem): everyone has a personality, and communicates accordingly. Very soon you will know how others address you (you may like it or not). It should never offend you since it is a public place - the Net. You can leave any place as soon as a click away - right. Nobody is perfect, of course. Even the sweetest person can go overboard, even the toughest person around can change. We are humans and we interact as humans. It is like you go to that bar (since you like the atmosphere) but not to that tavern (which annoys you like hell) - you can simply choose. When it is fun with people on the same frequency and are decent people - nothing wrong. I have no great feelings for blogs as a community thing … freedom of speech I respect but I am not interested in how you bake your cookies … as I can find thousands of recipes on the net (from the best cooks on the planet) My 2 pennies …

]]> By: Jason Spector http://fadtastic.net/2006/06/30/the-unknown-blogger-and-first-impressions/#comment-2060 Jason Spector Fri, 30 Jun 2006 17:25:11 +0000 http://fadtastic.net/2006/06/30/the-unknown-blogger-and-first-impressions/#comment-2060 You're exactly right about personalities. That's why I wanted to make the point (and I hope I did) to figure who you are and who your audience is before creating your blog/site. You're not going to please everyone or anticipate their reactions to you, but you can at least mold your impression around yourself and your target audience. If others outside your target choose you and enjoy what you offer, all the better. Otherwise, you're just doing it for yourself and really don't care what others think. Then all bets are off. But at least you have a great cookie recipe. You’re exactly right about personalities. That’s why I wanted to make the point (and I hope I did) to figure who you are and who your audience is before creating your blog/site. You’re not going to please everyone or anticipate their reactions to you, but you can at least mold your impression around yourself and your target audience. If others outside your target choose you and enjoy what you offer, all the better. Otherwise, you’re just doing it for yourself and really don’t care what others think. Then all bets are off. But at least you have a great cookie recipe.

]]>