Column width in general and at Amazon in particular

KenJackson · 05-14-2012, 10:31 PM

It's my understanding that the reason newspapers print narrow columns (on paper) is to allow readers to read quickly. Since the reader doesn't have to swing his eyes across a wide column, he don't lose track of the row on the way back. And some readers don't even swing their eyes, but can capture the gist by just scanning straight down the column.

So why is it that so many websites make just one wide, wide, wide column?

Amazon.com, of all sites--a site oriented first and foremost toward avid readers, is the worst culprit. I never use my browser in full screen mode, so when I read any of their book summaries, I have to either scroll back and forth or make the browser uncomfortably wide.

Surely a lot of others must be irritated by this too.

charlesatan · 05-14-2012, 10:57 PM

Because HTML is reflowable, and we honestly don't know what your screen resolution/window/device is. One column, we're sure that we know the readers will be seeing the text (even if it might be cut). Two columns, if the device/browser window is small, the user might not see it.

It's more certain that readers will read it from a vertical orientation (top to bottom), as opposed to a combination of vertical and horizontal (left to right).

KenJackson · 05-14-2012, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charlesatan

Because HTML is reflowable, and we honestly don't know what your screen resolution/window/device is.

Grief. I thought everyone had surely noticed this and maybe I was stating the obvious. But apparently not. I'm glad I posted.

To illustrate, look at the current number 1 best seller. Look at the top line of the review, "More than anything, THE WALK..."

The smallest that I can shrink it to is 30 words. That's about triple the average line word-count of the hardback pbook I'm currently reading. I haven't analyzed the page, but they apparently set a minimum width.

It's the minimum width that's the problem. Although two columns would be nicer.

Jazzy_Jeffaz · 05-14-2012, 11:44 PM

Not sure what is going on for your. I just checked your example with my Android phone, tablet and Linux computer. Everything reflows fine for me.

KenJackson · 05-15-2012, 05:47 AM

Many sites generate different code for mobile devices. That's interesting to know though, since I don't have one to check it with.

elemenoP · 05-15-2012, 08:17 AM

Amazon recently redesigned its site to make it more "tablet friendly."

http://techcrunch.com/2011/09/02/ama...arriving-soon/

It is in vogue right now to use a flexible format that scales to different window sizes. In theory, if you do it right, you can have one site for computer, tablet, phone. So that's a lot less work than maintaining different sites. But I do see that when I tried to make the window smaller, the columns did not resize properly (this was on Firefox on Mac). Also, it's possible to make a column that flexes in width and still give it a reasonable maximum width.

I agree with you that the reading columns are far too wide for a computer screen. This morning my daughter was reading an Amazon review out loud (about Sea Monkeys!) and she had a difficult time finding her place on the next line. Amazon does extensive A/B testing so I'm surprised they are doing such a poor job on this.

eP

05-14-2012, 10:31 PM	#1
KenJackson Addict Posts: 253 Karma: 112042 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Maryland, USA Device: Sony PRS-650	Column width in general and at Amazon in particular It's my understanding that the reason newspapers print narrow columns (on paper) is to allow readers to read quickly. Since the reader doesn't have to swing his eyes across a wide column, he don't lose track of the row on the way back. And some readers don't even swing their eyes, but can capture the gist by just scanning straight down the column. So why is it that so many websites make just one wide, wide, wide column? Amazon.com, of all sites--a site oriented first and foremost toward avid readers, is the worst culprit. I never use my browser in full screen mode, so when I read any of their book summaries, I have to either scroll back and forth or make the browser uncomfortably wide. Surely a lot of others must be irritated by this too.

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05-14-2012, 10:57 PM	#2
charlesatan Addict Posts: 230 Karma: 3799024 Join Date: May 2012 Device: iPad	Because HTML is reflowable, and we honestly don't know what your screen resolution/window/device is. One column, we're sure that we know the readers will be seeing the text (even if it might be cut). Two columns, if the device/browser window is small, the user might not see it. It's more certain that readers will read it from a vertical orientation (top to bottom), as opposed to a combination of vertical and horizontal (left to right).

05-14-2012, 11:44 PM	#4
Jazzy_Jeffaz Member Posts: 16 Karma: 4950 Join Date: Mar 2012 Device: Kindle Keyboard	Not sure what is going on for your. I just checked your example with my Android phone, tablet and Linux computer. Everything reflows fine for me.

05-15-2012, 05:47 AM	#5
KenJackson Addict Posts: 253 Karma: 112042 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Maryland, USA Device: Sony PRS-650	Many sites generate different code for mobile devices. That's interesting to know though, since I don't have one to check it with.

05-15-2012, 08:17 AM	#6
elemenoP Wizard Posts: 1,452 Karma: 2833424 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: NYC Device: Sony 650	Amazon recently redesigned its site to make it more "tablet friendly." http://techcrunch.com/2011/09/02/ama...arriving-soon/ It is in vogue right now to use a flexible format that scales to different window sizes. In theory, if you do it right, you can have one site for computer, tablet, phone. So that's a lot less work than maintaining different sites. But I do see that when I tried to make the window smaller, the columns did not resize properly (this was on Firefox on Mac). Also, it's possible to make a column that flexes in width and still give it a reasonable maximum width. I agree with you that the reading columns are far too wide for a computer screen. This morning my daughter was reading an Amazon review out loud (about Sea Monkeys!) and she had a difficult time finding her place on the next line. Amazon does extensive A/B testing so I'm surprised they are doing such a poor job on this. eP


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