u-he

tq · Post by tq » Mon Apr 17, 2006 12:41 am

RowdyBacon wrote:
tq wrote: The premise of dark type/light background is based on sound typographical principles. Typography is the art of printing with type.

Don't want to start an argument here, but where do these 'sound' principles come from?

Anyway, I was talking about psychology of perception, not art. In psychology, it's hard to differentiate the effects of one factor from the effects of another one, if the first is part of the second (how can you differentiate the effects of color schemes from cultural influcences if color schemes are part or a result of culture?).

Well, that said, I probably prefer dark type/light background as well; however, OSX Audio always had a special look that I liked as well...

velocipede · Post by **velocipede** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 12:56 am

There seems to be a dispute among vision and perception researchers about whether it is actually easier or healthier to read text on dark or light background; there is a similar dispute between users, when using each other's computer terminals.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light-on-dark_color_scheme

I think that the user should be able to decide if they want paper emulation or light text on dark backgrounds on any site and in any application.

My issue is that, especially after a too-long day of translating, my iMac screen is too bright even at the lowest standard setting. Sites like BBL and KVR reduce the overall brightness of my screen, and this puts less strain on my tired eyes.

RowdyBacon · Post by **RowdyBacon** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 2:51 am

tq wrote:Don't want to start an argument here, but where do these 'sound' principles come from? Anyway, I was talking about psychology of perception, not art. In psychology, it's hard to differentiate the effects of one factor from the effects of another one, if the first is part of the second (how can you differentiate the effects of color schemes from cultural influcences if color schemes are part or a result of culture?).

Well, that said, I probably prefer dark type/light background as well; however, OSX Audio always had a special look that I liked as well...

As I said earlier, this is probably an individual preference more than anything else. However, if you're willing to do the research, there's no shortage of information out there that supports the preferred use of dark type/light background for maximum readability and comprehension with the least amount of eye strain. Here are some additional links ( on all but the first one, search for "reverse type" using the Command F function):

http://www.bly.com/blog/?p=114
http://styleguide.wustl.edu/appendixj.html
http://nwalsh.com/comp.fonts/FAQ/cf_25.htm
http://www.ascilite.org.au/ajet/ajet7/priestly.html

And just in case you think I'm not willing to recognize an opposing POV, here's one from a guy who argues in favor of reversed type. But note that his web site uses a conventional type-to-background color relationship! Why do you suppose that is?

http://www.wpdfd.com/editorial/wpd0600.htm

Anyway, when you think about how text is displayed on the screen in application programs and mainstream web sites (such as apple.com, yahoo.com, ebay.com, cnn.com, etc.), how many of them use reversed type for text display? They may selectively use reversed type for accents, but the bulk of the content is displayed "conventionally."

There's a valid reason for that.

Urs · Post by **Urs** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 9:25 am

I just checked the thread on osxa. I think it's indeed going into a direction that I'm not really interested in. And I can see that many think so, too.

I think that there's need for an osxaudio.net which is focussed on up-to-date news and discussion on osx specific software.

I think there's less need to discuss osx specific technical issues, as even the most pc-centric crossplatform developers have ironed out most of their AU problems.

But still, imagine a thread where one asks for opinion about two plugins or hosts. Then you don't want it to meander through pc-specific recommendations.

That's why I think we should move on and simply set the stuff up.

---

In respect of typography, I belong to those who prefer white letters on dark ground, just like KVR and old osxa. However, if we use phpBB or any other forum software, there could be two designs and one could choose the one that fits him best.

Cheers,

Urs

mcnicks · Post by **mcnicks** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 10:42 am

... Or we could all just camp out here! And by 'camp out' I do not mean 'ooh matron' and such.

tq · Post by tq » Mon Apr 17, 2006 10:55 am

RowdyBacon wrote: Anyway, when you think about how text is displayed on the screen in application programs and mainstream web sites (such as apple.com, yahoo.com, ebay.com, cnn.com, etc.), how many of them use reversed type for text display? They may selectively use reversed type for accents, but the bulk of the content is displayed "conventionally."
There's a valid reason for that.

I alway like a good argument!

You have some vaild points, however, I still believe that we do not come past this 'it's a convention or tradition, and therefore it is more comprehensible/better/nicer to look at' thing. The problem is: How could we think it to be different if we are used to a certain mainstream?

Anyway, let's go on with the OSXAUDIO.NET discussion...

RowdyBacon · Post by **RowdyBacon** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 12:17 pm

tq wrote:Anyway, let's go on with the OSXAUDIO.NET discussion...

Agreed! This whole text debate definitely qualifies as "off topic"...even though it has been spirited.

Urs wrote:I just checked the thread on osxa. I think it's indeed going into a direction that I'm not really interested in. And I can see that many think so, too.

I think that there's need for an osxaudio.net which is focussed on up-to-date news and discussion on osx specific software.

I think there's less need to discuss osx specific technical issues, as even the most pc-centric crossplatform developers have ironed out most of their AU problems.

But still, imagine a thread where one asks for opinion about two plugins or hosts. Then you don't want it to meander through pc-specific recommendations.

That's why I think we should move on and simply set the stuff up.

---

In respect of typography, I belong to those who prefer white letters on dark ground, just like KVR and old osxa. However, if we use phpBB or any other forum software, there could be two designs and one could choose the one that fits him best.

Cheers,

Urs

As for osxaudio.net, I'm all for that. But again, I'm wondering if we really need to reinvent the wheel when macmusic.org seems to cover so much of what "the old OSXA" used to cover (and then some). If we all began participating over there, I suspect the combined force of all the ex-OSXA members might be able to influence some positive change if we felt one was needed. Though I'm not sure if there's really anything there at the moment that's screaming to be changed. Other than the color of the background and the text that is.

markoos · Post by **markoos** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 3:57 pm

As a slight aside, is anyone else getting the architects when they google osxaudio.net?

taken from google-gui-search-page thing:

Guillot•Vivian•Viehmann Architects | serving residential ...
Our firm was founded by three principles who share a commitment to design excellence and client service. We have built our practice of architecture based on ...
osxaudio.net/

hyerstay · Post by **hyerstay** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 4:01 pm

It was a test site I made for potential clients.

jason

hyerstay · Post by **hyerstay** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 4:02 pm

I'll build a site today for osxaudio.net, with one forum where we can discuss the future.

jason

markoos · Post by **markoos** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 4:08 pm

thanks for making it happen.

kenn michael · Post by **kenn michael** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 4:14 pm

beautiful - thanks jason!

tobyond · Post by **tobyond** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 4:21 pm

Yeah, big thumbs up Jason!

hyerstay · Post by **hyerstay** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 4:30 pm

It will take a while for the domain to propogate before I can do the web config. Feel free to send me an email when it no longer redirects.

jason

putte · Post by **putte** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 4:36 pm

.. tiptop jason ..

u-he

KVR Audio

OT: OSXA?