What misfeatures do you hate about bad websites??

[The Heretic]

Here are some I hate (not necessarily in order of agravation):

1) Flash navigation menus and introductions - especially if I am not given a choice to skip them, and especially if they ask me to download the latest version of Flash.

2) Fixed font sizes in content - usually too small, but sometimes too large.

3) Fixed width of the content - especially prevalent on websites for printed media such as newspapers and magazines.

4) PDF content.

5) Popups, popunders, asking me if I want to make this web page my new home page or add it to my favorites.

6) Doing things because they can; background sounds, doo-dads that follow my cursor around, changing the color of the scroll bar (take note Laurel), etc.

7) Poor choice of colors (black text on white or off-white background is best for readablity).

What are some of your pet peeves about web sites?

 

[Starfish]

I hate the internet.

It doesn't matter what the site is like. I hate it.


Especially this one.

 

[tyme]

I hate ones that have things that flash on them. I am photosenitive and it can send me into a seizure. Porn sites are very bad about this.

 

[Kitte]

I really hate frames...ok so it is just me...but if I want to toss someone a link I want to be able to get them directly there not...hey go here then click this then this then this then do the hokey pokey...ya know what I mean?

 

[Raina]

I hate those new overlay ads that hide whatever you are trying to read until they feel like going away.

Oh, and the ads with sound. You know, the ones that shout, "HEY OVER HERE..."

 

[Nora]

Oh so many things...

Music. Especially when they don't put an off-button in.

Really crappy graphics. Especially if they're just pointless ones. You find these a lot on personal webpages. People, if you're going to steal graphics, at least learn how to clean 'em up.

Pointless navigation requirements. Dude, your site ain't that big. Why do I have to dl another page of crappy graphics to get at your content?

Sites that do not take into consideration that there are, yes believe it or not, people who are still on dialup. In fact, over 50% of users are indeed still on dialup. Don't piss us off.

Business sites that don't make even the most cursory attempt to look professional.

Any site that uses New Times Roman as the font.

 

[The Heretic]

I really hate frames...ok so it is just me...but if I want to toss someone a link I want to be able to get them directly there not...hey go here then click this then this then this then do the hokey pokey...ya know what I mean?

If a website with frames is designed correctly then you should be able to do that. I have a website that uses frames and I give out URLs for specific pages all the time - the only downside is that I first need to open the page in a new window, then the page detects it is frameless and reloads itself within the proper frame and with the proper URL. I think there may be a way to do that better, but since I am going to redesign it without frames I haven't bothered with finding it. I am going to create a motorcycle website that would best be done with frames (it is a directory) so I will be looking at a way around this problem. Most of the complaints about frames can be avoided with proper website and page design.

 

[Guest]

 

[modest mouse]

The simpler the better.

Music in ads is the newest trend that bothers me.

 

[Nora]

But wait, there's more!

I agree about ANY popup/popunders. I loathe them.

Pretty much all personal web-pages, if I'm going to be honest. I'm sure some are ok, but if you're not family they're mostly pretty boring. Show me your PSP Tube collection instead.

Business sites that don't offer pictures of their products, or don't offer a good enough view.

Sites that try to get you to download ridiculous programs. There's a site for one of the kitchen cabinet manufacturers that wanted me to dl a viewer program. I did it. I regretted it. I wrote them a SCATHING email about it.

Any site that thinks I"m gonna dl a comet cursor. I'm not. Get over your cutesy self.

 

[Nora]

Does this mean you suffer from cable envy?

Among other things.


And I rarely say this, but I like your av. It make me drool.