Opinions on link presentation

[autumn_whispers2me]

I can't really decide which is the trend as of late regarding links, which ones look good, which ones are bordering 1st generation web design, so... I thought I would ask you guys what your opinions are before I build my menu.

Okay, I 'could' make image links, but I'm not sure if that's considered a web faux pas or not. So do you think I should stick to text links, or do image links look better (not the raised, boxy "buttons" but nice fonts).

Also, I've seen tons of javascript menus, and most of them wouldn't look right for my project. I've also seen some menus/layouts for menus that looked really good, but I've no clue how they did it.

So... how do you feel about text vs image links, and is there a specific approach/method you would recommend? My latest project limits how much information can go on a single page, so I need the menu to be small, tight, and clear.

...which reminds me... font: Please, can someone tell me what a nice, clear, legible font is and where I can get it? I want it to be as small as possible, but still be crystal clear/legible.

I don't ask for much, do I? :wink:

Thanks in advance!

[Webforumz Staff]

For tiny readable fonts you'd want a "pixel font". A Google search will turn some up.

A for the choice between text and image links, I use some of both but generally end up with images simply because of the limited font options

[Webforumz Staff]

From a usability perspective you shouldn't be making your fonts as small as possible. Whatever size you do make them, they should always be precentages so that the user can change the size of the text! If you can't do that, the site isn't accessible and in some countries it's actually breaking the law.

For example, in the UK we now have a law that each company must provide disabled access to the business. Not all businesses can do this physically as some are in locations where they can't have ramps, etc installed, doors widened or they are not on the ground floor and only have access via stairs or they don't have the staff/money, whatever. In this situation, they construct a website accessible to everyone with variable size text, changeable colours for contrast, etc. Ok, so I'm not saying that *you* should do that, but in the interest of allowing everyone to access your site, you should try to make it as accessible as possible.

Of course, there's usually a trade off between accessibility and aesthetics. Thinks look good when they're small, simple and streamlined but there are sites out there which are good looking and accessible too. They often feature some neat tricks.

But err... back to the point. Yes, pixel fonts are great. As the name suggests they are made pixel by pixel, so unlike most fonts they can't be scaled as easily. Pixel fonts need to be a multiple of their original size to look their best. Sorry for the rant!

[autumn_whispers2me]

Well, I think you missed/overlooked the other half of that statement about "as small as possible," the part where I said the font should still be "crystall clear/legible." 8)

Anyway, I'll look for those pixel fonts.

Thanks, guys!

UPDATE: Okay, I checked out those pixel fonts and I find them very difficult to read, even the large sized ones! Oh well, I'll keep looking.

I've seen some very nice web sites in the past with small fonts that were extremely crystal-clear and easy to read. Wish I'd saved the links to those, darn it.

[Webforumz Staff]

Originally Posted by autumn_whispers2me

Well, I think you missed/overlooked the other half of that statement about "as small as possible," the part where I said the font should still be "crystall clear/legible." 8)

I didn't overlook it, but what may be crystal clear to you would not be crystal clear to everyone!

[autumn_whispers2me]

Well, I know that, silly! lol My eyesight sucks these days, so most people should be able to see what I call 'small'

I don't really think I should make a Flash menu, but I made a sound file with a "no music" text on it that looks really good font-wise. The font is a machine font.. _serif and set to 12... I wish I could get my fonts on the page to look that good.

[benbacardi]

i've got a very good, clear pixel font called hooge something or other - very good at small sizes

[Webforumz Staff]

How about this little list of pixel fonts...

http://www.websitetips.com/fonts/pixelfonts.shtml

[autumn_whispers2me]

Great list! I found one I really like, but I have to wait until I get paid to buy the font. It's only $8, but it's a nice one... called "monotype." Thanks for the link.

The sites I ran across while I was looking had some really bad pixel fonts, but I found a few nice ones on that page!

Still, I wish I could get the font right off the machine like flash does. That _serif at 12 looks really nice. But I suppose that's impossible with html? I don't think that font is the same thing as "sans serif."

[Webforumz Staff]

I think it may be a built-in Flash font... I'm honestly not sure though.

[autumn_whispers2me]

Ah, okay. I know it's listed in Flash as a "machine font."