December 24, 2003 | View Comments (9) | Category: Our Thoughts
Summary: Who do you trust on the web and why?
After reading Keith's entry, Web of Misinformation, I got to thinking about who are the credible sources on the web when it comes to design? I mean what really makes any of us credible sources that all readers can trust? Since there are no rules to design that we have solidified yet, aren't we all just spitting out opinions? If so, why trust someone more than another?
It takes time for me to develop a trust for someone's content. There is something known as the Zeldman effect in that if you get posted on his site you are given instant status. However, a lot of the sites he post are merely for aesthetic reasons, which only helps me for one viewing. I like to see lots of relevant posts that contain some thought. It's okay to state your opinions as long as you do not come across as a blabbering idiot. I also like to see people who provide solutions instead of just pointing out the problems.
I can tell you that web standards are the way to go and if you trust me then you might go along with that. However, if you are new here then you should question everything that I say. If I don't provide a suitable argument to my claims then why should you trust me or respect me?
There are many designers I respect only because of their designs. That is how they communicate, which is fine. If they offer some design advice then I am surely going to listen. For all the other people out there who write for their blogs and do so because they have a message that they wish to get out, you should understand that just because you can type some sentences and press PUBLISH does not make you an authority.
Obviously this does not pertain to posts that tell us what happened today or provide a wonderful anecdote. This applies to those that try to make an argument about why we should look at something a certain way or why we should use this technology. Everyone wants quick fame in this community. Put some hardwork into it and continue to give back and you will be rewarded.
There is a short list of people I consider authorities in their specialized part of the web and I respect them. Whenever they post something I eagerly gobble up all the information, but not without questioning everything? The great thinkers of the web are the ones who can present their arguments and then justify them. Zeldman is really good at this and so is Bowman and Meyer.
This poll went longer than I wanted it to, but I just want to know who are the people you trust on the web and why do you trust them? Because other big names linked to them?
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A knowledgebase is exactly what this site has become. That is why I tend to write things that will not only help me, but also provide some useful info for others. However, I will admit that all my posts are for my own selfish reasons. I post my thoughts hoping that I will get comments so that I may learn more. If somebody else gains something from it, all the better.
I have read many of your posts and believe you have a greater understanding of certain aspects of the web than others so when you write about personas for example, I am more willing to listen.
I think that is what this all comes down to. It's not necessarily that we should trust individuals on the web, but there are certainly people that we are willing to listen to over others. With so many websites out there, I am sure that things I have talked about have already been preached somewhere. I may be fortunate enough to have a larger audience so maybe people were more willing to listen to me.
The original goal of this site was always to reach the beginning types who may be intimidated of this world. I am sure there are more advanced designers out there who looked at my writings and either thought they were common sense or just rubbish. However, it's for the people now beginning to enter the game that I am trying to reach. Along with this world domination will follow...just kidding.
The greatest benefit of people listening to you is obivously getting insightful feedback. Whitespace stopped becoming my site after the first comment was posted. I see it much more as a community with me simply being the maintainer.
Scrivs (http://www.9rules.com/whitespace/)
I argee that the one you should really trust is yourself. Self-confidence is very important, you need to be able to rely on your experience and knowledge. There are some bloggers who I'd listen to and regard as people who really know what they're doing. People like; Anne van Kesteren, Dan Benjamin, Dan Cederholm, Douglas Bowman, Keith Robinson and Jon Hicks just to name a few.
Most of these do seem to use their weblog as an instruction tool as well as a reflection of their thoughts and knowledge.
I myself actually do not write with instruction in mind, and I never have. I'm a recovering print designer and the print world isn't to big on instruction. As are many design disciplines. However, in my case this is changing and that is why I'll be adding articles that are also instructional nature. Time to give something back.
Have an open mind, listen to others and trust you own opinion and never think you done.
Egor Kloos (http://www.dutchcelt.nl/weblog/)
Trust is relative to the topic of information or reason for trust.
I wouldn't trust Doug Bowman to foster my child should I die, but I may trust Eric Meyer to do so. However, both of them I would trust when it comes to advice on CSS. I wouldn't trust Leonard Linn on advice for CSS, but I would when it comes to programming.
Everyone has a specialty, and area of vested interest to become an expert in.... some people are there, some people are on their way.
So for trust in the form of information or advice, yes, there are several prople I trust. For trust in the form of physically trusting someone with my own life or someone eleses life, well, that is a very short list.
I can say, however, that I trust the people I work with professional and after hours. I would even go so far as to say I would trust them with my life if it came to that... why not, they trust me with their time and efforts.
Thanks Paul... and yes, thanks Keith.
Nick (http://www.digital-web.com)
I'll tell u whats up.
first and foremost,i dont trust and every one i know, do not, and wouldn't trust any of u webb coders opininons now this is coming froma simple minded user.
Designers that come here always babble on about shit that doesn't mean shit. Ur trying to make the wbe sites faster loading and more 'valid' so u can pat ur selfs on the back and say "look Billy" i made valid css, which really doesn't mean shit to us. as long as the fucking site loads im happy, and as long as that the layout is good im happy. So in conclusion,
U ALL SUCK AND LICK DONKEYBALLS LMFAO AAHAHAHAHAHAHAAH
simplefix (http://LOL.COM)
Well said simplefix. You shouldn't trust us because you have never met us. You should only trust your own judgement as Moose has said. You should not worry about us making valid CSS sites or to that extent valid XHTML sites. You should not trust in the fact that we are trying to create sites that work in every piece of technolgy that accesses the web.
You read this entry and you have been to this site. I believe you did so on your own judgement and for your own reasons. It seems you trusted yourself into posting something meaningful that would help everyone else out. You have brought my world into perspective and now I realize that I should not even bother doing anything I love. Since you have shown me the way I now only trust you and your knowledge.
Did you ever think about the time when sites didn't load because you were using netscape instead of IE? Did you ever think that some of the layouts you see could easily be done using tables, but would take much longer to load? Did you ever realize that CSS is allowing more designers the freedom to design than ever before? I guess you didn't and since you only care about certain things, it seems that XHTML/CSS has made the stuff that is important to you more available. You can thank us later.
Scrivs (http://www.9rules.com/whitespace/)
You mentioned other designers looking down on your writings as common sense. I have to say I appreciate the common sense you show in your writings, as it is this sense that separates good, usable design from unnavigable soup. In an industry where common sense is often overlooked in favour of the bleedingest edge fancy pants tricksterage, I'm thankful for those who preach clarity.
I trust you to keep up the good work and take care.
James (http://james.moap.net/blog/)
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#1
This is something I got to thinking about after I posted the entry. It's a tough one to answer because there are lots of folks who's opinions I trust, but at the same time, when it comes to Web design I put quite a bit the responsibility to sort it all out back on myself.
You need to get to know who you are reading and decided from there how far you will trust them to point you in the right direction.
I don't want to say I trust no one. It's just that I realize that no matter how much I trust someone -- it's still up to me to sort out any opinion, advice, etc. and decided if it's right for me and my projects.
I've got lots of experience and I need to use what I know to decided what I think is credible or not. I don't read anything and take it as the word. Period.
You mentioned Zeldman -- who I would obviously view as a credible resource. However, lots of what he says doesn't translate into real world problems. He does have a great body of work and lots of resources to back up what he says (this is one way to help identify a credible resource) however much of what he talks about isn't exactly practical on a day-to-day basis.
I tend to trust folks like that though. Those who have as much or more experience as I do and have a body of real work to back up what they say. Bowman, Shea, and Meyer are great for CSS for example.
I also am more likey to trust those who admit their mistakes and/or open a two-way dialogue. Dan Cederholm comes to mind with his SimpleQuizes -- things like this are a great way to establish trust. I understand that he isn't the end all be all and he's cool with that too. Two way learning and exploration. This site would fall into that situation as well.
Another thing -- you mention quick fame. I'm not sure that is true for most folks. Even those who aren't "credible". You have to keep in mind there are many levels of expertise and it's ok for a newbie to publish too.
We all know you want to rule the world Scrivs, but many of us just want to do good work! ;) I'm kidding of course. I think folks who post just for "fame" would stick out like a sore thumb.
I know that isn't why I have a blog. I don't see anything I do as a competition of any kind. I post mostly for my own benefit (I'm building a knowledge base) and then to pass along lessons learned to those who might find them interesting. There was a time when no body read my site -- and I was fine with that. It's more fun now, as I've met lots of people and learned much from them, but I'd still post if I had no readers at all.
Keith (http://www.7nights.com/asterisk/)