[thelist] optimal line length

aardvark roselli at earthlink.net
Tue Nov 26 18:35:06 CST 2002


http://www.humanfactors.com/downloads/nov02.asp

"Bob Bailey, Ph.D., Chief Scientist for HFI, discusses the optimal
line length when reading prose text from a monitor."

[...skipping history and other factoids to the end...]

"What can we conclude when users are reading prose text from
monitors? Users tend to read faster if the line lengths are longer
(up to 10 inches). If the line lengths are too short (2.5 inches or
less) it may impede rapid reading. Finally, users tend to prefer
lines that are moderately long (4 to 5 inches)."

discuss amongst yourselves, lemme know when you're done...

er...



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