[IxDA Discuss] Usability of Multicolumn text

[Christopher Fahey]

> IMHO (as I have yet to do any real tests in this area), a 
> multicolumn layout should have little to no effect on 
> usability.  The readers attention should be captured by the 
> text itself first; make a great introductory paragraph and 
> they will most likely finish the article.  

I just want to say bravo! to Jough for considering the *desirability* and
the perceived *value* of a page's content as an integral part of its overall
*usability*. 

Anyway, about multi-column layouts, here are some off-the-beaten-path
implementations I like:

1) My friend Paul Ford has what I think to be an excellent -- if unorthodox
-- multi-column layout to his personal blog site at http://www.ftrain.com/.
His main content, the part you are really going to read, is in a single
column but tertiary content is in a series of additional columns mostly to
the right. These columns are accessible only through a horizontal scroll --
typically a no-no, but IMHO it works well here as the horizontal-scrolling
behavior is exploratory in nature, and thus has an element of fun to it that
transcends pure usability heuristics. (Paul is also a semantic Web gladiator
that all IAs should pay attention to).

2) Another friend, Cameron Barret, set up a web site in 2003,
http://www.watchblog.com/, to facilitate side-by-side political blogging by
American conservatives/Republicans, moderates/third-parties, and
liberals/Democrats. An excellent way to attack to a very real problem -- the
echo-chamber effect of partisan American political discourse -- that
transcends web and user-experience design. The columns are integral to the
inclusiveness inherent in the site's voice and purpose. It's a rousing site
with mature political debate where you can actually hear respectful opposing
voices -- I was quite addicted to it in 2004!

3) Another friend(!), Adesh Deosaran, used to co-manage an electronic music
online magazine (and weekly DJ event) called RecordCamp. The site is now
defunct, unfortunately, but he's got a nice albeit compressed screenshot
here http://unevenfoundation.com/images/rc_MG_01.jpg. 
It's a veritable broadsheet of columnar layouts, and highly stylized (it's a
music magazine after all). It was a little out there on the usability scale,
but once you got the knack of it (scroll sideways to the column you want,
then scroll down as you read through it) it actually wasn't so bad.

All of the above designers are, like me, Brooklynites. Go figure.

-Cf

Christopher Fahey
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