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Re: Using color to distinguish a visual element

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From: Mike Osborne - AccEase
Date: Dec 9, 2008 2:30PM

Some time ago I observed a tester with cognitive impairment trying to
navigate a site. She had been taught that a link could be recognised as
having blue text with underline. It was heartbreaking to watch as this
tester tried to establish a link and navigate the site - given that links
were represented differently in the top menu, main menu, left hand
navigation, right hand news/highlight items and of course the footer - let
alone the body text.

Base principle of usability is consistency - blue underline is consistent.

I find it interesting to note that the major money-making sites on the Net -
e.g. Amazon, Google stick to blue underline.

Unfortunately usability.gov does not.

Regards
Mike Osborne

AccEase Ltd
p. 04 934 2821
m. 021 675 010
e. <EMAIL REMOVED>
w. www.AccEase.com