Reading Patterns

[WomenXtra]

Hi All,

I came a cross this interesting page online.. thought I share it with you all: http://www.useit.com/alertbox/reading_pattern.html

do you think this is still valid? or are people's reading patterns are changing?

thanks
WX

[Chris]

that is and probably always will be valid, especially for societies that read left-to-right.

[Webnauts]

Originally Posted by Chris

that is and probably always will be valid, especially for societies that read left-to-right.

Chris is that something new?

[Chris]

i've been reading about heat mapping test for a couple of years now and they make sense. it kinda reinforces the design theories of putting important stuff on the left-hand side of page, while the right is reserved for stuff that isn't necessarily relying on clicks. if you look at the patterns they reveal, it is very much resembles the patterns people show when they read: left-to-right, with more heat being on the left side of the page.

[chatterfox]

Good article you have there WomenXtra. I studied psychology before and I must say that it's true and I agree with Chris. Regardless of what pattern, it is just safe to say that new findings about the way "we" actually read could help us develop and improve the usability of our websites.

By the way, thank you for commenting on my blog. I actually made two articles on your question about banners and affiliate programs. =)

[Webnauts]

Then you maybe would like to check this too: http://www.poynterextra.org/eyetrack2004/main.htm