In a move to placate a lot of very unhappy mobile web users (including myself), the BBC’s Anthony Sullivan hopes that the upcoming BBC Accessibility Tools will allow people to replicate the “low graphics” version of the BBC News website. Unfortunately, for people who’ve been using that version of the site for over ten years, it feels like they’ve lost a close friend. There’s a lesson in here for web developers around the world, read on.
Read on in the full article.
new site i presume uses more data, at a time when the networks are cutting data allowances, bad move at a bad time.
I guess its a personal preference as I prefer the new site, I wouldn't say that it is that much more graphics intensive either as you still had thumbnails on the old site.
The lack of a summary is the most annoying thing. So in order to find out what the story is about you now have to click again, and wait, and the go back. That's just rubbish design. I do use the BBC mobile site a bit, but the NY Times and FT mobile sites are far better if you want a quick overview of the news.
The problem is that the user is no longer able to pick by preference, as the low graphics part isn't there anymore.
I agree that it's a personal preference, but I also think, that the choice should be there.
The new "mobile" sites began emerging after the release of the iPhone. I welcomed them, and still do, as they worked great on my Nokia N810 internet tablet and later other touchscreen devices.
By then, we had three sites: desktop, touch and mobile. This is great, and can be tried by going to m.facebook.com, touch.facebook.com and facebook.com for example.
I see no reason that the really mobile version with almost only text should discontinue though, there can hardly be much maintenance involved in maintaining it.
I honestly think people will moan about anything these days.
Really? A low bandwidth version of a website ceasing to exist is the top story on AAS?? There's so many things wrong with the world and people choose to devote their time and energy into writing drivel about low data usage sites ceasing to exist in a world of unlimited data and capable handsets.
I know MANY people will disagree with me here but my God man, there's A TON more important things in life to worry over, jeez.
iFanboy (interesting name by the way), the spark of the idea is the BBC News website yes, but it's actually about design, capability, user expectation, and factors involved in information and websites on mobile devices. As to unlimited data, err not from most networks, that's all changing. And having sensible capability for ALL handsets (not just the object du jour) SHOULD be part of good design.
Unlimited data in the uk is dead, many users like myself have to change their habits, do you really need to open that email with attchments? Things are changing and in that climate this is relevant.
Those who want more life and death topics i would suggest they log on to amnesty international.
Well said. Some people take themselves far too seriously.
This is a website about mobile phones and related matters; no, it's not life and death but it IS relevant to many people who come here. Apart from anything else, it is a good example of how the mobile web might evolve, which is not necessarily a good thing...
i loved the low graphics version, visited it very frequently indeed. and like Ewan I've stopped using the BBC altogether with the new LESS INFORMATIVE site
ifanboy wrote:I honestly think people will moan about anything these days. Really? A low bandwidth version of a website ceasing to exist is the top story on AAS?? There's so many things wrong with the world and people choose to devote their time and energy into writing drivel about low data usage sites ceasing to exist in a world of unlimited data and capable handsets.
I know MANY people will disagree with me here but my God man, there's A TON more important things in life to worry over, jeez.
this is a website that covers things pertinent to mobile phone users. you're admonishing an article that is completely within the editorial remit of it's original agenda.
shut up and go away.
ifanboy wrote:I honestly think people will moan about anything these days. Really? A low bandwidth version of a website ceasing to exist is the top story on AAS?? There's so many things wrong with the world and people choose to devote their time and energy into writing drivel about low data usage sites ceasing to exist in a world of unlimited data and capable handsets.
I know MANY people will disagree with me here but my God man, there's A TON more important things in life to worry over, jeez.
the stupidity of your post is outstanding
"Theres a bookmark for that" simply hit the headlines page and bookmark it, i don't really see any problems though using opera mini because its fast lol, Paul
Actually there is (now) a problem with Opera mini. Given the Norwegian proxy server, the BBC Mobile website serves up the International version, not the UK version - and there isn't an option to force it back to the UK.
ifanboy wrote:I honestly think people will moan about anything these days. .
Your post being the case in point.
How ironic that you moan about people moaning!
gadget freak wrote:Unlimited data in the uk is dead, many users like myself have to change their habits, do you really need to open that email with attchments? Things are changing and in that climate this is relevant.
Not many people. 99% of data users got through a max of 200MB per month, the vast majority of those under 100MB.
It was the 1% that caused the problem. They should be paying more.
1% my ass don't listen to these crooks, if it was only 1% they wouldn't be going out of there way to change things.
truth is with this new craze for twitter uploading pictures to facebook etc non geeks are using more and more data and they can see the ������
They advertise they smartphones a mobile interent devices they want you to rinse your data allowances and they want you too pay more for more, their a business.
gadget freak wrote:1% my ass don't listen to these crooks, if it was only 1% they wouldn't be going out of there way to change things.
truth is with this new craze for twitter uploading pictures to facebook etc non geeks are using more and more data and they can see the ������
They advertise they smartphones a mobile interent devices they want you to rinse your data allowances and they want you too pay more for more, their a business.
despite the atrocious grammar mistakes, i agree with this.
sorry mate, wrote that on the bus, but you got the point.
No, it is the 1% selfish people tethering and downloading movies etc. Uploading pics to facebook is no big deal, compared to them. You can do plenty of uploading of pictures and still get nowhere near 100MB, that's exactly what I do.
Gadget freak is way off the mark.
If the big users pay more then that's fine by me. For the sake of fairness, cap those selfish wankers.
If the networks sell unlimited why is it selfish to use it? i find that bizzarre.
Not sure why people are saying unlimited in UK is dead.
I use GiffGaff (O2 virtual operator) and they offer a genuinely unlimited option. Unless you mean for tethering. So you can download and upload as much movies/music as you want and they wont complain...
It's �10 a month for unlimited internet + 100 mins + unlimited text a month.
At the moment, they have free 100MB a Day (yes a day) until October without buying anything other than an initial �10 topup.
Check them out...
Referal Link from me :
http://giffgaff.com/?campaignId=A-zuberb
Or you can make save some money/get some free credit from my signiture link...
Zuber
Order your new giffgaff sim from www.sim-shop.co.uk and get an extra �5 credit and cashback !
This has nothing to do with the evolution of the web or personal preferences. It is just another predictable step in the age-old progression of governments to restrict the flow of information to the public. It's much easier for them to do their dirty work without the world watching.
Les Virany, Patent Agent
Pittsburgh PA