I like words
Mar. 15th, 2009 06:49 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
girlyswotFacebook launched an 'upgrade' yesterday. It has taken me three hours to find the link to the groups page (even after asking the help of my friends in locating it). One of the reasons it took so long is that it is no longer represented by the word 'Groups' but simply by an icon of two shadowy figures. I hate this trend of replacing clear, easily understood words with pictures that are ambiguous and confusing. It seems to me to be happening more and more - both online and off.
Moto service stations are one of the worst offenders. All their signs are pictorial only. It takes me forever to work out where I am supposed to be going. A simple 'Cars' with an arrow would really help.*
Actually, this was a thing I noticed that seems to be different in the US. Road signs around Philadelphia are incredibly wordy. There was one just round the corner from where I lived which said 'No turn on red. Except between 7.45am and 8.15am and between 2.45pm and 3.15pm on schooldays.'** By the time you'd read all that and checked your watch, the person behind you would be practically leaning on his horn. Still, it was completely clear. In the UK, you'd probably have a sign with a curved arrow crossed out and then two clock faces. It's like having to solve riddles before you can drive.
*Now that I have thought about this at a sensible time, I have just found the feedback form on their website and told them what I think.
**I would not swear to these being the correct times.
Moto service stations are one of the worst offenders. All their signs are pictorial only. It takes me forever to work out where I am supposed to be going. A simple 'Cars' with an arrow would really help.*
Actually, this was a thing I noticed that seems to be different in the US. Road signs around Philadelphia are incredibly wordy. There was one just round the corner from where I lived which said 'No turn on red. Except between 7.45am and 8.15am and between 2.45pm and 3.15pm on schooldays.'** By the time you'd read all that and checked your watch, the person behind you would be practically leaning on his horn. Still, it was completely clear. In the UK, you'd probably have a sign with a curved arrow crossed out and then two clock faces. It's like having to solve riddles before you can drive.
*Now that I have thought about this at a sensible time, I have just found the feedback form on their website and told them what I think.
**I would not swear to these being the correct times.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2009-03-16 10:15 am (UTC)Gaargh.