Betty has asked me to break up the text (making spaces in the content so it's easier to read) so that people with neuro lyme or eyesight problems can read it.
Does this help others or you?
It can be very time consuming & I don't know if people actually read the posts once I break up the text.
Please let me know.
Posted by cactus (Member # 7347) on :
Helps me, too. It's probably different for everyone.
I don't always post, but read here daily. I find that the posts with the text broken up are easier to process. Sometimes I miss good info because it's not broken up - bummer.
It certainly is time-consuming, so wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who does it!
Posted by TerryK (Member # 8552) on :
I don't have some of the issues that others have with reading larger paragraphs. That said, I think it's helpful if the paragraphs aren't huge. You know, broken up into manageable paragraphs.
Personally I find the single sentence or 2 sentence paragraph more difficult to read but I am interested in doing whatever is deemed helpful to the majority so I'm glad you posted this question.
Terry
Posted by daise (Member # 13622) on :
Pain to the brain from having to read big blocks of type is one of the symptoms of Lyme disease.
Many with Lyme have problems reading.
A big block of type is formidable to many us.
daise Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by daise: A big block of type is formidable to many us.
AGREE!! I like the way Terry wrote hers. I hate having to read sentences that are in literal pieces.
Also prefer small paragraphs to large AND to one line at a time. That is hard to read too.
Posted by METALLlC BLUE (Member # 6628) on :
I can see where that would be a problem. It can be overwhelming to see a lot of text. Not that it drives me to anxiety, but I simply become apathetic and don't bother reading it.
Posted by knshore (Member # 13451) on :
I won't bother to read paragraphs that aren't broken up. Every couple sentences is good, I think.
Some need every line broken up...
The way you did it is fine to me. Posted by shazdancer (Member # 1436) on :
I know people who don't have Lyme who have a hard time with large blocks of text, especially on a web page. But I have also found it especially hard to keep my place when I am sick. It's just good "netiquette" to break it up every 6-8 lines, or 2-3 sentences.
That said, I have found other ways to read when I am having trouble. I get out a blank paper or cardboard and hold it under the line I am reading. On the computer, I sometimes scroll the line of text up next to the toolbar, or down to the bottom, so only 1 or 2 lines are right near that straight line.
I think we can get it done in a way that is not rude to the poster who is new and desperate for information.
Take care, Shaz
Posted by misika (Member # 15020) on :
I do not have Lyme... my teenaged daughter does.
However, I am over 40, and I find that even for me it can be hard to read text thats not broken up.
For me, personally, I don't need every line broken up but if someone posts a good long post without breaks, I usually start to read and then Scroll On By because it strains my eyes.
So, I think its not just the Lymies that like it broken up.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I think you're right, Misika! I scroll on by huge blocks of print .. or I break it up myself.
I'm not willing to go to that much trouble unless I REALLY want to know what was said!!
[ 24. April 2008, 10:16 PM: Message edited by: Lymetoo ]
Posted by cantgiveupyet (Member # 8165) on :
I notice that with the larger paragraphs, I get tired and just give up reading it. I have a very short attention span since getting lyme.
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
Break it up for me too please... and yes Sparkle, your post looks perfect to me and is VERY nice.
I too appreciate it when folks break it down to smaller paragraphs. My text has to be much larger too.. so one line on your machine may be 2 lines on mine.
4 lines on yours is 8 lines on mine.
So thanks to all!
Posted by METALLlC BLUE (Member # 6628) on :
So we can agree that everything 3 sentences is ok? I mean unfortunately I tend to write a lot, but of course out of respect for the readers it's important they are comfortable and able to read the material I post. So can 3 work?
Posted by daise (Member # 13622) on :
I generally write what will turn out to be 2-4 lines, when I post it. Some times 1.
BettyG, where are youuuuuuuuu? Seems you might know the most about this.
daise Posted by DakotasMom01 (Member # 14141) on :
I agree with the others that said smaller paragraphs, but not the one line ones.Forget the big blocks of text, can't follow those, nor the ones written in all caps.
Some days all that scrolling to read the one liners makes me sick. Those of us with back problems can't sit for long, so its not only the people with neuro lyme.
Thank You Sparkle and everyone else who breaks the text up!! Much appreaciated!!
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
quote:Originally posted by METALLlC BLUE:
So we can agree that everything 3 sentences is ok? I mean unfortunately I tend to write a lot, but of course out of respect for the readers it's important they are comfortable and able to read the material I post. So can 3 work?
daise, i'm just getting on pc tonight; severe lightning storm earlier and i needed 3 hrs. of sleep!
michael on your above paragraph; that's fine! **********************************************
sparkle's example was fine!
since i came to this board almost 4 full years ago aug. 04, i've stressed this issue as i saw it again and again where with the LONG SOLID BLOCK TEXT; those posts were NOT getting replies. i too had to SOB, SCROLL ON BY. i get migraines reading things like that.
my personal opinion is that everyone who posts something should have at least ONE reply, and more on a subject matter that is important and/or critical.
i have emphasized also if you have really TECHNICAL STUFF that are LONG-WINDED, that 1 sentence on those is ONE paragraph. it's so hard to comprehend technical stuff anyway.
i've found out otherwise too when i asked a survey like sparkle did here too, and i asked her to ask others too for your input; NONE OF US IS ALIKE! we are all UNIQUE LYMIES with just bitten to decades like tutu and me! *****************************************
so the recently bitten folks don't have the neuro problems like those of us with decades of this.
i also feel when we post something here that we copy here, we show the link, and THE ENTIRE ARTICLE. so in MY OPINION ONLY, it's the responsibility of the person starting the post to break it up and make it user friendly for majority of us NEURO lymies.
i do agree that 1 line entries and a blank space DOES make it hard to read if it's a lengthy post.
again, THANKS SPARKLE for posting this, and ALL OF YOU for your honest opinions where i didn't do any arm twisting!
ALSO, SPECIAL THANKS TO THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE BROKEN UP OTHERS POSTS!! GOD BLESS YOU!! Posted by METALLlC BLUE (Member # 6628) on :
I'll work on it. It might take me sometime to get used to getting the right combo.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by daise: I generally write what will turn out to be 2-4 lines, when I post it. Some times 1.
Yes, I go by the number of lines, not sentences. But PLEASE don't split the sentences into pieces!
Posted by ForestNymph (Member # 15109) on :
I can't read longer paragraphs either. Actually, before BettyG told me to break it up I didn't know that's why I couldn't read much.
When I try to read longer paragraphs my head starts to hurt and it's like the information stalls before it gets to my mind.
My husband is in neuro psyche and he says it is because my neurology is tied up and can't take too much stimulus at once.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by ForestNymph: My husband is in neuro psyche and he says it is because my neurology is tied up and can't take too much stimulus at once.
That makes sense! I like how you put an extra line between your paragraphs.
And... WELCOME, in case I haven't said that to you! Posted by daise (Member # 13622) on :
quote: Originally posted by ForestNymph:
My husband is in neuro psyche and he says it is because my neurology is tied up and can't take too much stimulus at once.
Yes, a definition of Lyme stress.
daise Posted by METALLlC BLUE (Member # 6628) on :
An additional line (double spacing) makes it even easier to me too.
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
yes, i too like the EXTRA blank line between; gives the eyes some rest, and will implement that also in future!
sparkle, i posted a long post in medical on SSA COMMISSIONER'S 4-23-08 SPEECH IN FRONT OF CONGRESS; it took me at least 60 minutes PLUS to break that all up and reformet it for our lyme eyes!
BUT it was important stuff about filing for regular SS benefits, filing for SSDI BENEFITS AND EXTREMELY LONG BACK LOG; their new equipment, hiring MANY MORE ALJudges, etc. so i did it especially for all those waiting for their ALJ hearing. more video ones coming!
Posted by Tracy9 (Member # 7521) on :
The thing that hurts my eyes and brain beyond belief is the capitalization of words.
It is downright painful to read posts where several words and phrases throughout are capitalized.
My brain aches trying to switch from lower case to upper case over and over again.
Does this bother anyone else? It is much more aggravating and bothersome to me than long blocks of text.
It just about makes me nauseous, almost like motion sickness from all the switching.
Please refrain from capitalizing words for emphasis unless it's really, really necessary.
That's my two cents worth!
Posted by merrygirl (Member # 12041) on :
I dontread or can't read big paragraphs. I like it broken up a bit. 2-3 sentences!
Melissa
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Tracy... Is bolding the words better for you??
That's what I prefer, but I know some people can't tolerate the bolding.
We could use itallics instead. You just put [i] at the beginning and end with a bracket,/,i, then closed bracket to end.
Same process to make something bold. I can't post the way it's done, because you will see only the bolding and not the keystrokes to accomplish it!!
bold.. [b] then close with [,/,b] .. withOUT the commas.
Posted by Tracy9 (Member # 7521) on :
Yes bolding is much easier for me to read. I never know how to do it here.
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
hello again,
tracy, so postings like mine hurt your eyes/ability to comprehend things.. i understand. i'll try to do better.
since i got my new pc an recent problems with lymenet, my pc won't let me BOLD certain words like i easily did earlier. So that's why i use all caps for those few words or a sentence.
italysis is bad for me too...gives distorted view...letters are not precise to read.
to use italysis vs. bold; use BOLD! betty Posted by shazdancer (Member # 1436) on :
Quick tutorial:
How to put words in bold type on a bulletin board:
1.) Right before the word or phrase you want to see bolded, type a square bracket [, the letter b, then a closing square bracket ]
2.) Write the word or phrase
3.) To end the bolding, type a square bracket [, then /b, then a closing bracket ].
Done!
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
trying out your bold feature instructions; did it work?
i forgot the / 1st time! thx shaz!! Posted by lymednva (Member # 9098) on :
I've had trouble with reading comprehension as long as i can remember. this in spite of being an A student all my life.
when it came to reading i always had to reread things because i forgot what i had read.
when i was teaching i always put off grading written work, especially when i made the move from 2nd to 6th grade.
it was only after i had to stop working completely that i realized what had been going on.
breaking up paragraphs makes things readable for me. i just SOB large blocks of text.
i also have problems reading where each line is double-spaced. i think it makes the comprehension more difficult when the breaks are not "natural," like at the end of a sentence.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by Lymetoo: Same process to make something bold.
bold.. [b] then close with [,/,b] .. withOUT the commas.
I guess I was talking to myself earlier! Posted by Tracy9 (Member # 7521) on :
Betty, thank you; I never said anything before because you work so hard and do so much for everyone, and I didn't want to complain!
Your willingness to bold instead of capitalize is very thoughtful, thanks again.
I agree with Diva, I think the double spacing every line is also very hard to comprehend, but every few lines where it can occur naturally is great.
Thanks everyone for sharing what works for you!!!
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
-
Echoing what others say about 2-3 lines of text.
And it's funny how, for me, one sentence paragraphs are also hard to read unless just a few here and there as major points of thought. You would think one line of text and one line of white should work, but, for many here, it swirls without some anchoring of a 2-3 lines together.
Typing on the composing page will appear different than here, but the 2-3 line finished paragraphs as the appear here work well.
--
I also like the addition of an extra space of white bar in between now and then, especially with many points - It helps so much.
the thing is about the paragraphs that are more than about 3 lines is that, for me, it appears as just a sea of swirling grey and triggers vertigo - and that makes me sick for hours, then.
In texts that are very long, perhaps a first and last paragraph with spacing adjusted and just the link to save posters time.
--
To me, large blocks of text are sort of like someone talking really fast and really loud. But, rather than ears, it's the eyes that have to take it all in and I think we don't realize just how much the eyes, the inner ear functions and the brain have such a complex job.
I also like to add a couple bars of white space at the top and bottom for the pleasure of eyes.
Thanks to everyone who takes that extra care for kindness in the presentation of their communication to others.
-
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by Tracy9: I agree with Diva, I think the double spacing every line is also very hard to comprehend, but every few lines where it can occur naturally is great.
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So that's why i use all caps for those few words or a sentence. ![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)