Color contrast [was: [ANN] Simple RPN Calculator on RevOnline]

[FlexibleLearning]

On 10/14/10 7:20 AM, Andri Bisseret wrote:

>That's confirmed by results of researches in Ergonomics
>
>Dark text on light background combination are recommanded; among these
>kinds of combinations the black on white one brings the best
>legibility (and users' judgement of pleasantness).
>Infortunately very often ignored!
>[...]
>Greco M., Stucchi N., Zavagno D., Marino B. (2008). On the portability
>of computer-generated presentations: The effect of text-background
>color combinations on text legibility. Human Factors, 50, 821-833.

Jacque replied:

>The latest craze is light grey on dark grey and I see it implemented
>everywhere lately. I hate it. I can't read it. It slows me down and
>makes me resentful, and yet all sorts of commercial apps are using it.
>
>One customer of an unnamed app has threatened to sue the company for
>breaking accessibility laws. I'm not sure how successful they would be,
>but I'm all for it.


I can also highly recommend the W3 guidelines on enhanced contrast for web
accessibility (SC 1.4.6):

http://www.w3.org/TR/UNDERSTANDING-WCAG20/visual-audio-contrast7.html

As for light grey on dark grey, I find it much less abbrasive on the eye
than "black on white" for a user interface but I would not want to read a
book using it. My current app development uses such a color scheme and
reports so far are positive.

Jacque: The law suit won't get to first base if they can demonstrate they
meet the SC1.4.6 contrast spec!

Hugh Senior
www.FLCo.co.uk