Comments on: To or not to

By: PoLRweb

PoLRweb — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:46:52 +0000

I think if the posts are small and set to display a set number of posts on the index page then the loading time wouldn't be affected too much (I think that's what you mean by 'size'?) but yeah, an index page displaying say 5 full length (for example, 3+ paragraph) posts could be quite an effort for a user to 'browse' as they would be more likely to scan the full post than immediately be drwan to an item of interest.

By: PoLRweb

PoLRweb — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:42:35 +0000

Good point about being on a mobile device but a few questions:

1) How many sites do you go to that have image-heavy articles? I'm thinking that although you can start reading prior to images being downloaded, it surely still affects the loading times of the page and would be highlighted even further on a slow connection?

2) Having seen how you get your blog feed onto your phone, you see the Blog title and date (I think!) then have the option of clicking on each post and reading the full thing – Is this not quite similar to using the …i.e you're seeing a snippet (in this case the title) then reading more if it interests you?

By: Ryan Carlton

Ryan Carlton — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:42:13 +0000

I actually like to use the more tag for all posts too.

It not only allows for the more sizeable 'snippet' but also makes me think harder about the actual snippet (or wording before the more tag) in order to make it interesting for someone to read.

I don't actually see how any blog over a certain size could actually not implement them, surely this would sacrifice some elements of usability.

By: Stu

Stu — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:31:00 +0000

As an blog consumer who – mostly – reads blog articles via Google Reader on the iPhone, I have a preference for being able to see the whole article and prefer when the more tag is not used. I find having to click on a link to see the rest of the article cumbersome on the slower network connection of a mobile device.

By: PoLRweb

PoLRweb — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:10:28 +0000

Hey Paul, Your's was one of the sites that I checked out. I was in two minds to use the 'extra click' argument as I don't think it really stands anymore, I think users are now becoming more sophisticated and if they see a headline they like then they won't think twice about clicking though. Maybe I'm wrong but I'm willing to risk it on my blogs!

By: PoLRweb

PoLRweb — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:08:20 +0000

Thanks Dave, I know I've not used it once or twice when my post has been small but other than that I couldn't really think of an example of when it would be suitable to show full,long posts without the

By: Paul

Paul — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:22:40 +0000

Defo with the for my own site, I like it to look clean and again it reduces load times. I have been on some designer blogs that have ramped up high res images stacked on top of one-and-other and the blog takes an age to load – its not good, and it is only 1 click away to get to the full post if you use the more tag – it just makes sense to me to include it.

By: Dave Sparks

Dave Sparks — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:16:12 +0000

Personally I use the more tag as it make scanning posts on the home and archive pages much easier. People get to see the variety of articles and can click to read those they're most interested in.
Having a large number of full posts listed on the homepage is often overwhelmi and doesn't suit many sites, maybe only those that post short articles.