Diaries...

All I can think of to write about is the server status, but that's already at the top right hand of your screen, in bold. So assuredly you've already clicked it. Even if you haven't, now you definitely will. Unless you're in the minority (specifically 2.7% of people in the US, plus or minus 0.05%) I imagine you're finding it very hard not to click, now that your attention has been drawn to it.

I can let you in on a little secret. Our web design was developed over several years by a very high priced advertising firm. They spent millions of dollars running exhaustive batteries of psychological tests, finding out exactly how people view a website and how to draw their attention forcefully where we want it.

They weren't making it for us, they were developing it for one of the larger dotbombs. When the bottom dropped out of the market, some of dmg's contacts told him about it and we picked it up at quite a discount. I think they were just happy to find another buyer.

It's a bit spooky reading a web page that speaks to you subconsciously, attacking your natural web browsing instincts without you even being aware of it. When I first started using it, I'd find my mouse going places and clicking things on the site when I wasn't paying close attention. Once or twice I even awoke in the middle of the night browsing Adequacy. I don't remember getting up and going to the computer at all. Freaky stuff.

We've toned the design down a bit since then, but many of the techniques are still being used. That's why for me and most of the other editors on the site, we've put up an alternate web design. I just found it way too creepy to be toyed with like that. It's sort of hard to do what editing needs to be done when you find yourself compelled to browse the web site, you know? It's designed more for end users anyway.

Sometimes I just wish it didn't look so monochrome, right zikzak?

[Editor's commentary] by zikzak

Dear elby,

I agree. I think it's time we considered an alternate artistic scheme for our site. We need more color to liven the place up. The current achromatic nature is just too compelling. Perhaps this note can serve as an initial guide for possibilities?

Sincerely,
zikzak

	Bastard. (5.00 / 1) (#1)
	by osm on Sat Dec 8th, 2001 at 06:04:01 AM PST

	hmm (5.00 / 1) (#2)
	by elby on Sat Dec 8th, 2001 at 06:32:06 AM PST

	I can't figure out why specifically I'm being called a bastard, unless it's that I left a certain someone out of the poll... -lb

	It is certainly a mystery.... (none / 0) (#7)
	by Nf3 on Sat Dec 8th, 2001 at 01:45:13 PM PST

	....to me as well why your diary entry should evoke such a response. I found it well written and enjoyable to read. Perhaps the facts that: you can spell properly, you can structure your sentences well, you know how to use whitespace, and that your sense of humor tends to be above gutter level are offensive to some.

	do you care? (none / 0) (#9)
	by alprazolam on Sun Dec 9th, 2001 at 01:37:54 AM PST

	do you give a shit whether people write diaries? either way, it pretty much doesn't affect the site, since the diaries that do get written tend to be less interesting that the front page stories. also people have different reasons for writing them, most likely. chloedancer probably writes diaries to showcase her otherworldliness to the mortal peons, whereas mine are pretty much post it notes to myself. but either way, why do you care. both of us will die some day relatively soon, probably make no impact on the world in the larger sense, and be forgotten 10 years after we die. by the way i'm half torn right now, so sorry about the rambling nature of this reply. HAND.

	Are you kidding? (none / 0) (#10)
	by hauntedattics on Mon Dec 10th, 2001 at 06:37:57 AM PST

	Sometimes I just wish it didn't look so monochrome, right zikzak? Are you kidding? I dream in grey now, thanks to you guys.

	Er.. (5.00 / 1) (#11)
	by elby on Mon Dec 10th, 2001 at 01:50:24 PM PST

	And you're happy that way? No lawsuits or anything? -lb

	Unlike (none / 0) (#12)
	by hauntedattics on Mon Dec 10th, 2001 at 02:26:41 PM PST

	many of my fellow Americans, I save my lawsuits for only the most noble causes. And, I actually like grey.

	Excellent, respectable (none / 0) (#14)
	by elby on Mon Dec 10th, 2001 at 07:38:16 PM PST

	I have no respect for anyone who would sue a website like Adequacy. I may have a biased opinion. -lb

	tribunal court... (none / 0) (#16)
	by loginadequacy on Mon Dec 10th, 2001 at 10:43:54 PM PST

	i definitely vote for monochrome terminal color: orange and green. Black, white or grey will do for color blind. For the matter of suing adequacy, it isn't without a cause. Adequacy is still damn slow. But i'd rather go to the tribunal court to settle any dispute in regards of adequate wellbeing for scoop-alike beings.

	monochrome is better... (none / 0) (#13)
	by loginadequacy on Mon Dec 10th, 2001 at 05:51:45 PM PST

	i vote for monochrome terminal color: green and orange. It's faster and that's what this site is most lack of in the current state of affairs - the speed. Until speed is improved, please filter out all flesh and give us the skeleton only!

	Bold content, flaccid presentation (none / 0) (#15)
	by Anonymous Reader on Mon Dec 10th, 2001 at 10:08:30 PM PST

	Some people might actually prefer a website with these traits. On the other hand, for such a hefty price, I'd expect something more lively.