h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Horizontal Scrolling really is one of the most annoying and unnecessary aspects of the internet. And no, it is not only me that thinks so!!

Horizontal Scrolling also exists on, for example, word processors. But in such cases, you can alter settings to eliminate it. On the internet, it is a result of someone else's poor design, and you are stuck with it.

I first found it on H2G2 entry "My name is Mike England. I am a bus herder. Not a two-headed busherder or anthing so interesting as that, but I did used to sell double decker buses, I guess that's sort of interesting. . . ", where the page has set itself to the width of his chosen title. (Not his fault, though I have sent him a note).

Having decided to write about it, I came here and found this entry box to be wider than my screen.

Horizontal Scrolling is easy to cure. "Word Wrap" can be written in to avoid Mike England's problem. Page design can use percentage widths instead of absolute - that would have made this box easier to use.

Web design should remember that there are many different browsers, screen sizes and tastes. Web design that assumes we all use the same demonstrates a fundamental disregard fro human individuality.

Thanks for the feedback.

The site is going to be re-designed early this year, and we'll take your comments into account. We're planning visual and practical improvements, which should make it easier to navigate.

Peta