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from the we're-on-the-leading-edge-of-1997 dept.
Submitted via IRC for Bytram
A few days before Hurricane Irma hit South Florida, I received a query on Twitter from a graphic designer named Eric Bailey.
"Has anyone researched news sites capability to provide low-bandwidth communication of critical info during crisis situations?" he asked.
The question was timely — two days later, CNN announced that they created a text-only version of their site with no ads or videos.
The same week, NPR began promoting its text-only site, text.npr.org on social media as a way for people with limited Internet connectivity during Hurricane Irma to receive updated information.
These text-only sites — which used to be more popular in the early days of the Internet, when networks were slower and bandwidth was at a premium – are incredibly useful, and not just during natural disasters. They load much faster, don't contain any pop-ups or ads or autoplay videos, and help people with low bandwidth or limited Internet access. They're also beneficial for people with visual impairments who use screen readers to navigate the Internet. (Related: Designing Journalism Products for Accessibility.)
Source: https://www.poynter.org/news/text-only-news-sites-are-slowly-making-comeback-heres-why
(Score: 4, Informative) by Snotnose on Tuesday December 26 2017, @05:22AM
I have a bandwidth cap, like 90% of the country, except I know I have an unstated one. Pisses me off that when I do everything I can to prevent auto-play video from auto-playing (including blacklisting sites that do this), even though the video isn't playing it's downloading in the background. Sucking up my cap limits, and shitting out heat, with nothing to benefit me in the equation.
When the dust settled America realized it was saved by a porn star.