The Illusion of Accelerated Dialup September 22, 2006
Posted by ptvGuy. Comments: 10 comments
BEWARE: Web developer letting off steam. Read at your own risk.
…they've been duped by their ISP…
Okay, I've had it. I'm tired of telling people that what they're seeing on their screen isn't really what my site looks like. I'm tired of explaining to site users that I did not populate my site with sucky graphics. In point of fact, I'm sick and tired of the entire concept of "Accelerated Dialup" that ISPs have been selling for years. It's a myth, an illusion people; it doesn't exist. Now, I realize, of course, that my audience here is primarily web developers and that this isn't anything they don't already know, but I just can't stand it anymore. I'm sure you understand my need for a rant here.
Here's the scenario:
…remove some of the quality from all of the graphics they display so that the page loads faster…
I'm over at a friend's house or a get-together or something. Someone walks up to me and says something like, "I just heard that you handle such-and-such website." I straighten up and get prepared to receive the unsolicited commendations I'm sure are forthcoming. The next thing I hear is something like, "You'd think they could afford some decent graphics." or, "Why does it look all crappy like that?" Then I have to spend the rest of my time there trying to save what's left of my deflated ego and explain how they've been duped by their ISP.
ISPs routinely sell the concept of "Accelerated Dialup" with ridiculous phrases promising "DSL-like speed from your dialup connection." They'll even explain how it works right on their homepages while knowing full well that the majority of their users don't read anything past the lurid sales bullets and the stated price.
The way it works is to remove some of the quality from all of the graphics they display so that the page loads faster. Is it just me or does this strike you as the web equivalent of the potato-chip bag disclaimers that say, "Some settling may occur," as if that explains why the bag is more than half empty when you open it?
…they begin to think that what they're seeing is just the way the web looks…
The problem here is that within a week or two of signing on, most users have forgotten (if they ever noticed in the first place) this aspect of their ISP's behavior, and they begin to think that what they're seeing is just the way the web looks. If you're like me and you've taken the time to optimize your graphics as far as possible to achieve the fastest possible downloads for your users, then the extra filtering of "Accelerated Dialup" will result in graphics that look like they were created by a third-grader with a water-color set. The alternative is using higher-quality, slower-loading graphics to compensate.
Here's how the ISP's should explain it:
We know that your 56k-modem won't go any faster than 56k, but, in order to get you to give us your money, we will gladly give you the illusion of faster web surfing by stripping 20% to 50% of the quality from even the most carefully crafted and optimized graphics before you view them.
…Optimized for your deception…
To be slightly fair in my rant, "Accelerated Dialup" does have it's place. There are times when a dialup user will want to surf the web faster without being that particular about graphics. However, this should be done knowingly.
Why can't the ISPs, since they're already processing the graphic anyway, brand it somehow to remind users that they've tampered with it and it's not the original? I would offer some constructive ideas along these lines, but, in the mood I'm in right now, all I can picture is a toilet-seat cover and the words, "Optimized for your deception."
I really can't believe that I'm the only person bothered by this. Anyway, I appreciate the chance to get that off my chest.
Thank you all, code well, and good night.
