@Munakchree: old news is good news cause we have already dealt with it.

@Anonymous: Dude, I have many gripes about the way this site is going. That's just my views on user identity and I think it's encouraging elitism. I'll happily discuss them with anyone - so I can see what you're saying somewhat in your post.

But I very much disagree with you as from Day 1 I can say that Dave has done an amazing job with design. Usability is a big thing at Canv.as.

@opium: what does canv.as plan to become?
A page for designers? A community with fb like profiles? The next MySpace?

There does not seem to be a straight forward concept behind the entire thing.
On the one hand anyone (and most do it) can be anonymous.
On the other hand you are encouraged to whore for efame.
In a consistent concept one hand would be used to finish a job.
Either it is for the efame...which you seem to dislike by calling it "elitism".
Or it is for anonymous rampage which does not comply with this failed code-of-conduct that just reflects condenasts idea of a what is right or wrong.
a cartoon dick is legit in most countries of the world but puritania america.

where does canv.as want to go? and in which way has this been respected in the usability concept?

@Anonymous: I think that's just it - the consistency is lacking. Obviously given the option to include your username in your posts will encourage a circle of 'namefriends' who will do so - look at any internet board with this option.

And I don't disagree with there being usernames on Canv.as - I used to post with mine a lot in discussions as I figured it consistent (posting with it itt was accident, I still forget the default value is to show username).

But I just don't really know if I like how the whole board, what with the dashboard and following users etc., is an equally friendly atmosphere for those users who wish to remain anonymous.

I appreciate Chris's views on anonymity and user identity from the many talks and interviews I've seen him give on the internet, about how there is no black and white. I was most interested in the concept of advocating multiple identites for users. For example, I am far more different on forums focused around philosophical debate than I am on My Anime List. And I am far more different here than I am on my own G+.

So I was really interested to see how this site would play out in terms of that - however I think it's just going towards that idea of "LOOK AT MY USERNAME, I AM BETTER THAN YOU" which is...well, shit.

As far as usability and design go, that is a totally different thing. You can have websites with a shit set of aims but a great design and vice versa. Dave has always been on the ball with design and I think this site has a very good usability.

I'll post something which I posted in a thread 11 months ago. I was studying usability in software design and had to give examples of each of the points and I chose Canv.as:

"
On the topic of user centred design I have mentioned Canv.as because I think it ticks all the boxes from this book:

-Understand your users
-Design software based on an understanding of the users' tasks

The designers are all users themselves and so hit the nail…

Post cut short...


"...-Ensure users are involved in decision-making process

Our community feedback is always implemented, or at least discussed.

-Design the user interface following principles of good usability

The web design on this site is so clean, simple and innovative.

-Have users work with and give their feedback about prototypes, online help and draft user manuals.

Users are encouraged to contribute, help and provide feedback. Also Canvas Labs is all about testing prototypes.

(The rules about training and support costs aren't really relevant to Canv.as)


So well done, my hats off to the design team :) And I'm sure my lecturers will take my examples well."

Hope that made some sense?

@Anonymous:
anonymous is not an option it is a duty