grandpa - 9:07 am on Feb 8, 2007 (gmt 0)

I'm on dangerous ground here I know, but this is one of the few situations where I disagree with the common consensus about links, at least in part. I use a page header with general site links on each page, and those are all text-decoration: none. I do at least change color, black to blue or vice-versa. Why does it work then? I think part of the reason is because the page headers are consistent in appearance. The headers certainly have a cleaner look. I just don't believe that the usability has been significantly reduced. It's conceivable that some of my one-hit-wonders have left after taking one look and not seeing an obvious link. I would be very surprised to learn this was a significant number leaving for that reason.

There is little experiment underway right now on a couple of my pages. I've created some javascript/css non-underlined links across the top of the page that will allow people to essentially change the page view - to see another group of similar widgets. It's still a bit early to tell if this is effective, but my gut says it will work just fine.

Now, let me step back on some firm ground and say that 99% of the other links on my site are underlined. As a rule I do try to follow convention and, I do agree at least in theory about what has already been said. Sometimes though I've just got to be me.