Online WYSIWYG Usability

[thing3b]

I am looking at several ways to allow users to post messages. The users need to be able to at least use headings and bullet points. One issue I have is the usability.

I have been looking at:

- Input via a WYSIWYG (embedded on a webpage)

- Using BBCode (Also know as Style Codes... Why not HTML instead)

- Allowing HTML (This is not really suitable for people new to the internet is it?)

- Only accepting plain text (lack the ability to create proper <h1>,<h2> headings)

- Allow only one format (eg <h1>, <p>) to be specified for each text box, but allow the use to add more textboxes as they need them? (Reminds me of the simple, quick webpage designers some web hosts offer. Would this interupt the writting flow, making users continually stop?)

Has any one else designed webpages / forums / comment forms for people who are not that great with computers, and if so, what was your choice for inputting.

(Also, could / should blind people with screen readers be taken into account?)

[bill]

Take a look at the WYSIWYG editors used on a lot of the popular forum packages out there. A lot of them are mimicking the look and feel of MS Word. That seems to be the trend now. You have to assume that your users can operate a basic word processor.

Your next level would be BBCode. A lot of the blog packages now have add-ins that allow BBCode in comment posts. That's a good second tier option, but it assumes some exposure to forums.

Allowing HTML opens you up to the blog spammers. I'd be wary of that. Limited or full HTML assumes an even more sophisticated user. That's probably not as accessible all-around.

The WYSIWYG is probably the most usable, but I don't know how accessible it would be for the sight impaired.