News: 4 Seconds as the New Threshold of Acceptability for Web Page Response Times

[Beth Agnew]

I've always used 3 seconds as the benchmark. This from television more 
than the Internet. If something doesn't happen in 3 seconds, people 
switch. It's the Sesame Street syndrome. :-) We found the rule held true 
in a game company I worked for. If there wasn't feedback or new action 
within 3 seconds, users felt gameplay was seriously degraded. In 
writing, I've followed the same principle. You've got 3 seconds to grab 
someone's attention, and if you miss that window, you have a hard time 
getting the message across.
--Beth

-- 
Beth Agnew
Catch the Buzz: http://bethbuzz.blogspot.com
STC Presentation archived at:
http://www.301url.com/podcasting

Professor, Technical Communication
Seneca College of Applied Arts & Technology
Toronto, ON 416.491.5050 x3133
http://www.tinyurl.com/83u5u