[Sigia-l] guidelines for download file size maximums?

[Lyle_Kantrovich at cargill.com]

I'd add:

d) user's expectations/preparedness, for example:
  - did you warn them they were going to download a 12 MB PDF?
  - did you tell them the Excel file uses macros and they'll get a virus 
warning?
  - did you make sure they know what format it'll be in so they know 
they have the right viewer?

I still think most *web pages* should be pretty lean (ideally under 
~50KB).  Frequently accessed *utilitarian* pages (e.g. Google's home 
page) should be as lean as can be.  Some pages warrant more bandwidth 
based on content.  My rule is that "branding" has value, but isn't a 
license to disregard download/display times.

A *downloaded file* is a bit different from a web page - from a user 
experience perspective, not from a technical perspective - in that it's 
something a user is often going to save or print.  PDF's are a bit 
unique as a *download* - they are often just viewed online (if short), 
but present some usability issues.  See Nielsen's assessment and 
suggestions: 

PDF: Unfit for Human Consumption
http://www.useit.com/alertbox/20030714.html

Gateway Pages Prevent PDF Shock
http://www.useit.com/alertbox/20030728.html

Avoid PDF for On-Screen Reading
http://www.useit.com/alertbox/20010610.html


There's no "stock" answer...and if you happen to be trying to set a 
"policy," make sure there's a "variance" process that let's the business 
do the right thing when it needs to exceed the guideline.  :)

Size doesn't matter - it's what you do with it that counts.  (I thought 
everyone knew this already.)  :-)

HTH

Regards,

Lyle

----
Lyle Kantrovich
User Experience Architect

Croc O' Lyle - Personal Commentary on usability, information 
architecture and design.
http://crocolyle.blogspot.com/

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." 
	- Leonardo da Vinci
 
-----Original Message-----
From: ejackson at 141xm.com [mailto:ejackson at 141xm.com]
Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2004 4:08 PM
To: sigia-l at asis.org
Subject: [Sigia-l] guidelines for download file size maximums?

I've been asked to specify what the maximum file size should be for file 
downloads on a large government website for procurement.  I recognize 
that this depends on:
a) user's bandwidth (no stats available on this but the audience is 
varied)
b) user interest -- presumably the greater the interest, the longer one 
is prepared wait!
c) available server space (this is *not* a limitation in this case)