Ronald Chmara wrote:
In regards to flags, might I suggest, in the spirit of "A Modest
Proposal":
For each language spoken, rather than use one flag for "color", might
I suggest that each language have representational flags representing
all countries where 1% or more of the resident population speaks that
language. Thus, for the english language, we would have a mere 38
flags or so, making sure we had quite a colorful and attractive
layout. Same with French, Spanish, and possibly a few other languages.
At the top and bottom of each page, rather than having something dull
and legible like text, we could have hundreds of bright and colorful
flags, representing all of the recognized and provisional
nationalities, so one may switch to flags, rather than languages!
<snip>
How odd - I just had a similar idea. I don't think mine goes as far as
Ronald's though; mine is just purely for aesthetic purposes. I would
suggest that in place of flags on Jens' layout, we have mosaics of flags
- miniature flags all combined together to form one giant flag. So the
"flag" for France, for example, might include the Canadian (or
Quebecian, or whatever they're called, flag) as well as the French.
There are two criteria for inclusion of a flag in the mosaic that I can
think of; either the language must be an official language of the
country, or it must be spoken by more than x percent of people in the
country.
There are of course cons to this approach. Chinese would still have the
original problem, though perhaps with selective IP guessing, we could
filter it... Another is that eventually the number of flags may be so
many that the "flag" mosaic will not contain any visible flags but
instead smudges of varying colours.
But still, it's a unique approach. I just can't stand the portal being
so...ugly as it is.
John Lee
([[en:User:Johnleemk]])