Grayed Out Text for Read Messages in Message List above Bottom Reading Pane Made Difficult to Read in Outlook for Mac 15.31 Update

Anonymous
2017-01-19T19:47:36+00:00

I am using the bottom reading pane option in OFM 2016, mainly because I find the right reading pane option unacceptable because of the reduced number of messages that can be viewed.  The message list for the bottom reading was a refuge for me. Now it is afflicted w/same virus (lack of design sensibilities) that has ruined the message list in the right reading pane view.  

Now having gotten used the message list in the reading pane, the product managers at OFM 2016 have changed the font  stroke weight of the unread message so they are light gray, making them much harder to read.  The light gray works for the message list when the right reading pane is enabled because it provides contrast. It does the opposite when there is simply a list of messages.  Showing the unread messages in bold and the read messages in normal stroke weight (not grayed out) provides a much better user experience avoids eyestrain.

This new change, introduced in 15.31 is unwelcome and frustrates the expectations of users. It makes the text less accessible to the human eye and is not a good design. It causes needless eyestrain.

Please change it back to where it was previously where unread messages were in bold and read messages were in normal stroke weight (non-bold regular text).

Here are some examples. Because Microsoft converts these images to a very low resolution (ill-advised), the differences below are not as stark as they are on a computer displaying these as normal high res images. Believe me, the read messages in the message list look much worse than appears below.

Unread messages [mostly] (these are easy to read):

Read messages - these are very diffcult read because en masse the greyed out messages require more eye concentration to glean what is there. Imagine looking at the last line of an eye chart all day and straining to make out th letters.

Microsoft 365 Insider | Outlook | MacOS

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  1. Jim G 134K Reputation points MVP
    2017-01-20T16:33:37+00:00

    Moved to Insider forum - Moderator

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-01-23T23:36:57+00:00

    Jim,

    I have resigned from the Insider Program by turning off that option and will never again enter the slow or fast release program.  Henceforth, please don't transfer my messages to the Insider Forum.

    Richard Barg

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  3. Jim G 134K Reputation points MVP
    2017-01-26T16:11:22+00:00

    Hi Richard,

    As a matter of policy I move questions and comments concerning insider builds to the insider forum because they don't necessarily apply to general release builds. All the forums are designed to be user-to-user, but as you have seen, Microsoft employees do read many postings in the Mac forums. Different teams cover the general release builds from the Insider builds.

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-01-26T16:23:11+00:00

    Jim,

    I would like the "Insider" status removed from my name. For example, you are listed with "MVP" "Insider" next to your name. I'm not an insider anymore.  My comments henceforth concern production versions.  As far as I'm concerned, if being an Insider relegates you to the "Insider forum" for all of your posts because of your status, then it limits your voice and relegates you to a forum with much less resonance.  

    If you are able to do so, please direct that insider be removed from my name. I'd also appreciate if you would send me a private message re: this and for other issues that don't pertain to a specfic issue.

    Thanks.

    Richard.

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  5. Anonymous
    2017-04-05T17:32:17+00:00

    Thanks for all the feedback on this change. We have an update to this based on all the feedback. If you are opted into Insider Fast program, you'll see it in an upcoming update.

    Thanks,

    Sunder

    PM Manager | Outlook for Mac

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