Arc90 Lab’s Readability is a simple and essential tool that “makes reading on the web more enjoyable by removing the clutter around what you’re reading.”
Just choose your settings, install the bookmarklet in your browser’s toolbar, and enjoy content on even the busiest, most poorly-designed sites.
In the past, I’ve cited Readability as a signpost for designers struggling with IE6.
It’s also an invaluable aid to readers who use smart phones.
For instance, here is Roger Ebert’s review of Fellini’s 8 1/2.
On a desktop browser, although it’s not an aesthetically pleasant experience, you can probably read it. On a small iPhone screen, you can’t. It’s a nightmare. It’s everything designers shouldn’t do when they have text by a good writer with an audience of eager readers.
So what’s a reader to do?
Without Readability, there’s nothing you can do, but sigh and close the browser window. With Readability, you can read and actually enjoy what Roger Ebert has to say.
Invaluable.
