Text-only

Describing something that consists solely of textual information, devoid of any graphical elements, formatting beyond basic typography, or multimedia content. This can apply to documents, websites, applications, or modes of communication. A text-only interface prioritizes content accessibility and can be particularly useful in situations with limited bandwidth, on older devices, for users with visual impairments who utilize screen readers, or when information simplicity is paramount. It contrasts with rich media formats incorporating images, videos, interactive elements, or elaborate design aesthetics.

Text-only meaning with examples

• The library website offered a text-only version to improve loading speed and compatibility for users with dial-up connections. This minimalist design stripped away all graphics, providing straightforward access to the catalog and research databases. Navigating felt instantaneous compared to the graphic-heavy standard version, proving its efficiency in low-bandwidth situations.
• Due to the company's internal security protocols, employees were required to use a text-only email client for all sensitive communications. This policy aimed to prevent malware attacks and data leaks by eliminating the potential for embedded malicious code within image or rich-text attachments. Simplified communication focused solely on the written content.
• During the software debugging process, the developers switched to a text-only mode for logging and output. This eliminated the distraction of formatted reports, allowing them to focus exclusively on the raw data and error messages. This clear, concise presentation was critical for swiftly identifying and resolving coding issues.
• For visually impaired users, the screen reader defaults to a text-only presentation of websites, reading the content aloud in a synthesized voice. Alternative text is crucial to conveying information from images. Without this mode, websites might be inaccessible. This allows for effective information consumption.
• Before sending the final document, I proofread the manuscript in a text-only preview. This helped me catch typos and grammatical errors, ensuring the writing flowed smoothly without distractions from formatting or visual styles. Focused content review was greatly improved.