From a usability standpoint, underlined links are better. From a design standpoint, that's not always the case. I personally liked my design on my site better with the links *not* underlined, but to aid my users (I get a lot of mom and pop non computer types who need websites) I put the underline back in my CSS.

Another thing that I didn't like that I added back in for usability was the a:visited color. I changed the link color a bit so users know they have been to a certain page. Design wise- I liked it better without, usability wise- it is easier to navigate now.

My opinion, *drum roll please* since you are more of a tech resource than a design studio, lean towards usability. Let the flashy flashers use 9px tahoma fonts and mystery meat navigation... it works for their demographic. Keep our design simple and friendly as it is now, but maybe take a small hit on design for the sake of usability.

I think as long as they aren't truly "hidden" links you're good to go. I definitely go with the Swim or Sink mentality. :cheesy:

The reasoning is that I did try keeping the links entirely underlined. That lasted a good half a day. It looked really ugly and it just changed the entire aesthetic of the whole site.

i've never had a problem finding links except when someone i know made an emoticon in a thread into a link..which was going too far

don't have underlined links on my site anymore as my mate did me stylesheets so the links change colour without being underlined..although, having said that i just realised they don't do that in opera :eek: ..still, no-one has complained yet..

Personally I say yes. Even if the underline is just a mouse over one. Ether way you should have you links stand out from the rest of your text so people can see that they are links and not just text. (sounds stuppid but is a must, people are think)

i would say yes as well. the only problem is that if someone underlines a word on the forum it could be mistaken as a link and then you have a visitor/user clicking a word that does nothing. if help prevent that you can underline and color a link. to avoid confusion use italics when stating a title instead of underline.

but i definately prefer underlining

only time i say to underline links is on mouseover, everything else they should be kept without underlines and a different color from the text.

Exactly. Nuff said.

Tekmaven™

Ditto to that as well.

In the sites I design, if there happens to be links that are in the text, they will be a different color and then change color and/or underline when rolled over, this give non-computer types a "heads-up" that the text is active. Plus, it just plain looks better in my opinion.

I agree with some of you above. Though this site is meant to be for "everyone" I doubt that those who actually register here to submit a question of theirs lack the knowledge of what a link is and how the mouse pionter works.
I think that staying with the traditional look should be only for sites that really are for everyone(notice that I didn't use the "s this time ), like some government sites or whatever sites that are visted by anyone from a to z.

So I say no to underlined links. Different colour or bold style is enough. Ok on hover, but I prefer just making them bold, but that's just my oppinion.