Re: [boost] [Boost-docs] [quickbook] [MPL] Knowing where you are the wrong way

From: Daryle Walker (darylew_at_[hidden])
Date: 2006-03-21 21:51:52

On 3/21/06 6:49 PM, "Joel de Guzman" <joel_at_[hidden]> wrote:

> David Abrahams wrote:
>> Daryle Walker <darylew_at_[hidden]> writes:
>> 
>>> 
>>> I've read on some web design website that this is horrible UI.
>> 
>> 
>> Why is "some web design website" an arbiter of good UI?
> 
> I assumed that they based it on usability studies. But I am
> not so sure. Daryle could you post some links to actual studies?

I've been reading the notes at <http://www.useit.com>, specifically the
"Alert Box" section at <http://www.useit.com/alertbox/>.

>>> This is a feature that may be "kewl" for very advanced users, but
>>> it's obscure for above-average users, and detrimental to anyone
>>> else.
>> 
>> I'm a below-average or middling web user and for me it has nothing to
>> do with "kewlness."  Once I discovered the feature I considered it useful.
> 
> I agree with Dave, it has nothing to do with "kewlness". I too
> find them very useful.

I think there's been a big misunderstanding here.  I never looked at any of
the pages besides the first one Joel explicitly mentioned in the original
message.  I didn't realize that Joel applied the technique at a sub-section
level too.  (The sub-sections link to themselves, like '<a name="hi"
href="#hi">')  I feel that I'm right at the whole-page level, but I don't
have a fully-formed opinion at the section level yet.  I see why it could be
helpful, but couldn't you use an explicit mnemonic instead (maybe a linked
"bookmark this" button next to the title)?

-- 
Daryle Walker
Mac, Internet, and Video Game Junkie
darylew AT hotmail DOT com