N
nsr93
I am not sure if this was the proper group to post this, but here is
my question:
I am a Java consultant. I have new client I am working for to make a
web based application similar to an ecommerce site. We aren't selling
anything but we have a notion of a cart where you add schedule items.
You can perform actions such as add/edit/remove schedule items to a
schedule. This is an over simplifcation but you get the idea.
I am not a usuability/UI expert, I am usually on the server side, not
working with the UI too much- but I am wearing all hats on this
project and at least know enough to know pop ups aren't a good idea
generally. However, my client is big on them because he is stuck on
the fact that users complained they did not want to have to leave the
schedule page to perform schedule operations. The argument being they
need to make decisions about what modifications they want to do to
their schedule and be able to look at the schedule at the same time
(hence not leave the schedule page, hence a pop up). Where for an
ecommerce application, this is a not as critical because the user is
not managing something where conflicts may arise, or decisions have to
be made in the context of other items, etc..
So, my client wants me to add a menu bar to each page, and the menu
bar would have drop down options that reflect the operations. When you
select an operation you get a pop up (Edit->Add schedule item->pop up
dialog). This is a very Windows-like a approach but we all know that
dialog boxes are better suited for this than pop ups on the web.
Usuability articles I have read say pop ups should be avoided and not
used for functionality because the pop up may be dismissed or it may
lose its context if the user goes to another page and leave the pop up
open. Plus I know from experience that pop ups can be tricky
especially when you want the parent window to react to what is being
done in the pop up, something my client brought up that he wanted as
well.
It all just sounds hackish to me. I am totally against this menu
bar/pop up solution, it doesn't feel right. Its not standard. Plus, I
believe what the users asks for isn't always what they should get
because sometimes they don't realize what they ask for might introduce
new problems they did not think of.
I prefer the classic style where buttons are used and where the users
leaves the page briefly to perform the operation and then returns to
the page when the operation is completed. This simplifies code, and
provides a more standard web interface. However, I have yet to find an
article or posting that truly gets into the details of the cons for
using pop ups for critical user functions and why this is a bad idea.
I would like to support my argument with the opinion of usability
experts because right now my client is hanging on tight to what the
users said. I want to lead my client properly and if I have enough
arguments to support my case he will eventually bend.
I did get a Jakob Nielson book but again he does not address this
particular use of pop ups and why it is not a good idea.
Anyway, I am asking for opinions, white papers, anything!
Please help!
Nancy
my question:
I am a Java consultant. I have new client I am working for to make a
web based application similar to an ecommerce site. We aren't selling
anything but we have a notion of a cart where you add schedule items.
You can perform actions such as add/edit/remove schedule items to a
schedule. This is an over simplifcation but you get the idea.
I am not a usuability/UI expert, I am usually on the server side, not
working with the UI too much- but I am wearing all hats on this
project and at least know enough to know pop ups aren't a good idea
generally. However, my client is big on them because he is stuck on
the fact that users complained they did not want to have to leave the
schedule page to perform schedule operations. The argument being they
need to make decisions about what modifications they want to do to
their schedule and be able to look at the schedule at the same time
(hence not leave the schedule page, hence a pop up). Where for an
ecommerce application, this is a not as critical because the user is
not managing something where conflicts may arise, or decisions have to
be made in the context of other items, etc..
So, my client wants me to add a menu bar to each page, and the menu
bar would have drop down options that reflect the operations. When you
select an operation you get a pop up (Edit->Add schedule item->pop up
dialog). This is a very Windows-like a approach but we all know that
dialog boxes are better suited for this than pop ups on the web.
Usuability articles I have read say pop ups should be avoided and not
used for functionality because the pop up may be dismissed or it may
lose its context if the user goes to another page and leave the pop up
open. Plus I know from experience that pop ups can be tricky
especially when you want the parent window to react to what is being
done in the pop up, something my client brought up that he wanted as
well.
It all just sounds hackish to me. I am totally against this menu
bar/pop up solution, it doesn't feel right. Its not standard. Plus, I
believe what the users asks for isn't always what they should get
because sometimes they don't realize what they ask for might introduce
new problems they did not think of.
I prefer the classic style where buttons are used and where the users
leaves the page briefly to perform the operation and then returns to
the page when the operation is completed. This simplifies code, and
provides a more standard web interface. However, I have yet to find an
article or posting that truly gets into the details of the cons for
using pop ups for critical user functions and why this is a bad idea.
I would like to support my argument with the opinion of usability
experts because right now my client is hanging on tight to what the
users said. I want to lead my client properly and if I have enough
arguments to support my case he will eventually bend.
I did get a Jakob Nielson book but again he does not address this
particular use of pop ups and why it is not a good idea.
Anyway, I am asking for opinions, white papers, anything!
Please help!
Nancy