[ESW Wiki] Update of "geoFaq1" by RichardIshida

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http://esw.w3.org/topic/geoFaq1


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  == Background ==
  
- As companies launch an increasing number of localized Web sites, user-friendly global navigation grows in importance. The term "global gateway" is frequently used to refer to the visual and technical devices that Web sites employ to direct visitors to their content. One of the more popular devices is a pull-down menu on the home page that includes links to the other locales.
+ As companies and organizations launch an increasing number of localized Web sites, user-friendly global navigation grows in importance. The term "global gateway" is frequently used to refer to the visual and technical devices that Web sites employ to direct visitors to their content. 
  
- '''AP: 2. The word "locale" is used sloppily and without introduction. In fact, I think the first occurrence ... Really refers to the other use of the word "locale", meaning something like a country site and not a software locale. The word locale, to the extent possible, should be expunged or very clearly handled, since the target audience is not other I18N-aware folks such as ourselves.
+ One of the more popular devices is a pull-down menu on the home page that includes links to localized versions of the content (eg. translations or alternative country sites).  Such pull-down menus are not restricted to use on the home page, but may also be seen as a space-effective way of allowing users to switch between language or regional localized sites on a page by page basis.
  
- MD: Yes, I think 'locales' should be replaced with something like 'languages/countries'.
+ In this article we look at some of the pros and cons of using pull-downs in this way, and best practises if you think this approach is right for you.  Note that this article is specifically focused on the use of pull-downs for global navigation.  There are numerous other aspects to global navigation that will be described in other future articles.
  
- RI: I suggest "that includes links to localized versions of the content (eg. translations or alternative country sites)."
  
- [FTF 4 mar] All agreed.'''
- 
- ----
  == Answer ==
  
+ === Pros and cons ===
+ 
+ The pull-down menu is not always the best solution for global navigation and you need to decide whether it is the best solution for your Web site.  The following points may help you.
+ 
+  - If your site supports only a handful of locales, it is probably better to avoid using a pull-down menu altogether and simply include links directly to each locale. This gives you more flexibility to use graphics to represent non-Latin text, avoids the difficulty of finding a suitable non-linguistic label for the list, and 
+ 
+  - If your content is available for more than 20 locales, a pull-down menu is not very usable for those Web users who must scroll to the end of the list. In this case you may consider linking to a dedicated global gateway page at the home page level.  If linking between localized versions of specific pages, this may not be a practical solution.
+ 
  The pull-down menu is not a silver bullet for global navigation and it may not be the best solution for your Web site. If your site supports only a handful of locales, it is better to avoid using a pull-down menu altogether and simply include links directly to each locale. Also, if your company offers more than 20 locales, a pull-down menu is not very usable for those Web users who must scroll to the end of the list.
  
- '''MD: This is somehow given in the background, but should probably also appear in the answer: A pull-down menu can very well be a good solution! [i.e. say things positively rather than just let the reader infer that if the concerns don't apply, it's a good solution (or, if you don't think it's that a good solution in general, say so more clearly)]
  
- GEO telecon: divide into: 1) should I use a pulldown? 2) best practices.
+ === Best practises ===
  
- RI: It is important to make the point that pulldowns can have significant drawbacks, and should be used with care. It may help to actually focus more attention on the reason we are saying this. Suggest we have two subsections in the answer with headings "Should I use a pulldown menu?" and "Best practises for use of pulldowns".
- 
- [FTF 4mar] Agreement
- 
- [DC 23 mar] Suggestion "links directly to each locale" to "links in the appropriate language to each locale"? If your site supports only a handful of locales, it is better to avoid using a pull-down menu altogether and simply include links directly to each locale.''' 
- 
- ===
- 
- '''AP: 3. The phrase "silver bullet" is not a globally accessible metaphor. Depending on your culture you need to know either the Lone Ranger or all about werewolves, I suppose?
- 
- MD: Yes. It's a true (but somewhat sad) fact that globally oriented English has to abstain from most metaphors.
- 
- RI: John's decision.
- 
- [FTF 4mar] We suggest replacement.'''
- 
- ----
- However, if you do decide to use a pull-down menu, here are some best practices to keep in mind:
+ If you do decide to use a pull-down menu, here are some best practices to keep in mind.
  
- '''MD: Probably leave out the "However,", or reword more positively, such as simply "When using a pull-down menu,..."
- 
- RI: John's decision.'''
- ----
  1. Locate the pull-down menu at the top of all Web pages, preferably to the right side. This location is highly visible, reducing the chance that the visitor will not see it. Furthermore, an increasing number of Web sites have located their global gateways in this location, conditioning Web users to come to expect it here.
  
  '''AP: 5. I think the discussion of pull-down location should be more generalized. Perhaps something like:

Received on Monday, 25 April 2005 17:48:49 UTC