Re: Inline link icons

On 22 Jul, 2005, at 06:05, Terrence Wood wrote:

> Is the recommendation to open windows from the usability experts  
> based on actual observations with your actual users? If not, then  
> run some of your own informal tests to determine your users  
> behaviour, and proceed from there.
>
> If there is nowhere else that you open new windows then I think  
> consistency within the rest of your system is more important than  
> blindly following the advice of your usability consultants.
>
> As an aside I'm not entirely convinced that Patrick's assertion  
> about user behavour with PDF/WORD plugins is correct (despite the  
> fact he is usually correct :) - sure some users might close windows  
> - but is that really what the majority of people do?
>
> regards
> Terry Wood.
>

Hi

The usability company did observations and interviews with users so  
it'll be based on that + their previous experience with the same  
area.  There are some legacy pages on our intranet with links that  
open in new windows, but we took the decision some time ago to stop  
coding these and also to remove as many offending links as possible.   
Moving forward, the only links that will open in new windows will be  
PDF/Office and, you're correct, it won't be consistent.  Patrick's  
assertion is apparently correct, at least according to our usability  
company.  I personally don't believe that the majoirty of users do  
this, but am prepared to be proven wrong.

F

Received on Friday, 22 July 2005 06:34:34 UTC