[Sigia-l] DHTML Menus and Usability

Lyle_Kantrovich at cargill.com Lyle_Kantrovich at cargill.com
Thu Sep 19 19:07:25 EDT 2002


You people always generalize!  :)

Personally, I don't think you can generalize about the usability of 
menus (dhtml or otherwise).  There seem to be lots of theories on why 
menus might work or not work, but no solid research or even generally 
accepted guidelines.   The right answer is .... (drum roll please) ... 
it depends.  (Yep, that's why I get paid in Big Bucks - so I can share 
sage wisdom such as this.)

Test it out:
- your users (or sufficient fakes)
- your design (or a sufficient facsimile thereof)
- your users' tasks
-------------------------------
Net: Your Answer

Saying menus always work/fail is like saying users always understand 
submit buttons or always have trouble with horizontal nav bars...  Even 
if it worked/failed in your situation it could still fail/work for 
another...and of course I won't insult anyone's design skills by 
pointing out that sometimes we're testing bad designs or bad IA or bad 
hierarchies and such-and-such.  Wouldn't even think of it.  Mileage may 
vary - even yours.

Might there be a situation where a well-designed set of menus work just 
excellent for a certain user with a certain set of skills and knowledge 
performing a particular type of task???  No way?  Way.

(Like how I claimed to have the 'right answer' -- did you even catch 
that?  What kind of an arrogant jerk am I?  You don't have to answer 
that.)

Regards,

Lyle Kantrovich
User Experience Architect

Croc O' Lyle: personal commentary on usability, IA, and web design
http://crocolyle.blogspot.com  <<<------ Blatant self-promotion!!!





Is it Friday yet???





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