[Sigia-l] Pillars of Ergonomics

[Listera]

"Eric Reiss" wrote:

> Will knowledge of HTML help me decide if something should be placed in the
> second or third tier of a hierarchy? Or whether the menu should have six or
> seven choices? I'm sorry, it simply doesn't.

Yes, it does:-)

First, understanding HTML allows you know that you can actually display
hierarchical lists/menus to begin with. Second, that through DHTML you can
nest multiple levels of menu items. Third, that on some platform/browser
combos, for example, DHTML timing/display issues may preclude their use.
Fourth, if you can think through all the possibilities/issues related to an
interface choice you may decide to use or not use it all.

Now, you may ignore this or pretend that implementation issues do not have
any impact on interface choices, and correct it *after* it's been designed
and, often, deployed. Or you can avoid such costly mistakes by actually
knowing the limitations (and potentialities) of a given tool/technology and
making it an essential part of the design process *before* it's implemented.

Ziya
Nullius in Verba