[Sigia-l] "close window" links in pop-ups

[James Spahr]

On Jun 23, 2004, at 10:16 PM, Listera wrote:

> Have you seen any study on user's ability/propensity to close 
> *non-browser*
> windows, for non-browser apps?
>

I think this is a really important distinction. My evidence is 
antidotal at best, but I have witnessed many users either hesitate to 
use the native GUI's close box or just not even think of it as an 
option. I've asked them why when I've witnessed it and here are the 2 
most frequent responses (filtered through what I assume the users mean) 
that I've gotten over the last 6-7 years:

 > User spent a couple minutes filling out a form, they clicked on 
clearly labeled pop-up link to get a definition (like a CC security 
code question). Afterwards they didn't want to close the pop-up for 
fear that they would loose all the work they had done in the form.

(Similarly if a user has spent a long time finding a page, they are 
*very* hesitant to do anything that might make them lose the page they 
just found, this include closing any sort of window)

 > User doesn't think about using the native widget because for 99% of 
their browsing experience, they never have to use any of the browser's 
native widgets.


James.