[Sigia-l] Subdomain usability

[Kenneth Bryson]

I've found the verbal test rather unreliable.  In dealing with both my
spouse and coworkers, if I tell them to go to a URL that starts with a
sub-domain, they'll invariably type a www in front of it despite the
fact I didn't include that in my verbal instructions.

In these cases, some people just assume that every site starts with a
www and assume that I'm assuming as much in my verbal instructions.  And
don't even get me started on telling someone how to type in a URL for an
SSL enabled site!

-kb

>>> "PAULA THORNTON" <paula.thornton at prodigy.net> 6/8/2006 7:21 AM >>>
It's not often that I'd side with David over Eric, but there's a
non-scientific artifact here. The second example which starts with the
keyword is far more effective from a 'memory' perspective and much
more
readily passes the 'verbal' test. 
 
That is, when barking instructions to your spouse in the other room
who
can't find anything to save his life, calling out "maps dot google dot
com"
is a set of simple instructions that he can follow. And surprisingly,
in
spite of his own resistance, he also remembers the access because it
starts
with the 'intent' word. He (anyone) doesn't care who provides the
service or
where it resides, just that he can get to it by remembering the
'keyword'.
 
It's the only way I can ever remember to get to my 'briefcase' on
Yahoo!
 
Only a test would prove this out for sure.


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