[thelist] Click here

[Chris Evans]

This goes into a bigger issue, but I don't think good UI/ interactive web
design should disable the core functionality of the web.  Underlines mean
links, which mean "click here". You never need a to tell a person to "turn
this knob" or "press this button".  It is a button or a knob, I know to turn
it or push it.  Same concept with underlined links.  It is underlined, I
click it.

There may be users who do not understand the fundamentals of how to use the
web.  There is certain (small) learning curve associated with learning to
use it.  No search engine uses "click here to visit this site", not even
AOL. We all learned at some point how to use push the buttons to dial a
phone, or turn the knob on the stove to heat my soup.  My stove and phone
don't have "push here to dial" or "turn this to heat" labels.

I should never need to *tell* a user what she needs to do - the design makes
it obvious. Navigation and images meant to be clickable should be obvious.
If not, then I suggest that means a poor design.  It may be pretty, but if
pretty is all I want, I'd read a magazine.

Chris Evans
chris at fuseware.com
http://www.fuseware.com

PS - I have a lot of respect for the head lemur - this is not meant to
reflect on his design or usability skills in any way :

-----Original Message-----
From: thelist-admin at lists.evolt.org
[mailto:thelist-admin at lists.evolt.org]On Behalf Of the head lemur
Sent: Wednesday, October 25, 2000 8:16 PM
To: thelist at lists.evolt.org
Subject: Re: [thelist] Click here





> Am I the only one who thinks the words "click here" on a web site are
> redundant and stupid?  I'm in a constant battle with my "creative" folks
> about the use of the words "click here".  I think we should link the
> appropriate related word, but they insist on "click here".  I can't find
any
> links or resources talking about the proper way to link, though.

Not stupid Not Redundant.... but transparent. As we build sites and branch
out into more sophisticated techniques, with their spotty support, one of
the first things we usually kill is the underline. A lot of us cut our teeth
on the CCS hover and underline:none properties..

advertisers note that Click Here is an action word and is more likely to be
used.

A whole page of click here is silly, but a focused use usually brings the
desired result.
remember that over 50% of the folks surfing have been at it less than a
year.

If your navigation is not real clear or you have a deliberate path you would
like your visitors to take... Click here is a viable design tool..

the head lemur-alan herrell
http://www.lemurzone.com
Member Evolt.org
http://www.evolt.org
Member Web Standards Project
http://www.webstandards.org





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