[thelist] Color Chooser Review

[.jeff]

tom,

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> From: Tom Dell'Aringa
>
> 1. A visual cue: The color changes on selection. Only
>    the selected button text is that color.
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as i don't have a url to the app, i can't tell if that works with keyboard
surfing or not.

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> 2. Hitting the target: You DON'T have to hit the radio
>    button with my solution (as I mentioned earlier) I
>    have used an anchor in a span tag that calls the same
>    function as called when the radio button hits. In
>    addition, mousing over the text give you the "hand/
>    pointer" so you know its clickable. Plenty of
>    feedback, IMO.
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i have to hit the radio button if i don't have javascript enabled.

i personally don't think the clickable area should change the cursor to a
hand.  a hand indicates to the user that it's a link, not that it's
clickable.  instead, the clickable region should change to an arrow, like
labels do by default (instead of a text-beam like when you usually place
your cursor over a block of text).

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> 3. Ruining design? I think that's personal preference as
>    long as the functionality is there.
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why reengineer something with javascript that only a portion of your
audience can use.

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> 4. What am I working on? The pages I am working on are
>    part of a large, enterprise size application that
>    runs only on installed users computers. This is not
>    a "web site" as it were. You won't find it in a
>    search engine, if you get my drift. The colors and
>    features that I am using to help cue the users are
>    in line with other functionality on the site, or as
>    close as I can make it.
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you're sending extra data down the pipe so you can use your preferred
javascript solution when using the <label> tag already has the functionality
you desire built-in.  what are you going to do when the pointy-haired boss
tells you that this application needs to work for a larger collection of
users that you can't control the browsers that access it?  that's right,
tear out your hair and hope i don't find out cause i'll tell ya "i told ya
so".

;p

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> I also know that all of our users are on IE5, and we
> don't support any other browser, no problem there (and
> a luxury, I know.) [...]
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look out, i think i here the pointy-haired boss coming down the hall towards
your office.

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> So am I trying to design around a browser feature?
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yes, you've recreated the functionality of the <label> tag because you don't
like the "marching ants".  those "marching ants" are a browser feature.  so,
yes, you are designing around a browser feature.

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> You be the judge, but I can only assure you that MY main
> concern is that the user is able to use the controls I
> design effectively and intuitively.
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some would argue, myself included, that it would be most intuitive for the
most users if you were to use the <label> tag.

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> Jeff might not think that is the case - since he offered
> a rather strong opinion ;)...but believe me it is.
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unfortunately (or fortunately depending on your view), you're not qualified
to determine the effectiveness or usability of applications you write.
you're too close to the development/design to be able to judge it
objectively.

.jeff

http://evolt.org/
jeff at members.evolt.org
http://members.evolt.org/jeff/