Newsletter issue #39 - 1st June 2007
This issue
Hello and welcome to the June edition of the Webcredible newsletter!
In this issue:
- Feature article: Eye tracking: Eye candy vs. I can do
- Top tip: Use AJAX to improve usability
- Useful program: Opera Mini Simulator
- Top link: CSS Zen Garden - bad accessibility
- New articles in May
- Webcredible news in May
Enjoy!
Feature article: Eye tracking: Eye candy vs. I can do
Eye tracking has become more and more popular recently. But is it anything more than just 'eye candy' or does it offer something that's actually quite valuable? Our feature article this month explores the pros and cons of eye tracking, showing you when you should and perhaps shouldn't use it...
Read this article in full at www.webcredible.co.uk/user-friendly-resources/web-usability/eye-tracking.shtml.
Top tip: Use AJAX to improve usability
AJAX, or Asynchronous JavaScript and XML (!) is a group of technologies that allows you to make web pages more interactive. As a key component of the Web 2.0 fad, many website owners think their sites should be using AJAX. As with any technology, AJAX should of course only be used where appropriate. Good (and selective) use of AJAX can greatly enhance usability; the reverse can also be said to be true, so read on to find out when you should and shouldn't be using this technology...
- Auto suggestions As soon as users start entering text into a text field, you can use AJAX to suggest possible completed phrases below the text field (see www.kayak.com for an example). If users select an item from the suggestion list this gets automatically entered into the text field. Users then don't have to enter as much text. Although this is useful functionality it should never be used as a replacement to regular dropdown boxes. The latter are far more effective as these fully eliminate the possibility of mistake or misspelling. Users often don't even notice the auto-suggest anyway as they tend to look at the keyboard (and not the screen) when typing.
- Drag & drop sliders Drag & drop sliders allow users to narrow down the number of products displayed in a product listing (see www.amazon.com/gp/gsl/search/finder?productGroupID=loose_diamonds for an example). Changes to the product listing take place on the page, without a new page having to load up. These sliders can be very effectively but should only be used when there are a very large number of products with wide parameters.
- Form validation Through the use of AJAX form fields can be validated on the fly as users type, with an error message appearing next to each erroneous item. This means users can instantly see there's been a mistake and can make the necessary changes without having to submit the form (this is particularly useful for if a username has already been taken). That said, many users don't notice these error messages as they're too focused on their task so this has to backed up with regular error messages provided after the form is submitted.
Useful program: Opera Mini Simulator
The Opera Mini Simulator shows you what your website looks like on a mobile phone with the Opera browser. Check to see how your site holds up on a mobile device with this free simulator.
You can use this handy program at www.operamini.com/demo.
Top link: CSS Zen Garden - bad accessibility
The CSS Zen Garden is well known for showing how accessible CSS driven web pages can be exceptionally well designed. The bad accessibility example shows just the opposite - how accessible code can be used to make an extremely inaccessible design.
Access this useful site at www.csszengarden.com/?cssfile=http://www.brucelawson.co.uk/zen/sample.css.
New articles in May
Read this and many other articles at www.webcredible.co.uk/user-friendly-resources.
Webcredible news in May
- We're recruiting a UCD consultant!
- Webcredible to judge Good Communications accessibility award
- Webcredible is recruiting an information architect!
- New Webcredibles cartoons go live
- RNIB provides case study of Webcredible-developed site
- Internet World presentation available for download
Read these news stories in full at www.webcredible.co.uk/about-us/latest-news.shtml.
Vote in our poll!
We're running a poll to find out how you use your local government websites. We'd really appreciate it if you took a moment to vote in our poll - it'll only take about 10 seconds of your time!.
Put your opinion across and vote in our poll at www.webcredible.co.uk/user-friendly-resources/polls.
We're recruiting!
Webcredible currently has job vacancies for both a senior information architect and a user-centered design consultant. Read all about these vacancies at www.webcredible.co.uk/jobs and then send in your CV - you could be working here in our London offices sooner than you think!
Training courses
Courses continue to sell out well in advance! Our next training courses will take place in our training centre in Aldgate, London in June and June:
- Usability testing training - Monday 11th June. For more information and to reserve your place before it fills up please consult our usability testing training page.
- Writing for the web training - Tuesday 12th June & Tuesday 17th July. For more information and to reserve your place before it fills up please consult our writing for the web training page.
- Web usability training - Wednesday 13th June & Wednesday 18th July. For more information and to reserve your place before it fills up please consult our web usability training page.
- Web accessibility training - Thursday 14th June & Thursday 19th July. For more information and to reserve your place before it fills up please consult our web accessibility training page.
- Advanced CSS training - Friday 15th June & Friday 20th July. For more information and to reserve your place before it fills up please consult our advanced CSS training page.
About Webcredible
Based in London, UK, Webcredible is a user experience consultancy. Tailor-made usability, accessibility & design solutions include:
- User-centered design
- Accessible web design
- CMS services
- Usability
- Accessibility
- Training
- Website review lite
Please contact us on 0870 242 6095 or info at webcredible.co.uk, or consult www.webcredible.co.uk for further information.