Comments on: User Interface Improvements: Positions http://www.drexplain.com/isv-kaizen-blog/application/user-interface-improvements-positions/ Strategy of continuous improvement for ISV business Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:24:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.3 By: Alexei Vinidiktov http://www.drexplain.com/isv-kaizen-blog/application/user-interface-improvements-positions/#comment-734 Alexei Vinidiktov Wed, 28 Nov 2007 09:20:41 +0000 http://www.drexplain.com/isv-kaizen-blog/application/user-interface-improvements-positions/#comment-734 Great advice, Dennis. Keep 'em coming. Great advice, Dennis.

Keep ‘em coming.

]]> By: Xofis http://www.drexplain.com/isv-kaizen-blog/application/user-interface-improvements-positions/#comment-735 Xofis Wed, 28 Nov 2007 12:14:12 +0000 http://www.drexplain.com/isv-kaizen-blog/application/user-interface-improvements-positions/#comment-735 In the Profile dialog, the Personal data groupbox is useless visual clutter. There's nothing else in the dialog so you don't need to separate these items. Otherwise good advice. In the Profile dialog, the Personal data groupbox is useless visual clutter. There’s nothing else in the dialog so you don’t need to separate these items. Otherwise good advice.

]]> By: Dennis Crane http://www.drexplain.com/isv-kaizen-blog/application/user-interface-improvements-positions/#comment-736 Dennis Crane Wed, 28 Nov 2007 12:29:28 +0000 http://www.drexplain.com/isv-kaizen-blog/application/user-interface-improvements-positions/#comment-736 Xofis: You are likely right. That's why I wrote "may improve". As for me, I often use group boxes without title in such cases. Xofis: You are likely right. That’s why I wrote “may improve”. As for me, I often use group boxes without title in such cases.

]]> By: Mark http://www.drexplain.com/isv-kaizen-blog/application/user-interface-improvements-positions/#comment-737 Mark Wed, 28 Nov 2007 16:28:07 +0000 http://www.drexplain.com/isv-kaizen-blog/application/user-interface-improvements-positions/#comment-737 My vision is not so great, so I have Firefox set to use 24 points default font rather than the normal 16. The text at the top of your site is about to run outside of the fixed size boxes. If I hit CTRL +, it gets really bad. You need to work on your site, Dennis! My vision is not so great, so I have Firefox set to use 24 points default font rather than the normal 16. The text at the top of your site is about to run outside of the fixed size boxes. If I hit CTRL +, it gets really bad.

You need to work on your site, Dennis!

]]> By: Ian http://www.drexplain.com/isv-kaizen-blog/application/user-interface-improvements-positions/#comment-738 Ian Wed, 28 Nov 2007 17:20:46 +0000 http://www.drexplain.com/isv-kaizen-blog/application/user-interface-improvements-positions/#comment-738 I had read that right-aligning the text labels made the dialog easier to read because there is a constant distance between label and text box. Apparently it makes it easier to parse visually. I had read that right-aligning the text labels made the dialog easier to read because there is a constant distance between label and text box. Apparently it makes it easier to parse visually.

]]> By: Dennis Crane http://www.drexplain.com/isv-kaizen-blog/application/user-interface-improvements-positions/#comment-739 Dennis Crane Wed, 28 Nov 2007 17:25:54 +0000 http://www.drexplain.com/isv-kaizen-blog/application/user-interface-improvements-positions/#comment-739 Mark: The blog is running on WordPress, an open source blog engine. Plus, I use a third party design template for this blog. It wasn't designed by me also. I agree with you - unfortunately many GUIs and designs in this World aren't convenient for people with weaker vision. Mark: The blog is running on WordPress, an open source blog engine. Plus, I use a third party design template for this blog. It wasn’t designed by me also. I agree with you - unfortunately many GUIs and designs in this World aren’t convenient for people with weaker vision.

]]> By: Dennis Crane http://www.drexplain.com/isv-kaizen-blog/application/user-interface-improvements-positions/#comment-740 Dennis Crane Wed, 28 Nov 2007 17:28:16 +0000 http://www.drexplain.com/isv-kaizen-blog/application/user-interface-improvements-positions/#comment-740 Ian: Yes. This is another style of combining labels and input fields. I should mention it also. Thanks. Ian: Yes. This is another style of combining labels and input fields. I should mention it also. Thanks.

]]> By: Ed http://www.drexplain.com/isv-kaizen-blog/application/user-interface-improvements-positions/#comment-741 Ed Wed, 28 Nov 2007 17:54:25 +0000 http://www.drexplain.com/isv-kaizen-blog/application/user-interface-improvements-positions/#comment-741 I have seen studies that claim it's easier for users to parse your forms if the labels are placed on top of the input fields, instead of to the side. I have seen studies that claim it’s easier for users to parse your forms if the labels are placed on top of the input fields, instead of to the side.

]]> By: Dennis Crane http://www.drexplain.com/isv-kaizen-blog/application/user-interface-improvements-positions/#comment-742 Dennis Crane Wed, 28 Nov 2007 18:01:31 +0000 http://www.drexplain.com/isv-kaizen-blog/application/user-interface-improvements-positions/#comment-742 Ed: I can argue. We read left-to-right first, and only then top-to-bottom. Ed: I can argue. We read left-to-right first, and only then top-to-bottom.

]]> By: spz http://www.drexplain.com/isv-kaizen-blog/application/user-interface-improvements-positions/#comment-743 spz Wed, 28 Nov 2007 19:18:52 +0000 http://www.drexplain.com/isv-kaizen-blog/application/user-interface-improvements-positions/#comment-743 All these are common sense.. why waste time, space, and bandwidth on a stupid article like this? All these are common sense.. why waste time, space, and bandwidth on a stupid article like this?

]]> By: Dennis Crane http://www.drexplain.com/isv-kaizen-blog/application/user-interface-improvements-positions/#comment-744 Dennis Crane Wed, 28 Nov 2007 19:32:15 +0000 http://www.drexplain.com/isv-kaizen-blog/application/user-interface-improvements-positions/#comment-744 spz: Unfortunately common sense is what we often forget. I regularly see software products with ugly or inaccurate GUI made by developers who never spend their valuable time to follow the common sense. At least, now I won't explain each junior developer these simple principles. I will simply send them to this (and further) post. spz: Unfortunately common sense is what we often forget. I regularly see software products with ugly or inaccurate GUI made by developers who never spend their valuable time to follow the common sense.

At least, now I won’t explain each junior developer these simple principles. I will simply send them to this (and further) post.

]]> By: Sarven Capadisli http://www.drexplain.com/isv-kaizen-blog/application/user-interface-improvements-positions/#comment-745 Sarven Capadisli Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:01:29 +0000 http://www.drexplain.com/isv-kaizen-blog/application/user-interface-improvements-positions/#comment-745 Similar guidelines apply to both software and hypertext systems. Compensate for warning and error messages. Style focused elements. Similar guidelines apply to both software and hypertext systems.

Compensate for warning and error messages.

Style focused elements.

]]> By: JJ http://www.drexplain.com/isv-kaizen-blog/application/user-interface-improvements-positions/#comment-746 JJ Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:54:18 +0000 http://www.drexplain.com/isv-kaizen-blog/application/user-interface-improvements-positions/#comment-746 Excellent - there is a great acronym here SAD/DAS. For further ideas on general design/layout may I suggest the following book? The Non Designer's Design Book by Robin Williams, Peachpit Press. She uses the acronym C R A P, which my students love! Contrast Alignment Repetition Proximity Keep up the good work! Excellent - there is a great acronym here SAD/DAS.
For further ideas on general design/layout may I suggest the following book?

The Non Designer’s Design Book by Robin Williams, Peachpit Press.

She uses the acronym C R A P, which my students love!
Contrast
Alignment
Repetition
Proximity

Keep up the good work!

]]> By: jayhilwig http://www.drexplain.com/isv-kaizen-blog/application/user-interface-improvements-positions/#comment-747 jayhilwig Wed, 28 Nov 2007 21:23:46 +0000 http://www.drexplain.com/isv-kaizen-blog/application/user-interface-improvements-positions/#comment-747 Objective study regarding placing text labels above input field and right-aligned to input field at: http://www.uxmatters.com/MT/archives/000107.php When text label on the same row as input field, it is good practice to keep localization (string length) in mind. cheers, great post! Objective study regarding placing text labels above input field and right-aligned to input field at:
http://www.uxmatters.com/MT/archives/000107.php

When text label on the same row as input field, it is good practice to keep localization (string length) in mind.

cheers, great post!

]]> By: keith lovgren http://www.drexplain.com/isv-kaizen-blog/application/user-interface-improvements-positions/#comment-748 keith lovgren Wed, 28 Nov 2007 21:46:34 +0000 http://www.drexplain.com/isv-kaizen-blog/application/user-interface-improvements-positions/#comment-748 This was a great post. Thanks for putting it together. I love the conciseness. I'm looking forward to the rest. P.S. Its very difficult to make out the characters in the verification box. Case sensitive? Capital O or zeros? 3x to fill it out. This was a great post. Thanks for putting it together. I love the conciseness. I’m looking forward to the rest.

P.S.

Its very difficult to make out the characters in the verification box. Case sensitive? Capital O or zeros? 3x to fill it out.

]]> By: Nara http://www.drexplain.com/isv-kaizen-blog/application/user-interface-improvements-positions/#comment-749 Nara Wed, 28 Nov 2007 23:15:00 +0000 http://www.drexplain.com/isv-kaizen-blog/application/user-interface-improvements-positions/#comment-749 I like your visual way of presenting material. Great article, thanks for taking the time, and keep 'em coming :) I like your visual way of presenting material. Great article, thanks for taking the time, and keep ‘em coming :)

]]> By: Dennis Crane http://www.drexplain.com/isv-kaizen-blog/application/user-interface-improvements-positions/#comment-750 Dennis Crane Thu, 29 Nov 2007 08:13:21 +0000 http://www.drexplain.com/isv-kaizen-blog/application/user-interface-improvements-positions/#comment-750 JJ: Thanks for the book prompt. I will check it. Jayhilwig: Great study. I read it before. Keith & Nara: Thanks. JJ: Thanks for the book prompt. I will check it.
Jayhilwig: Great study. I read it before.
Keith & Nara: Thanks.

]]> By: Jonathan http://www.drexplain.com/isv-kaizen-blog/application/user-interface-improvements-positions/#comment-751 Jonathan Sat, 01 Dec 2007 22:41:25 +0000 http://www.drexplain.com/isv-kaizen-blog/application/user-interface-improvements-positions/#comment-751 Good stuff here. I just wish you didn't set your text size so small on this blog. Good stuff here. I just wish you didn’t set your text size so small on this blog.

]]> By: Ramón http://www.drexplain.com/isv-kaizen-blog/application/user-interface-improvements-positions/#comment-753 Ramón Mon, 10 Dec 2007 15:17:25 +0000 http://www.drexplain.com/isv-kaizen-blog/application/user-interface-improvements-positions/#comment-753 Hi Dennis, Good advice, I even agree with most of it. Under "Hierarchy" you refer to "dependable control" - I think that should be "dependent" (I like to hope that ALL my controls are dependable). Hi Dennis,

Good advice, I even agree with most of it.
Under “Hierarchy” you refer to “dependable control” - I think that should be “dependent” (I like to hope that ALL my controls are dependable).

]]> By: Mike Wilson http://www.drexplain.com/isv-kaizen-blog/application/user-interface-improvements-positions/#comment-755 Mike Wilson Mon, 17 Dec 2007 11:09:26 +0000 http://www.drexplain.com/isv-kaizen-blog/application/user-interface-improvements-positions/#comment-755 Excellent advice, Dennis. I agree with it :) One point on dependancy, you should really put a frame or groupbox around the controls which are dependant on the control which sets them - for example, the "Login Required" should be a checkbox/groupbox which enabled or disables the contents. Hope you're well, look forward to your next post! Mike (Mike on Software) Excellent advice, Dennis. I agree with it :)

One point on dependancy, you should really put a frame or groupbox around the controls which are dependant on the control which sets them - for example, the “Login Required” should be a checkbox/groupbox which enabled or disables the contents.

Hope you’re well, look forward to your next post!

Mike (Mike on Software)

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