Re: Drop-down hotspots and usability

[Bill Swallow <techcommdood -at- gmail -dot- com>]

> Do "drop-down hotspots" refer to this sort of thing?
> 
> http://quillio.com/hisailor/

Yes. I think Char was more accurate with "expandable links".

> If so, I love 'em.  They're not for everything, but they work well in
> all cases where links are clearly identifiable.  If there's no doubt
> I'll get more information if I click [this], the fact that another
> page/screen doesn't have to load to deliver it is all gravy.  Gravy
> for devs, too:  all the content's in one page, and you can deliver a
> simple page that gets no more cluttered than the user wants or needs
> it to be.
> 
> Good stuff.  Very simple with Javascript, CSS and XHTML.  Beware the
> more complex approaches.  Once you've got the script (view source), as
> long as each expandable option has a unique ID, you're done.

Unfortunately many times they're not implemented well, and end up
looking like sub-headings or bold text, and users don't think to click
on them. Your example is better, because you have the "expand/collapse
icon" next to them.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

WEBWORKS FINALDRAFT - EDIT AND REVIEW, REDEFINED
Accelerate the document lifecycle with full online discussions and unique feedback-management capabilities. Unlimited, efficient reviews for Word
and FrameMaker authors. Live, online demo:
http://www.webworks.com/techwr-l

---
You are currently subscribed to techwr-l as:
archiver -at- techwr-l -dot- com
To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-techwr-l-obscured -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Send administrative questions to lisa -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-  Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.