Web Directions North » Blog Archive » Where’s Your Web At? by Dave Shea & John Allsopp

• We often assume a certain setting and specific device for our users.
• We also often assume OS platform, browser selection, user input device, and screen real estate.
• Mobile devices:
  • Mostly ubiquitous connections, speed varies.
  • Different user input types: virtual keyboards, etc.
• On the TV:
  • Still under-represented.
  • Wii & PS3 do offer good to excellent browsing.
• Other devices:
  • LG fridges, watches, remote controls, etc.
• Web is starting to be used in other places than traditional offices, living rooms, etc.
• Designing for the physical location of the user:
  • Amount of attention.
  • Viewing conditions.
  • Privacy.
  • Motor skills possibly comprimised.
• Design:
  • Vast range of screen sizes.
  • Media profiles in CSS to help cope with this.
  • Should we be designing specific layouts for all the different devices?
  • Reference to the ALA article on adaptive layouts (not necessarily the best solution): http://www.alistapart.com/articles/switchymclayout/.
• Interaction:
  • Text input on virtual input devices:
    • Typing is slower.
    • Undo is costly.
    • Cut and paste not available (for the most part).
    • Switch between numeric and alpha keyboards.
  • Text input strategies:
    • Use short URL’s.
    • ECML – schema for naming form fields/elements (http://www.faqs.org/rfcs/rfc2706.html).
    • OpenID.
    • QR codes.
  • Try to make interactions passive and easy.
  • Beware of design patterns that require fine motor skills.
  • Assumed events:
    • WIMP:
      • Windows
      • Icons
      • Mouse
      • Pull down menus
    • No hover event
    • No mouseover event

Posted by Jeff on 31/01/08 at 2:45 pm