DHTML Drop Down Usability

It doesn't matter if you do all the error checking in the world, or if you have the most beautiful graphics, if your site or application design isn't usable, it's not going to do well. Get input and advice on usability and user interface issues here.

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neophyte
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DHTML Drop Down Usability

Post by neophyte »

I'm trying to find articles with good solid information as to whether DHTML Menus are a good thing or bad thing for users. I know why people use them -- transparency of content. But does it help? Do people look at it and run away? I need stats or information. I did a look up on dhtml usablitity on google and got a bunch of people who think their DHTML solution is the best. I don't care for the menus personally. But I'd like to see some data/studies anything.

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s.dot
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Post by s.dot »

I was looking into this a while back. However, most articles I ran across talked about cross-browser compatability. Apparently, it's difficult to get a DHTML dropdown menu to work in most major browsers. As I was reading, I learned that most of them only worked in IE. So I downloaded a couple scripts (since I am not familiar with DHTML) and tested them. Most worked as they should in IE.. however when using mozilla firefox or opera, the results were unpredictable.
Set Search Time - A google chrome extension. When you search only results from the past year (or set time period) are displayed. Helps tremendously when using new technologies to avoid outdated results.
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n00b Saibot
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Post by n00b Saibot »

Most of the time I had issues while working with coordinates in different browsers. what renders at 50px in IE will render @ 35px in FF. aarrrrgh :evil:
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neophyte
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Post by neophyte »

I've seen predictability issues myself as well. Aside from that here is a study I found that is interesting. However if you read the details they're assuming everyone is looking for something specific on the site. Not everyone who visits a site is looking for something specific. The conculsion here is that yahoo style menus and dropdowns are the best. Here is the link:

http://www.eastonmass.net/tullis/Websit ... nPaper.htm
choppsta
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Post by choppsta »

I know this doesn't really answer your question, but i'm really keen on this menu system:

http://www.udm4.com/

There's lots of info on there regarding accessibility and compatibility that might be useful.
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