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DHTML Drop Down Usability

Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2005 10:07 pm
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.

Thanks

Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2005 1:02 am
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.

Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2005 1:33 am
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:

Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2005 9:29 am
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

Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2005 9:42 am
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.