| Geocities, Tripod and numerous other places, you see | | | | like to have. |
| the popup advertizing. | | | | So far, I've started out with negative comments. |
| This is not about those. This is about using popup | | | | There will be positive ones too, but a few more |
| windows in the design of your pages - what do you | | | | critical thoughts first to make you think through the |
| have to think about? I started with a maybe | | | | topic. |
| provocative question in the header: Pop or popup? | | | | People like to be in control. People do not like to lose |
| This would indicate that pages can't be popular at the | | | | control. When a Javascript opens a new window, |
| same time as popup windows are used, but is the | | | | that is out of their control and is for many reason |
| world that black and white? No, of course not. There | | | | good enough not to like what happens. That's a |
| are good ways to use it, and there are bad ways. | | | | feeling you want to avoid, and it is possible. First of |
| The reason given for using popups may in some, or | | | | all, think of the reasons why you want to open a |
| maybe many cases, tell us if it's put to good use. | | | | new window. |
| I just read an interesting article about the use of | | | | The majority has Javascript Bad reason. It is the |
| splash pages, and there were some examples used. | | | | same as to say "because I can" - not well thought |
| One of them used a popup window with a fixed size | | | | out, and no thoughts of consequences. |
| and no toolbar. The article had two comments to this | | | | You want as big space as possible for the design Is it |
| approach: First, that it wasn't so dangerous to use | | | | that dangerous to scroll? In that case maybe you |
| javascript for this anymore, as almost no one use | | | | should rethink the design. |
| versions of Netscape or Explorer that doesn't | | | | You want to be in total control over how it looks. |
| support Javascript. Second, that extreme care must | | | | Forget it. You can never have that much control. It |
| be taken if you remove the toolbar with the | | | | can be frustrating for those who still try, and a joy |
| navigation buttons, as you have to replicate them in | | | | for those who work with the medium I want a |
| the design. | | | | "floating" menu That may work very well, depending |
| Those comments I disagree with. Partly. | | | | on how you do it. |
| The naming of the "Two Big" browsers and their | | | | What you have in mind needs it. |
| capabilities seems to be too common, despite that | | | | If you say so - but be careful how you do it. |
| there are numerous browsers out there, but it is | | | | What I have listed here are just a few reasons, but |
| understandable. The fact is that the majority use | | | | they should be enough to illustrate my points. The |
| browsers that do support Javascript these days. | | | | first three reasons typically takes control away from |
| Does this mean you can ignore those who don't have | | | | people. The browser suddenly does things they didn't |
| the capability? Can they easily upgrade? Not | | | | expect, and in worst case leaves no options to go |
| neccessarily. People that use browsers without | | | | back either. The only way to get back to original |
| Javascript support these days, often do it because | | | | state is to start the browser anew - but with the |
| they have no choice. | | | | history of their previous visits gone. |
| Are these uninteresting for you as visitors? Maybe | | | | This often (almost always?) creates bad feelings, |
| they have special needs which normal browsers can't | | | | which should be avoided. |
| offer? Even among those that do have Javascript | | | | The two next reasons don't take away the control |
| support, there are many that won't be able to enjoy | | | | the same way, or at least don't have to. If the menu |
| popup windows. Some are conscious and careful | | | | pops up without warning, many people will close the |
| regarding the security and turn off the Javascript | | | | window automatically, as they do with advertizing - |
| support. Many (corporate) users sit behind firewalls | | | | and maybe get a bit annoyed in the process, as with |
| that filter away any Javascript (and more) because | | | | advertizing. If they have to click to let the menu |
| of the same security concerns. But still, you may | | | | appear, they're in control. They know what's going to |
| decide that you want to target those who do use | | | | happen, and they choose it themselves. Here it is |
| Javascript - they are after all in majority. So let's | | | | important to remember not to base navigation on |
| ignore the rest from here on. | | | | Javascript, but have some plain alternatives too. |
| The second comment in the article said to take | | | | Some may choose not to use the popup menu - |
| extreme care in replicating the navigation abilities of | | | | even if it offers benefits. |
| the toolbar(s) in the design, should you choose to | | | | As for the stuff that needs a popup window, be |
| open a window without it. I must agree here. My | | | | sure to let people know it's them that are in control. |
| gripe is in removing it/them in the first place. Sure, it | | | | Let them choose to click, and let them see why it is |
| gives you more space on the screen to play with, | | | | neccessary. |
| but opening a completely blank window - which is | | | | What we're left with is the following points: 1. Never |
| most usual - removes more than the navigation | | | | take control away from people 2. Let people have a |
| buttons; I can't see the url I'm on, the ability to print | | | | choice, even if it's "Enter or Leave" 3. Let people |
| out pages is gone, so is the ability to bookmark | | | | know what's going to happen, and preferably why 4. |
| pages. | | | | The new window must offer something of value |
| Everything is gone, and those are functions I really | | | | |