False Simplicity in User Interfaces

1) Loss of Context

One type of false simplicity arise when you simplify an interface in a way where the user end up losing context. Such loss of context can happen when you oversimplify or outright remove UI elements such as hierarchy indication (indentations, semantic markup, breadcrumbs etc.), navigation history (visited link state), labels, indication of selections, instructions and so on.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

  The   only secular Christmas song I like, and   the   only one that works for people from not-so-happy familes- Have yourself a merry little Christmas... Through   the   years We all will be together, If  the  Fates allow Hang a shining star upon  the  highest bough. And have yourself A merry little Christmas now. We will not always be together, its the Fates...but we can have ourselves a merry little Christmas (maybe not a great big Christmas with everyone we'd like)...  We have to take responsibility for it, not expect others to provide it for us.  Go and do it, hang the shining star...
Read more
Image
   The gas station at Sawtelle and National in Los Angeles has long exhibited interesting trucks and sometimes tanks. For instance there was a very modern European Mercedes semi-tractor, and an old fire engine with a little thermometer built into the radiator cap. I heard the owner is a collector.  In the last 6 months he has been building up military equipment (inspired by Ukraine war?) and now has 3 different tanks (and not all Shermans) , a half-track, and more.  Look for captions at the bottom of the pictures.  Pictures: click link:  Tanks at gas station   
Read more

2 radical conservative changes to the police--

These are radical changes but in accord with conservative principles. There is an alternative to making the Federal government even more powerful.  1. Local control. Control by a city of 3 million, more people than were in the whole United States in 1789, is not that local. It is quite reasonable that neighborhoods want to choose police that reflect their values and priorities. And even their ethnic group. I don't support affirmative action in any other case, but I do here. A precedent--Candidates for the military academies like West Point are not chosen only by merit. They are nominated by each congressman. The Founding Fathers wanted the military to be representative of the people. Let different neighborhoods choose their police, make the rules, and own the hard choices between public safety and respecting the rights of suspects. 2. Reduce the power of police unions.   (Aside to fellow conservatives: think about police unions the way you think about oth...
Read more