GUI Bloopers: Don'ts and Do's for Software Developers and Web Designers
This book cuts right to the core of the most common interface problems, offering real-world advice to the computer software programmer.
TABLE OF CONTENTS GUI Bloopers: Don'ts and Do's for Software Developers and Web Designers
Section 5.3: Setting stumbling blocks for users
5.3 Setting stumbling blocks for users
Next, we have three interaction bloopers that cover the most common ways to trip users up as they try to accomplish their goals. We wouldn't want those users to get too cocky and self-assured, would we?
5.3.1 Blooper 50: Similar functions with inconsistent user interfaces
A common problem in software I review or test is that the same function or very similar functions encountered in different parts of the application (or in different applications in an integrated collection) have different user interfaces. Two extremely common forms of this blooper are
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Some functions in an application use noun-verb command syntax, while other commands use verb-noun command syntax. Noun-verb command syntax means that users first specify an object or objects that they are going to operate on (e.g., by selecting them), and then specify the operation. Verbnoun command syntax means that users first specify what operation they want, then specify the objects to be acted upon.
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Each type of data object in an application has its own user interface for deleting that type of object. For example, some objects might be deleted by selecting them and pressing the DELETE key on the keyboard; others might require pressing CONTROL-X or COMMAND-X; still others might require clicking on a Delete button that is associated with the type of object.
An example of inconsistent user interfaces can be seen in two dialog boxes displayed by Eudora Pro 4.0, a popular email program (see Figure 5.17). The dialog box on...
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