We have a semi-retarded user base.
I have 15 links, in three groups. Nav'd up nice and pretty. But each goes to only a small bit of info, 1-5 sentences, maybe a picture. I don't want to make a page for each. I'm thinking either a long page with anchor links and back to top, or a pretty div that opens on hover or click. Like how Hulu does when you roll over a thumb nail.
I know which one I would like to do (pretty div), but I don't know how that would do with usability.
I would do both, graceful degredation and all that. I would use anchors and then set the divs to hide in the js so it would work fine if they don't have js enabled for some reason.
IMO, pretty div, but make it super clear.
We did some user testing on this exact thing where I work which is very interface oriented & puts lots of emphasis on UX. Clearly label the show/hide functionality if you have a less savvy audience.
Like, a "+" button that really stands out followed by a text link that says "read more" and a "-" button followed by a "hide this" link when the article is expanded. All articles clearly separated from one another.
We decided to go with this approach so we could fit more headers on the page without bouncing the user all over the place with anchor links.
I wasn't really picturing a clicky button, more like a rollover type of action. Like how I set this one up for a different site. Does that change any opinions?
Just my personal opinion and not based on any facts or research, I don't like those rollover fly out things when they contain more than just a simple sentence or something very minor/small. I thought you were talking about something more like the accordian type of deal.
likewise. That's Ok for stuff like usability tips or definitions but anything longer deserves its own real estate.
Originally posted by jestros
I wasn't really picturing a clicky button, more like a rollover type of action. Like how I set this one up for a different site. Does that change any opinions?
Are you concerned about usability on mobile devices also - if so there is a huge issue with that kind of hover action IF it is also a link.