I am +1 for custom styling on buttons. I think the usability benefits of native widgets are negligible, at most. If it still looks like a button, users are able to find it easily – especially since they will already be knowing what to look for every time after the very first time they use Habari.
Furthermore, I do think there is value in consistency of button design across platforms. I struggled with this when designing the comments/ comment page, and I think having a consistent styling will make it easier for us to build additional styles and usability features. To summarize, we might increase the scanning time by about half a second the first time someone uses Habari. However, every time after that we will be able to decrease the scanning time by about 1 second through additional indications of button function such as color and shape. Additionally, custom button styles increases the ease of design. I am -1 on styling dropbuttons in the manner proposed or in a manner similar to buttons. I think dropbuttons are a different control entirely and should be styled as such. The thing they are most similar to in function is the main menu – which they already look like. I don't see any problems. On Nov 24, 2008, at 12:29 PM, Michael Bishop wrote: > It's not as far fetched an example as one might think. I've heard the > word "accessibility" thrown around quite a bit regarding the buttons, > and find it humorous, as it's a selective use of the term. Links in > admin are a perfect example. Ever try to configure a plugin that > requires an external link? It's almost impossible to discern it, and > I have a pretty decent monitor and good eye sight, not to mention I'm > not color blind. There is a logical foundation for why default links > are styled a certain way. However, a decision was made for aesthetic > reasons to ignore these rules. To me, that sets a precedent, and all > elements are fair game for change, assuming there is some valid > argument for making them. I do agree the plugin page should have better links – that doesn't mean we need to make them bright blue. The point is to make Habari usable, which includes having links and buttons easily scannable and differentiated. It doesn't mean we have to make it "normal." Being exactly as ugly as everyone else isn't the only way to be usable. I don't think turning Habari into useit.com will help anyone... --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/habari-dev -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
