An OK/Cancel Type of Argument
Sometimes simplification of one thing complicates the next.
Currently the arguments are these:
- “Turn off computer” vs. “Shutdown”
- “Restart computer” vs. “Restart”
- “End current session” vs. “Logout”
I dont particularly like phrases and beleive in KISS. The GNOME HIG suggests using imperative verbs such as “Save” and “Print”. They do not however, comment on the use of imperative phrases. Arguments have been presented that the phrases are less technical and easier to understand and improve usability, but I find myself fighting it. Does anyone support the use of the phrases and can provide and strong support on why or why not?
Another point brought up was that phrases are easier to translate than single verbs because there are more words to choose from when translating. I do not agree with this because every language has adopted a word for such actions. They may not have the same exact meaning or translate well from english (they may have another ethno-centric word that does not translate but they exist. GNOME supports a translation library of commonly used terms such as “File”, “Save” and “Print” so the phrase issue can be avoided.
Some references:
Buttons
Language Labels
Terminology
seele :: Nov.15.2004 :: General, HCI, KDE/Kubuntu :: 3 Comments »
Combine the options of your link into a dropdown, since separate confirmation of your action is important in this dialogue.
[options][(icon that changes based on option on the left)]
When you select an option from the drop-down, the icon changes to reflect the choice, and you have to hit the icon to perform the action.
It’s the best of both the horizontal and vertical prototypes. It reduces clutter, shows one option at a time, and allows for two-step confirmation of a critical function.
I like the long phrases over the short (actually they both pass as complete sentences). The reason for this is because this way i know what object i’m acting upon. You should compare “shutdown” with “shutdown computer”. Some people may think they are shutting down an application and not the computer.
Hmm.. after some research and deliberation, I conceed and agree the more descriptive labels are better. I cant help liking simplistic design, and its something Ill have to monitor when I review interfaces for usability.
The mailing list discussion got off-track and it ended being a holy war about a single design instead of what the overall best solution would be.
However, I do like Eli’s solution for the horizontal options (or even the GNOME layout of radio buttons to select your action). As difficult it is to design a vertical button interface like the one KDE currently uses, I think I prefer to stick with it other than the proposed revision.