Now we have evidence from user testing to support this:

Over the last 6 years we’ve watched over 800 user testing sessions between us and on only 3 occasions have we seen the page fold as a barrier to users getting to the content they want.

Three important design tips are given in the end of the article:

1. Less is more – don’t be tempted to cram everything above the fold. Good use of whitespace and imagery encourages exploration.
2. Stark, horizontal lines discourage scrolling - this doesn’t mean stop using horizontal full width elements. Have a small amount of content just visible, poking up above the fold to encourage scrolling.
3. Avoid the use of in-page scroll bars - the browser scrollbar is an indicator of the amount of content on the page. iFrames and other elements with scroll bars in the page can break this convention and may lead to content not being seen.

(via 456 Berea Street)

In Finland the top 10 list looks a little weird:

1. facebook
2. youtube
3. iltalehti
4. ilta-sanomat
5. irc
6. suomi24
7. nettiauto
8. mtv3
9. hotmail
10. gmail

All these queries are also popular web sites (#5 means probably Irc-Galleria). It is clear that a lot of people in Finland, and around the world too, use the built in search field in browsers to find their favourite web site.

Why?

First thing that comes in mind tells me that URLs are too cryptic and difficult to type correctly even when they are actually really simple. It is easier to type your popular search query and get a list of links of which you may choose the one pointing to your desired destination.

This is assumedly one reason why Google abandoned the separate search field in Chrome and decided to use a combined search and address field. It does not matter if you’re writing the URL or the search terms. You’ll get your results anyway.

In some programs you may open a new window hitting ⌘N, but in some programs, for example Mail.app, there are different ways to get to the main window. In Mail.app you have to check for new mail to see the hidden main window with command ⌘⌥N. Not so easy to remember.

Could it be too difficult to assign a single key command to switch between windows inside a single program which would work in every application as expected?

Ctrl+alt+del prompt on Vista

Try hitting this command with one hand only and you’ll understand.

With many keyboards it is very difficult. You may hit AltGr instead of Alt key, but it doesn’t make it much easier. Pure finger acrobatics!

Ctrl+Alt+Delete is chosen to enhance login security but I think that making an everyday action harder really isn’t the best solution for security.

Linux and Mac OS X don’t require key combination like this to show the login form which is nice for the user. Just type your username and password and get your work done. Even if you have only one healthy hand.

Aki Björklund has written about unneeded functions on websites (in Finnish). According to Björklund, the point is: Do not take over the browser’s user interface by building functions and links which already are available in the browser.

He is absolutely right. But why? Let me explain things a little.

These unneeded functions can be found on many websites. Most often used are back, print, open in new window and add bookmark links.

By offering functions which are already present in browser you are making users dependent on your functions. Users get used to these and forget that all these functions are already present in the browser. Your design assumes that users are stupid and you are making them stupid. Or maybe your design just fails by breaking if user clicks back button in the browser.

You have to trust that they can use basic functions built in browsers. If they can’t use them, they probably have difficulties understanding your navigation or content too.

We all have seen a dialog box requesting confirmation to a action we are about to perform. Generally speaking, using are you sure dialog boxes is a bad thing. Really. They should not be used in confirming actions we make often because we will quickly learn to ignore them and just click yes or ok. Unfortunately Windows and also Nintendo Wii both use a lot of confirmation dialogs. It is bad design.

People always make mistakes so there has to be a way to correct them. Dialog box is a fair choice when we are doing something which is really difficult or impossible to undo. E.g. installing an operating system or a massive program or perhaps writing a hard disk full of ones and zeros. Even better if we don’t ever have to show the dialog box because when starting the operation we can be 100% sure we really want to do it. 

A better way to deal with simple mistakes in everyday user interfaces, e.g. accidentally deleting an important file, is to let the action be undone. Modern desktop operating systems usually don’t just delete files immediately when using built in file manager in graphical user interface, Explorer on Windows, Finder on Mac or Nautilus on Linux desktops using Gnome desktop environment. 

Let’s see how a single file deletion from desktop is done. Most of us are familiar with these operations, but let’s think the process more deeply and compare the user interfaces.

Windows XP and Vista both have one key command to delete a file. Just hit Delete key when focus is on the file. Another way is to pull up a context menu using right mouse button and pick the Delete command from there.

File deletion dialog box in Windows Vista

File deletion in context menu in Windows Vista

Note that the Delete command is right next to Create Shortcut and Rename commands. One pixel off and you are deleting your file instead of renaming it. Both actions raise a dialog window asking confirmation for deletion, or if we read it literally, recycling. Finnish language version of Windows simply talks about trash can (actually basket) so it is easier to understand as a metaphor. Files going to trash are going to trash. Files going to be recycled are going to be reproduced or given a new home.

Anyway, you can undo the delete operation simply by key command Control+Z or opening the recycle bin and finding the deleted file there.

File deletion in context menu in Ubuntu Linux Hardy Heron using Gnome

On Gnome the process is quite similar to Windows except there is no confirmation dialog to annoy you. Hit Delete key or select Move to Trash from context menu and you’re done. Note that there are separators keeping the file deletion command away from other commands. It makes harder to accidentally hit the wrong command. File goes to trash. Undo is missing, but you may still open the trash and find your file.

File deletion in context menu in OS X Leopard

Mac OS X has some differences. You need two hit keys simultaneously to delete a file. Command key and backspace together. The reason for this is simple. It prevents mistakes. You just can’t accidentally delete a file by hitting Delete key instead of Page Down key or Function key which both lie next to Delete key on Apple keyboard. There is no confirmation dialog, file goes to Trash immediately. The context menu is similar to same menu in Gnome or perhaps I should say that context menu in Gnome is similar to one in OS X. Moving to Trash is separated from other commands. Undo works, just hit Command + Z and your file comes back or you may open the Trash and restore your file from there.

It really matters how certain things are done.

Summary

Pros

• OS X

• • Requires a two key combination to delete a file using keyboard
  • Delete command separated from other commands in context menu
  • Uses a clear metaphor (Move to Trash)
  • Possible to undo
  • Possible to retrieve from Trash

• Gnome

• • Uses a clear metaphor (Move to Trash)
  • Delete command separated from other commands in context menu
  • Possible to retrieve from Trash

• Windows XP & Vista

• • Possible to undo
  • Possible to retrieve from Recycle bin

Cons

• OS X

• • None

• Gnome

• • Single keystroke enough for operation
  • No undo

• Windows XP & Vista

• • Single keystroke enough for operation
  • Annoying dialog box confirmation
  • Bad metaphor: recycles files instead of trashing them

In addition to Dmitry’s post, text editor Gedit on Ubuntu Linux does it right too.

I am currently 31-year-old web designer from Vantaa, Finland. I chose to write this blog in English mainly because I want to improve my skills in English language, but I also want to write for larger audience and probably get more readers.

I work for a leading company producing web sites and applications based on Microsoft technologies in Finland. I am not a Microsoft fanboy, actually quite the opposite, although I like some of their products (Office 2007 is great, Xbox 360 too). 

I use Windows every day at work but I have tried to keep my home as a Windows free zone. Two of the three computers found in my home are running Mac OS X Leopard and the third is running Ubuntu Linux. Windows installations are only found on virtual machines used for testing. 

I am also writing another blog in Finnish called Elefanttipuhetta, but in here I am going to focus on issues I run into at work and in my studies. I am studying Interactive Technology at the University of Tampere but work takes all of my time, so I am not going to graduate anytime soon on master level. Bachelor level degree is reachable during the next semester so let’s hope I can find some time to finish the first part of my studies. 

Let it be less haircut and more stuff that matters about web technologies, usability, accessibility, user interaction and how to make better software. 

However, as the old proverb says, shoemaker’s children don’t have shoes, I decided to pick a free ready-to-go theme from Wordpress theme directory until I find time to make a better one.