Web Browser Usability Issue
May 30th, 2008, By Anthony
I just wanted to voice my concern that even though Internet Explorer is working on version 8 and Firefox into its terrible 2’s already, the browser designers are still missing a massive usability issue. One of the most common problems especially with the advent of high res screens and laptop popularity is text size.
Plee to the Browser Gods
Please give more emphasis to enlarging text, maybe implement the simple “3 T’s” icon for text adjustment and stop hiding this functionality in a drop down menu out the way, I know Internet Explorer 7 brought it a little more into the limelight but I truly think the “3 T’s” or at least a letter “T” maybe with a plus and minor next to it would be a better solution.
The “3 T’s” or the Letter “T” have well know meanings as users are used to them in Office Applications. They are common place and a recognized icon for text.
11 comments-
Vince Cutting replied:
If browser devs started putting all the user features on the toolbars instead of under a logical menu then browsers would become cluttered and confuse users with a bombardment of buttons.
I for one like the uncluttered interface, although thats maybe just me.
Users should simply LEARN how to use a browser, the same as they have to learn to use a car, or a piece of machinery
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Mike Cherim replied:
It would be nice if developers didn’t have to 1) provide widgets or 2) teach users how to use their browser.
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Anthony Brewitt replied:
@ Vince -Imagine if every website controlled text size; the option to do this would be in different places on the page, different styles on every website, different increments in text size with a click of a button - i think this needs to be standardized, and by giving this power to the web browser whatever website the users is on they would know how to resize the text and wouldn’t have to crawl through menus to achieve this.
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Mark Gristock replied:
Surely the fundamental question is (if this is a usability issue) how often do you need to change the text size on your browser. If the answer for most people is frequently, then you are probably right. If it’s very occasionally, then it makes no sense at all to have it in the main tool bar. In this case, the most appropriate solution is asking you what default text size you want when you install the browser.
Alternatively, as the needs of designers and developers are fundamentally different to most users, you might want the facility to create your own bespoke toolbar. But saying something should be in the main toolbar just because you want it, isn’t really usability as I understand it.
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Mel Pedley replied:
The average vanilla desktop browser install has around 6 top level menu items (e.g File, Edit, Help etc). Given the size of screens these days, I don’t see how the addition of 1 or 2 extra - and undoubtedly useful - options would hurt. If you’re technically-minded enough to want a stripped down interface, re-configure the primary toolbar to remove them. At least, that way, the changes can be made by those with the technical skills/confidence to do so.
@Vince: I’ve been driving and owning cars for 20 years. Still don’t know how to tune an engine. That’s what mechanics are for. Unless, of course, you think that all learner divers should be able to carry out basic engine disassembly and re-assembly before they can pass their driving test?
@Anthony: I’m right behind you on the pleas to the browser gods. It’s ridiculous that such useful functionality is hidden away in 3rd level sub-menus. Not sure about the use of “3T” though. As a conceptual symbol, it doesn’t mean a thing to me and I do use Office applications pretty regularly. Personally, I’d just like to see something like “Zoom In” and “Zoom Out” or similar.
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bon replied:
I think IE7’s zoom menu down in the taskbar is a very good (and fairly standardised) place to put to page zoom controls. It’s obvious enough to spot at a glance, yet it stays out the way. Much better than having it up in the toolbar.
On a vaguely related note, I do wish IE7 would default to text zooming and not full page zooming. It looks like Firefox 3 might follow this trend too. What a nightmare.
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bon replied:
Whoops, I meant “down in the status bar”.
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r0bin replied:
I use ctrl+scroll to change the text size in my browser. But a small button in the status bar would be more useful ofcourse.
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Brisbane replied:
I also use crtl+scroll.
If a site takes accessibility seriously then no doubt they’ll feature some sort of ‘3T’ type option or as I do, create with em’s as my font size - leaving it to the user or browser to increase as they see fit..
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Greg replied:
I think the issue is that not all Web sites have a text re-sizing function, and even if they did, they wouldn’t all work the same. I believe it should be on the browser’s end to take care of these types of issues.
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Mike replied:
Yeh, ctrl+scroll is what I use too.
I do like the idea of minamalistic browsers, although a small “T” would be fine next to the zoom function at the bottom right in IE7.