Comments on: Web Browser Usability Issue

By: Rob

Rob — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 13:16:55 +0000

It should not be too hard to impliment, maybe the bottom right of the status bar….

For those that know how, the CTRL & + or CTRL & scroll will suffice. Although these functions should be needed very occassionally as if a website has been designed to be accessible then the user should not need to zoom in.

By: Mathew

Mathew — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 12:22:48 +0000

I agree with Mark Gristock. I think the majority of users do not need to change the text size that often so why take up valuable space and in turn making the browser window cluttered.

By: Mike

Mike — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 17:38:03 +0000

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.

By: Greg

Greg — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 02:17:11 +0000

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.

By: Brisbane

Brisbane — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:08:25 +0000

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..

By: r0bin

r0bin — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 20:53:58 +0000

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.

By: bon

bon — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 17:36:39 +0000

Whoops, I meant “down in the status bar”.

By: bon

bon — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 17:36:12 +0000

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.

By: Mel Pedley

Mel Pedley — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 12:19:50 +0000

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.

By: Mark Gristock

Mark Gristock — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 13:49:04 +0000

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.