It is a nice gimmick, but it adds comments into the box. so if you had 15 comments they would, I assume, mean that you would have to scroll all the way down to post a comment AND I don't know how you close a box without posting.

Posted by: JB on August 20, 2002 08:05 PM

 

AND I don't know how you close a box without posting.

Just click the comments link that opened the box..

Cool... but, my only concern would be bandwidth... since you are downloading the comments if you want them or not...

Posted by: TimW on August 20, 2002 08:12 PM

 

The interface is cool, I'm all for interfaces that don't send you to another window with minimum (if any) degradation of the experience. Intuitively, I just re-clicked on the Comments link to deactivate the comments window. Thinking back, I can't figure out how my finger knew to click again. Maybe other people would know to click again if the link was on more.../less... or ^/v choice.

Posted by: Ari Bancale on August 20, 2002 08:21 PM

 

I do not like it. When I click the link it shoots down the comments listing, obscuring other page content - with no clear toggle to make it go away. (I didn't say no toggle, I said no clear toggle).

More importantly, if there are several comments, the chances are good that they will not fit within my active window - forcing me to scroll. If it were a regular link that loaded a new page, I would be looking at the information at the top of a new page where I expect it, and it would take many more comments before I need to scroll. In the words of Mr. T, "Got no time for jibba jabba. Don't make me scroll, fool!"

Posted by: Mr. J - It Sucks Sucka! on August 20, 2002 09:49 PM

 

I appreciate the comments, guys. Here's a bit of background/explanation.

Concerning the issue of labeling it clearly: Do you really think it's that big of a deal? I'm as nitpicky as they come, but it seems to me that's a nitpick for the sense of nitpicking. I've always thought it very obvious, and so have the people who I tested it with. I'd be interested in hearing more opinions, though.

Here's one thing to think about. Why would you *want* to close the comments in the first place? This is a blog, for goshsake.

Concerning the issue of bandwidth: Comments are only preloaded for blog entries that have 4 or fewer comments. If there are more than 4 comments, my site brings up a new page, instead.

If you still argue that's wasted bandwidth, I'll point to the fact that my site uses a completely CSS-based layout and *zero* non-content-related images. It's quick-loading as all hell. (And accessible in all browsers.)

Besides, anything's better than pop-up windows for comments. I can't *stand* those...

Posted by: Adrian Holovaty on August 20, 2002 10:47 PM

 

Concerning the issue of labeling it clearly: Do you really think it's that big of a deal?

I don't think its a big deal.. but a simple text "close" link in the upp right of the box would solve it and not really get in the way..

Here's one thing to think about. Why would you *want* to close the comments in the first place? This is a blog, for goshsake.

Good point, but it just keeps the page simple looking without the comments... I can read your first entry, read the comments on it.. close it and I'm ready for the next entry.. leaving it open makes my brain feel like I'm not done with it.

Concerning the issue of bandwidth: Comments are only preloaded for blog entries that have 4 or fewer comments. If there are more than 4 comments, my site brings up a new page, instead.

Slick... didn't notice that..

If you still argue that's wasted bandwidth, I'll point to the fact that my site uses a completely CSS-based layout and *zero* non-content-related images. It's quick-loading as all hell. (And accessible in all browsers.)

I guess I was more about paying for bandwidth.. but if you got it to spare... it works for me.

Posted by: TimW on August 20, 2002 11:36 PM

 

Adrian,

1) If by "label," you mean a clear toggle, yes. It is essential. Do not assume what is obvious or easy to you is obvious or easy for other people. I was annoyed by the interface. I should not be spending my time thinking about how the interface works; I should be spending my time reading and posting. The interface is clever, but it is not as intuitive or seamless as regular blog methods. What is "obvious" to me is based on prior exposure. If you're going to gamble on cutting edge (unique) interfaces, you risk losing a larger percentage of users than if you stick with tried-and-true methods.

An interface that a designer perceives to be innovative should be a lot lot lot lot lot lot better than the boring alternative. I did not have that experience with the DHTML. I was annoyed that most of the comments displayed below the view of my window (requiring me to scroll), instead of being loaded at the top of a new window. Reading the blog on a daily basis would be too annoying for me.

2) Why would I want to close comments? Because I want to see what's there, then continue reading the blog. If comments are worth being hidden until needed, they're worth being put back in their hiding place when you're done with them. If I opened all those comments and comment forms, the page would be even more annoying to scroll through.

3) Regarding the four comment rule - that's bad. Your site should function predictably. Do not differ the rules of your universe -- because it's not your universe. You're only one small rock in space. People spend most of their time on other planets. The more similar you are to other blogs, the more usable you will be (in general).

Mac - I hope you're paying attention. Four uses of "annoy" and three of "obvious." I want to see a word analysis and psychological profile at the end of the month.

Posted by: Jack on August 20, 2002 11:52 PM

 

Thanks again for the comments.

Jack, you're the first person who's ever mentioned being annoyed by my comment system, but I'll bring up your points with my readers to get their opinions.

Here are some ideas I'm considering:

--Offer two "comments" links under blog entries, one for a new page of comments and the other for the DHTML. (The latter would only appear for entries that have 4 or fewer comments.) Personally, I think this could get confusing, but I thought I'd throw it out there for discussion.

--Open comments in a new page by default, but present an opt-in "DHTML comments?" checkbox for users who still want to use the DHTML system. Their preference will be saved in a cookie.

Thoughts?

Posted by: Adrian Holovaty on August 21, 2002 09:18 AM

 

Adrian...

(1) The idea of giving users a choice is interesting. I think it could work. However, the "DHTML comments" label would not be effective. How techical are your users? Would they understand the jargon? Would they care? Would the choice be more effort than what it would be worth?

(2) If anyone can find a problem, it would be Jack. Well, maybe MadMan or Mac. Still, Jack is the master at finding problems. Sometimes this is annoying and sometimes it is great. Personally, I'll take Jack the way he is!

(3) You can always just do what you want. Look, you are pushing the envelope. You are trying out a new idea and that is great. It is part of the evolution thing. Don't let a few usability comments throw you off course. It might take several more months for your design idea to prove itself. Sometimes it really is fine to tell the usability community to go suck an egg.

Posted by: John S. Rhodes on August 21, 2002 09:32 AM

 

Adrian, consider your audience. I already know that the majority of people polled will like your interface. Why? Because those who dislike it are not regular readers. They haven't stuck around. You're polling the choir.

The cookie idea works for me. Have the default site operate based on common expectations, and offer alternative versions for your established users.

Posted by: Jack on August 21, 2002 10:27 AM

 

Jack, I am listening and am thinking on it as I write (hmmmmm numerology and phrenology)....

But, I will not be help to unrealistic timescales that compromise my creative musing.

Posted by: Mac on August 21, 2002 11:30 AM

 

Slick. No other word for it. I would appreciate a very small [close comments] link at the top part of the new comments box so I can easily tell how to make it go away if I want.

The other thing that might be nice is to re-anchor the page so that the post is at the top of the page. I say this because sometimes I scroll down so that the comments link is at the bottom of the page (if the post is short it takes up perhaps the bottom 1/3 of my screen) and when the comments load, I have to scroll down to see them. However, if you reposition so the post itself is at the top of the page, then I see everything in context.

Very nice - much better than pop ups or going to the individual entry for comments.

Posted by: Lydia on August 21, 2002 01:10 PM