Well, don't feel *too* bad. After all the "pacifier button" is a time-honored convention in certain uses. I don't think there's a single elevator in which pushing the "Door Close" button does anything at all...but they make people *think* they're in control.
If you want the ultimate commentary on interfaces which deliberately provide a user with false or misleading feedback, check out Tog's column on "The Pump" http://www.asktog.com/columns/030ThePump.html Now, whoever developed *that* interaction should find themselves in need of it. But if you think about it, a button that basically functions to assure the user that the changes have been saved is doing its job whether or not it functions within the "save changes" process itself or not. Katie At 5:47 PM -0800 12/29/07, pauric wrote: >Confessions of a deceitful designer.. > <snip> >So, we implemented a temporary config state and a [Save >Configuration] button, make all your changes then push the config in >one go. Other products in the line such as indoor APs and wireless >switches do not need this concept as they usually have a dedicated >management connection, not possible with the b2b box. Later, >usability testing on wiring closet devices showed some users looking >for the Save function that was on the B2B box, resulting in a concern >that the config was not being applied. > >So, now I have a fake button on wiring closet boxes that does >nothing. Changes in the UI are applied instantaneously in most cases >and admins can choose to click a Save Config button, or not. >Usability Theater. > >I hope this doesnt mean I come back as a user in the next life for my >sins. > -- ---------------- Katie Albers [EMAIL PROTECTED] ________________________________________________________________ *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ ________________________________________________________________ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ....... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe ................ http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines ............ http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .................. http://www.ixda.org/help
