The top/bottom thing would really depend on the platform.. if it's a
website, then yes, you might need it at the top and bottom.  if it's a
desktop app the issue of scrolling off the screen might not be a
problem..


On Tue, Sep 16, 2008 at 11:37 AM, Brett Lutchman
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> I wouldn't put the previous button at the top unless it was at the bottom
> also. If it's not at the bottom, users will have to scroll up again which is
> counter-productive. Also, the 'Previous' button may be out of the user's
> sight.
>
> You may be right about not having it beside it though. Maybe below the
> 'Next' button so it doesn't look so much like a set of choices with the same
> value but rather a list of actions in order of importance and flow.
>
> On Tue, Sep 16, 2008 at 11:26 AM, Matthew Nish-Lapidus <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> wrote:
>>
>> Maybe the problem is assuming the "Previous" button has to be anywhere
>> near the "Next" or "Submit" button.  Maybe put the "Previous" button
>> at the top? or at the very bottom?  Maybe it's not a button at all,
>> but a text link or a graphical link of some sort...
>>
>> That way the submit button is in the proper place, on the left
>> directly below the form, but it doesn't break the conceptual right
>> hand paging.
>>
>> On Tue, Sep 16, 2008 at 11:21 AM, Brett Lutchman
>> <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>> > Having conducted multiple studies and tests on this very process, the
>> > 'Next'
>> > button must be on the left side while the 'Previous' button needs to be
>> > on
>> > the right.
>> > There are several reasons as to why this is but I will focus on the 2
>> > main
>> > ones.
>> >
>> > 1. One thing I hate when entering serial numbers for a new software is
>> > when
>> > I have to manually press the 'Tab' button rather then the cursor
>> > automatically 'tabbing' to the right. Many developers who are sharp
>> > enough
>> > to pick up on this have automated the process. This being said, some
>> > developers have automated the process to 'tab' to the next button or
>> > field.
>> > If the last field that precedes the 'Next' button is completed, the
>> > 'Next'
>> > button is the most logical action and feature in regards to keeping a
>> > consistent flow for the user to complete the task at hand. There is
>> > nothing
>> > more aggravating then having a process flow being interrupted.
>> >
>> > 2. Users who are Net savvy tend to be quick with their left pinky finger
>> > (for 'Tab') their right pinky finger (for 'Enter') followed by their
>> > right
>> > then left thumb with both pointer fingers locked on the 'F' and 'J'
>> > buttons
>> > for bearing.
>> > These users who use the keyboard extensively rather then relying solely
>> > on
>> > the mouse know how to rip through form fields using the 'Tab' and Space
>> > Bar.
>> > If the cursor does not automatically tab to another field upon
>> > completing a
>> > previous field, the user rapidly 'Tabs' with the left pinky finger and
>> > has
>> > adapted to a learned behaviour. Upon reaching the first button in order
>> > after completing all required fields, the user is still in 'Tab' and
>> > Space
>> > Bar mode and will automatically Tab to the button and hammer the Space
>> > Bar
>> > to proceed with the task.
>> >
>> > Placing 'Previous' before the 'Next' or 'Submit' buttons breaks user
>> > flow
>> > and I strongly recommend against it.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > On Tue, Sep 16, 2008 at 10:31 AM, Matthew Nish-Lapidus
>> > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>> > wrote:
>> >>
>> >> However, if the options are "Next/Submit" and "Previous" it does make
>> >> more sense conceptually to have the back button on the left and the
>> >> next button on the right.
>> >>
>> >> The tab order, a very important piece of form design, can always be
>> >> manipulated to put the buttons in the right order.
>> >>
>> >> On Mon, Sep 15, 2008 at 11:21 PM, Robert Hoekman Jr <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>> >> wrote:
>> >> >>
>> >> >> In such situations is it better to have the secondary action,
>> >> >> 'back',
>> >> >> to
>> >> >> the
>> >> >> left or the right of the primary action, 'next'? Or is there a
>> >> >> better
>> >> >> solution?
>> >> >>
>> >> >
>> >> > Haven't seen any studies on this, but I provide an edge to those who
>> >> > Tab
>> >> > their way through forms by putting the primary action button on the
>> >> > left
>> >> > (in
>> >> > Western world designs anyway) so that it's first in the tab order.
>> >> > The
>> >> > options are the same regardless, and there's an advantage to giving
>> >> > savvier
>> >> > computer users a slightly easier time.
>> >> >
>> >> > -r-
>> >> > ________________________________________________________________
>> >> > 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
>> >> >
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> Matt Nish-Lapidus
>> >> work: [EMAIL PROTECTED] / www.bibliocommons.com
>> >> --
>> >> personal: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>> >> twitter: emenel
>> >> ________________________________________________________________
>> >> 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
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > --
>> > Brett Lutchman
>> > Web Slinger.
>> >
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Matt Nish-Lapidus
>> work: [EMAIL PROTECTED] / www.bibliocommons.com
>> --
>> personal: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>> twitter: emenel
>
>
>
> --
> Brett Lutchman
> Web Slinger.
>



-- 
Matt Nish-Lapidus
work: [EMAIL PROTECTED] / www.bibliocommons.com
--
personal: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
twitter: emenel
________________________________________________________________
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

Reply via email to