>From my time at Yahoo (admittedly 2003-2005) working with search quantifiably, we found that a big box improves visibility (i.e. more queries) but doesn't improve number of words in query (despite an old Neilson book suggestion). Adding type in the box reduces usage (you know, the "type search here" text, in the box). Looks like it might reduce the fields recognizableness as a form. Location is less important that a strong affordance, and that means a box looking like it does straight out of html with a real button that is labeled search. the magnifying glass addition didn't hurt usage, but didn't hurt it either. Only a magnifying glass reduced overall searches. Two searches doesn't hurt usage, users aren't paralyzed with confusion about it as some designer seem to think they would be, and it's useful if you have an obstreperous head (such as one with a banner) since users often scroll the header off the screen to get to the goodness in the center of the page.
More search goodness (though not about the box per se) here http://www.eleganthack.com/archives/ten_observations_about_search_interfaces.php hope this stream of consciousness helps. On Wed, Sep 17, 2008 at 6:02 AM, Todd Zaki Warfel <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>wrote: > > On Sep 16, 2008, at 12:09 PM, Kordian Piotr Klecha wrote: > > Any suggestions will be welcome. I want to prepare some very general >> usability design rules (with as little it-depends-factor as possible), which >> will be apllied site-wide and used as a standard for quite a long time, so >> it's very important for me to make proper decisions and avoiding potential >> future problems. >> > > There are some subtle differences between intranet and internet search, > which can drive your recommendations. However, in the search work we've > done, which covers large content sites, applications (internal/external), > and large sites which have a mix of content and transactions/applications, > we've found that large and centered in the header performs best for the > following reasons: > > 1. It's prominent and easy to spot > 2. It's learned. People are used to it because they see it on Google > results, Yahoo!, and Comcast.net (a few large portals) > 3. It's in the header area, which is where they tend to fall back on for > search > > The second best place we've found is not in the top right corner, but just > below that. So, typically anchored at the bottom right corner of the header > (Facebook is a good example). People can still find it here and will migrate > to that area looking for it. > > But if you want it to be a no-brainer and you have the real estate for it, > then top center of the page taking up about 50% of the header is key. > > Also, our research has shown that the length of the input field does have > some impact on searching. The shorter the field, the shorter the search > inputs (e.g. people put in fewer characters or words). With longer input, it > won't be unusual to see them type in entire sentences or questions? There's > a perception that the length of the search input field dictates "How much I > can type to search." > > > Cheers! > > Todd Zaki Warfel > President, Design Researcher > Messagefirst | Designing Information. Beautifully. > ---------------------------------- > Contact Info > Voice: (215) 825-7423 > Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > AIM: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Blog: http://toddwarfel.com > Twitter: zakiwarfel > ---------------------------------- > In theory, theory and practice are the same. > In practice, they are not. > > > ________________________________________________________________ > 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 > ________________________________________________________________ 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
