Re: [IxDA Discuss] Opening PDFs
Ditto the icon and file size, but without the number of pages/slides. On Jul 20, 2008, at 10:01 PM, Matthias Mueller-Prove wrote: Hi, for PDFs on the web I use an icon, number of pages / slides and file size in superscript, a new bowser window without the usual controls like back forward. My PDFs are 'saved for web' to display the first page a soon as possible. Example_ http://www.mprove.de/script/07/medichi/paper.html 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
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Opening PDFs
Hi, for PDFs on the web I use an icon, number of pages / slides and file size in superscript, a new bowser window without the usual controls like back forward. My PDFs are 'saved for web' to display the first page a soon as possible. Example_ http://www.mprove.de/script/07/medichi/paper.html best Matthias -- User Experience and Interaction Design blogs_ http://www.mprove.de/about/blogs.html home_ http://www.mprove.de 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
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Opening PDFs
PDFs are a flop as far as web content goes, are they not? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=31430 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
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Opening PDFs
Hello Ben, As i would look at this is open the PDF in a separate window. This allows the user to go on with his work. Opening the PDF in the same browser window is frustrating as PDF is not meant for web. I think Adobe should work on their Acrobat solution and also provide a far more advanced optimising tool for the PDF to be converted to web. They should probably call it the WebPDF format or something like that. PDF is, as Mark said, not for the web. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=31430 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
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Opening PDFs
Sachin, Like any application, Acrobat has its own set of pitfalls when you're trying to make PDFs accessible to web use. Acrobat professional does have a set of tools for optimizing files for web-based viewing. It all depends upon how the file was created and its original intent for use. There are more variables in play than just thinking the format is unsuitable for web use. If you're a MAC user, you may find preview is a more acceptable means of viewing the format via the web. There are plenty of problems associated with using javascript, for instance, with certain browsers, but that does not mean that it is impossible to use. Creating the file for use on the web is where it starts. Oftentimes, one has to deal with a file that was created for print. I know adobe has been tinkering with the format over the past few years, but the main issue is that print still relies upon the format so heavily to transmit information. So we're stuck for now. I do agree that separate windows is always the best way to view files. Peter On Fri, Jul 18, 2008 at 6:36 AM, Sachin Ghodke [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hello Ben, As i would look at this is open the PDF in a separate window. This allows the user to go on with his work. Opening the PDF in the same browser window is frustrating as PDF is not meant for web. I think Adobe should work on their Acrobat solution and also provide a far more advanced optimising tool for the PDF to be converted to web. They should probably call it the WebPDF format or something like that. PDF is, as Mark said, not for the web. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=31430 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 -- Peter Ryan [EMAIL PROTECTED] 617-275-9193 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
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Opening PDFs
Most of the times I like to make %u2018modal changes%u2019 explicitly. Therefore, if I have to add a link to a PDF I write something like this: My document (PDF, 1.2Mb) The standard Adobe PDF icon as in the Apple Investor Relations SEC Filings page is also useful as is clearly saying that the link is pointing to a PDF file. As a user I prefer the dialog box asking me what to do because I don't like viewing PDFs on my browser. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=31430 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
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Opening PDFs
I've never done research on this, so can't say what most people want, but my personal perference (always dangerous to base decisions on) is to open the PDF in the browser. Most PDFs are rubbish in terms of content. Users don't care to save them, and don't want to have to delete a saved copy from their hard disk. Generally someone was too lazy to supply a web version of the content, so the user has to endure a PDF version. The download happens regardless of if the file is saved, or is simply displayed. Users need to know they are about to see a PDF prior to clicking the link. But don't make them go through another step of asking if they want to view or save it. They can save it easily enough after viewing it in the browser. That said, the one problem I find to viewing a PDF in the browser is the struggle to search on keywords or view a table of contents. Everyone wants to scan long documents, and long PDFs don't allow that in a browser. All the more reason PDF versions of content shouldn't be offered unless their is a specific need for a print formated version of the content. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=31430 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
[IxDA Discuss] Opening PDFs
Does anyone know of a best practice or have thoughts on opening PDFs from a hyperlink? There seem to be 2 major methods for opening PDFs: 1) User clicks on hyperlink, PDF automatically opens in new browser window, via Plugin. Ref: http://www.ge.com/investors/financial_reporting/index.html 2) User clicks on hyperlink, browser dialog asks user whether they want to 'open', 'save', or 'cancel' the action. Ref: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=107357p=irol-sec Either can be achieved, but which is better? One could make the case for a 'seamless' browsing experience by not having a dialog interrupt the hyperlink action; but I wonder if this is invalid as we are opening a new document type (not hypertext). Utilizing the dialog box may be helpful for the user, as it makes it clear that a user is launching a new document type or application, and gives options to save for later, or cancel; but it requires an additional decision and action on the part of the user. The best guidance I have found up to this point suggests that dialog boxes be retained when a user is opening a file (pdf): http://www.useit.com/alertbox/open_new_windows.html So, whether the link helps the user to anticipate opening a PDF or file (via icon or file extension) -- which is better, browser dialogs, or just open a new window? Thanks, Ben Woods 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
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Opening PDFs
I think you answered your own question: indicate that the link leads to a PDF and let the user decide. In my experience, the default behavior changes even when a different browser is being used, and people get used to the way their browser operates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=31430 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
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Opening PDFs
Loading pdf's directly into the browser can be a very frustrating experience if the pdf is large or the computer is somewhat slow - the browser usually locks up while the pdf is loading. Furthermore, the browser chrome limits the amount of viewable space available on the pdf itself. So for purely practical usability issues, I always recommend that pdf hyperlinks open into a dialog box asking users to save or open the file seperately. Asking the user to make one additional decision is far less annoying than the alternative. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=31430 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
