drop down menus
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- poomoo
does anyone have any linkys to the use of drop down menus on the main nav of a site?
im looking for a balanced argument on the pros and cons of using them.
- doesnotexist0
sure that, and let's start a discussion.
i think theyre fugly.
- poomoo0
aye, i dont like them visually but im looking beyond that, to the user experience.
i cant decide between them being necessary in order to improve the user experience or them being representative of a poorly structured info architecture.
while i understand that it brings access to 'level down' data to the users quicker and (possibly) easier, im not convinced that it actually contributes to a better environment for the user to;
a. use the site more effectively
b. find the data they are looking for quicker and easier.
- TheBlueOne0
visually they suck and as for user-experience..they suck
- CP120
Ive never liked them because they are always late and unresponsive kinda like alot of designers I know...
- edd-e0
i hate them, it usually gets in the way of other items on the page and is usually by accidently scrolled over it sometimes remains or just distracts the design of the site itself.
- DragKng0
Drop down menus... and particularly the side scrolling types are not very accessible.
1- older people and people who may have trouble using mice (for whatever reason) can get frustrated, and may not be able to navigate. We younguns take it for granted that we can hold steady and click and drag all at the same time.
2- for purposes of accessibity again, many disabled users have javascript (if it's a jscript menu) turned off by default... if there is no other way to access sub pages... well you know
3- most screen readers cannot read those menus
I would check the W3C as well...
some CSS based dropdown menus are not horrible for accessibility as they are usually only hidden from sighted users. I do find these slower. IF the client is set on using them I would recommend ones that you use CSS menus with a click to open style.
- Dancer0
I have used a pure CSS one on one of my sites and see no problem using them, accessabilitywise, a sub list within a list.
They work for accessing the second level straight away, plus people use dropdowns all the time in the menu systems on various apps. When you add a third that is where it comes pretty shity.
I have no problem with them though in general