>From: Roger Fenton <roger.fenton_at_LLGC.ORG.UK>
>team implementing the design. How do we offer the sophistication needed
>by one end of the patron sophistication continuum without overwhelming
>those at the other end? Even at the entry page, it threatens to grow
>like a triffid, sprouting links and tabs, options and functionalities
>from every available pixel!
>Roger Fenton
One solution to this problem is to get rid of the basic/advanced user dichotomy altogether. Present everyone with the same simple interface but the more advanced search features can be "hidden" using a flexible search syntax rather than present everyone a bewildering array of widgets on the screen. The advanced users by nature should be able to discover and learn the syntax while the basic users can just type in their one or two keywords to find what they want.
I know it's a shameless plug, but I have to refer to the project I am working on to best express this ideal:
http://www.avantilibrarysystems.com/searching.html
To see how it works in action, try the demo (Java applet):
http://www.avantilibrarysystems.com/applet/
-Peter Schlumpf
Received on Wed Jun 07 2006 - 11:23:55 EDT