Smart forms (was Re: [Sigia-l] the point-of-whatever-ness)

From: Andrew (andrew_at_pcug.org.au)
Date: Tue Jun 22 2004 - 18:57:14 EDT

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Hi,

I would add another pet peeve relating to "smart" forms that hide
un-needed fields based on user choice - e.g. a generic loan application
form that folds up into half the size when I say that I'm applying for a
car loan as opposed to a home loan - if they are badly implemented, the
#$%^& things take too long to refresh, and are often handled in a
user-unexpected way. Half way through a form the screen locks up and I
can't enter any more information - why? Because the %^&* thing is making
a decision using poorly written ASP code (or even worse, under-resourced
JSP) and rebuilding the whole page for me. :)

Smart forms are good - but the users shouldn't ever be punished for us
showing off. If I were the Supreme Ruler I would impose the following
rules for smart forms:
- Only refresh when necessary
- Only refresh the parts of the page that are necessary, or better yet,
use a wizard so that decision branching doesn't cause death-by-delay
- Provide help only if needed but make it easily available.

And better we don't get started on form validation foxpaws, as this is
an IA rather than UX list, and I have work to do today :)

Cheers, Andrew

Listera wrote:

>tOM Trottier:
>
>
>
>>You have to ask yourself why the person would quit. Boredom? Lost
>>connection? Too much work? No reduction of uncertainty?
>>
>>
>
>Pet peeve:
>
>The world would be a sunnier, more cheerful place, if we got rid of all
>non-required fields (and all the confusion they generate). If it's not
>required, then you don't need/want it. If you have to put in non-essential
>fields because your pointy headed boss made you do it, separate all the
>non-required ones in a distinct section, label it as such and have mercy on
>the user.
>
>Ziya
>Nullius in Verba
>
>
>

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