The Way The Web Wasn't

Check out Qooxdo (as in "cooks do"), an open-source set of Ajax "widgets." None of em show up in Safari 2, so I can't try them—but they have a page of screenshots.The site is very attractive, and the name creative, so I was hoping for a really whizbang product. Aaand... they all look like Windows.

Here's the problem: Assuming, even, that you will grant that Windows is an effectively designed interface, it's an effectively designed interface for an operating system. The web is something different.

An old-time hallmark of bad web design is designing for the web like you design for print. It doesn't work, end of story. Designing for the web as if it's a piece of "real software" doesn't work either. It's not just a difference in aesthetic, but functionality.

Analogies in user interfaces don't work. Neither do metaphors. Just ask Microsoft about their good friend Bob. Computers, and now the internet, are a new thing, a different thing, and must be treated as such.

posted in: usability, web design | 45 comments

Matt Moriarity said on 01 Aug 17:38:

I checked these little widgets out, hoping they would be something really cool and nifty. And I found that it reminded me far to much of my Java Swing days. And you're right. They look like Windows.

A widget-type framework will never work for the web. After looking at that, I'm starting to really appreciate the simplicity of HTML. Who needs a whole framework when you have these easy little tags that will let you do everything you ever really needed to?
Geoff said on 01 Aug 22:14:

The thing I like about the web is that it really two-dimensionalized interface design. Instead of trying to go 3D, we get these interactive documents that can be more colorful, creative, and inventive than normal OS widgets.
Sean Bryant said on 02 Aug 01:56:

I agree with you one hundred percent. The web is ment for websites and web applications. Web applications generally include dull, database driven sites that don't need a full blow application.

Oh yeah! You may want to correct your site to reflect XHTML standards. Or remove the valid XHTML 1.0 link on the side. :)
Geoff said on 04 Aug 14:43:

Like it or not, there's a significant Rails project going on to implement the entire NextStep API in Flash, with a Rails backend.

The end result is that you could do all your programming in Ruby, and a complete Flash application (with windows, menus, etc.) would be sent to the client's browser.

"ActionStep":http://actionstep.org/

As with many things, it's the implementation that matters.
Tag Gestation Period said on 01 May 03:12:

I think it would be usefull for other users also...
Dashboard Confesional said on 03 May 19:51:

That is strange!
Footballers Verandah Wife said on 15 May 11:18:

Very clear!
How To Understand A Barometer said on 19 May 07:21:

Good idea!
Child Health Insurance Pennsylvania said on 19 May 09:32:

But I'm not sure why...
Maiden Florida Mortgage said on 20 May 02:53:

I think it would be usefull for other users also :)
Labor Induction said on 21 May 04:51:

But I'm not sure why :(
Fetal Heart Tone said on 21 May 13:22:

Good idea...
Appunti Archivio Commerciale Diritto Nettuno Unito said on 21 May 17:45:

I think it would be usefull for other users also...
Stuttgart Germany Airport said on 21 May 23:27:

Just thought I'd make a note about a problem!
Technology Latest News said on 22 May 06:23:

I use Firefox in Ubuntu :(
Internet Casino said on 23 May 14:21:

I use Firefox in Ubuntu :(
Child Abuse And How It Effects Your Health said on 26 May 08:20:

Very clear!
Dunlap King Lift Golfclub Set said on 26 May 12:38:

That's awesome!
San Martino Di Ungaretti said on 26 May 20:25:

I had and the fix I found :(
Latino Stereotype said on 31 May 01:14:

Just thought I'd make a note about a problem :)
Bay Monterey Pinksheets said on 31 May 17:46:

i am not sure as to why.
Jesus Painting said on 03 Jun 18:00:

The content of your show is great, I really enjoy it...
Condo Kaukauna Wi said on 03 Jun 20:01:

The problem is my browser :(
Refinance Bankruptcy said on 04 Jun 05:47:

Not really new...
Testi Albano said on 07 Jun 11:31:

Thats correct :(
Disordered Glazed said on 07 Jun 23:57:

I had and the fix I found :)
Hotel Esplanade Praga said on 08 Jun 02:10:

The problem is my browser.
Prescription Glasses With Sunglasses Clip said on 08 Jun 07:53:

But I'm not sure why...
Sumptuousness Vacation Letting Condos Chicago said on 08 Jun 12:05:

But I'm not sure why :)
National Obituary said on 10 Jun 10:47:

Thats correct...
Overlord Gardener Classes Alaska said on 11 Jun 06:07:

There is some strange behaviour with this.
Silver Bell Wedding Chapel Las Vegas Nevada said on 14 Jun 05:45:

I think it would be usefull for other users also :)
Tetrad Poster Beds said on 14 Jun 07:28:

Thats correct :(
Privileged Winston said on 14 Jun 15:19:

Not really new :(
Imperfect Insurance Career said on 30 Jul 10:47:

I had and the fix I found :)
Medicine Pet said on 01 Aug 20:43:

That's awesome.
Nissan Car Lease said on 02 Aug 19:04:

Thanks. Updated appropriately :)
Solo Volo Brasile said on 02 Aug 21:12:

Very clear :)
Venta De Mercedes said on 02 Aug 23:00:

That is strange.
Mostre Arte said on 03 Aug 09:39:

That's awesome!
Fibromyxoid Sarcoma said on 03 Aug 14:00:

But I'm not sure why.
Nokia 3220 Peregrine Phone said on 03 Aug 16:21:

Not really new :)
3 Minute Dating And Chicago And Lincoln Ave said on 04 Aug 02:53:

Well done, nice instructions!
American Health Science University Nutrition said on 04 Aug 04:51:

Gonna have to give it a try...
Lappeenranta Kaupunki said on 04 Aug 09:00:

But I'm not sure why.