Difference between revisions of "Interface Draft: Breadcrumb Concept"
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=Definition= | |||
A breadcrumb should provide a trail for users navigating within a page structure. It provides an easy way to access previously seen pages within the page structure. Users sometimes do not have in mind how to navigate to a certain page via multi level menu(s). | |||
'''Problem''' | |||
For web applications - where items are irrepealable be changed - there is no way back. Once an item has been changed it would not make sense to return to a previous view. And if so, the user needs to know the difference between 'back' and 'undo'. | |||
=Overview on 'Click Levels'= | |||
The rough overview shows main functional areas and click levels (this is a diagram only, not a specification of the page flow R4). | |||
[[Image:levels.gif|center|framed|Diagram of functional areas]] | |||
Why the following breadcrumbs do not make sense [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breadcrumb_%28navigation%29 Wikipedia on Breadcrumbs] | |||
'''Path''' | |||
Path breadcrumbs are dynamic and show the path that the user has taken to arrive at a page. | |||
*PubMan does not provide a strict hierarchical structure. In many cases there is no single path to a page. | |||
'''History of pages/Action history''' | |||
*This is not, what a breadcrumb is expected to be. If items change at one point in time it does not make sense to jump to a page reflecting a state which is different from the current/real one. | |||
'''Attribute''' | |||
Attribute breadcrumbs give information that categorizes the current page. | |||
*Would make sense, but as pages are role dependent the attribute might reflect a wrong categorization | |||
Why a breadcrumb makes no sense for the following functionality: | Why a breadcrumb makes no sense for the following functionality: | ||
Most pages are anyway redundantly displayed in a breadcrumb or inconsistent in use, because: | |||
'''Simple Search''' | '''Simple Search''' | ||
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'''Export''' | '''Export''' | ||
*Will mostly | *Will mostly appear at the end of the breadcrumb | ||
*Autoamtically available after any search | *Autoamtically available after any search | ||
'''Item Details (Revisions, Attachements, ...)''' | '''Item Details (Revisions, Attachements, ...)''' | ||
*Will mostly | *Will mostly appear at the end of the breadcrumb | ||
'''Submission(methods)''' | '''Submission(methods)''' | ||
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*Will be a mixture of structural breadcrumb and action history | *Will be a mixture of structural breadcrumb and action history | ||
*As actions lead to modifications the breadcrumb is rather a undo history (not possible!!) | *As actions lead to modifications the breadcrumb is rather a undo history (not possible!!) | ||
=Assumption= | |||
There is a certain functional area, where items do not change and where a breadcrumb could provide help (see Diagram). PubMan should provide a breadcrumb only for item lists, view item version, item details. | |||
==Example== | |||
Public: | Public: | ||
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Logged in: | Logged in: | ||
Click Level | Breadcrumb | Click Level | Breadcrumb | ||
0 | Lists: | 0 | Lists: Pending (5) | ||
3 | Lists: | 3 | Lists: Pending (5) > View Item (x) | ||
4 | Lists: | 4 | Lists: Pending (5) > View Item (x) > Item Log | ||
Logged in and continue searching : | Logged in and continue searching : | ||
2 | Submitted (5) > View Item (x) > Item Log > | 2 | Submitted (5) > View Item (x) > Item Log > Pending (10) > View Item (x) > Item Statistics | ||
Revision as of 12:04, 12 June 2008
Definition[edit]
A breadcrumb should provide a trail for users navigating within a page structure. It provides an easy way to access previously seen pages within the page structure. Users sometimes do not have in mind how to navigate to a certain page via multi level menu(s).
Problem For web applications - where items are irrepealable be changed - there is no way back. Once an item has been changed it would not make sense to return to a previous view. And if so, the user needs to know the difference between 'back' and 'undo'.
Overview on 'Click Levels'[edit]
The rough overview shows main functional areas and click levels (this is a diagram only, not a specification of the page flow R4).
Why the following breadcrumbs do not make sense Wikipedia on Breadcrumbs
Path Path breadcrumbs are dynamic and show the path that the user has taken to arrive at a page.
- PubMan does not provide a strict hierarchical structure. In many cases there is no single path to a page.
History of pages/Action history
- This is not, what a breadcrumb is expected to be. If items change at one point in time it does not make sense to jump to a page reflecting a state which is different from the current/real one.
Attribute Attribute breadcrumbs give information that categorizes the current page.
- Would make sense, but as pages are role dependent the attribute might reflect a wrong categorization
Why a breadcrumb makes no sense for the following functionality:
Most pages are anyway redundantly displayed in a breadcrumb or inconsistent in use, because:
Simple Search
- Anyway provided persistently inside header
- Not clear where breadcrumb leads to (revise search via advanced search?)
Advanced Search
- Anyway provided persistently inside header
Organisation Search
- Anyway provided persistently inside header
Export
- Will mostly appear at the end of the breadcrumb
- Autoamtically available after any search
Item Details (Revisions, Attachements, ...)
- Will mostly appear at the end of the breadcrumb
Submission(methods)
- Inconsistent because item changed in status
Actions
- Will be a mixture of structural breadcrumb and action history
- As actions lead to modifications the breadcrumb is rather a undo history (not possible!!)
Assumption[edit]
There is a certain functional area, where items do not change and where a breadcrumb could provide help (see Diagram). PubMan should provide a breadcrumb only for item lists, view item version, item details.
Example[edit]
Public: Click Level | Breadcrumb 0 | Lists: 0 List Items 1-2 | Lists: Searchresult (10) 3 | Lists: Searchresult (10) > View Item (x) 4 | Lists: Searchresult (10) > View Item (x) > Revision (x)
Logged in: Click Level | Breadcrumb 0 | Lists: Pending (5) 3 | Lists: Pending (5) > View Item (x) 4 | Lists: Pending (5) > View Item (x) > Item Log
Logged in and continue searching : 2 | Submitted (5) > View Item (x) > Item Log > Pending (10) > View Item (x) > Item Statistics