Difference between revisions of "Interface Draft: Breadcrumb Concept"

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[[Image:levels.gif|center|framed|Diagram of functional areas]]
[[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]==
==Why the following breadcrumbs do not make sense ==


'''Path'''
'''Path'''


Path breadcrumbs are dynamic and show the path that the user has taken to arrive at a page.
Path breadcrumbs are dynamic and show the path that the user has taken to arrive at a page [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breadcrumb_%28navigation%29 Wikipedia on Breadcrumbs].


*PubMan does not provide a strict hierarchical structure. In many cases there is no single path to a page.
*PubMan does not provide a strict hierarchical structure. In many cases there is no single path to a page.
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'''History of pages/Action history'''
'''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.
*This is true for static content. 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'''
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Attribute breadcrumbs give information that categorizes the current page.
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
*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:



Revision as of 13:19, 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).

Diagram of functional areas

Why the following breadcrumbs do not make sense[edit]

Path

Path breadcrumbs are dynamic and show the path that the user has taken to arrive at a page Wikipedia on Breadcrumbs.

  • 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 true for static content. 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[edit]

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.

This additional navigation should not be called breadcrumb or be offered in a breadcrumb manner/stype in the interface because it is different.

Examples[edit]

Public Repository

Click Level Label
1-2 Searchresult (10, Page 4)
3 Searchresult (10, Page 4) > View Item (escidoc:1707)
4 Searchresult (10, Page 4) > View Item (escidoc:1707) > Revisions
5 Searchresult (10, Page 4) > View Item (escidoc:1707) > Revisions > View Item (escidoc:1707:3)

Depositor Workspace

Click Level Label
0 Workspace (Pending, Page 4)
3 Workspace (Pending, Page 4) > View Item (escidoc:1707)
4 Workspace (Pending, Page 4) > View Item (escidoc:1707) > Item Log

The 'Listtrail' vanishes if any other functionality is triggered or any item state is changed