Comments on Information Architecture: Blueprints for the Web

Doug McDaniel — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 14:50:48 GMT

Agree. Don’t assume handedness and mouse behavior coincide. As a pronounced lefty, I mouse with my mouse on the right of my keyboard. One reason, I presume: this was a learned behavior because of the preponderance of righties in my office and my respect for not moving THEIR mouse to the left of the keyboard. I know that early in my career, when I did mouse left, righties using my machine would disrepectfully, and with some grumbling under their breath, move my mouse to the right of my keyboard when they were using my machineI’m now happier with the mouse on the right. . Hmmm. I believe one would call that adaptation….. but I bet the ACLU would love a case like that. (My libertarian leanings dictate that I just deal with it and not mythologize my injustice.)

Would that modern ergonomics folks could remove handedness from computers. (And for the record, I detest laptops with versaglide pads square in the center, as well as the stupid blue eraser head mouse.)

Personally, I’d like to see something that actually “read” my retinal focus and pointed the cursor at the appropriate place on the screen. When I said “click” it should do so. What a concept. It’s probably out there, I’m just not aware of it.

christina — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 14:50:48 GMT

Do left handers keep their mouse on the left hand of the screen? Handedness does not always apply to mouse behavior. I mouse left (carpal tunnel in my right arm) and I(and others in the study) find right hand navigation more comfortable because of the reduced travel between the scrollbar and the menu. Sorry if this was less clear in the book, and so very glad you are enjoying it!

Ramdak — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 14:50:47 GMT

Nice review, but, you could have helped by mentioning how large the sample chapter would be- it took me nearly thirty minutes to download on a dial-up connection. Surprising that Boxes and Arrows fails in this simple element of information design.

Also, I noticed the mention about the re-designed Audi site with the right navigation and how it reduced scrolling etc. But, would the experience be the same for left-handed users? I daresay they would find the left-navigation more comfortable.

All this is not to put down Christina’s book, however. I added it to my Amazon wish list even before it was published:-)

Ramdak