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List:       kde-panel-devel
Subject:    Re: Breadcrumbs in Kickoff
From:       Matthew Dawson <matthew () mjdsystems ! ca>
Date:       2011-12-28 4:36:54
Message-ID: 1685978.Hn0lkE2RGN () leadworth
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On Tuesday 20 December 2011 17:54:02 Martin Gr=E4=DFlin wrote: =

> Up to now nobody gave a proper reason *why* we should add a back button.
> Just because we can is no reason, sorry.
> =


First, I understand that the back button is gone and I'm not advocating its =

return.

I do think I understand why there is a backlash about this option, and it =

stems from two points:

1) The back button was a much larger button to hit.  =

	According to Fitt's Law[1], the smaller a target is to hit, the longer it =

takes.  The breadcrumbs, being smaller, decreases the speed at which someon=
e =

can hit the target.  It is readily apparent to me, as I only recently got =

introduced to it.

2) The position of the breadcrumbs is on the upper right hand corner.
	People will first look for information to the upper left hand part of the =

screen.  With the breadcrumbs positioned where they are, its first of all h=
ard =

to find compared to the back button.  I can't remember if people brought up =

with RTL languages see upper right hand first, but at least for LTR it is.


Based upon these two points, a couple of simple solutions present themselve=
s:

1) Make the text a little bigger.
	Since users will approach the breadcrumbs from the bottom, increasing the =

height will help them hit the button easier.  This will probably require so=
me =

fiddling with to ensure the best possible result.

2) At least for LTR, move the breadcrumbs over to the left hand side.
	This will help users more easily find the breadcrumbs and choose an =

option.  This also helps with selection, as any overshoot to return to the =

beginning, when approached from the right, will hit the edge of the screen =
and =

avoid too much backtracking, making it easier for users to hit.  Note this =

only applies in Kickoff's default location, but I don't think most people w=
ill =

have an issue.

Thoughts?  If these ideas sound useful, I'll try to cook up a patch to =

implment them.


Matthew


[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fitts%27s_law
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