«

Hello again, I know I can find a lot of resources on the web as to how to do
this but I wanted some opinions about compatibility and you all seem to be
very well versed in different browsers. I would like a menu where
subcategories for each menu entry would slide out upon mouseover. I am
thinking I have to either go for DHTML or Flash, which one is more widely
acceptable? Is there a better way or are there any real definite "no nos"
Again thanks!

--

Laura
ICQ 174756639
AIM poetstrm425
www.lioddities.com

On Wed, 28 Jul 2004 02:50:17 GMT, PoetStorm <>
declared in alt.html:

> I would like a menu where
> subcategories for each menu entry would slide out upon mouseover.

http://devedge.netscape.com/

--
Mark Parnell
http://www.clarkecomputers.com.au
"Never drink rum&coke whilst reading usenet" - rf 2004

"PoetStorm" <> wrote in message
news:JvENc.32202$. net...
> Hello again, I know I can find a lot of resources on the web as to how to
do
> this but I wanted some opinions about compatibility and you all seem to be
> very well versed in different browsers. I would like a menu where
> subcategories for each menu entry would slide out upon mouseover. I am
> thinking I have to either go for DHTML or Flash, which one is more widely
> acceptable? Is there a better way or are there any real definite "no nos"
> Again thanks!

The complaints are many:
Technical
1) They often do not work *at all* if javascript is disabled
2) They often render differently across platforms

Usability
1) They are often inaccessible to those with multiple types of disabilities
2) They are often described as "slippery" even by experienced and
able-bodied users.

The impact of the above problems depends on the implementation.
At the very least, you'll want to make sure that the top/ first link of the
menu still works, even if javascript is disabled. Then, make sure that the
link itself is large enough to click on without needing to be a friggin
marksman with the mouse. (Google for Fitt's Law)

-Karl

PoetStorm wrote:

> I would like a menu where subcategories for each menu entry would slide
> out upon mouseover.

This uses clicks rather than mouseovers, but it could be converted pretty
easily: http://examples.tobyinkster.co.uk/menu/menu2.html

That said, I think you'll find that clicks are *much* easier for the end
user to use -- mouseovers will make your site a lot more fiddly.

--
Toby A Inkster BSc (Hons) ARCS
Contact Me ~ http://tobyinkster.co.uk/contact

On Wed, 28 Jul 2004 02:50:17 GMT, "PoetStorm" <>
wrote:

: Hello again, I know I can find a lot of resources on the web as to how to do
: this but I wanted some opinions about compatibility and you all seem to be
: very well versed in different browsers. I would like a menu where
: subcategories for each menu entry would slide out upon mouseover. I am
: thinking I have to either go for DHTML or Flash, which one is more widely
: acceptable? Is there a better way or are there any real definite "no nos"
: Again thanks!


Please avoid Flash.

Best Site DHTML: http://www.dynamicdrive.com/

Sid

Toby Inkster wrote:
> PoetStorm wrote:
>
>
>>I would like a menu where subcategories for each menu entry would slide
>>out upon mouseover.
>
>
> This uses clicks rather than mouseovers, but it could be converted pretty
> easily: http://examples.tobyinkster.co.uk/menu/menu2.html
>
> That said, I think you'll find that clicks are *much* easier for the end
> user to use -- mouseovers will make your site a lot more fiddly.

That will be true for your linear example.

For the common flyout example, the mouseovers are expected (I've done it
both ways). A suitable setTimeout delay to give wobbly mice a chance to
recover is key.

Jeff
>

Toby Inkster wrote:
> PoetStorm wrote:

>> I would like a menu where subcategories for each menu entry would
>> slide out upon mouseover.

> This uses clicks rather than mouseovers, but it could be converted
> pretty easily: http://examples.tobyinkster.co.uk/menu/menu2.html

I wonder why you use js. With a few snippets of php you can achieve the same
effect
--
Nico
www.nicoschuyt.nl

"Nico Schuyt" <> wrote in message
news:410a0d80$0$186$...
> Toby Inkster wrote:
> > PoetStorm wrote:
>
> >> I would like a menu where subcategories for each menu entry would
> >> slide out upon mouseover.
>
> > This uses clicks rather than mouseovers, but it could be converted
> > pretty easily: http://examples.tobyinkster.co.uk/menu/menu2.html
>
> I wonder why you use js. With a few snippets of php you can achieve the
same
> effect

Depending on the amount of traffic to a site, you might not want all those
back & forth trips to the server.
10,000 sessions a MONTH? Not a big deal. Use PHP
10,000 sessions an HOUR? Might want to consider not going with PHP

-Karl

Nico Schuyt wrote:
> Toby Inkster wrote:
>> PoetStorm wrote:
>>
>>> I would like a menu where subcategories for each menu entry would
>>> slide out upon mouseover.
>
>> This uses clicks rather than mouseovers, but it could be converted
>> pretty easily: http://examples.tobyinkster.co.uk/menu/menu2.html
>
> I wonder why you use js. With a few snippets of php you can achieve the same
> effect

A similar effect, but not the same effect. (The difference being speed.)

--
Toby A Inkster BSc (Hons) ARCS
Contact Me ~ http://tobyinkster.co.uk/contact

Toby Inkster wrote:
> Nico Schuyt wrote:
>> Toby Inkster wrote:

>>> http://examples.tobyinkster.co.uk/menu/menu2.html

>> I wonder why you use js. With a few snippets of php you can achieve
>> the same effect

> A similar effect, but not the same effect. (The difference being
> speed.)

I must admit I didn't consider the effects on speed and network traffic.
Perhaps I should.
The difference in speed however is hardly noticeable. Compare:
http://www.aqua-tech.nl/test/menu2.html (js) and
http://www.aqua-tech.nl/test/menu2.php (php)
Note: The js solution pops up expanded during a split second in IE6.

--
Nico
www.nicoschuyt.nl