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Just to see how it would look, I tried putting the scrollbar of a
fixed dimension division on the left, rather than the default right.

I was wondering, is it more of a tradition to have only a right side
scrollbar, as opposed to left, or is it absolutely required in Latin
based languages?

On Sun, 29 Mar 2009 10:52:47 -0500, Ben C <> wrote:

>On 2009-03-29, richard <> wrote:
>>
>> Just to see how it would look, I tried putting the scrollbar of a
>> fixed dimension division on the left, rather than the default right.
>
>How did it look?
>
>> I was wondering, is it more of a tradition to have only a right side
>> scrollbar, as opposed to left, or is it absolutely required in Latin
>> based languages?
>
>It's certainly not absolutely required, and can't be that pervasive a
>tradition either as xterm has its scrollbar on the left.


http://1littleworld.net/scroll1.jpg

richard wrote:
> Just to see how it would look, I tried putting the scrollbar of a
> fixed dimension division on the left, rather than the default right.
>
> I was wondering, is it more of a tradition to have only a right side
> scrollbar, as opposed to left, or is it absolutely required in Latin
> based languages?

The left scroll bar will likely confuse users, making the site harder to
use.

On Sun, 29 Mar 2009 13:47:52 -0400, C A Upsdell
<> wrote:

>richard wrote:
>> Just to see how it would look, I tried putting the scrollbar of a
>> fixed dimension division on the left, rather than the default right.
>>
>> I was wondering, is it more of a tradition to have only a right side
>> scrollbar, as opposed to left, or is it absolutely required in Latin
>> based languages?
>
>The left scroll bar will likely confuse users, making the site harder to
>use.


Years ago during one superbowl there was an advertisement that
appeared only once and changed the way things were done.

People have been brainwashed into thinking that because it's always
done that way, that is the only way it can be done.

If one wants to advance technology, then one must think "outside of
the box" instead of living within it.

So are you a sheeple or a shepherd?

"richard" <> wrote in message
news:...
> On Sun, 29 Mar 2009 13:47:52 -0400, C A Upsdell
> <> wrote:
>
>>richard wrote:
>>> Just to see how it would look, I tried putting the scrollbar of a
>>> fixed dimension division on the left, rather than the default right.
>>>
>>> I was wondering, is it more of a tradition to have only a right side
>>> scrollbar, as opposed to left, or is it absolutely required in Latin
>>> based languages?
>>
>>The left scroll bar will likely confuse users, making the site harder to
>>use.
>
>
> Years ago during one superbowl there was an advertisement that
> appeared only once and changed the way things were done.
>
> People have been brainwashed into thinking that because it's always
> done that way, that is the only way it can be done.
>
> If one wants to advance technology, then one must think "outside of
> the box" instead of living within it.
>
> So are you a sheeple or a shepherd?

This shepherd has dressed in wolf's clothing methinks (to mess up an already
horrible metaphor) )

A scrollbar moving from one side to another hardly advances technology. It
provides no extra function or advantage, nor does it make any existing
function better in way. Merely different. I guess there could be a case for
moving it to the left if your site was only ever viewed by left-handers

In order to argue the 'advancement of technology' line, one must provide
proof, or at least *reason* for wanting to change an existing 'standard' way
of doing things. One must have a rationale for change, not merely to make
change for changes sake. To do otherwise is merely fashion or fad.

Why go to the bother of presenting something to the user something that
*looks* substantially different, when the thing does exactly the same
things, in the same way, as the *old* thing - except of course you may have
successfully confused, irritated and ultimately *lost* the viewer to another
site?

I've just had a great idea... why doesn't America change the traffic rules
so they all drive on the left hand side of the road? Or perhaps we could
change written English to read from right to left?

The problem is, your example doesn't show evidence of thinking 'outside the
box', you've just made a mirror image of the box. It's still functionally
the same box.

Try thinking outside the triangle, and maybe you'll come up with something
worthwhile )

In article <>,
richard <> wrote:

> Just to see how it would look, I tried putting the scrollbar of a
> fixed dimension division on the left, rather than the default right.
>
> I was wondering, is it more of a tradition to have only a right side
> scrollbar, as opposed to left, or is it absolutely required in Latin
> based languages?

Originally, it was proposed to have diagonal scrollbars, they were
supposed to have a sort of vector function to operate both horizontally
and vertically via the one bar. The software was brilliant and worked
fine after it was discovered that there was an optimum shape to the bar:

<http://dorayme.netweaver.com.au/justPics/wigglyscrolling.png>

But the big drawback was that it blocked the view of the content.
Various transparency tricks were used but the whole project ended in
failure. It was moved to the traditional right and bottom.

But I encourage you to experiment and shake up our well worn habits. I
look to young exciting experimenters like you with your various projects
to keep us all from going stale. Good on you, mate!

--
dorayme

Troy Piggins wrote:

> * richard wrote :
>> Years ago during one superbowl there was an advertisement that
>> appeared only once and changed the way things were done.

Which one was that?

>> People have been brainwashed into thinking that because it's always
>> done that way, that is the only way it can be done.

Brainwashed? Oh, the Mac parody of "1984?" That certainly has been
shown more than once.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYecfV3ubP8

> Just curious. Why did you even ask for opinions if you respond
> like that when someone gives you theirs?

He's RtS, and his response is "par for the course." His course, of
course.

--
-bts
-Friends don't let friends drive Windows

asdf wrote:

> .. I've just had a great idea... why doesn't America change the
> traffic rules so they all drive on the left hand side of the road?

Ha! You beat me to it. I was going to suggest RtS put his users in
British cars on his American roads (right-hand steering on right-side
roads). I can just envision the piles of smashed minivans and soccer
moms at all the intersections...

Why screw with the users just because you can?

--
-bts
-Friends don't let friends drive Windows

Just for you since you're to young to know about it.
The opening scene showed a very large group of people sitting in front
of a huge tv screen. All looked alike, dressed alike and sat there
with blank stares. Mostly the scene appeared in black and white.
Then in comes this gal wearing an athletic outfit, looking like she
had just finished a hearty workout, and in her hand was a huge hammer,
of which she threw at the tv screen which broke it.

In simpler terms, "It's time to break the long over used mold and get
on with something new".
Since it aired that one time, many things and the way things were done
were changed.

"richard" <> wrote in message
news:...
> On Sun, 29 Mar 2009 13:47:52 -0400, C A Upsdell
> <> wrote:
>
>>richard wrote:
>>> Just to see how it would look, I tried putting the scrollbar of a
>>> fixed dimension division on the left, rather than the default right.
>>>
>>> I was wondering, is it more of a tradition to have only a right side
>>> scrollbar, as opposed to left, or is it absolutely required in Latin
>>> based languages?
>>
>>The left scroll bar will likely confuse users, making the site harder to
>>use.
>
>
> Years ago during one superbowl there was an advertisement that
> appeared only once and changed the way things were done.
>
> People have been brainwashed into thinking that because it's always
> done that way, that is the only way it can be done.
>
> If one wants to advance technology, then one must think "outside of
> the box" instead of living within it.
>
> So are you a sheeple or a shepherd?

Yes, all those usability experts who have conducted years of research and
indepth study into user interfaces are just sheep blindly following trends.

Interface elements should be consistent and predictable.

/thread