[Bf-webcontent] Search boxes

[Andrew Kator]

On Apr 24, 2004, at 6:00 AM, bf-webcontent-request at blender.org wrote:

> What's your opinion
> about having a search box on every page, by the way?

The ubiquitous search box should be tastefully placed, noticeable yet 
less prominent than the page content.  The existing size and placement 
is good and is not distracting from content.

Many users expect to see a button for searches,  titled either 
"Search," or "Go."  Personally I am not sure the button is needed, but 
some would insist that it should be there.

Some designers *strongly* argue that the search should always be at the 
bottom of the page.  Make people read (or at least scan) the page they 
are on first before deciding it doesn't offer the information they are 
looking for.

Problems to avoid:

(1) When the search function replaces standards for content 
organization and presentation.  It is much easier technically (and much 
less expensive) for the content presentation to become dictated by the 
search function.  The problem is that viewers know what they are 
looking for, typically only search for what they are looking for, and 
often barely read what the search results have returned.  This is even 
more of a problem when search functions dictate organization and 
presentation.

(2) When used as a primary method of presentation, search results 
encourage people to view content as individual elements and out of 
context.  Very bad for tutorials and learning materials.

(3) Viewer/user satisfaction and information retention decrease, even 
though the visitors are supposedly getting exactly what they want.  
This ties into (1) and (2).

(4) Branding (brand and product recognition) also decreases because 
there is a fine line between fast-and-efficient and too 
fast-and-efficient to be memorable.  Remember, it is a fact that 
learning and memories take time to form.  And yes, even though Blender 
is open-source it still needs branding and product recognition -- and 
so does the website.

Search Usage (how many times people use the search function) is one 
method used to determine the effectiveness of a site's design and 
presentation.  If people are searching as the primary method for 
finding content, the site is in need of changes.  (Apple Computer paid 
$2 million USD last year for that advice about improving their site 
designs.)