Jumping into the frame debate: we agonized over the frame or not to frame
issue in an in-house web-based training course we're developing. One of
our big concerns was monitor resolution, as most users are lowest common
denominator - 640X480. So we designed in frames in the introductory section
and led nicely into non-framed pages for the first version.
Verdict: the tester/decision-maker really likes the framed parts, even on
a laptop with a small screen. He felt lost when we moved into non-framed
parts. Of all the observations we made of his first use, his love with
frames stood out above all.
With all of the navigational aids on the side, in fact we find that there
is less rather than more scrolling required. And the user feels less
disoriented, which is one of the real user-interface design concerns on the
Web. In marketing terms I think this means that they will feel less
trapped because the navigational aids are always available so they won't
panic and scroll too fast, just to reorient themselves. Leaves them free
to concentrate on content rather than having to hold a mental map in their
head.
On the issue of cutting off content, it doesn't happen if you design with
relative frame sizes rather than absolute, and relative image widths - e.g.
100% rather than a pixel width.
Like any other feature, frames can be abused, but they can also be used to
provide navigational aids. Two good examples are the BellSouth Network
solutions site at <a href="<a href="http://www.bns.com">http://www.bns.com</a>">http://www.bns.com</a> and the Canadian government site at
<a href="<a href="http://info.ic.gc.ca/opengov/">http://info.ic.gc.ca/opengov/</a>">http://info.ic.gc.ca/opengov/</a>.
We're hoping that our users will continue to love frames since we've now
moved all of our content into a framed version. Otherwise it will a big
OOPs! Of course, you normally design a non-framed version for users of
browsers other than Netscape 2.0 and Internet Explorer ... in our case
since we know the environment we are sidestepping that route.
Any other new user experiences with frames out there?
regards
Sandra
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