Browser-based applications: positive transference or interference?

Applications that run on top of web browsers dominate the Internet today. Given the many similarities among these applications' features, positive transference from one to another is often seen as an important source of ease-of-use for such applications. This paper examines the many differences in the way similar features are implemented in different browser-based applications, analyzing the way these inconsistencies can lead to negative transference (interference) that degrades rather than enhances usability. Categories & Subject Descriptors: H.4.3 [Information Systems Applications]: Communications Applications - information browsers. H.5.2 [Information Systems Interfaces and Presentations]: User Interfaces standardization. General Terms: Design, Human Factors, Standardization.

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2004
• Where: WWW
• Authors: Mark S. Silver, Sidne G. Ward
• Keywords: Communications Applications, Information Systems Applications, Interfaces Standardization, Internet Technology, WWW 2004