The Best IMS Menu?
Which would you prefer?
Inline icons
100%
[ 3 ]
Under-cursor fade in menu
0%
[ 0 ]
Total Votes : 3
Hi,
I am creating an IMS (information management system)/CMS/CRM or whatever they call them these days!
There will only be one user, and through this interface she can add, edit and delete 'cake classes'.
I have two ideas for the controls, but would like to hear your opinions on which is better.
Items e.g. classes, are displayed in rows. The last column has icons for functions such as deleting, editing and adding a new student to that particular class.
The advantages of this kind of control is that the user is only 1 click away from performing the function, and can see straight away where the functions are.
The only disadvantage I can think of is that icons can sometimes be a bit vague as to what they do, so the learning curve for the system is a little steeper.
My other idea for a menu is to not have a column containing icons, but to have a small menu fade in underneath the cursor when the user clicks on a item row.
The menu fades in, containing the 3 functions, i.e. delete, edit and add student.
Because the menu is out of the flow, and can be quite wide (something like 75px), it can contain the words for each function, or even the icon, then the word.
The disadvantage of this is that the user has to click twice to perform the operation they desire.
What do you think? Have you made or come across a menu that you think is far better than what I have mentioned here?
Share: 
I would say go for the inline items that are always visible. If it's a system that is going to be used regularly as you say, then the learning curve is well worth the time saved by having all of the options easily accessible at all times, rather than having to focus, allow options to appear, and then choose.
Perhaps you could add a key at the bottom of the page, to help with the learning curve, and also tooltips on the icons, as I guess you've probably thought about already.
Accessify Forum Administrator ~ Nigel Peck / MIS Web Design
"Everything I say is not meant to be set in stone" - Van Morrison
Share:
Thanks!
I have tooltips but I like your idea of a key, perhaps at the bottom of the page in a thin footer.
Cheers.
Share: