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My first thought was: why are you helping people build the one of the worst UI components out there? Not sure where it should fit in the current UI? Oh just th

by chrisra 11y ago

My first thought was: why are you helping people build the one of the worst UI components out there? Not sure where it should fit in the current UI? Oh just throw it in a modal, restricting the user's ability to interact with anything else on the page, requiring an extra click to close the modal. I'm sure there are good times to use them, but typically I find they are restrictive.

TuringTest 11y ago
See [1] and [2] for an assessment of when (not) to use them. They are particularly ineffective for protecting the user against errors, except on systems which use them very sparingly (such as in the web, thanks to browsers adopting non-modal bars for most warnings and search actions.) We older netizens remember the nightmare that was every other web page throwing a modal alert(); that blocked the browser on all the open tabs.) [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modal_window#Design https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modal_window#Design [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mode_(computer_interface)#Assessment https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mode_(computer_interface)#Asse...
k__ 11y ago
I never had to use one. On the other hand, I don't know much about them so I don't even get the idea that I could use them in a UI design.
profinger 11y ago
Why would you not use it? You can annoy your user with it and not have the concern of being blocked by some stupid popup blocker? Do you want to take a survey? Sign up for my newsletter? I know it's your first time on the site and you didn't even get to the content yet but SERIOUSLY I NEED YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS.
syllogism 11y ago
Modals have always had a place on native apps, and they similarly have a place in web apps. If you're working on something in a single page app, you shouldn't be taken away from it just to open some settings.
- malandrew 11y ago
  It is extremely rare that you actually need to block the UI. Most uses of modals would be better served with local notification that respects fitt's law. An example would be popping up a "confirmation tooltip" adjacent to a delete button that was just pressed. The subsequent required mouse movement will be a short travel away. A modal in the middle of the screen moves the locus of focus, is jarring and blocks the UI. Simply put, blocking the UI is hostile.

by chrisra 11y ago

TuringTest 11y ago

See [1] and [2] for an assessment of when (not) to use them. They are particularly ineffective for protecting the user against errors, except on systems which use them very sparingly (such as in the web, thanks to browsers adopting non-modal bars for most warnings and search actions.) We older netizens remember the nightmare that was every other web page throwing a modal alert(); that blocked the browser on all the open tabs.) [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modal_window#Design https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modal_window#Design [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mode_(computer_interface)#Assessment https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mode_(computer_interface)#Asse...

k__ 11y ago

I never had to use one. On the other hand, I don't know much about them so I don't even get the idea that I could use them in a UI design.

profinger 11y ago

Why would you not use it? You can annoy your user with it and not have the concern of being blocked by some stupid popup blocker? Do you want to take a survey? Sign up for my newsletter? I know it's your first time on the site and you didn't even get to the content yet but SERIOUSLY I NEED YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS.

syllogism 11y ago

Modals have always had a place on native apps, and they similarly have a place in web apps. If you're working on something in a single page app, you shouldn't be taken away from it just to open some settings.

malandrew 11y ago
It is extremely rare that you actually need to block the UI. Most uses of modals would be better served with local notification that respects fitt's law. An example would be popping up a "confirmation tooltip" adjacent to a delete button that was just pressed. The subsequent required mouse movement will be a short travel away. A modal in the middle of the screen moves the locus of focus, is jarring and blocks the UI. Simply put, blocking the UI is hostile.