11–19 of 19 posts
I don't think it's confusing, if anything it's used precisely so we aren't confused... like by the myriad options presented in this post when all we really meant was 'any old thing that drops down and a user will call a drop-down'.
I click it and it drops down. Ergo "dropdown." For better or worse, that's what it's called now.
Stop using "stop using" blog posts.
I use the word "dropdown" because it's the word that the non-technical people I work with use. They're not thinking in terms of HTML elements. If they ask me for a "dropdown" and I ask them if they "mean a or a ?" they're going to think I'm just a pompous asshole. I click it and it drops down. Ergo "dropdown." For better or worse, that's what it's called now.
That makes sense, as the term originated with UI development that predates HTML. It's a fairly precise term (although there are variations on dropdown styles, they're all unambiguously dropdowns).
There's nothing wrong (and a lot right) with using the term if you're not talking specifically (or knowledgeable) about web interfaces. Even when used in relation to web interfaces, the meaning remains clear, even if the technical HTML terms differ.
I use the word "dropdown" because it's the word that the non-technical people I work with use. They're not thinking in terms of HTML elements. If they ask me for a "dropdown" and I ask them if they "mean a or a ?" they're going to think I'm just a pompous asshole. I click it and it drops down. Ergo "dropdown." For better or worse, that's what it's called now.
> They're not thinking in terms of HTML elements. That makes sense, as the term originated with UI development that predates HTML. It's a fairly precise term (although there are variations on dropdown styles, they're all unambiguously dropdowns). There's nothing wrong (and a lot right) with using the term if you're not talking specifically (or knowledgeable) about web interfaces. Even when used in relation to web int…
Yes, but this post is focused on HTML which is why I phrased it in terms of HTML. The term "dropdown" is often used to describe a desired out come (a method of interaction in order to make a selection) and is often meant independently of the actual implementation, as browser, for example, will implement the control differently based on platform.
I have no idea what this is about - would it really be such a stretch to add examples of the controls he is on about?
Just call it a drop-down and iterate the design.