Designers: Don't cover what I'm looking at

#1

Post by paulferrett » Fri, Jul 18, 2014, 1:57 AM UTC

Designers: Don't cover what I'm looking at
paulferrett.com

Re: Designers: Don't cover what I'm looking at

#2

Post by dyarosla » Fri, Jul 18, 2014, 2:24 AM UTC

Totally agree. It's been bothering me for a while too- I never fully realized it was because I would generally guide my mouse towards it as I'm looking at it.

Re: Designers: Don't cover what I'm looking at

#3

Post by [deleted] » Fri, Jul 18, 2014, 2:58 AM UTC

[deleted]

Re: Designers: Don't cover what I'm looking at

#4

Post by [deleted] » Fri, Jul 18, 2014, 3:01 AM UTC

[deleted]

Re: Designers: Don't cover what I'm looking at

#5

Post by jmgrosen » Fri, Jul 18, 2014, 3:03 AM UTC

As a dissenting opinion, I like this pattern. I generally don't move my mouse over something unless I want to interact specifically with it.

Re: Designers: Don't cover what I'm looking at

#6

Post by TheLoneWolfling » Fri, Jul 18, 2014, 3:12 AM UTC

Alternatively: don't display information only on mouseover. My mouse is not tied to my eyes.

Re: Designers: Don't cover what I'm looking at

#7

Post by stcredzero » Fri, Jul 18, 2014, 3:16 AM UTC

This goes double for fancy dialogs that float over my content! (Especially the ones that follow me as I scroll!)

Re: Designers: Don't cover what I'm looking at

#8

Post by cardiffspaceman » Fri, Jul 18, 2014, 3:33 AM UTC

jmgrosen wrote: post #5

As a dissenting opinion, I like this pattern. I generally don't move my mouse over something unless I want to interact specifically with it.

I like a sense of feedback but some feedback designs are worse than no feedback. Some smart designer right now is writing "Hover feedback considered harmful."

Re: Designers: Don't cover what I'm looking at

#9

Post by hkailahi » Fri, Jul 18, 2014, 3:35 AM UTC

jmgrosen wrote: post #5

As a dissenting opinion, I like this pattern. I generally don't move my mouse over something unless I want to interact specifically with it.

I agree. Even if I wasn't looking to click on some section, the mouse icon would be distracting if it was directly on top of whatever I was trying to look at.

Re: Designers: Don't cover what I'm looking at

#10

Post by tzs » Fri, Jul 18, 2014, 3:46 AM UTC

This problem also can show up for people who scroll with a mouse wheel or trackpad gesture, and so do not have to have the cursor over a scroll bar to scroll. My cursor is usually near where I last clicked on the page, and it is annoying when I then scroll and things start popping in and out of existance as they scroll under the cursor.

I find it annoying to have to go find a safe spot to park after I click on something so I can scroll without triggering things.