The Power of Script

How might JS best be used to enhance the user experience?

» Let's make a list...

>> form validation - for usability only, not for data validation (that still needs to be done serverside).

>> navigation systems - DHTML menus and jump box menus.

>> XML over HTTP - XMLHttpRequest (Moz) and XmlHttp (IE/Jscript/ActiveX). for example, GMail.

>> RTE controls, eg Mozile, this forum, etc.

By not making a navigation system that depends on javascript. It's ok to use it to enhance navigation but if the navigation is made javascript dependant then javascript hasn't enhanced the user experience.

This "navigation" principle can in fact be extended to any use of javascript.

By not making a navigation system that depends on javascript. It's ok to use it to enhance navigation but if the navigation is made javascript dependant then javascript hasn't enhanced the user experience.


i didn't mean in terms of supplanting it. but having DHTML menus as opposed to a huge side list of links is infinitely more preferable. furthermore, you can still have DHTML menus and still cater for non-JS users. the trigger link in the menubar takes those users to a menu or contents page from which they can still make they their navigational choices.

the way you wrote your qualifier, roy, made it sound as tho DHTML menus aren't worth it because some users won't be able to use them. there are always work-arounds. but just because some people can't use something, doesn't mean no one should have the benefit of it. all it means, is you cater for both. simple.

>> conversions and other calculations

Ok, we have:


basic validation
compact navigation
basic text editing
XML automation
various calculations

anything else?

- improved usability
- editing HTML live on a page

jbot already said that stuff ^ but phrased it slightly differently though.
IMO, JS generally shouldn't be overused.. but at the same time it shouldn't be underused.
Gmail is a good example of where JS was used very wisely.. Hotmail on the other hand uses JS in a more irritating fashion..

Improved usability examples...

I can think of one: persisting the hover style of a link when clicked, so that one can easily see where they were, when returning to a list of hyperlinks.

any others?

I have a question.. why are you so curious? I would say most of the reasons seem obvious.

Think back; was this all obvious to you before you knew it? I'm willing to concede that there are many things which I do not know, hence the curiosity.

I suspect that "improved usability" referred to what was already mentioned; my example related to menus; and the xml thing doesn't actually do much for the user.

As it stands, we have determined that JS can be incorporated to provide four levels of enhancement to the user experience.

So be it.
I thank you all for the wonderfully imaginative responses!

LOL...........LOL. No problem.....LOL

xml doesn't actually do much for the user.

yes, it does. that's how Gmail works and why it is so usable. by using JS to access and read xml, there are less round trips to the server and therefore the user get's a much better experience.