New Popup Window properties in Links

[tracyprevite]

I made the huge mistake of creating dozens and dozens of links with popups in my first training. I learned that just because a popup chapter’s pages can have different sizes and settings, this doesn’t mean that these different settings will look this way when called from a link within the chapters. Also, depending on how each and every link was formatted (like, “open in a new window”, “window type-web browser”, “window properties”, etc), a programmer has to go into every single link to fix how each window was set up in the link dialogue box by unchecking the “default” box. So, I had to go into each link to tell the program to open up the popup in the dimensions that I set them up to begin with. Why the disconnect? If I set up a popup page with certain dimensions, why do I have to then reformat it in the link dialogue box? Why can’t the option in the publishing handle this, or just “as is”??? I will definitely NOT create as many links in my next courses.

[lrichmtg]

In general, pop-ups are pretty annoying for the learner anyway. Depending on what you're doing, you might show a textbox on mouse-over (good for definitions), or a group of text/image/swf (etc) (+ close button when needed -- like if it's overlaying text, or not part of a multiple "click to view" type of activity) if you have several things you want the user to see. Of course, sometimes there are reasons for opening up a separate window, but it's something that should generally be avoided.

This does a couple things...first and foremost, it creates a better experience for the user. Second, it's a heck of a lot easier on the developer. You can manage your content for the page on one page. In a scenario where you have several pieces of "reused content" (like, say a definition you use over and over), you can place that content at the chapter/section root, set it as invisible, and simply create actions that show or hide that content.

I always try to put myself into the learners' minds when developing interactions. If I find something annoying or distracting -- it's quite likely they will as well. I try to always keep in mind that the developer's primary goal is to keep the learner's mind focused on the content, not being distracted by it. Once the content becomes overwhelming or distracting, it loses its value...fast.