h6

Floating Windows at a glance

Site Genre: Pattern Group h

magnify imageFigureH6.1 Use a floating window to keep the main browser window visible while displaying additional information. Floating windows are useful for showing extra information while maintaining a specific context. They can also be used for surveys and advertisements. In this example, a window provides details about a movie that otherwise would overwhelm the page, or require going to another page.

Background

Some PROCESS FUNNELS (H1), CONTEXT-SENSITIVE HELP (H8), CATEGORY PAGES (B8), and EMBEDDED LINKS (K7) need to display information in addition to the current page without taking visitors to another Web page. This pattern describes how you can use floating windows for this purpose.

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PROBLEM

You need to be able to show the customer extra information, while maintaining context and keeping the customer?????s Web browser on the same page.

buy the book to find out more

SOLUTION

magnify image FigureH6.4 Use floating windows to display extra information while still maintaining context.

Use link-based floating windows to show related information while maintaining context. Use automatic floating windows to show surveys and possibly ads when customers enter your Web site. Minimize the use of concurrent floating windows.

Other Patterns to Consider

Use link-based floating windows whenever you need to display information related to the current page such as a FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION (H7), CONTEXT-SENSITIVE HELP (H8), or CLEAN PRODUCT DETAILS (F2) but you don’t want visitors to leave the current page. This situation is common with PROCESS FUNNELS (H1), CATEGORY PAGES (B8), EMBEDDED LINKS (K7), and EXTERNAL LINKS (K8). Consider using DIRECT MANIPULATION (H9) to let customers drag the floating window to a convenient place within the larger window, making it easier for them to see what’s underneath.

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