[whatwg] Modal Dialog Box support

[James Graham]

Charles McCathieNevile wrote:
> On Wed, 06 Sep 2006 01:27:28 +0200, Matthew Raymond 
> <mattraymond at earthlink.net> wrote:
> 
>> Rimantas Liubertas wrote:
>> [Snip!]
>>> Chapter 30 "Using Dialogs" in "About the Face 2.0" [1] by Alan Cooper
>>> makes a good read too.
>>>
>>> [1] 
>>> http://www.amazon.com/About-Face-2-0-Essentials-Interaction/dp/0764526413/sr=8-1/qid=1157449548/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-1456987-0371351?ie=UTF8&s=books 
>>>
>>
>>
>>    So, what, we're supposed to order and read a book from Amazon.com in
>> order to know what you're talking about?
> 
> You could always go to a library. I believe the reference was offered as 
> something useful, should you be inclined to take the time.

But it would be even more useful if we got a short summary of _why_ the chapter 
is useful reading material and what point it contributes to the discussion. At 
the /very least/ something like:

Chapter 30 "Using Dialogs" in "About the Face 2.0" [1] by Alan Cooper makes a 
good read too. It explains that modal dialogs are never a good idea because they 
force the user to work on the computer's terms, rather than the other way 
around. It deals specifically with the issue of databases and suggests ways of 
designing the interface without resorting to user-hostile modal behaviour.

[note: that's all fiction, in case it wasn't obvious. I have no idea if that 
book has even been published in this country]

Even with a short description, you have to bear in mind that the book may not 
have widespread international distribution or may otherwise be hard to find.

-- 
"Eternity's a terrible thought. I mean, where's it all going to end?"
  -- Tom Stoppard, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead