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+--- Thread: A Critique of Icon Links (/showthread.php?tid=172)
A Critique of Icon Links - Cap'n Coconuts - 12-02-2017
If you're looking at this post on the thread page, you will see a paper airplane icon at the bottom of it. You may click it to send a PM to me, but how would you know that the airplane icon links to that without mousing over it? This kind of link delves into what is called "mystery meat navigation," which has been criticized for favoring aesthetics over user-friendliness.
Besides that, the heavy use of icons may not be very user-friendly, especially those who aren't computer savvy. Icon understanding is based on previous user experience, and thus the current theme's heavy use of wordless icons may confuse people with limited internet experience.
What I'd suggest is replacing the airplane with something more obvious (even just "PM" as a link would be an improvement) and placing immediately visible text beside the icons (for PC users at least).
RE: A Critique of Icon Links - Action Lemon - 12-02-2017
I completely agree with this. Those little icon confuse me on what they do.
RE: A Critique of Icon Links - Kritter - 12-02-2017
Almost all of the current forum icons were default with the skin and I just never got around to changing them. I'd be happy to change it with something text-based.
RE: A Critique of Icon Links - VinnyVideo - 12-02-2017
Some icon links are pretty much universal - almost anyone who's used a computer knows that a magnifying glass means search/find, and that a printer icon lets you print. However, a lot of icon links are not so universal and can be confusing. As noted in the article in the original post, icon links tend to work better on mobile devices than in a desktop environment.