Fri, 2005-06-03 19:33
Hi. I need to use a sub menu on this page of the site I'm working on and I'm not sure where to put it. I've tried this and that, but can't really decide what looks best. any ideas/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
http://www.subtleasafish.com/test/snu/services.html
I've tried at the top of the middle section, on the left and on the right. it's currently just plopped there without styling. another option is a drop-down menu. I'm personally not fond of dd menus, but I'm wondering if that's the best solution here (and I'm just letting my personal pref. interfere).
awaiting your inspirational suggestion!
many thanks
larmyia
Fri, 2005-06-03 19:47
#1
What sub menu to use?
You could work the menu into your textual description for services.
As things stand now, I read the text and look at the menu options and they don't seem to match.
e.g.
We provide consultancy and research services for residentsâ organisations, local authorities, regeneration schemes, housing associations and central government.
Previous projects have been in (or Our particular areas of expertise are) ...
* Neighbourhood Renewal
* Resident Democracy
* Community Safety
* Environmental Management
Our services are available nationally. They are provided by a committed team with extensive experience gained from working in over 300 neighbourhoods in Britain and Europe.
===
I would think "committed team" should be a link to the people of the organisation, with potted resumes and headshots.
The key is to think about who your audience is and how they will use the site. Menus are good when your audience knows where they want to go and wants to get there fast, in which case the complete menu should be available on all pages. If you expect the user to be more of a browser, reading the page before moving on, then build the links into the page.
Personally I don't like vertical expanding menus. CSS ones are not to user friendly, they disappear as soon as the mouse leaves the boundaries of the element. They appear over the page content. A horizontal submenu may be appropriate if you go with a menu.
Sat, 2005-06-04 10:07
#2
What sub menu to use?
Hi Larmyia
I agree with you about dd menus - even the CSS ones seem to have implications for accessibility (hand movement-wise).
I was reading a thing from Russ Weakley this morning that said he preferred the horizontal submenu - one that I've seen on max design is this:
http://www.tjkdesign.com/articles/dropdown/demo.asp Not yet had the chance to use it myself...
Or possibly have a complete separate menu bar at the top of the main content section for the secondary nav - same design as your main nav - maybe in the active li colour from the main menu to link it visually to the main menu.
Sat, 2005-06-04 11:07
#3
What sub menu to use?
This is still a ways off, but something to keep in mind. Xhtml 2.0 will have a new type of list - a nl, or navigation list. They state that uls ad dls were never meant for navigation. Looking for the link...
Sat, 2005-06-04 21:59
#4
What sub menu to use?
Chris: I hear what you're saying. I have to admit that I was so focused on getting the layout down that I didn't really read the text properly. I've been given a very specific layout format by the company and even thought there is some room for changes.... ah you know how it is. I have to think over what you've said some more.
HellsBells: I think that is what I'm going to go for. the link you gave was very interesting. much better than traditional dd menus. however, don't know about the cross-browser situation, and with my current layout...we'll see. but interested to see it in use. let me know if you end up using it somewhere.
wolfcry: am interested to read more about this. am not suprised actually.
well, need to think of it more. will let you know what I decided upon and submit it for your valued opinion 
larmyia