Nice tips for web developers who care about mobile users
Thursday, 26. October 2006, 19:43:10
Roger Johansson posted nice summary about best practices for the mobile web development.
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Link target ID: Clearly identify the target of each link.
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Pop ups: Do not cause pop-ups or other windows to appear and do not change the current window without informing the user.
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Scrolling: Limit scrolling to one direction, unless secondary scrolling cannot be avoided.
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Use of color: Ensure that information conveyed with color is also available without color.
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No frames: Do not use frames.
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Tables layout: Do not use tables for layout.
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Non-text alternatives: Provide a text equivalent for every non-text element.
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Objects or script: Do not rely on embedded objects or script.
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Valid markup: Create documents that validate to published formal grammars.
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Control labelling: Label all form controls appropriately and explicitly associate labels with form controls.
I can testify that new windows are even more annoying in a handheld browser than in a desktop browser. I use Opera in my Nokia 6680 and it does display a meny of the “windows” that have been spawned, but it’s very difficult to notice that a new window has been opened to begin with. Just don’t do it, unless you really have to.

