[IxDA Discuss] Behavior of "Previous" button

[Peyush Agarwal]

Hi Susan,
I've done some work on wizards and 'mediated interactions' before, and in my experience, from a user's point of view, the system should transparently hold the dirty data - whether it saves it for eternity, or just holds it in cache locally. Also, if changes are made on previous page, then obviously upon 'next' the situation needs to be re-evaluated to determine whether the original dirty data is still applicable. If it is, no harm-no foul and all's right with the world. If it isn't however, then the screen state implies re-entry of data.

An additional trickiness reveals itself if you allow 'save for later' type functionality. So the user goes to previous page then decides to quit for now and return later. In that case, there seem to be equally logical arguments for and against holding dirty data for the next session.

Of course what you want and what tech can deliver often diverge. Your implementation situation may force you to do some excess butlerization (would you like me to save or discard your data, sir) where the user might just be thinking 'just deal with it, freak, and leave me alone!' 

Hope this helps.

-Peyush

-----Original Message-----
From: discuss-bounces at lists.interactiondesigners.com [mailto:discuss-bounces at lists.interactiondesigners.com] On Behalf Of SPatrick at amig.com
Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2007 2:52 PM
To: ixd-discussion
Subject: [IxDA Discuss] Behavior of "Previous" button

I'm looking for a standard on this!  All comments welcome.

When in a web-based, form-based application with multiple pages (Previous,
Next buttons on each page), should the previous button validate/save dirty
data when clicked? Or should user be warned that data on current page is
dirty and be asked to make a decision to either save or continue to
previous page?

Aside from standards, what would your preference be?  Would you assume that
changing data and then clicking Previous would automatically save your
change, or discard it?

Thanks,
Susan Patrick
User Interface Designer
The Midland Company
(513) 947-6072

"Design is a process - an intimate collaboration between engineers,
designers, and clients." - Henry Dreyfuss, Industrial Designer


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