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0 pointsibejoeb2y ago0 comments

I'm willing to hear your argument. I could have done without you telling me that maybe I'm just out of the loop, because there's a point to be made here. But let me entertain the notion.

What is a modal?

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eropple2y ago

"A modal" is a specific term of art referring to set of UI elements that floats over other content, compels focus, and disallows interaction with UI elements behind it.

That's it. That's what it is. You're arguing with accepted terminology. "Well actually, do ships really have beams, isn't that a light thing?" doesn't really get far either.

ibejoebOP2y ago

I'm not arguing with accepted terminology. I'm explaining the design intent and why it is called what it is called. The reason why the article exists is because there are so many cases where the element is inappropriate. But, as the author says, "Many UI toolkits offer modals out-of-the-box" so it's easy.

Now, about the terminology: why does the element have to float over other content? In-line modal interfaces are very common.

mock-possum2y ago

Not the person you’re replying to so hopefully I don’t derail, but over a decade of ui/ux and front end dev has taught me:

when people say ‘modal’ or ‘modal window’ or ‘modal pop up’ what they mean is: a new element in the same window, that overlays the current view, and must be dealt with before returning to the underlying page.

There are exceptions, but generally speaking that’s what ‘a modal’ is in the context of web ui.

ibejoebOP2y ago

I know, and you're right that it has lost its definition. I'm making a case that that is what has driven the very common poor use of, as in the article here, modal windows. If implementers really, thoughtfully considered the problems and were well apprised of core concepts, it wouldn't happen as often.

Here's a common case for web application in-line modal forms, which are certainly not exceptional: airline ticket purchase flows.

ericyd2y ago

Apologies for the tone, no offense was intended. In my world modals are as common as mud, I appreciate the reminder that we all have our bubbles.

I think Bootstrap is a reasonably standard Modal implementation. This site[1] contains an explanation of usage and demonstrations.

[1] https://getbootstrap.com/docs/5.0/components/modal/#live-dem...

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0 comments

eropple2y ago

"A modal" is a specific term of art referring to set of UI elements that floats over other content, compels focus, and disallows interaction with UI elements behind it.

That's it. That's what it is. You're arguing with accepted terminology. "Well actually, do ships really have beams, isn't that a light thing?" doesn't really get far either.

ibejoebOP2y ago

Now, about the terminology: why does the element have to float over other content? In-line modal interfaces are very common.

mock-possum2y ago

Not the person you’re replying to so hopefully I don’t derail, but over a decade of ui/ux and front end dev has taught me:

There are exceptions, but generally speaking that’s what ‘a modal’ is in the context of web ui.

ibejoebOP2y ago

Here's a common case for web application in-line modal forms, which are certainly not exceptional: airline ticket purchase flows.

ericyd2y ago

Apologies for the tone, no offense was intended. In my world modals are as common as mud, I appreciate the reminder that we all have our bubbles.

I think Bootstrap is a reasonably standard Modal implementation. This site[1] contains an explanation of usage and demonstrations.

[1] https://getbootstrap.com/docs/5.0/components/modal/#live-dem...

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse