[Search-l] Browser Test

[Jimmy Wales]

Markus Petz wrote:
> At 10.02.2008 20:11, Balinny wrote:
>> There're two logins, one accesible from
>> http://alpha.search.wikia.com/login/login.html which logins you into the
>> search itself, and the social part (friends, actions...) and another one
>> at http://search.wikia.com/wiki/Special:Userlogin which allows you to
>> log into the search wiki. Both use the same password, but you need to
>> log in twice. Yes, it's awkwards.
>> I summarised yesterday the bugs to fix, and sure enough that's one to
>> clean out: http://search.wikia.com/wiki/Known_bugs#Unified_login
> 
> A quick fix (within minutes) would be to make the links more descriptive, 
> "Log in to search" and "Log in to wiki". Though i can not see the 
> difference. I guess i don't use this social part at all and therefoer 
> haven't seen it yet.

Hmm, both links are supposed to log you into both, without trouble at 
all.  The key is a .wikia.com cookie.

>>> - The search page (including results page) should work as simple as
>>> possible, and in no case rely on javascript or cookies etc. to work. Plain
>>> standard HTML is enough for displaying text and links.
>>>
>> I agree with you but i see it unlikely.
>> http://search.wikia.com/wiki/Known_bugs#Search_page_needs_Javascript
> 
> That's like dumping the whole idea. The world desperately needs a free 
> search engine alternative. With a search engine, what has to work in 100% 
> of the cases (not only 99%) is the search page. If it doesn't work people 
> will not use it and they will spread the word. HTML (text and links) just 
> works relyably, JS doesn't. Compare to http://google.com - one of the most 
> simple webpages ever (left away the ads), yet the most successful one. 
> Works without script (though it contains some). Compare that webpage to the 
> wikia search page. Look at it with graphics off - the "search button" is 
> image only - no alt text, no form button if i have graphics off. Lots of 
> menu that has nothing to do with search and a lengthy wiki article (which i 
> expect to be removed after the site is established).

While I do agree that ideally the search should work without javascript, 
I would have to say that given that for 99.9% of all people who attempt 
it, it works fine, this seems of low priority to me to fix.  I don't 
think it is "dumping the whole idea".

Having said that, I would be very supportive of changing it so that it 
degrades more gracefully.  (i.e. for people without javascript, it could 
simply lose some functionality instead of not working at all).

> If i could give advice, i'd say, remove all the unnecessary stuff from the 
> search page, skin, graphics, and especially the JavaScript. Without it 
> you're not responsible anymore for what each browser shows or not. Neat 
> layout can better be done with CSS. I don't say, make it like Google, i 
> say, make it the better Google!

I do agree with removing unnecessary stuff, but for now, the Javascript 
is pretty necessary as I understand the situation.