In the last post I talk briefly about how breaking the back button can be an annoying thing. Today it's the next browser element that AJAX has an eye out for – the loading bar. Sure waiting for a slow page to move can make the meekest surfer steam off techno-stress but even while impatiently staring at the loading bar there's a sense of something actually happening. Something is moving, that means something is happening and even though the keyboard is since long out the window the user is still somewhat waiting in front of the screen for it to finish
Now imagine the same scenario but this time nothing is moving, the form, or button, or link just seems unresponsive, broken. It's no longer techo-stress but techno-rage that takes over. Sure a fast page is one way to go but even the best service providers hits a bump or two once in a while and since the problem is so easily remedied not giving the user some sort of feedback is inexcusable. So just use a loading bar, or a spinner, or other simple way of telling the user that yes – something is happening.
don't know where to get one? Just google AJAX spinner
, or try this