Microspaces: The next GUI?
September 28th, 2008 by DavezillaMicrospaces represent a new method of nesting content. The concept utilizes Microsoft’s Nested GUI technology to create nested content wells that expand into full (or at least larger) windows on hover. The technique is smooth, easy to grasp and reduces clicks drastically. It also puts an enormous amount of content into a single space. Here’s some examples to give you an idea:
Personally, with tabbed browsing, I’m not sure this will make a big dent in interface design. Then again, there may be uses for it that simple include files or RSS feeds don’t meet. I just can’t think of any right now. 
More information on microspaces is available at NestedGUIs.com. Hat tip: Louis Gray
Tags: Facebook, GUI, Interface, Microsoft, microspaces
September 29th, 2008 at 12:05 am
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October 1st, 2008 at 7:58 am
Personally I find nested content extremely annoying if implemented incorrectly. Facebook’s GUI is fine because the “hidden” content won’t expand unless a button or link is clicked. Some sites (like the SnoopDiggy example) automagically expand content when the mouse hovers over the anchor. This is extremely annoying for people like me that use the mouse pointer to roll over content as I read it.
Really…is an extra click really that difficult? How lazy are we? Tabbed browsing is my preferred method also.
October 9th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
I’m not very enthused about this UI overall. It reminds me of the old Amiga OS and for power users I don’t see it replacing tabs or any other common navigation device. Nested windows have their place, but right now I don’t see that place as the interwebs. It is a nice experiment though.