nikunj0202's profile

3 Messages

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742 Points

Friday, April 26th, 2013 7:36 AM

62

Activate Search Bar

Hi,

Whenever I visit any page on imdb, I think that the search bar should automatically get selected so that one can search or write directly without selecting it. It really become easy for the users searching for movies and actors. For demo you can visit youtube.com.

Thanks,
Nikunj V. Pandit

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1.9K Messages

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146.1K Points

12 years ago

You mean have a little chunk of JavaScript to put the focus on it?

If so then yes, I like the idea. Very simple to implement and useful.

30 Messages

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486 Points

Emperor,
Look at all the support we have on this issue.  Can anybody imagine going to Google.com and having to click in the search bar?!  If Google is wise enough--even when they run creative art directing visitors to some special info page (an influential writer's 184th birthday, a holiday celebration, etc.)--they maintain autofocus!

Damnit IMDb just DO IT.

Please!

THANK you.

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4.6K Messages

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236.3K Points

I am not sure why you directed that at Emperor who says he's in support, but most people that like it the way it is are not likely to come here to comment. I just happen to be here and I go from, prefer it the way it is to don't care either way. I rarely start out with a search and when I do, I don't even notice any problem. That said, there are sites where the first field is necessary and they don't activate it...that's damn annoying. I've never noticed a problem with IMDb though and rarely accidentally clickk an add of any kind (can't even recall ever doing it).

Your example is not a good one. Google's only purpose or activity is a search. Sure, the search there should start with the cursor in place. Ask 100 IMDb users what they're here for, you might get 100 different answers.

So, there's that.

There are 45 people in support. The site gets 100 million visitors per month. IMDb tracks clicks and what people are using. I would bet that if there ever is a time where the majority of users have to click and then search, they'd activate it.

So, there's that.

Chalk me up for a vote that it's not worth a change.

30 Messages

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486 Points

My comment was a rant, not AGAINST Emperor, just a rant.  Hope IMDb knows that half the clicks on ads, if they are accidental like mine, should be CHALKED up as zero clicks, not deliberate ad clicks.

1 Message

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108 Points

I don't see any viable reason for IMDb to not have this feature.

When any page loads, you have two options; click/scroll using the mouse, or type something. On IMDB (and almost all sites), the most common thing would be using the mouse. Having the search textbox focused when a page loads would not in any way affect anyone trying to click or scroll somewhere.

IMDb's search bar is probably one of IMDb's most used features since they have it at the top of every single page. When you need to type something, unless its a review or the message board, it will most likely be a search. Even in those cases, you would still have to click/navigate the page using a mouse, then scroll down using a mouse to the typing area. In that case, you would only need a minor extra step, to click where you need to type. 

Implementing this feature would definitely help anyone who wants to perform a search as their first action after loading a page, while not adding any significant drawbacks to the users who wish to use the mouse or write a comment/review.

Just my 2 cents.

3 Messages

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742 Points

12 years ago

Yes, implementing it would be beneficial for all the users.

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1.9K Messages

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146.1K Points

12 years ago

And, while I'm sure the backroom boys know their onions, this is how to do it and why:

http://www.usabilitypost.com/2008/09/...

http://www.mediacollege.com/internet/...

30 Messages

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486 Points

Hi Emperor,
Do you think there's any way we can convince IMDb's decision-makers to just do this?  It makes no sense whatsoever that they are refusing, "not planned" or whatnot.

Thanks!
Jen

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4.6K Messages

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236.3K Points

12 years ago

I like it. A pet peeve of mine, especially sites where, the only thing you can do is log in, and you have to click it first...irks me every time.

It would be helpful here because it's really the only thing to type. Anything else, you're clicking anyway.

Good idea.

30 Messages

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2.4K Points

12 years ago

Would you please write an example website to see Active Search Bar. I'm wondering what kind of thing that is.

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4.6K Messages

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236.3K Points

12 years ago

google.com quickly comes to mind. The flashing cursor is there on the search box when you enter the page. No need to click on it to type in a word.

I would guess it's getting less important though, with the use of tablets and other devices, for which you have to click/touch anyway, just to get the keyboard to come on.

30 Messages

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486 Points

True, but that doesn't necessarily mean tablet users don't also use desktops and/or laptops like my husband and I do.

Thanks for your replies,
Jen

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14.4K Messages

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330.4K Points

12 years ago

The counterargument is that focusing on the search field might get in the way of those who like to navigate using arrow keys or keyboard shortcuts. After all, when you visit a page, the first thing you want to do isn't necessarily to search for something else.

So it is not true that it would be beneficial to all users.

3 Messages

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742 Points

Suppose if any user is using keyboard, and he wants to find some actor or movie details then it will become headache for him to navigate to search bar. It takes about 5-6 tabs to navigate to search bar. And if you already have search bar activated, then you can click a tab and can navigate the whole page through keyboard.

30 Messages

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486 Points

Would an autofocus cause a specific problem for those using arrow keys?  Would an arrow key user have to click an additional arrow key twice, for instance?  I'd really like to hear an argument that explains fully all the reasons, precisely why autofocus should not be implemented.

I want to hear from somebody that works at IMDb, directly.

You guys/gals have my email address; if you don't want to reply here send me an email.

Thank you.

30 Messages

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486 Points

Let's take a poll (is there a way to set up polls within this community?) because I'd love to discover how many people use keyboard/arrow keys to navigate this site.

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1.9K Messages

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146.1K Points

12 years ago

Actually that is dealt with in the first link I gave, who link to a slightly fancier version that deals with people using keyboard shortcuts:

http://www.whatstyle.net/articles/51/...

1 Message

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132 Points

11 years ago

Until they fix it, you can use my chrome extension i just made. :)

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/de...

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1.9K Messages

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146.1K Points

Good work.

I assume it'd be easy enough to do through Greasemonkey too.

30 Messages

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486 Points

Tommy,
Thank you!  The script works great in Chrome which we use almost exclusively, especially with IMDb and Netflix.

Take care,
Jennifer

30 Messages

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486 Points

Thank you Tommy.  And sorry for the delay--I'd forgotten my password to log in and resetting it has been on the back burner so to speak.  But I did see and appreciate your work when I was notified :)
Jen

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11 years ago

Worth flagging up that this was suggested earlier and staff say they have no plans to implement it:

https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topi...

Although if plenty of people think it is a good idea and +1 this thread...

30 Messages

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486 Points

Can you do that with this thread (flag it up)?  Thank you for your endless support on this issue! :)

1 Message

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122 Points

11 years ago

The website's content is great, the UI is really annoying.

It's one line of html code to correct this.

Please fix it !

30 Messages

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486 Points

Yes, IMDb -- PLEASE fix this!

Thank you in advance,
Jen

1 Message

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102 Points

11 years ago

I can't imagine why they haven't already done this.

They are not complying with standard Windows practices.

1 Message

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122 Points

11 years ago

Hi,
As a web developer, I would have to agree. The Search field on imdb.com should initially have focus. Hope it gets done...

71 Messages

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2.6K Points

11 years ago

How about a hotkey to activate the search bar? Is something like that possible?

30 Messages

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486 Points

11 years ago

This reply was created from a merged topic originally titled
Auto-focus for the IMDb search bar please?.


Please make your "Find Movies, TV shows, Celebrities and more..." search auto-focus. It would help users like me able to more quickly find what we're looking for.