On the web, Milk is in the front.

[Matthew Theobald]

Nick, All,

The "task flow" rule (Human Computer Interaction/Ergonomic)  is  to put
the
most frequently accessed items in the most prominent places. A workshop
I
attended conducted by the firm that redesigned the FedEx package
tracking
system holds this as RULE 1.   (see http://www.humanfactors.com)  So by
that
rule one would put the Milk in front, because you only have a certain
amount of
time before the user zips back out the door.  In a physical library or
grocery
store this isn't the same because the client/patron is in the building
and will
have a higher tolerance in making the decision to go (drive) somewhere
else.

Realizing the difference between the next comment and
libraries...prioritizing
task flow in this fashion follows with the Amazon and B&N features that
show
what other people bought what other books.

-Matt

Nick Arnett wrote:

> At 05:12 PM 4/20/99 -0700, Dan Kelley wrote:
>
> >Jeez, why didn't anyone tell me this when I was in library school?
>
> I have a serious question related to this, though it may sound a bit
> humorous.  Do libraries often "put the milk in the back of the
> store?"  Grocery stores put milk in the back because it is the item
people
> are most likely to buy, thus they must pass and see other
temptations.  Do
> libraries consciously put the most popular resources in the back, in
hopes
> of exposing patrons to resources they might not have seen?  Or is the
> attitude more often that the patron can be counted upon to explore, so
the
> most popular resources should be in the most convenient locations, for

> efficiency?
>
> I expect that advertising-driven Web resources are already putting the
milk
> in the back, but I haven't taken the time to verify this.
>
> Nick

--
Matthew S. Theobald, MLS
Information Specialist | Webmaster
Indiana Higher Education Telecommunication System
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