Mozilla is a browser I use every day, but it's not without its UI quirks. Here's an annoying one
- I open a link on a new window (using the right-mouse-button menu)
- I use a different window while waiting for the new one to load
- all of a sudden, the page times out and a modal dialog box pops up to tell me that it timed out and I have to click "OK" to make it go away
In Alan Cooper and Robert Reimann's About Face 2.0, this is described as " interrupting the proceedings with modal idiocy". It feels almost like being called by a telemarketer during dinner and it's just not necessary. A good UI would leave the "ltimed out" message in the window where it originated, where I could go find it when I'm ready.
It's helpful to have a name for a phenomenon. In this case, I hope the name contributes towards its eradication.
