Chapter 1, The Design of Search User Interfaces of Hearst’s Search User Interfaces, surveys searching and related issues from a user interface perspective.
I needed the reminders about the need for simplicity in search interfaces and the shift in search interface design. (sections 1.1 – 1.2) If you think you have a “simple” interface for your topic map, read those two sections. Then read them again.
Design principles for user interface design (sections 1.3 – 1.4) is a good overview and contrast between user centered design and developers deciding what users need design. (Which one did you use?)
Feedback from search interfaces (section 1.5) ranges from the use of two dimensional representation of items as icons (against) to highlighting query terms, sorting and query term suggestions (generally favorable).
Let’s work towards having interfaces that are as attractive to users as our topic map applications are good at semantic integration.