Not all people are into solving mysteries

The day Javascript was created, web site owners may have
rejoiced at the wonders that man can think of in adding
something to make sites more enjoyable for the readers. The
readers having had some sort of amusement while browsing through
were quite taken by this also. After sometime, people got tired
of figuring out where the links will take them. They have to
mouse over them to find the exact destination they wanted to go.
Sometimes too, this design technique can be quite deceiving.
Telling about a link but once readers is there, they get
disappointed to note that that is not the information they
expect and needed. Too much wasted effort on the side of the
readers just to get something they though would only take a
minute of their time. 

Mystery Meat Navigation, or MMN, is what they call this
technique. Popular but also horrible.

MMN can be very seductive if done perfectly. For those who have
not yet encountered much of this design technique, chances are
they would probably fall into its trap and be hooked even before
they know it and even if they want to or not. They look pretty
cool on sites too and design awards have already been won by
some sites that use this style. MMN makes site look clean and
polished because of the non-existence of long winding texts.
Thus taking the concept of “white space” in effect. 

If you think about all the good attributes that MMN has to
offer, then why do people consider them as horrible? Let us put
it in a concrete example that anyone can relate with. When you
drive down a road, you expect signs along the highway that leads
you to a certain destination or warns you about something that
is important. Put them into the MMN concept. There is no road
sign that wait for people to be near them to tell them what they
say or what they are about. It would be absurd having to take
the effort of getting out of the car and walking towards the
sign to see what they are about. This would be too frustrating
too for those who are in a rush and do not have all the time in
the world. 

That same analogy is what makes MMN a horrible tool for web
sites for some people. They may seem fun at first but the fun
will slowly be converted to frustration and lack of interest.
Many people enjoy mysteries and cannot wait to see what they are
about. But take note of those that prefer going straight to the
point with no effort done at all. 



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