[OPEN-ILS-DEV] Revisiting web client catalog integration

[Kathy Lussier]

Hi all,

After considerable testing of the web client and some follow-up 
discussions with Equinox, I would like to revisit a discussion we had 
last year regarding catalog integration in the web client - 
http://markmail.org/message/zicsno2i7jlshpdb.

I think the use of iframes will be problematic for our users. When 
testing, I've found that if I click to view holds for a bib record, if I 
then click the browser's back button, I don't return to the record. 
Instead, I go back to a different holds view and then back to the 
advanced search screen. See the screencast at 
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B74gDMUDwDXqMXhBMlBmQUI3Uk0&authuser=0.

There are navigational elements in the UI to bring users back to the 
record or to the search results. However, if there is a browser back 
button, people will use it despite those navigational elements. This is 
what makes the iframe issue distinct from what we currently have 
available in the xul client. There is no standard back button in the xul 
client, so people are forced to use the other navigational elements 
available in the UI. We don't have that level of control in the web client.

I am sending this e-mail to see if the collective wisdom of the 
developer community may be able to come up with a solution that will 
work well for our users. My preference is to not use iframes at all, but 
my primary concern is getting the browser navigational tools to work 
correctly.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!
Kathy

-- 
Kathy Lussier
Project Coordinator
Massachusetts Library Network Cooperative
(508) 343-0128
klussier at masslnc.org
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kmlussier