Helping people find things.
WHAT TO PROVIDE
A visible search field Filters appropriate to the data An indication of what is currently applied A way to clear everything
WHAT TO PUT IN THE ADDRESS
The search term and every filter.
WHY
So results can be shared, bookmarked and returned to.
WHAT TO SHOW
The number of results What was searched for Which filters are active
WHAT TO DO ABOUT NO RESULTS
Explain why, and offer a way forward: clearing a filter, or suggestions.
WHAT NOT TO SHOW
An empty area with no explanation.
WHAT TO BE CAREFUL WITH
Searching on every keystroke, which floods the server
WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT
Wait until typing pauses, and cancel superseded requests.
WHY CANCEL
Otherwise an earlier slower response can overwrite a later one.
WHAT TO ANNOUNCE
That results updated, and how many.
WHY
Otherwise a non-visual user has no indication.
WHAT TO PRESERVE
The search state when returning from a result.
