This Plus is a Minus

Sometimes people can't leave well enough alone.  This search function is a little odd to say the least. 

First of all there is the circle with the plus in it. Does this have anything to do with the Quick Search box. It's not a standard, expected symbol for launching a search. Plus signs most typically indicate that there is more information available upon click - folders, links. I suppose one could argue that more info (e.g. Search results) will follow but it's hardly a well established metaphor. But - turns out that's what it is. 

Not only that but if the designer thought that this symbol was a good idea and users would know how to use it why didn't he/she at least put it close to the input field so it looked like it was part of the whole process.

C'mon folks !!

Gentlemen - Start Your Engines - or not

 I got this offer to view videos of business software. All I had to do was sign up. 

So I went to the create account section and there was this nice red text and button inviting me to get started. 

Only problem - it was inactive - clicking did nothing. And, right below this area of the page was a form for signing up.

So I'm wondering

1. Since the form is right there why do they need this kind of prompt?
2. If they feel they need it - why did they make it look like an actionable element? No action is required (yes I know - other than fill out the form)
3. I know it's a call to action but the text would have been sufficient. Like I said, the form was about half an inch below. 

Why do I have a problem with this? Because people have preconceived notions about what certain things on a web page represent. The downward arrow looks like it should be clicked to get started.  Some users might interpret this as a necessary action even though the form was close by. 

So, choose icons carefully. Use graphical elements that clearly do one of two things

1. Prompt the user to click to take the next step  OR
2. Direct the user to continue on without having to click on anything

How to make friends even if you don't want to

Social networking tools are really cool. They help us to find old friends, make new ones, locate companies, see who's doing what etc.

One of the more popular ones has this interface. It opens if you click on a name connected to one of your linked "friends" and offers you the opportunity to connect with this friend of a friend, in this example Glenn B..

My question is, why would I need to go through the process of connecting with Glenn when I don't know anything about him except he knows my other friend.

But these folks seem to think I need to connect with Glenn in order to read his profile, see who we both know, and consider sharing details with him before I'm sure if I want to be connected with him at all -I haven't seen his profile, only know of one friend who knows him and haven't shared any details with him yet. 

Gotta go - I have to hook up my horse to my cart, or is it my cart to my horse or...