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Instagram head Adam Mosseri just announced that Threads is getting a web browser version. Could this be the feature that revitalizes the platform?

Fonts play a critical role in design, possessing the ability to evoke emotion, reinforce a brand identity, create hierarchies in a layout, and set the tone of your content.

You’ve no doubt wrestled with menus that have nested menus before. I can’t count how many times I’ve hovered over a menu item that reveals another list of menu items, then tried to hover over that nested menu only to have the entire menu close on me.

That’s the setup for what I think is a pretty common issue when making menus — preventing nested menus from closing inadvertently. It’s not the users’ fault; leaving hover between menu levels is easy. It’s also not exactly the web’s fault; the menu is supposed to close if the pointer leaves the interactive area.

As long as the pointer is hovering over the SVG element, we have something we can use to maintain the nested menu’s open state.

Pointer Events

There are two steps we need to take to achieve this. First, we’ll create a “desired” path that connects our cursor to the submenu.

A triangular shape is the most straightforward path we can construct between a menu item and a nested menu. You can visualize what this triangle might look like in the image below. The green represents the safe area, indicating that it won’t trigger any onMouseLeave events. Conversely, the red area signifies that it will start the onMouseLeave event since we’re likely moving toward a sibling menu item.

I approached this by creating a SafeArea component in React that contains the SVG markup:

<svg
  style={{
    position: "fixed",
    width: svgWidth,
    height: submenuHeight,
    pointerEvents: "none",
    zIndex: 2,
    top: submenuY,
    left: mouseX - 2
  }}
  id="svg-safe-area"
>
  {/* Safe Area */}
  <path
    pointerEvents="auto"
    stroke="red"
    strokeWidth="0.4"
    fill="rgb(114 140 89 / 0.3)"
    d={
      `M 0, ${mouseY-submenuY} 
        L ${svgWidth},${svgHeight}
        L ${svgWidth},0 
        z`
    }
  />
</svg>

Also, to constantly update our safe triangle and position it appropriately, we need a mouse listener, specifically onmousemove. I relied on a React hook from Josh Comeau called useMousePosition in a useMousePosition.tsx file that provides the safe triangle component, designating the mouse position with mouseX and mouseY.

The Safe Triangle

The triangle is the SVG’s only path element. For this to work correctly, we must set the CSS pointer-events property to none, which we can do inline directly in the SVG. Then we set pointer-events to auto inline in the path element. This way, we stop propagating events when they are coming from the path element — the safe triangle — but not when events come from the SVG’s red area.

Let’s break down the path we are drawing, as it’s way more straightforward than it looks:

<path
  pointerEvents="auto"
  stroke="red"
  strokeWidth="0.4"
  fill="rgb(114 140 89 / 0.3)"
  d={
    `M 0, ${mouseY-submenuY} 
      L ${svgWidth},${svgHeight}
      L ${svgWidth},0 
      z`
  }
/>

We set the pointer-events property to auto to capture all mouse events, and it does not trigger the onMouseLeave event as long as the cursor is inside the path.

Next, we provide the path with some basic CSS styles for debugging purposes. This way, we can see the safe area while testing interactions.

The 0, ${mouseY-submenuY} part is the path’s starting point, designating the center of the SVG’s area.

Then we continue our path drawing with two lines: L ${svgWidth},${svgHeight} and L ${svgWidth},0. The former represents the first line (L) based on the SVG’s width and height, while the latter draws the second line (L) based on the SVG’s width.

The z part of the path is what makes everything work. z is what closes the path, making a straight line to the path’s starting point, preventing the need to draw a third line.

You can explore the path in more detail or adjust it using this SVG path editor.

There Are Some Gotchas

This is a relatively simple solution on purpose. There are some situations where this approach may be too simple, and you will need another creative solution, particularly if you’re not working in React like me.

For example, what if the user’s pointer moves diagonally and touches a different menu item? This approach does not capture that interaction to prevent the current nested menu from closing, but that might not be what you want it to do. Perhaps you want the nested menu to close and need to adjust the SVG with a different shape. An “easy” way to solve this is to debounce a cleanup function so that, on every mouse movement, you call the cleanup function. And after some number of milliseconds have passed without a mouse movement, you would remove the SVG element, and the sibling listeners would trigger as expected.

Another example is the navigation paths. A triangle is terrific but might not be the ideal shape for your menu and how it is designed. After doing some of my own tests, I’ve found that a curved path tends to be more effective, closer to Needle’s approach for a safe area:

Needle’s Context Menu Safe Area paths. (Large preview)

Wrapping Up

As you now know, coming up with a solution for nested menus that reveal on hover is more of a challenge than it looks on the surface. Whether a hover-based approach and the clicks it saves are worth the additional considerations that make a better user experience versus a click-based approach is totally up to you. If you go with a menu that relies on a mouse hover to reveal a nested menu, you now have a resource that enhances its usability.

What about you? Is this a UX challenge you’ve struggled with? Have you attempted to solve it differently? Is the “safe triangle” concept effective for your particular use case? I’d love to know in the comments!

Users were shocked to find that all of their images and links posted before December 2014 were broken.

Amazon just changed its rating system, and now every product looks like it has one star. This one could take some getting used to.

Summer has come around in full swing with perfect weather, new opportunities and positive energy – and the best thing about it? All the deals.

If you just got back from your summer vacation and are now itching to get things done, we’ve got your back. Take a look below at the best SaaS companies offering discounts for the summer and shop in advance for an amazingly productive fall season. This is the perfect opportunity to get back in the flow for thriving businesses – and save money doing so. 

Here’s our round up of the best SaaS summer sales!

Jotform

Jotform is a no-code online form builder that offers a ton of sub-products and features.

Users can create custom forms and PDF documents as well as build apps and collect legally-binding e-signatures. Some of the endless ways you can utilize Jotform are creating an online store and selling products, collecting donations, using it as a CRM and building automated workflows that can include approvals.

All of your data is managed within the product and you’re able to create reports, analyze your submissions and take advantage of the many amazing integrations it offers. Jotform can work with all of your favorite tools to ensure you have the most seamless and efficient workflow.

Offer

Jotform comes with a free plan that includes all features.

Paid plans are 50% off until August 18th, 2023.

If-So Dynamic Content

If-So is a simple-to-use WordPress plugin for personalization. This versatile yet simple plugin works with any page builder and on any WordPress site. With its wide range of conditions and additional add-ons, If-So is an indispensable tool that provides endless methods to boost conversion rates, decrease bounce rates, and prevent wasteful spending on your advertising campaigns – all with ease and speed.

Offer

Get 35% off on all Pro plans and up to 40% off on Geolocation plans, with the bonus of including all add-ons (a $314 value). This discount is lifelong and will be automatically applied to future renewals.

Vengreso

FlyMSG is a text expander and writing assistant tool by Vengreso. It helps you type less and do more by automating the written word with just a few short keystrokes. FlyMSG saves top users on average 20 hours a month in personal productivity. It can be used anywhere online, including Gmail, Slack, Drift, Outlook Web, Facebook, HubSpot, LinkedIn, Salesforce, etc.

Offer

FlyMSG has 3 pricing editions for individuals, including the Starter ($2.25), Growth ($5.50), and Sales Pro ($11.00) plans. Each edition offers different features and benefits, such as access to templates, shortcodes, categories, spell check, font styling, technical support, etc. 

Schedulicity

Schedulicity is a simple booking app for service providers like hair stylists, barbers, cosmetologists, and estheticians.

A color-coordinated calendar keeps track of daily and weekly appointments with clients. You can also set recurring appointments for repeat clients – or they can make their own appointment online for free.

Schedulicity has in-app and text appointment notifications, email marketing tools, and customizable policies. You can block clients who repeatedly no-show, set personal time off, and ask clients to sign waivers when they book online.

You also get built-in payment processing, including pay-by-text, and access to free customer support via email, chat, and phone.

Offer

New accounts can access everything on Schedulicity for 14 days for free, including free client booking, sign-up, support, or cancellation. 

After the free trial, pricing for Schedulicity is $34.99/month. Add another service provider for $10/month.

Simpleshow

simpleshow video maker is a web-based AI-powered video platform for creating short explainer videos. The video maker has easy-to-use features for professional results. 

This video maker is a great sales and marketing tool. You can use it to promote your product or service, on your website, on social media, create a product video, in email marketing, in employee training, and for anything that helps you communicate with your audience.

Offer

simpleshow offers a 20% discount when upgrading from free registration to business or pro accounts. 

Sign up for FREE and select your preferred option. Before checkout, add your promo code MYDEAL20 to enjoy this special offer!

See pricing details here.

Conclusion

Make sure to take advantage of these deals to get back in your productive mood and start the fall off with a boost to your workflow. We wish you an amazing rest of the summer and the most productive fall you’ve had yet!

Featured Image by mithun1316 on Freepik

The post Best SaaS Summer Deals appeared first on noupe.

Crafting a compelling UX (User Experience) case study is an art in and of itself. It’s a process that demands clarity, story-telling, and an honest appraisal of your work.

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, artificial intelligence (AI) has evolved as a transformative force, reshaping industries, economies, and societies. However, rather than replacing human capabilities, AI’s true potential lies in collaboration with humans. The concept of human-AI collaboration represents a powerful paradigm shift, where machines and people work together to achieve outcomes that neither can accomplish alone. 

This article delves into the nuances of human-AI collaboration, exploring its benefits, challenges, and the fascinating ways in which this synergy is being applied across various sectors.

The Evolution of AI

The journey of AI has seen remarkable milestones, from its inception in the 1950s to its current advancements in machine learning and deep learning. While its capabilities have grown exponentially, AI’s purpose has evolved too. Originally focused on task automation, AI has shifted towards augmenting human abilities. This transition from automation to augmentation sets the stage for the collaboration we see today.
Today’s AI landscape has transformed significantly. The focus has shifted from pure automation to a more sophisticated paradigm of augmentation. This evolution recognizes that AI’s true potential is unlocked when it collaborates with human capabilities rather than replacing them. It empowers individuals by enhancing their abilities and acts as a complementary tool that provides invaluable insights, processes data at incredible speeds, and assists in decision-making. This shift in approach has revolutionized how industries leverage AI, creating a synergy between humans and machines that drives innovation in previously unimaginable ways. Individuals rely heavily on AIML courses to stay on track with this rapidly growing technology.

Understanding Human-AI Collaboration

The collaboration between humans and AI hinges on harnessing the distinctive strengths of each to achieve outcomes that surpass their individual capabilities. Machines excel in processing vast data sets and executing repetitive tasks with precision. On the other hand, humans contribute contextual comprehension, creativity, empathy, and intricate problem-solving skills. This fusion of talents leads to a collective intelligence that translates into more refined decision-making, heightened efficiency, and the prospect of groundbreaking innovation.

The essence of human-AI collaboration lies in capitalizing on the unique attributes of both components to accomplish feats that transcend solitary efforts. Machines are adept at swiftly processing extensive data sets and executing repetitive tasks accurately, while humans contribute their contextual insight, creativity, empathy, and adeptness in unraveling intricate problems. This amalgamation generates a collaborative intellect that translates into more discerning decision-making, heightened operational efficiency, and the potential to pioneer transformative innovations.

Types of Human-AI Collaboration

Human-AI collaboration manifests in three key forms: augmentation, automation, and amplification. Augmentation leverages AI tools to elevate human capacities. For instance, medical practitioners employ AI-driven diagnostic tools to aid in disease identification from medical images. Automation, conversely, entails AI assuming tasks historically conducted by humans, as seen in chatbots managing customer queries. Amplification involves AI furnishing insights or recommendations that enrich human decision-making. In the financial realm, AI algorithms analyze market data and present investment suggestions, which human investors can evaluate.

Three fundamental dimensions characterize human-AI collaboration: augmentation, automation, and amplification. Augmentation exploits AI tools to enhance human proficiencies. For instance, AI-aided diagnostic tools assist medical experts in identifying ailments from medical imagery. Automation, conversely, entails AI assuming roles formerly executed by humans, as evident in chatbots fielding customer queries. Amplification involves AI delivering insights or recommendations that bolster human decision-making. In finance, AI algorithms dissect market data and propose investment guidance, subsequently considered by human investors.

Benefits of Human-AI Collaboration

The advantages of human-AI collaboration extend broadly. Among the foremost benefits is heightened efficiency. Through automating repetitive tasks, human professionals can channel their energies into more strategic and imaginative pursuits. Furthermore, AI is proficient at swiftly processing and analyzing extensive datasets, uncovering valuable insights that humans might overlook. This data-centric decision-making contributes to elevated accuracy and decreased errors. What’s more, partnering with AI stimulates rapid innovation, given that AI systems can propose inventive solutions derived from their analysis of diverse data sets.

The merits of human-AI collaboration are vast. A primary boon is a substantial increase in efficiency. By mechanizing repetitive tasks, human experts can redirect their efforts toward more strategic and creative endeavors. Simultaneously, AI’s prowess in swiftly processing and dissecting vast datasets unveils critical insights that might evade human notice. This data-fueled decision-making leads to heightened accuracy and minimized errors. Furthermore, the alliance with AI spurs accelerated innovation, as AI systems can offer groundbreaking solutions sourced from their analysis of multifaceted data inputs.

Real-world Applications of Human-AI Collaboration

The fusion of human and AI collaboration spans a wide range of industries. In healthcare, AI lends a hand to physicians by scrutinizing medical images and patient data, leading to swifter and more accurate diagnoses. The manufacturing sector introduces collaborative robots (cobots) that function in tandem with human workers to elevate productivity and safety standards. In customer service, chatbots emerge as rapid responders to customer queries, augmenting overall customer satisfaction. The financial domain benefits from AI-driven algorithms that scrutinize market trends, thereby providing investment suggestions to financial advisors. In the creative sphere, AI-generated content and design support are becoming increasingly prevalent, transforming the landscape of creative industries.

The realm of human-AI collaboration permeates diverse sectors. In healthcare, AI becomes an invaluable diagnostic ally by scrutinizing medical images and patient data, culminating in more precise and expedient diagnoses. The manufacturing landscape sees the integration of collaborative robots (cobots), designed to complement human workers and amplify productivity while ensuring safety. Customer service gets a boost from chatbots, offering instantaneous responses to customer queries and bolstering overall satisfaction. The financial sector capitalizes on AI-powered algorithms that dissect market trends, ultimately furnishing investment recommendations to financial advisors. Notably, the creative domain is also embracing the trend as AI-generated content and design assistance become progressively common, heralding transformative changes in the creative industries.

Challenges and Ethical Considerations

While the potential of human-AI collaboration is promising, it comes with challenges. Ensuring transparency and explainability of AI decisions is critical to building trust. Addressing biases in AI algorithms that could perpetuate existing inequalities is another challenge. There are concerns regarding job displacement due to automation, emphasizing the need for reskilling and upskilling to adapt to changing job roles. Balancing privacy concerns with the benefits of data-driven insights is also a complex issue that requires careful consideration.

Strategies for Effective Human-AI Collaboration

To harness the power of human-AI collaboration effectively, organizations need to adopt strategic approaches. Training through the AIML course and upskilling employees is essential to enable them to work alongside AI effectively. Designing user-friendly interfaces that facilitate easy interaction between humans and AI is crucial. Developing AI systems that can adapt to human preferences and evolve over time enhances collaboration. Lastly, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration between AI experts and domain specialists ensures that the collaboration is aligned with industry-specific requirements.

The Future of Human-AI Collaboration

As AI technology continues to improvise, the future of human-AI collaboration holds immense promise. The integration of AI in daily tasks and workflows will become more seamless. The synergy between human and machine capabilities will likely lead to breakthroughs in fields like healthcare, transportation, energy management, and more. Emerging AI technologies like augmented reality and virtual reality could further enhance the ways in which humans interact with AI systems, opening up new dimensions of collaboration.

Conclusion

Human-AI collaboration is reshaping industries and revolutionizing the way we work. By harnessing the strengths of both humans and machines, we can achieve feats that were once thought impossible. The potential of this collaboration extends beyond efficiency gains—it has the power to drive innovation, solve complex problems, and improve the quality of our lives. As we move forward, embracing the opportunities and addressing the challenges of human-AI collaboration will be essential to building a future where technology and humanity thrive in harmony.

Photo by Cash Macanaya on Unsplash

The post Human-AI Collaboration: Building Synergy Between People and Machines appeared first on noupe.

UIColors lets designers input a hex code and immediately generate a custom color scale for their projects. It’s quick, easy, and surprisingly effective.

To celebrate the arrival of the 2024 Olympic Games, The International Olympic Committee (IOC) collaborated with organizing bodies from around the world to design the Cultural Olympiad programme. Fourteen posters were created to celebrate the occasion.