Browser-based applications: positive transference or interference?

Abstract

Applications that run on top of web browsers dominate the Internet today. Given the many similarities among these applications' features, positive transference from one to another is often seen as an important source of ease-of-use for such applications. This paper examines the many differences in the way similar features are implemented in different browser-based applications, analyzing the way these inconsistencies can lead to negative transference (interference) that degrades rather than enhances usability.