What are the pros and cons of having a label like "Search:" before vs. inside the searchbox? Here are examples of the messages/labels being inside the box:
http://blog.publicobject.com/2006/09/all-vista-search-fields.html
I came up with some pros:
- uses less space
- when the message inside changes, for example because of some other criteria ("search files" vs. "search pdf-documents") the ui-arrangement wouldn't have to change.
The only disadvantage i saw is that as soon as text is typed the message vanishes. Which in my opinion is fine for search-fields, since their location usually makes their meaning clear, also they often contain a search-logo.
Having the message inside the field in a input-form is less ideal, in my opinion. Classical Problem: 'Did i type in my name in the town field and vice-versa now?'.