SEP 54: Sidenotes
Asides, sidenotes, footnotes, endnotes. Whichever is used, there is often utility in being able to include supplementary information without breaking up the flow or focus of a document.
Currently I use footnotes because HTML supports them natively and reliably. This is an occasional source of frustration in that it forces the reader (usually me) to click/navigate to the footnote and back, breaking context and flow, often resulting in not bothering to check relevant footnotes on the go.
Being able to present footnotes beside their context, without having to force them into the flow of the text itself is perhaps the holy grail for such a feature. Below are a couple examples I’ve come across where this is done well.
Relevant reading:
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Sidenotes In Web Design — Gwern Branwen
A particularly thorough exploration of the problem space and the various solutions that have been attempted. Conclusion: none are perfect.
Links to examples:
