I often recommend that software developers become familiar with the fundamentals of usability — we are all designers, whether we know it or not. But this takes time. When we are not able to design usable interfaces ourselves, then, it can be wise to rely on frameworks, conventions, and other resources that make design decisions on our behalf. What happens when those resources lead us astray?

The HTML5 specification allows developers to add new items to the context menu. This ability can be useful, especially as the line between web application and native application becomes blurred. But the specification is silent on one very important consideration — placement of custom menu items. Only the following guidance is offered to implementers: