Hi Ben, all, Here are some additional comments, this time more focused on the actual proposal rather than the wider issues surrounding an HTML-based dashboard:
* The whole design is quite dark, which clashes somewhat with various OOo design elements (e.g. splash screen, website, current sidebar...) * There will probably be lots of debate around the size and placement of features - some users will create new documents more often than they open existing documents. Other users will do the opposite. Ideally, users should be able to customize the interface to their needs (i.e., drag and drop 'modules' around the screen, like iGoogle). The ability to sort lists based on criteria adds good value for space. * Do we need a web search within OOo - it's not a browser, after all! If we do go the HTML path, then we could possibly have an inline browser for extensions and dashboard modules - i.e., a lightbox type mini-browser appears on top of the dashboard and lets users download extensions from within OOo rather than launching their browser. This would involve effort from the website maintainers (enabling a secondary, minimalist layout optimized for inline browsing as opposed to the full graphical layout that currently exists - e.g. we wouldn't need the header). This is probably pushing it in terms of feature bloat... but the dashboard has the potential to be a huge productivity enhancer if implemented correctly, and may thus grow from a relatively minor feature to a major one. * Overall, I'd like to see the design become more graphical - i.e., icons for the 'new' section (corresponding to the type of document), and perhaps thumbnail previews for recent documents. The 'Open Document' button is especially ambiguous and not easy to spot - IMO it should be larger and use the appropriate open icon (the open folder) * I like the responsiveness (mouseovers) implied in the mockup - it adds a nice touch of interactivity. * Just out of random pedantic interest, I had a look at the source code, and I have to compliment you on its immaculate cleanliness and simplicity! I'm almost inspired to make one up myself - that is, if I had the time :( I've sent an email to the UX list pointing them to this thread, hopefully they can add their contributions as well. Regards, Ivan. On Wed, Jun 3, 2009 at 1:57 PM, Benjamin Horst <[email protected]> wrote: > Hello, > > I've been working on the Dashboard concept some more and have the following > semi-functional mockup to share. This would appear in the OOo application > window where the start center now appears. > > http://www.laboratory9.com/openoffice/oo_sample.php > > What is the Dashboard? > > The Dashboard idea is an expansion of our existing start center. It turns it > into an HTML and Javascript-based live connection to web services and > communities, while also providing an easy entry point for developers to get > involved with OOo by building new widgets that users can install to > customize their own dashboards. (Developers create these widgets with HTML > and Javascript, which expands the potential developer audience as well.) > > The goal is to provide an attractive interface that differentiates us from > our competitors, and leverages the nature of OOo as a single program, rather > than a collection of separate applications. Also, due to its design as HTML > and Javascript, it's very easy to change the look and feel of the Dashboard > very quickly. > > See further description on the wiki here: > http://wiki.services.openoffice.org/wiki/OpenOffice.org_Dashboard_Concept > > -Ben > > Benjamin Horst > [email protected] > 646-464-2314 (Eastern) > www.solidoffice.com > > > --------------------------------------------------------------------- > To unsubscribe, e-mail: [email protected] > For additional commands, e-mail: [email protected] > > --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: [email protected] For additional commands, e-mail: [email protected]
