Hi Ivan,
Thanks for sharing the email with the UX list, and thanks for your
thoughtful comments below. I've written some responses to continue the
discussion.
-Ben
On Jun 3, 2009, at 9:36 PM, Ivan M wrote:
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...)
I did provide suggestions here and that may have been one of mine, but
my friend Justin actually created the design and the HTML. (The mockup
is hosted at his site, so take a look at the root domain to see his
other work.) I'm going to see if he can join this list and get in on
the discussion about design issues.
* 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.
Yes, we should plan for flexibility and user customization from the
start, and drag-and-drop is key. iGoogle was definitely an inspiration
for that. Ideally, we'll specify the starting point and then let
people add or remove as much as they want. On the other hand, many
users won't change it much from the default, so those options should
be sensible and usable out-of-the-box.
* Do we need a web search within OOo - it's not a browser, after all!
Yes we do! :) It might be a stretch functionally, but if we partner
with Google and it provides a fraction of the revenue Mozilla receives
from their partnership, we will do very well to have it.
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.
Either a lightbox, or just move from one page to another like any web
browser or the iTunes Store. Take a close look at the top navigation
section of the iTS, it contains back and forward buttons, breadcrumbs,
and other useful information. We could add a home button, and back and
forward buttons to a similar navigation bar if we choose the multiple-
pages option.
I have started thinking about other features of OOo that might be
displayed in the dashboard instead of where they appear currently, and
some possible ideas include the Help pages and the Preferences/
Configuration, among others.
* 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)
Agreed on the icons and the preview of recent documents (though I hear
that could be technically challenging). Justin and I were planning on
creating more of this, but we wanted to share an earlier draft sooner,
to get it out there.
* I like the responsiveness (mouseovers) implied in the mockup - it
adds a nice touch of interactivity.
I think users will find this very important, based on what I see in
web application design.
* 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 :(
That's Justin's work! I think he did a great job too.
I've sent an email to the UX list pointing them to this thread,
hopefully they can add their contributions as well.
Thanks, again!
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
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