Great GUI Interfaces...Lousy Newbie Interface
Tuesday, May 24, 2005 by CubaRoad | Discussion: New Users
An open message to All (or Anyone up the chain for that matter)
The Good: Like a kid in a candy store, I've seen some of the most inspired artwork within these pages. The ability to visualize then create is a gift. Kudos to the functional artists who continue the revolution and evolution of Skinning.
The Bad: It appears that SD/WC administrators have lost sight of target audience and best technique to reach them.
The Point: The Admins are doing themselves a disservice by not catering to the needs of the "newbie" from page one. I am a 27-year IT guy so I'm not typically intimidated by technology. However, I became so confused with Stardock v WC, suites v windowblinds and theme managers, objectdocks, etc. that it became too much a bother to figure out. I would find it hard to believe that there have not been a significant number of other "newbies" (especially the non-techie or willing but wary) that became similarly frustrated and left. Customers lost, revenue lost.
The Wrap: Primer(s) are necessary. The interface to the "newbie" needs rethinking. The objective is clear, educate so that "newbies" can explore, engage and enjoy. Fortunately, I know a guy that's equally creative, has made a living at managing chaos and is available to share knowledge with the SD/WC Administrators.
Perhaps this message will find its way to "right" pair of eyes.
Tom
The Good: Like a kid in a candy store, I've seen some of the most inspired artwork within these pages. The ability to visualize then create is a gift. Kudos to the functional artists who continue the revolution and evolution of Skinning.
The Bad: It appears that SD/WC administrators have lost sight of target audience and best technique to reach them.
The Point: The Admins are doing themselves a disservice by not catering to the needs of the "newbie" from page one. I am a 27-year IT guy so I'm not typically intimidated by technology. However, I became so confused with Stardock v WC, suites v windowblinds and theme managers, objectdocks, etc. that it became too much a bother to figure out. I would find it hard to believe that there have not been a significant number of other "newbies" (especially the non-techie or willing but wary) that became similarly frustrated and left. Customers lost, revenue lost.
The Wrap: Primer(s) are necessary. The interface to the "newbie" needs rethinking. The objective is clear, educate so that "newbies" can explore, engage and enjoy. Fortunately, I know a guy that's equally creative, has made a living at managing chaos and is available to share knowledge with the SD/WC Administrators.
Perhaps this message will find its way to "right" pair of eyes.
Tom
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aufisch
Reply #22 Wednesday, May 25, 2005 4:30 PM
Reply #22 Wednesday, May 25, 2005 4:30 PM
Judged by the amount of help/support threads in the wrong forums and by the amount of similar/"has been asked already about 500 times"-threads in the support forum, navigating this site and trying to find the right information here is in fact a problem.
Cordelias help threads are so excellent and I had hasked for a permament place for these post when they were first written. One single linke on the Main-page labeled "Tutorials/Information for the Newbie" or similar would help a lot, not just the newbs, but also the regular users of this forum.
Cordelias help threads are so excellent and I had hasked for a permament place for these post when they were first written. One single linke on the Main-page labeled "Tutorials/Information for the Newbie" or similar would help a lot, not just the newbs, but also the regular users of this forum.
UzEE
Reply #23 Wednesday, May 25, 2005 11:09 PM
Exactly what I was saying. Oh I just saw a tweak yesterday, which wasnt there when the site opened. The Total at the myskins section. That was really needed. Thanx to T-Man for doing it.
There was a "linke" in the previous version on the top "main toolbar" called "Help". There is Something "Almost" Like it here "About Site" https://www.wincustomize.com/AboutSite.aspx in the resources panel on the left side.
I see you "Haven't" read any Informaion about this site. Thats why your getting all the Trouble CubaRoad
Reply #23 Wednesday, May 25, 2005 11:09 PM
| Of course some parts of the site could do with a 'tweak', but there are other things to get right here first |
Exactly what I was saying. Oh I just saw a tweak yesterday, which wasnt there when the site opened. The Total at the myskins section. That was really needed. Thanx to T-Man for doing it.
| One single linke on the Main-page labeled "Tutorials/Information for the Newbie" or similar would help a lot |
There was a "linke" in the previous version on the top "main toolbar" called "Help". There is Something "Almost" Like it here "About Site" https://www.wincustomize.com/AboutSite.aspx in the resources panel on the left side.
| Jafo, I see that your userid is low double digits. Are you one of the Powers? |
I see you "Haven't" read any Informaion about this site. Thats why your getting all the Trouble CubaRoad
aufisch
Reply #24 Thursday, May 26, 2005 4:47 PM
Where exactly on that page do you see a Tutorial or even a link to a Tutorial on how to use the softare and their associated skins? And even if there were one, the "About Site"-page would certainly not be a logical place for such a thing.
Why not have a "Help" tab on top (right next to the Gallery, Newest, Forum....tabs) with all of cordelia's tutorials and all the other tutorials as well as some of the sticky threads by Koasati and other listed. Now that would be wonderful
Reply #24 Thursday, May 26, 2005 4:47 PM
| One single linke on the Main-page labeled "Tutorials/Information for the Newbie" or similar would help a lot" There was a "linke" in the previous version on the top "main toolbar" called "Help". There is Something "Almost" Like it here "About Site" Link in the resources panel on the left side. |
Where exactly on that page do you see a Tutorial or even a link to a Tutorial on how to use the softare and their associated skins? And even if there were one, the "About Site"-page would certainly not be a logical place for such a thing.
Why not have a "Help" tab on top (right next to the Gallery, Newest, Forum....tabs) with all of cordelia's tutorials and all the other tutorials as well as some of the sticky threads by Koasati and other listed. Now that would be wonderful
PurrBall
Reply #28 Saturday, May 28, 2005 5:13 AM
Reply #28 Saturday, May 28, 2005 5:13 AM
Have you already? I'll just send him something titled 'Ease of Use Complaints'?
Frank Leon
Reply #29 Saturday, June 4, 2005 6:12 PM
Reply #29 Saturday, June 4, 2005 6:12 PM
You could just download Theme Manager. http://www.thememanager.net. It would take care of you.
Corky_O
Reply #30 Saturday, June 4, 2005 6:55 PM
Reply #30 Saturday, June 4, 2005 6:55 PM
If the site incorporates a "help" tab (a reasonable idea), I would suggest including direct download links to the user manuals where available.
I am old school, so I always take into account the purchase of a book, or the reading of the included documentation to educate myself. Having everything served up on a silver platter is not my cup of tea, and does not help people become self-sufficient on a deeper level.
Points:
1 - A "help" tab seems like a practical idea.
2 - Focusing the design of this site to primarily accommodate "newbies" seems like trying to follow some sort of current business trend.
3 - The current design is in fact a nice place to visit and explore, with clear links to libraries, category tabs, a fairly extensive search function, and an abundance of people willing to help.
"Something earned is worth more than something given"
I am old school, so I always take into account the purchase of a book, or the reading of the included documentation to educate myself. Having everything served up on a silver platter is not my cup of tea, and does not help people become self-sufficient on a deeper level.
Points:
1 - A "help" tab seems like a practical idea.
2 - Focusing the design of this site to primarily accommodate "newbies" seems like trying to follow some sort of current business trend.
3 - The current design is in fact a nice place to visit and explore, with clear links to libraries, category tabs, a fairly extensive search function, and an abundance of people willing to help.
"Something earned is worth more than something given"
CubaRoad
Reply #32 Wednesday, June 15, 2005 5:35 PM
Reply #32 Wednesday, June 15, 2005 5:35 PM
I going to be unpopular with my comments, but, there is no badge of honor in spending more time on research than on productivity or enjoyment. This is not stem cell research, nor are we going where no man has gone before, nor, is this a secret society where entrance into the hood is earned by battle scars and grey hair.
Common Problem: A user has downloaded a skin and wants to change font color on a dark skin from black to anything more visible.
Show me where something so basic is discussed, demonstrated, linked to, or, help filed anywhere. If the expectation is that a novice to spend several hours searching, then trial and error, then get frustrated, realize that the wisdom of a forum is required and post a message then wait for a response and hope that the respondent knows what they are talking about...Dream On (and get a job writing tax code).
One might expect that rationale if this was open source, but, last time I checked I paid money for the product. I spent the money because it's cool and I see value. No body said anything about silver platters, I just think that there is room for major improvement the roadmaps.
BTW...being a novice is not a bad thing. I would venture to say that those who are about to chastise me were at one time novices AND were able to tolerate the daylight too.
Common Problem: A user has downloaded a skin and wants to change font color on a dark skin from black to anything more visible.
Show me where something so basic is discussed, demonstrated, linked to, or, help filed anywhere. If the expectation is that a novice to spend several hours searching, then trial and error, then get frustrated, realize that the wisdom of a forum is required and post a message then wait for a response and hope that the respondent knows what they are talking about...Dream On (and get a job writing tax code).
One might expect that rationale if this was open source, but, last time I checked I paid money for the product. I spent the money because it's cool and I see value. No body said anything about silver platters, I just think that there is room for major improvement the roadmaps.
BTW...being a novice is not a bad thing. I would venture to say that those who are about to chastise me were at one time novices AND were able to tolerate the daylight too.
Bichur
Reply #33 Wednesday, June 15, 2005 7:39 PM
Reply #33 Wednesday, June 15, 2005 7:39 PM
While I do enjoy puzzles and figuring things out...
It would be nice to have a link to some simple how to's in case I give up.
It would be nice to have a link to some simple how to's in case I give up.
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Reply #21 Wednesday, May 25, 2005 10:27 AM
No, Just an 'Admin'....
Another side to this is...."anything worthwhile is worth the effort"....