PassageExpress.com

[jefferson]

Hi guys!

I thought I'd allow you guys to be involved on this one if you like.

Judging from comments we've received, we think that our main front menu could use some improvements in user-friendliness. We're considering adding Windows XP-style menus (collapsible areas with icons and links) to help bring some hidden options out to the user, and just to make it easier to use in general. Also, if other rearranging or modifications will make it easier to use, we'd love to do that as well.

I invite your input on the main menu of Passage Express. What was your initial reaction to it? What do you think could be improved?

Being able to tell what's wrong with something is one skill, but coming up with a design that improves upon it is even a bigger skill to have. These interfaces can be hard to design. If any of you have ideas of how you think it should be, let me know! We hope to have an improved menu soon.


-Jefferson-

[Bill Adams]

I will share some thoughts about the arranging of the various steps.

It might be appropriate that, when opening a new file, that some comment appear about Importing a new set of data rather than just having that green downloasd arrow. That green Arrow is just not intuitive to me to meqn download.

To my way of thinking, the Project builder button is pretty self-explanatory. But the options under it are not complete.
Earlier, I had a comment on here about the Front Page. To me, the Front Page is a part of Project Builder. Does not seem intuitive to me that such should be under CD-ROM etc.

I would also suggest that you consider a separate button to Test Project. I like having that option but, again, it just does not seem right for that to be under CD-ROM etc.

These are submitted for your consideration. Will look forward to seeing the new layout.

Kindness to all

Bill

[Tricia (UK)]

I'm not a beta tester but agree with Bill about the placing of front page designer and Test.

[To me, the Front Page is a part of Project Builder. Does not seem intuitive to me that such should be under CD-ROM etc.

I would also suggest that you consider a separate button to Test Project. I like having that option but, again, it just does not seem right for that to be under CD-ROM etc. quote]

Secondly, I don't like the fact that I can't see the whole of the front page as I'm designing it. Loretta says it is because of my screen resolution but I don't have a problem with any other program and Fam History CD was fine. In fact I am keeping FH CD on my computer just to design my front pages as I find it difficult to do on PE.

Could the icons etc on the panel at the top and the bottom panel be smaller & neater to allow more room for the front page designer panel? They seem to me to be too chunky and and are taking up a lot of space.

For me the whole program is too fussy (I think you Americans say busy) and has too many strong colours compared with Family History CD which was much more restful on the eye.

Sorry to be critical when you are doing a good job and I know it isn't easy to please everyone.

Tricia

[jefferson]

Hi!

Here's what I'm thinking for the main menu. I'm hoping that it's simpler and easier to navigate. I'll try and make things less "fussy" as well, Tricia. Let me know if you have any other suggestions.

What do you think of this layout?


-Jefferson Shupe-


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[tdew]

I like it, but then I've liked all of the improvements as the program has evolved. I think incorporating the design of the front page into the project builder is great. It really does belong there.
I do like the new colors though. At first I was not sure abut them, but the more sedate tones are not jarring even if the project is on the serious side.
There is always a bit of learning to do with every new program, that's why a forum like this is such a great thing.

Terry

[wagb278]

I too had a problem with associating the Front Page with the CD, and not the Project Builder. Your new design seems more logical to me.

Might I suggest a first time usage screen that includes a basic intro about the sequence to build a project. Explain that a Project has two parts, content (use the Project Builder) and a Front Page (Presentation Screen-Menu). etc. etc. etc.

Maybe Project Builder should be renamed to Content Builder, or Project Content.

In my opinion, Import belongs within the Project Builder, unless someone is importing and entire Project that was previously created. The Import Project item on your propsed sample screen might be changed to Import Entire Project, or Import Existing Project and it shoudl use a different Icon than the Import (folder, or Genealogy file) within Project Builder.

Having a TEST button on the main screen is a good idea, but make it actove only if both parts f the project exist (or maybe at least there is a Front Page) without a front page there is nothing to test.

How about a new Project Wizard? That wizard would ceate a blank front page (maybe select from a few templates), ask for a project type, allow for at least one folder to be imported, etc. Using an optional wizard could simplfy the basic user interface (I think - maybe). When PE is opened the user either wants to continue working on a previous project, or start a new project. Because all projects must/should have two parts (front screen and content) mayb a wizard will help new users to the product. You could then use a Face for the program like all/most Windows applications with simple menu bar and a working area.

Does your proposed front screen make any assumptions that the user has Windows XP? that might be a limit you don't want to impose on users.

Should your Video DVD project have a Test Project option?

[Peter Beckett]

Jeff,
looks good to me

Peter

[Tricia (UK)]

Hi Jefferson,

The new main menu page looks much better.

Just a couple of things -

Does the left hand panel really need the photograph corners?
It isn't a photograph and the screen would look much slicker (and dare I say it, less fussy) without them.

Also on the same screen I'm not sure about the colours of the small sample front page - Passage Presentation Menu. It looks heavy and dominant rather than blending in. It might lighten things up and the screen look more balanced if the top area was either black on white rather than white on black or perhaps black script on the medium blue you have used on the screen where we build the project. Hard to know until we see it. Perhaps you can show us the alternatives.

Tricia

[tdew]

[tdew]

Hi Jefferson,

If we're taking votes, I like the corners on the front page - it reminds me of a desktop with a blotter...

Terry

[Bill Adams]

Jefferson

I still have a question. And this may be caused by my lack of knowledge concerning more advanced technology. {I don't own a DVD and have no knowledge of operating such.]

To me, "Preparation" and "Output" are two different things. I see "Burn CD/DVD-ROM" under the Passage Presentation window.

Then I also see "Other Publishing Options" under "Other Options."

Must one consider the kind of output one wants before preparation?

Submitted honestly and openly.

Kindness.

Bill

[jefferson]

Thanks for all your comments! I may make some small changes to the main menu -- but it looks like we'll be keeping the general layout.

One more place that I think could use a little face-lift -- the Project Builder. When you click on the "More Options" button, (or right-click an item) there are quite a few things you can do there. Also, depending on the type of item and the mode you're in, some options can appear/disappear. I'd like to carry that new XP-style interface over to a list of expandable categorized options here.

The problem is -- how to arrange everything. Do we add a column of these options to the right of the listing? Should we put the thumbnail and "move item" boxes underneath it?

Let me know if you have any ideas of what you'd like to see.

[Peter Beckett]

Jeff,
one change that I would welcome in the front design is to be able to open PE, then select the project I wish to work on instead of at the moment, you have to either select a project or create a new one before you can then go to the list of projects. In other words, I like the extended view of the projects instead of the short list at present.

Also I concur with Terry's comment If we're taking votes, I like the corners on the front page - it reminds me of a desktop with a blotter


Peter

[tdew]

Peter,

You can fix that yourself. Open the program and go to Options - then settings. UNCHECK the box that says open the last project I worked on.

Instead, you'll be shown a list of your projects - or even the option to change the working folder to a different one that has PE projects in it.

Terry

[Guest]

I like the example of the Main Menu posted here, I think it makes things a little better to find.

I too vote for the corners on the blotter, and please keep the color combination.