1 welcome to the world of ez-mail e-mail should be for everyone… including your grandmother!!!
TRANSCRIPT
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ObjectivesObjectives
• Introduction• Design Evolution• Summary of feedback provided by
the evaluation team• Changes in response to feedback• Conclusion
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CIDCO E-Mail Appliance
• Customer Reviewer: An electronics fan from Amherst, VA December 31, 1999 – "…Perhaps MailStation could have even fewer
functions, making for more simplicity of operation."
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CIDCO E-Mail Appliance vs. EZ-Mail (2)
• It includes a calculator, a spell check, and a calendar!!
• Why add these extra features, the user wants to send an email and not calculate numbers!
• The user is not lead through!
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FeaturesFeatures
• Requires NO computer skills
• Simple learning curve
• Simple Keyboard
• Touch-screen email
• Small & Portable
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Evolution of the PrototypeEvolution of the Prototype
• 3 Iterations– Step 1: Mock-up
• “go to” type story board mock-up
– Step 2: html prototype• implementation of “go to” type mock-up
– Step 3: improved html prototype• more functionality• more consistency• improved interface
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From From Iteration 1Iteration 1 to to Iteration 2: Iteration 2: Major Changes...Major Changes...
• Changed the method of “logging in”
• Feedback for new messages
• Improved the marker for new messages
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Other ChangesOther Changes
• Address book
• Ability to go to the previous and next message for the current message
• Screen consistency– same colors in all screen– Exit button in the same place on the screen
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Log on EZ-mail
• "Logging on" step unclear.
• "system password" or "select button" ?!
• Navigation by tapping the screen not obvious.
• Registered user, message clear and concise.
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Add New User
• Message unnecessarily long and wordy.
• "Registration form", "system" and "create your account" would intimidate a novice user.
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Registration Confirmation Message
• The user’s email address is provided once after the user creates an account but after that it is nowhere to be found.
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Options: Read Messages & Compose New Message
• User kept informed of number of unread messages.
• Red, flashing "unread messages" indicator should remain present as long as unread messages exist.
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Compose a Message
• "Cc?" & “E-mail list?": Terms unclear to novice user.
• No Cancel and exit EZ-mail options.
• No indication on how the user is expected to move between fields.
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Inbox:List of Messages
• "new/old", "from" and "subject" columns seem to indicate one should get a different response by clicking on each!
• Width of first column disproportionate to that of the other columns.
• No "Refresh"Inbox option.
• No Delete message option.
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Add E-mail address to Address Book
• Task is simple, Feedback is good.
• No option to delete or edit in Address Book.
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Reply/Forward Message
• No option to exit Ez-mail or cancel the action.
• "Cc" & "forward" might be an unknown term to novice users.
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Generalities
• Exiting EZ-Mail– Very easy and very quickly done. But not all
screens have this option.
• Feedback– Title of each screen keeps user informed as to
what the current interface is meant for.
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Generalities (Continued)
• Control & Freedom– Technical support information not required on
every screen. – Advanced user mode more for experienced
users requiring a quicker alternative to PC-based e-mail.
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Generalities (Continued)
• Aesthetics– Nearly identical design and layout of each
screen very appropriate.– Reduce size of EZ-Mail logo.– Take advantage of the screen dimensions by
using "landscape" screen instead of the "portrait" screen.
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General ModificationsGeneral Modifications
• “Cancel” button added to all relevant screens. (Concept of Forgiveness)
• “Exit EZ-mail” added to all post welcome screens.
• Confirmation messages for Destructive action.
• Reconfigured screens to Landscape Format.• Access to Help by touching
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Create New AccountCreate New Account
•Simplification of wordings •Choice of E-Mail address•Cancel Button
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Message ListMessage List
•Delete Functionality•Confirmation Message•Compose New Message Functionality
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How were HCI concepts applied to the design of EZ-mail?
By respecting the founding principles of HCI
• Norman’s principles of good design
• Iterative design process
• Shneiderman’s Golden Rules
• User-centered design approach
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Norman’s principles of good design
• Provide a good conceptual model
• Make things visible
• The principle of mapping
• The principle of feedback
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Iterative Design Process
• Initial design specification phase
• Storytelling prototype phase
• Functional prototype phase
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Shneiderman’s Golden Rules
• Consistency throughout design
• Shortcuts for frequent users
• Informative feedback
• Closure via design dialogues
• Error Handling / Action reversal
• Reduce short-term memory load
• K.I.S.S. (Keep it short and simple)