May 24, 2010
Prototype version 2
Prototype version 2 is made using iWeb, so the original is in HTML. The reason to use iWeb was to make it easier for mixing the prototypein our movie: using QuickTimePlayer for screen recording and iMovie for mixing the clips.
Usability testing with paper prototypes
The Best Friend Club project had 3 usability testing sessions using paper prototypes. Many thanks to Evgeni, Hans and Ebe for their constructive feedback, plenty of good ideas and for investing their time into our school project!
The outcome of the testing was rather good, it gave us lots of new ideas how to improve our web page, and gave a general understanding how the audience sees our page and which feature are important to them, what should be discluded, what should be somewhere else and what is missing.
The in-depth results of the testing are categorised followingly:
The registration process:
The user no. 1 preferred “agree” button instead of “submit”. User no. 2 brought out that we are using Mac logics (“agree” is first or “second”) and suggested that we should use more common solutions instead of Mac. (Here we do not agree because our primary persona uses Mac). He also suggested that we should make a select option for agreeing with our user terms and for those who do not use have “back” button. User no.2 got bored during registration process and suggested that as she already pays for the service, why not leave the whole boring procedure to the service provider, saying that all she wants is a user name and password.
Mentors:
User no.1 couldn’t find “close” button. User no.3 wished the page would be more interactive, she wanted to Skype the mentor or find his/her blog, twitter, fun stories about their work etc. She said it is a bit boring for her. Most of the users did not understand/or were confused what means the word mentor in that context. Is it their or the dog’s mentor?
Donation:
User no.1 wanted to donate KiteKat, but in our page he can only donate money. User no. 3 also wanted to donate food and toys. But when she was thinking about donating money she wished to learn more about how her donation is going to be used (for food, toys, accommodation?). Lessons learned: users need explanation on the web page why they cannot bring their own pet food/toys to the shelter and how their donated money is going to be used. The donation page should look more attractive and should make them feel more sympathetic toward the animals.
Booking:
User no. 1 wanted to schedule more than one date. He also wished to walk with 2 dogs on the same time. It was not clear if the time and date is preselected or not. He also couldn’t find anywhere the opening times for the service. From what time to what time he can go walking with the dog. Is it under contacts, info, main page or booking? User no.3 hoped that she can log on and automatically see her schedule (she preferred calling for scheduling the time for the dog, and wished to see her schedule there automatically). User no. 2 suggested to use the ideology “keep it simple” meaning that there is no point having so many options and selections. Also he didn’t like the idea of booking a living being.
Other users:
User no.1 brought out that when he tried to “add a friend”, he was automatically transferred to “my page”. User no. 3 suggested that page “other users” should be designed with the same logic as Orkut or Facebook. She would also like to see that page integrated to Facebook/Orkut.
General remarks:
User no.1 couldn’t find “log out” button. He also suggested to put “my page” before “booking”. For the sake of keeping the navigation simple and easy he suggested the following: “My page view”: “My page” – “History” – “Booking” (when you log in you can see your dog walking history and continue with the booking process.). For him it was not clear if the my page and other users pages are with the same logic as in Orkut, what can others see, or if some pages/information works as a popup. He suggested to generate a subordinate pages for the main pages instead of the page up menus.
User no. 2 couldn’t find “back” button from anywhere, he didn’t like that the logo of the project is the first button for the menu and that it serves as a way to main page. He also suggested to use facebook and twitter.
User no.3 wished to have opportunities for comments almost everywhere, wanted to upload video blogs and said she would like to twit during walking with a dog.
March 25, 2010
Task
Elis usually takes Liisu for walk. Elis knows that Liisu’s one of the best friend is Pauka and Elis would like to take Liisu and Pauka together out. Elis knows that usually Mati walks with Pauka, so Elis want’s to contact with Mati. Help Elis!
Task
Indrek has been walking with dog Donna for weeks now and want’s to write a testimonial to Donna’s page on portal. Help Indrek!
Task based on scenario
Liisa’s friend Jaak tells her that there is opportunity to ‘loan’ a dog from animal’s shelter and go for a walk. Liisa is very interested about that opportunity, googles it and founds Best Friend Club portal.
Liisa startes to browse the portal and finds one very lovely dog to go walk with. Liisa want’s to go with this dog to walk.
Help Liisa!
March 24, 2010
Story 10: Creating Homepage User ID
Each person who purchases “best friend” packet gets a user ID for the homepage from the administration. Everybody else can create their user ID’s online by identifying themselves. Only the “best friend” packet owners can book the dog walking time. When the person has already created their user ID on the homepage, and they purchase “best friend” packet afterwards, they will be granted dog booking rights.
Story 9: Booking the Dog Walking Time
The user can book the dog walking time online, by Skype or by calling to the dog shelter. When the user decides to book the dog walking time online, the user has to chose the dog he wants to go walking with (is made a default choice but can be changed), make the choice from the times the dog is available (can book several dates and times at once) and choose the place the dog will be delivered (can be made a default choice).
Story 8: Booking Reminder
When logging in the first time user has to define the opportunities how the dog walking bookings are reminded to. The user can choose between SMS reminder, e-mail, iCalendar synchronization, Windows calendar event e-mail, or a phone call on a selected time before the event. The options can always be changed and the cost depends on the user’s packet.
Story 7: Browsing Other Users
The user can browse other users and see the information the other users have made public. The user can comment other users.
