Enrique Pérez Blog #9

The message of chapter 7 speaks to theme 4 of good design, providing for ease of learning, in several ways. Chapter 7 talks about uniformity and consistency which help users understand, obtain meaning from, and focus when using a website or application. Uniformity and consistency are achieved in websites or applications via visual hierarchy, alignment, proportion, typography, intelligent inconsistency, leveraging irregularity via color and dimension, and implementing design patterns. The utilization of these design approaches allow users to build spatial memory to websites or applications so that users mental models can be supported, therefore making the use of a website or application almost natural to the user.

An example of this is a website that is known to many users of social networking sites, Facebook. When you enter the URL to go to the Facebook home page, your attention is demanded by a dark blue banner that spans the top of the webpage whereas the rest of the webpage is lighter shades of blue with some exceptions of text and other important buttons needed for new users. When a user reaches the Facebook site, most users will read from left to right, first encountering the Facebook name then the login fields located in the dark blue banner. Once a user logs in, the dark blue banner stays at the top of the page, however, the size is smaller now that the focus is the users content. The dark blue banner has all the essentials a user needs to navigate through their Facebook page. Also, located in relatively the same location as the login of the homepage, the user can log out from their account. The Facebook website designers have done a good job in making it easy for users to learn how to access, use, and get off Facebook.

Week 09 Blog Assignment

Chapter 7 is about designing for uniformity, consistency, and meaning. Because it took me longer than anticipated to get out this assignment, and it’s spring break, I’ll make this easier for you.  

Some of the advice in this chapter sounds to me like one of the seven themes: Theme 4 is “providing for ease of learning.” How does the message of chapter 7 speak to this theme?

Provide an example not used in the book or in class and explain it.

 

Bonus magic point: email spring break photo(s) — on the beach or elsewhere — to Marty (msiegel@indiana.edu) !

Steve Flockenhaus-Blog 8

Sorry I'm a little late.  While interacting with the Wufoo site I started to mess around with creating forms.  I added new fields to the form, edited them, and went back to the menu to add a field.  One modeless feature of the site is that while the add a field menu is displayed and the button to "add a field" is clicked, the menu shakes on the screen to alert the user that the menu is already in fact being displayed.  An error message is obviously an unnecessary warning here and the site simply points in the user in the direction of the menu.

When deleting fields from a form a very helpful dialogue box appears on the screen.  This box happens to be document-modal in that a user can still use other windows and other applications, just not the window where the box appears.  The dialogue box explains what happens when deleting a field and that it cannot be undone and even offers a link to export the data first.  Then at the end of the message the options are "Yes, I am sure.  Please delete the field." and "Cancel."  This is a great example of writing helpful error messages.

In an attempt to submit a form with an empty required field Wufoo utilizes modeless text boxes with error messages.  Upon submitting the form Wufoo takes you back to the part of the page where the error occurred.  A message appears above the uncompleted field telling a user there was an error and that it is highlighted below.  The word "highlighted" is also highlighted in the same way as the error so the user knows exactly what the problem is.

One of the features I noticed Wufoo does not support, at least in one aspect, is the use of an undo or revert to saved feature in filling out the forms.  I found when attempting to complete my own form that upon submission there is no way to un-submit or undo a submission of a form.  In this way the site is not very forgiving.

evan Samuels - Blog post #8

The first thing that I notice about the wufoo site was when logging in- there were simple, helpful sentences under the dialog boxes to guide my behavior, but there was no feedback telling me to make my password longer or confirming that I still need to fill out some areas.

However, when I registered, the site was nearly perfect. It immediately informed me that I had no forms and had link that guided me to the first form. When creating my form, it was very hard to make a mistake (Poka-yoke)-- there are a lot of predefined fields and options that immediately changed status to view the appropriate add-on on the screen. If there were any errors, the site made handled it so I did not have not.

However, I did encounter an error when I tried to add an "upload file" field type, which was out of the limits of my free subscription. The site handled this wonderfully-- a helpful error message came up notifying me why I couldn't add the field type and telling me exactly where I could upgrade my subscription to use the field type. After reading this error message, I could easily exit the message window and continue working by clicking anywhere on the screen.

Another issue I encountered was a modal came up when I clicked on another tab when working on my form. Even though it did interrupt my workflow, it clearly informed me that I haven't saved and if I press cancel, I can save my form and continue working, or go where I want and not save my changes. Even though this message modal interrupted my workflow and was potentially unforgiving if I did make a mistake, it was informative and helped guide my decisions so I could prevent them in the future. Surely enough, when I did cancel and save my form, it allowed me move on with my work quickly and seamlessly.

#8 - Nik Spurgetis

After creating an account and logging in, I navigated to the Users tab and attempted to change my email address to something invalid. This was met by both a helpful error message as well as a type of poka-yoke device, highlighting the area in red and prompting me to "Enter a valid email address."

Other students have mentioned the dialog that YELLS at you when trying to navigate away from a form-in-progress. This is indeed fresh (and amusing) and cuts down on the confusion that ensues on other sites when a similar mechanism is employed.

Mark Rodriguez - Blog #8

After I had made my login the site was already using some of Hoekman's error handling techniques. Once you've made a log in is say "Holy tabula rasa! You don't have any forms! Let's go make one!" Simply put, and right in the middle of the screen so it's easy to find. A poka yoke device is used in the beginning of creating a form, if you click the "No Fields! You should add a field" text, it doesn't create a field, instead it shakes the menu to the left, to indicate you've made a mistake, pretty neat actually! When you click field settings and actually have no fields yet, it lets you know with a friendly message in the middle of the text editing part that you need to add a field first. I feel that the whole site doesn't have anything modal really, it's all clear cut and if you have questions about filling out a certain area, it has a little question mark with a friendly message to help you out. And lastly, if you try entering a letter in the number fields, it automatically erases your letters.. this is kinda forgiving/not. In a sense you're being forced to do something else, but it is the right thing to do.

Week 08 Blog

Through out the sign up process I intentionally made mistakes. The site uses detection devices very well. For example, when I was asked for a password, I typed one in but then typed something different in the confirm box, once submitted I was immediately told that the passwords did not match up. Another occurence of the detection device was when I was asked to pick my wufoo URL name, I messed up the sub-domain name and it told me exactly how I was too enter my URL name. These are also good example of inline validation, being able to catch me when I do not enter values correctly.

Blog Assignment #8

As the blog assignment #8, I typed in the WUFOO website to test out the website and see if I can find any of the Chapter 6 error handling techniques used. First, I wanted to find out how the website handles errors which I make. So, I typed passwords that are shorter than 6 characters. And strangely, it worked fine even though there was a description that the password must be at least 6 characters long. However, when I typed in another password at the ‘Verify Password’ box, it highlighted errors with red colors letting me know which part I’ve made mistakes on. When I finished logging on to the website, then I tried to play with making multiple choice forms. While I was working on the multiple choice form, I noticed that there are ‘?’ signs almost everywhere where I make the form. When I click on any of the ‘?’ signs on the website, it specifically showed description of what I’ve clicked on is. I believe this kind of helpful signs can be considered as Poka-yoke on the web. Especially, they can be considered as prevention devices which prevent errors from ever occurring by helping the users with description.

Jeff Lewis Blog 8

Right away while using wufoo I found a message that turns errors into opportunities. It does this by showing a message that states the fact that you have not created any forms and encourages you to do so. It then clearly shows a button that I should click to begin this process.

After saving the form it makes the user feel smart by saying "Awesome. Your form is saved...what do you want to do now?" This makes me feel like I am correctly using the software and I am therefore more likely to use it again.

Another good use of turning errors into opportunities was found when I clicked on "Reports". Instead of saying something rude like "error no reports exist" it says a helpful message that encourages me to create a new report.

When signing in if you mess up on your email address or your password it points out which one is incorrect. This is a good use of inline validation that Hoekman suggests.

blog 8 - janelle velkoff

The first thing I did on Wufoo was sign up for an account, we were told to make as many mistakes as possible so when the password said it needed to be 6 characters I only entered 3, for some reason it accepted this which I thought was odd. When you didn't complete the rest of the sections on the sign up form a red box came up around them, this was a nice way to use a detection device to show the user that there is an issue and where it is specifically located.

When opening the section to create a new form, the first message you get is one telling you that you don't have any fields. It incorporates color and direction to show the user what they should do next, a great prevention device. There is a big green "new" button that means add a new field, you find this out by clicking it and it makes the menu to the left shake. When you don't have things like reports, they write error messages that help instead of hurt. "Oh no. Buddy! You don't have any reports! Let's go make one!" They use colors to encourage users, it makes for a great way to present a message. When you have completed a task it is congratulates you, overall a very easy to use site, fast and fun.

Blog 8

I purposely entered a bad email address in the email field in on the sign-up page and when I tried to submit the form it returned me to the sign-up page with the email field highlighted in red with an error message reading "Invalid email address." This is an example of a detection device.

Once I have created a valid account, the application prompts me to begin making forms. This is an example of a clear and simple message to help keep the user moving forward in the application. While creating a form, I try to navigate away from the page and the application responds by displaying a message asking me if I am sure I want to navigate away from the page without saving. This is an example of a prevention device, because it prevents the user from navigating away from the page and losing their progress.

Tanner Sheridan

Bethany Hufford Blog #8

This first thing I did on Wufoo was sign up for an account where I made my first mistake of not entering a correct URL. After I hit ‘Create an Account’ the same page popped up with all of my information in it, but there was a pink box around the URL I entered that contained red text stating that my subdomain could only consist of letters and numbers. I reentered a subdomain and continued on to the next page.

The home page immediately tells me that I have not made any forms, which tells me what the next step is before allowing me to make an error by trying to do something without creating a form. When I go to make a new form it immediately tells me I need to add fields while also telling me how to do this. This is considered inline validation.

The name thing about Wufoo is their ability of turning a negative error message into a positive learning situation. When no forms or fields have been completed they state that you need to do this while also giving you exact instructions on how to complete this task.

Enrique Pérez Blog #8

When signing up for a Wufoo account, inline validation was not utilized to ensure that I entered the required data (I purposefully did not confirm the account password). In turn, when I clicked on the button to create the account, the page was reloaded with red error messages below the field I left blank, as well as the field for the account name which I was not aware prior to submitting to create the account, that there was an issue with.

I corrected the issues and was taken to the Wufoo homepage. Immediately, an error as an opportunity approach dominates the page. A friendly message tells me that I do not have any forms and that I should make one. I can mouse over the message or click on the new form button that is easy to see.

Once I continue to a new form, the same turn an error into an opportunity approach is used. I'm informed I have no fields in my form and that I should add one. A nice arrow directs my view to the left side of the page where form fields are layed out.

I click on the multiple choice button. The right side of the window is populated with a multiple choice field and form title. As I hover over the multiple choice and title fields, the fields are highlighted by a black dotted box. I intuitively click on multiple choice field box. The left side of the screen where the field selection was before is then populated with fields where I can enter what I'd like for the multiple choice field. I can easily duplicate the field or add a different field from this. The entry fields for the field type follow me down the page as I add fields to my form. This is a nice feature that keeps me from scrolling back up the page.

Once I'm done adding my fields, I click the Save form button. I'm taken to page that says 'Awesome. Your form has been saved.' I'm also given options as to what I can do. I can either continue editing the form, set up email notifications, or finish. Once I'm finished, I can see my form or perform several actions to it.

Using the Wufoo website was simple and kind to use. Despite the lack of inline validation with the account creation, the overall experience of using Wufoo for the first time is excellent. I was able to make a multiple choice form. I was kindly guided how to make a form. When entry fields were populated, I knew what kind of data was needed thanks to the text in the fields that guided me. I experienced no annoying pop-up windows that corrected me or prevented me from doing what I needed. The designers and developers of Wufoo have done an excellent job in preventing errors so that users like me can get, do what is needed, and get off.

Kym Pagel Blog 8

"Turn errors into opportunities" is one of the first things that I notice about this website. You first arrive and the form manager to see an image explaining that you don't have any forms created, which doubles as a link to the form builder. If you go to the Reports tab without any forms then a similar message (but not a link) appears.
Another error I can get, which may or many not actually be an error, is when you select 'Logout'. It opens an inline prompt where you can select either Yes, leave or No, go back. If you select Yes without saving then the following text is displayed in an alert box, which locks activity to other tabs of the program (application modal).
"Are you sure you want to navigate away from this page? \ YOU HAVEN'T SAVED YET AND
YOU'LL BE ABANDONING YOUR CHANGES\ Press OK to continue, or Cancel to stay on the current page."
This is a good idea, but personally I've never been fond of the whole confusing OK=continue Cancel=Stay bit that so many prompts use. This is a helpful error message because it clearly states WHY you are receiving the message.

In general all their error messages are basically the same: they're inline but darken the rest of the page and render it so that it cannot be accessed until the error is dealt with. The site does a good job of displaying what the problem is and why it cannot or should not be done. For example when I try to delete the last field in my form it displays the problem and the reason in exactly the way I just specified. When I try to use content that is limited to users who have an upgraded subscription, an inline text box is displayed, similar to the one achieved when first attempting to log out. It explains why this feature cannot be used and gives instructions on how to get an upgraded subscription. This is a helpful error message, but it is also modal, so it's not perfect.

Chris Hall Blog #8

Right off the bat the application knows that I have not created anything forms and displays a message suggesting that I go and make some. This is as Hoekman puts it “a clear and simple message” which is not cryptic and even offers a link (the whole message is a link) to go and start creating. If you click on one of the tabs toward the top of the page (Repots in this case) the application navigates to that page, then another error message appears telling me that I need a form in order to generate a report. The error message is accompanied by a little comment or saying ("Holy carts before horses” in this case) which also fit into Hoekman’s advice about error messages with says to “Put a positive spin on and otherwise negative situation.” This message does this well (it does not blame the user) but like most things, it could be done better.

Once you finish editing a form and you have saved it the application gives you a set of options to pick, continue editing, setup email, or return to form manager. At the top of this message is the phrase “Awesome. Your form is saved” which lets the user know everything went as planned and makes them feel good about it. This is another example of putting a positive spin on and otherwise negative situation. The application also offers users help in two ways, first by having little (?) links beside boxes which allow the user to access a detailed, yet simple explanation about what that box is intended for. Making this a link makes it so that the user does not have to read any explanations unless they ask for one (by clicking on the link). The second way is with their help page. This application seems to have taken Hoekman’s advice about making full use of your help page to heart. Finally, if you close the page (like on accident) without saving the changes you have made the application kindly generates a pop up message saying “YOU HAVEN'T SAVED YET AND YOU'LL BE ABANDONING YOUR CHANGES.” This is nice for people who accidently click the close button.

Andrew DeVoe Blog 7

I am not an i300 loser!

Week 08 Blog Assignment

Chapter 6 is about error handling, and Hoekman (we learn in this chapter how to pronounce his name — “hook-man”) describes four strategies: use Poka-yoke devices; ditch anything modal; write helpful error messages; and create forgiving software.

WUFOO is a site that allows "making forms easy + fast + fun." Take a look at the wufoo site (you’ll need to create a login; then look at the multiple choice form) and determine if any of the Chapter 6 error handling techniques are used. If so, please describe. To find errors, make lots of mistakes and see how they’re handled.

Mark Rodriguez - Blog #7

I am not an I-300 Loser!

Jeff Lewis Blog 7

I am not an I300 loser...rack em

blog 7 - Janelle Velkoff

I am not an I300 loser.