[prev in list] [next in list] [prev in thread] [next in thread] 

List:       kde-look
Subject:    Re: Fwd: App-starting notification is half done
From:       "Tom Hoferek" <tomh () corel ! com>
Date:       2000-04-13 21:55:32
[Download RAW message or body]

I had an experience with a very similar situation that was successfully
addressed in the manner described below - animating to the task bar. I think
it lends confirmation to the merit of this idea. read on if you're interested
in knowing about it.

At the time we were developing an application for novice computer users. A
sort of intercative help panel was used to lead the users through chosen
tasks. Some steps in the tasks would invoke dialog boxes. Some of these dialog
boxes could be invoked from toolbar buttons. We did some usability testing
were we had users perform a series of similar tasks. We held a number of
sessions of these usability tests. In some sessions we included an animiation
of a dialog 'growing' out from its toolbar button when invoked and then
'shrinking' back into its toolbar button when closed. In some sessions we did
not include these animations. All users, being novices and seeing this
application for the first time started out performing the tasks using the
interactive help panel. Those who were not presented with the animation relied
more heavily on the help panel than those who were presented with the
animation. It was very evident that the animation helped teach users where
these things (dialog boxes) were coming from and going to.

I think this points out the effectiveness that this sort of animation can have

Tom.

Steven D'Aprano wrote:

> Paul Oswald wrote:
> >
> > The zooming rectangle is a little more intuitive because it directs your
> > attention tho the task bar where the information is.... my only question
> > is.... will it always zoom the same sized rectangle to the taskbar? I
> > think it should start at 1 pixel in width and then zoom out to the width
> > of the taskbar entry (approx.) Is this what every one else is thinking
> > of?
>
> Thinking about it, I like this better than my original idea of zooming
> out to the edge of the screen. Its intuitive, and it will draw
> people's attention to Rik's excellent work at placing the taskbar
> entry, instead of drawing their attention away from it.
>
> > Also, perhaps when the application finally draws out it's window, it
> > draws a zoom box out from the taskbar. This would continue (and
> > complete) the loading process indication. That way a window will always
> > be animated as it is minimized/maximized/loading/drawing.
> [snip]
> > This could also be used when a small popup window is drawn so that the
> > user has an idea that somthing happened.
>
> Yes! Lovely idea.
>
> --
> Steven D'Aprano

[prev in list] [next in list] [prev in thread] [next in thread]