Talk:User interface remarks

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I tried to get as close to the blue Dokeos uses now as possible, but I don't really like that blue either, it's indeed rather bright ;-) I could work with buttons instead of these tabs, and remove the rectangle around is. I just don't know if it'll look good.. I'll give it a try... Sandra

I think the use of buttons is more appropriate for what the functions are about ... teacher/student view are not "categories" nor navigational elements of the site structure ... they are links to some handy extra functionality (not links to other pages). Similar to "help", they provide a feature to the teacher/platform admin, and should not be placed as prominently. --Wolfgang 22:22, 3 Mar 2005 (CET)

I like this interface more than the tabbed view. The tabs kinda' remind me of the interface of Blackboard (which I'm sure wo don't want to imitate ;)). However, it gives quite a nice look to it, and I especially like the Help button to the right (where I'd expect it). The interface with the rectangles is a bit more stylish, but Wolfgang's remark is very true. The navigation buttons or the breadcrumb (for those who like it) is more important and the Teacher/student view shouldn't be so promptly in the face of the user (teacher only in this case). The Help button on the other hand should be obvious enough. -- Frmartens 16:05, 7 Mar 2005

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I like this tabbed view a lot, the title in the top middle also. It's a pity it requires a rectangle around the whole of Dokeos, I always like to suggest an 'openness' by not showing rectangles arond webpages. Perhaps a less intrusive colour? It's quite a flashy blue on my screen... -- Roan

I don't like the tabbed view, it gives the impression as if the two views (teacher/student) were major categories of something ... which they really aren't. This feature is really only a "side product"/"added feature" available to a teacher/platform admin to give him/her a quick access for "previewing" what students will see. This does not have the "importance" level within the structure of the website to warrant "tabs" in such a prominent place.--Wolfgang 22:14, 3 Mar 2005 (CET)

I have to agree with Wolfgangs analysis. The tabbed layout is not really a good approach as it is mainly used for a second (or third) hierarchy and the student/teacher switch is not at all a hierarchy. Pcool

Discussion: multiple ways of navigating

There are 2 navigation tools: breadcrumbs and tool shortcuts. According to Jakob Nielsen (theory of usability) there should only be one way of navigating.

This has been solved, since the administrator can decide if he wants the tool shortcuts to be visible or invisible.

this is only partly a solution ... I would say that the "tool shortcuts" navigation is the real and definitely more valuable navigation in that you can reach all course tools inside the course with one click, whereas a breadcrumbs navigation basically serves as "orientation" of where you currently are in a website rather than serving as a "navigation" tool. The "tool shortcuts" should perhaps be adjusted to not only have a "icons for shortcut" appearance but serve as a proper navigation along the top (or as a button list on the left?) for all pages inside a course --Wolfgang 13:20, 26 Feb 2005 (CET)

Indeed, the "tool shortcuts" have more value for navigation, with access to all tools. The breadcrumb is just a different way of linking to a "go back" button. On the developer meeting I've also suggested for a button list to the left for access to all tools (however, I might have been a little too extreme as my idea was "boo-ed" away ;)). On the other hand this would also mean that you have 2 kind of menubars below each other (the first with profile, agenda and logout links; the other with the tools navigation). Is this allowed according to the theory of usability?. -- Frmartens 15:37, 07 Mar 2005

I do not particularly like the "tool shortcuts". I have more or less systematically been asking users whether they ever used it. I still have to meet the first one who does. It is not difficult to imagine why this is: short term memory can only deal with a limited number of items (5-9 typically) and there are just too many shortcuts. I prefer the collapsable menu proposal. Students will only see the activated items. This together with breadcrumbs will make for a simple and neat interface. --Jmm 14:11, 8 Mar 2005 (CET)--

The "tool shortcuts" do only display the activated icons so your argument about short term memory is not relevant here. The main problem with the "tool shortcuts" is that the icons are not clear. --Pcool

I am certainly one who uses them all the time inside a course ... once I realized what they were! one click to a different tool .. .easy! I'd say that people currently do not recognize those little graphic icons for what they are and what they do ... and so they use the breadcrumbs instead to go back to main menu, click again on next tool, etc. Once this functionality is put into a menu, I would think that folks will use it, and the breadcrumbs will only be used for a better <back> button or all the way back to the start page. --Wolfgang 19:55, 8 Mar 2005 (CET)

oh well ... :-) what was "boo-ed away" seems now to become more liked => see the "leftmenu" proposals.

If a leftmenu with same info ( perhaps some addition)as "toolshortcuts" is decided upon, then the current "toolshortcuts" are no longer needed and would be an unnecessary duplicate. Sandra did have an idea for using the "toolshortcut" icon idea slightly differently in a "collapsed" leftmenu for tools where a leftmenu would be taking away too much room ... if no other solution is found for re-designing them.

As for the menubar with the "my profile | my agenda | logout" etc - I do not like it the way it is now, but have not had a better idea as of yet :-( --Wolfgang 16:16, 7 Mar 2005 (CET)

Maybe we could put something like a button on top, and call it 'my dokeos' or something like that? and put a button with the current course name next to it, and a logout button... ? Don't know how you feel about that ? Otherwise I'll draw something like that to have a look at it? --Sandra

Discussion: colours

According to certain usability rules, a good website only has 2 colors. This two colors could be white and blue, and maybe an extra tint of blue or grey to get a good effect and a clean, professional look.

Suggestion to remove the orange and to replace it by blue frames and to only use one shade of blue instead of three.

users will have to deal with that as they endeavour to incorporate the dokeos application into their institution's website and internet presence. the dokeos distribution package should have a colour scheme along the lines you mention here, but offer a possibility