[IxDA Discuss] Opportunity to review a small Ajax app together

[John Vaughan]

> Please share your comments with the whole group.
> http://salesforce.maketime.com

Jack,
Great idea.  Thanks for the invite.

Observations:
Basically, we're reviewing the search feature on the left (I'll call it the searchapp).  I'll focus on problems I see, since IIABDFI (if it ain't broke, don't fix it).

The central texturebar, which should allow you to widen/narrow the 
searchapp, does not in fact allow you to make it narrower (so the double 
arrows are kind of a fib).  Besides, it should be possible to make searchapp 
much smaller, as it is primarily a support utility for the focal info to the 
right.  The default minimum looks to me to be about 500 pixels wide - that's 
a burden for smaller screensizes.

The enlargement of the target mouseover on the "tabs" at the top is "fuzzy" 
in the sense that the tabs adjacent to the target are also resized.  This 
focal vagueness is mildly attractive, but informationally confusing.

Some of the column titles are a bit verbose (minor issue, but still...). 
Having "All" and "Leads" tabs next to each other - esp w/ fuzzy enlargement 
(see above) - really doesn't work for me.

Colorful control icons at the top visually distract from content and their 
behavior is not well - or consistently - integrated into the searchapp (see 
below).

The little "x" button on each column heading sure-nuff deletes the column. 
Okaaaaaaay....Now how do I bring the column back?  Oh, I see.  Click on the 
"column chooser" icon (colorful, but not exactly obvious).  The "Column 
Chooser and Utilities" control panel appears (untitled and without 
directions)  in the right panel (which WAS the focal drilldown info), and if 
I scroll far enough to the right I can find the "restore defaults" icon. 
Whew.  Think I'd prefer a popup-like panel more clearly affiliated with the 
searchapp, plus some hints as to what I can do.  The other icon/functions 
hidden in that off-screen column are of a completely different order of 
functionality than the "restore defaults" button (i.e. "contact us", "report 
a Problem").  The "Restore Default Columns" button really belongs in the 
space with the column headings, as it is context-sensitive to the selected 
tab, and might even be toggled on only when appropriate.

Probably helpful if editable "new record" fields highlighted visually (new 
color, outline) on mouseover, to reinforce their functionality.   Another 
option - one I prefer - have a "Add a New [Lead]" button in an appropriate 
spot.  Click on it to display the new row.  The button is obvious, 
unambiguous and action-oriented.

That's it for now.  Interesting app.  Certainly needs some UX help.

John Vaughan
The Communication Studio LLC