riding the crazyhorse: future generation wordpress
DESCRIPTION
A discussion of the user research behind Crazyhorse, a branch of WordPress being used as a user interface testing bed.TRANSCRIPT
Riding the Crazyhorse:Future Generation WordPress
Jane Wells & Liz Danzico
WordCampSan FranciscoAugust 2008
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Two kinds of people
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Eye tracking, New York City, June 2008
The 2.5 Release: Backstory
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Findability, consistency, and “transparent design.”
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
User-focused
Solo Blogger Power User Pro Admin
Consultant Teacher
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Jane Wells & Liz Danzico
Manage Create Posts Comments
Act
ivity
My Profile Plugins
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
“Refer or relate an old post to a new one”
“Add image to post”
“Post a video”
“Write a new blog post”“Post author”
“Post excerpt”
“Respond to comments”
“Moderate comments(approve/disapprove”
“Change my password”
“Post a photo frommy flickr account”
Blog administrator Advanced users, 2+ years Novice to mid-range, 1 year or less
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
2.5 by the numbersNumbers Meaning471,761
974,368
108
1,455,501
Downloads of 2.5
Downloads of 2.5.1
Number of days out
2.5 known active installs
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Hugecommunityresponse
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Real users. Real time.
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Real users. Real time. With lasers.
Round 1: Testing 2.5
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Lasers!
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Media Insight Center, New York
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Iterative ApproachUsability review of 2.5
Develop prototype 1
Round 1 testing of 2.5 and prototype 1
Develop prototype 2
Round 2 testing of Crazyhorse
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Prototype 12.5
Comparative Approach
VS
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Participants• 8-12 participants• .COM and .ORG users• Beginner to experienced
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Eye tracking
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Test Sessions• Use own blog• Perform specific tasks• Use prototype 1• Rate all features
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Findings:
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Navigation“I can never remember which menu things are in.”
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Navigation“I can never remember which menu things are in.”
Recommendation:New navigation model; reducecrowding; increase findability
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Dashboard“I never look at it.”
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Dashboard“I never look at it.”
Recommendation:New layout; di!erent modules; user control of display
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Media Uploader & Libary“It’s trying hard to impress me. I don’t need to be impressed. I just need it to [work].”
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Media Uploader & Libary“It’s trying hard to impress me. ... I just need it to [work].”
Recommendation:Simplify; make more visual; clarify relationship
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Write Screen“I always forget to add my tags because I have to scroll down.”
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Write Screen“I always forget to add my tags because I have to scroll down.”
Recommendation:Two-column layout; drag-and-drop modules
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Comments Management“I use a plugin to man-age my comments. It’s much better.”
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Comments Management“I use a plugin to man-age my comments. It’s much better.”
Recommendation:Closer tie between commenttext and possible actions
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Response 2.5“WordPress is so easy.” “WordPress is the best thing ever.” “I like it so much more than Movable Type.”
Response Prototype 1“It’s a little less cluttered.” “I like seeing more on the dashboard.” “I like the new comments display better.”
Prototyping the Crazyhorse
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Top versus left navigation | QuickPress | Dashboard Drag-and-Drop | Better ‘Write Post’ visibility | Clearer comments editing | Write screen Drag-and-Drop | Action links on Comments screen | Working Stats on Dashboard | Working Inbox | Improved widget management | Better tag management | Clarify Theme Editor | “Design” versus “Templates” as navigation label | Expanding navigation | Media Library | Media Uploader | Gallery | Media from URL | Enhanced and advanced search | Revised admin bar
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Top versus left navigation | QuickPress | Dashboard Drag-and-Drop | Better ‘Write Post’ visibility | Clearer comments editing | Write screen Drag-and-Drop | Action links on Comments screen | Working Stats on Dashboard | Working Inbox | Improved widget management | Better tag management | Clarify Theme Editor | “Design” versus “Templates” as navigation label | Expanding navigation | Media Library | Media Uploader | Gallery | Media from URL | Enhanced and advanced search | Revised admin bar
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Futuredesign
Actionablefeedback
Our focus
VS
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Navigation groupings
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Navigation groupings
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Wireframe iterations
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Crazyhorse
Round 2: Testing Crazyhorse
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Iterative ApproachEarly access
Abbreviated task flow
Post-task discussions
Ease of use ratings
Compare performance to 2.5
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Findings:
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Navigation“I had faster access to more items.”
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Navigation“I had faster access to more items.”
Response:Every participant preferred Crazyhorse navigation over 2.5
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Dashboard“I would definitely check this when I logged in.”
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Dashboard“I would definitely check this when I logged in.”
Response:Every participant preferred Crazyhorse dashboard over 2.5; most would like module control
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Media Uploader & Library“Yes.”
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Media Uploader & Library“Yes.”
Response:Every participant preferred Crazyhorse over 2.5
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Write Screen: Overall“I like being able to choose what goes where.”
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Write Screen: Overall“I like being able to choose what goes where.”
Response:All participants preferred Crazyhorse over 2.5
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Write Screen: Bottom Bar“Even when I knew it was there, I kept forgetting to look at it.”
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Write Screen: Bottom Bar“Even when I knew it was there, I kept forgetting to look at it.”Response:Performed poorly; showeddesire for persistence
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Comment Management“It streamlines the process of reviewing comments.”
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Comment Management“It streamlines the process of reviewing comments.”
Response:All participants preferred Crazyhorse over 2.5
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Response“I love it.” “It’s definitely better.” “It just seems to flow better.” “More organized.” “It’s more extensible.” “Easier to navigate.” “More e#cient use of space.” “Seems more modern, friendlier.” “Looking forward to using some of these features on a daily basis!”
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Success:A#nityOpportunitiesFramework
Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress
Thank you!WordCampSan FranciscoAugust 2008