Obvious/Fancy/BigNoise vs Silent/Simple/NoNoise

[August1991]

I'm involved with a project that requires a change to the, uh, user-interface.

Some in this project argue that we should make this new "button" prominent to introduce it. (It's new.)

Others argue that we should simply add this new "button" to the menu - since it obviously won't be new in a few iterations.

We generally agree that this new "button" will be popular.

======

I'm inclined to the no-name, simple approach. My reasoning is that users will figure this out on their own; and that's the best way to learn stuff.

[jacee]

Add it to the menu ... In fuschia pink.

Lol

[dre]

I'm involved with a project that requires a change to the, uh, user-interface.

Some in this project argue that we should make this new "button" prominent to introduce it. (It's new.)

Others argue that we should simply add this new "button" to the menu - since it obviously won't be new in a few iterations.

We generally agree that this new "button" will be popular.

======

I'm inclined to the no-name, simple approach. My reasoning is that users will figure this out on their own; and that's the best way to learn stuff.

That's probably a bad idea. Features buried in nested menus often done get noticed or used. If you DO want to nest it in a menu then communicate to your users in other ways.

There is only ONE reason to add a new feature, and that is to generate revenue, and in order to generate revenue from a software release you need marketing. Post an announcement on your entry screen explaining the new feature, with a link to a demo, and updated user documentation. If you know who your users are then issue a press release.

Your post title might has well have been "Revenue and sales VS No revenue or sales".

Edited May 13, 2016 by dre

[August1991]

Add it to the menu ... In fuschia pink.

Lol

Fuschia? We have male-identified users and like Justin Trudeau, they have tattoos on their arms.

Can you suggest another version of pink?

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In all seriousness, what is the best way to introduce something new to a user?

Edited May 17, 2016 by August1991

[August1991]

There is only ONE reason to add a new feature, and that is to generate revenue, and in order to generate revenue from a software release you need marketing. Post an announcement on your entry screen explaining the new feature, with a link to a demo, and updated user documentation. If you know who your users are then issue a press release.

I agree that any new feature must generate future profit. The question is: how to do this.

This firm/site is established. Yet, they want to introduce a major change.

[dre]

I agree that any new feature must generate future profit. The question is: how to do this.

This firm/site is established. Yet, they want to introduce a major change.

I know what the question is... I answered it. Make sure people know its there.

[GostHacked]

Maybe ask for input from the users. Have a simple up down vote and tally the votes.

[August1991]

Maybe ask for input from the users. Have a simple up down vote and tally the votes.

Gosthacked, I generally like your posts on this forum but uh, clueless.

[August1991]

I know what the question is... I answered it. Make sure people know its there.

dre, you missed the point entirely.

In this world, how to make people know it's there?

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For better or worse, I'm going with the Steve Jobs approach; which is life itself: No one needs to know anything until they need it. But it's there when you need it.

[Bryan]

Definitely put it where it makes the most sense from a user standpoint. If it's a stand alone function, fine. But if it belongs grouped with other functions, then that's where it should be found.

Communicating the new feature is a separate issue. That's what user manuals, blogs, newsletters, press releases, ad campaigns, emails, etc are for.

There is the other option, that even Apple does use from time to time, and that's drawing attention to the new feature the first time someone uses the updated software, and giving them the option to dismiss the popup ("don't show me this again")or let it keep reminding them until they get it.

[August1991]

Definitely put it where it makes the most sense from a user standpoint. If it's a stand alone function, fine. But if it belongs grouped with other functions, then that's where it should be found.

Agreed.

Communicating the new feature is a separate issue. That's what user manuals, blogs, newsletters, press releases, ad campaigns, emails, etc are for.

Uh, you have my attention. But I'm suspect.

There is the other option, that even Apple does use from time to time, and that's drawing attention to the new feature the first time someone uses the updated software, and giving them the option to dismiss the popup ("don't show me this again")or let it keep reminding them until they get it.

True, but hard to do - I tend to disagree. Dunno.

And Bryan, that's the query of my OP.

Edited May 26, 2016 by August1991

[August1991]

I'm going with the quiet/no noise approach, and I'll explain why.

This past weekend (long holiday in Quebec) I was at a chalet with several older people. We were discussing something and the discussion required a square root (racine carré, don't ask). I told everyone that if you tilt your phone, it becomes a scientific calculator.

Several older people didn't know this about their phone. When they tilted it - a device they'd known for so long - and saw that it did something new; their face was like a child - learning.

Edited May 28, 2016 by August1991

[?Impact]

if you tilt your phone, it becomes a scientific calculator.

Cool, I think I saw that before but didn't retain it but had to try when I read your message. Probably because generally I calculate in my head, and if it is anything serious I do it on the desktop, more often than not in a spreadsheet. I hardly ever reach for my phone as a calculator.

b.t.w. Why would you need a scientific calculator for square root, you should be able to do that one in your head. If you need to get the sine or cosine then yes, because I have no clue where one would find tables these days.

Back to the original topic (even if too late here). I would suggest never move a function, you will just antagonize your users. If it is new, put it in the proper place and lead them to it for awhile. I think Windows used to do something like that in the start menu, but I am not really a big user there so I might be mistaken. Highlight the menu and new entry (ie. down the hierarchy) until the user has used it a few times (say 3-4). Don't make the highlighting too distracting, just a subtle change in the background or something on the menu item. I think that works better than the "what's new in version 3.1.2.2.7 update 5)" start pages, that I always just exit out of because as proud you may be of your new features you are getting in the way of why I started the application to begin with.

Edited May 28, 2016 by ?Impact

[Guest]

I just learned that right now. Of course, I've only had the phone a week, but still...

[Michael Hardner]

August - this is painful for me to read.

You need an expert in this field, which is called User Interface design, to do this for you.

It's a specialized field, so you will benefit from their expertise. Of course, you can do it yourself, just as you could do your own plumbing, your own electrical work, design your own house, do your own dentistry...

[August1991]

August - this is painful for me to read.

You need an expert in this field, which is called User Interface design, to do this for you.

It's a specialized field, so you will benefit from their expertise. Of course, you can do it yourself, just as you could do your own plumbing, your own electrical work, design your own house, do your own dentistry...

Michael, what you call "User Interface Design" some others have told me is "Information Design". But however it is called, these people (like you) seem to believe that an expert can solve the problem since it's a mere "specialized" technical problem for "experts".

It very definitely is not.

And I'm not even certain that my OP concerns "user interface design" or whatever.

Edited May 31, 2016 by August1991

[Michael Hardner]

Michael, what you call "User Interface Design" some others have told me is "Information Design". But however it is called, these people (like you) seem to believe that an expert can solve the problem since it's a mere "specialized" technical problem for "experts".

It very definitely is not.

And I'm not even certain that my OP concerns "user interface design" or whatever.

Yes, sometimes the practice is referred to by those names, or "User Experience Design".

I could quote you numbers showing the adoption of this field of design into business practice - Canadian financial institutions, for example, hiring their own design groups for their products - or compare it to engineering design in other products and how those progressed through history, and I could show you examples of products that are designed that way vs. not and how much better they are to use...

But if you don't even think that User Interface Design is, or should be, a specialized practice and that anybody can do an equally good job of it then this conversation is a non-starter.

Good luck with it.

[cybercoma]

But if you don't even think that User Interface Design is, or should be, a specialized practice and that anybody can do an equally good job of it then this conversation is a non-starter.

Good luck with it.

This reminds me of the crap my graphic design friends go through with people expecting them to work for free and whatnot. People don't understand the benefits and why you need a specialist for these things because they think every Joe and Sue can do it. Why it's a lot like degrees in the humanities and social sciences.

[August1991]

This reminds me of the crap my graphic design friends go through with people expecting them to work for free and whatnot. People don't understand the benefits and why you need a specialist for these things because they think every Joe and Sue can do it. Why it's a lot like degrees in the humanities and social sciences.

Cybercoma, I think Steve Jobs described Bill Gates/Microsoft as lacking "art".

I reckon that my OP, underneath all, concerns "art" or what is "artistic".