I would like to use this thread to discuss VW functionality and how to improve it.
#1) Above wiki's there is this bar, which might seem logical for a coder, but will surely confuse the average user:
Attachment 1304
'Use these controls to inject wiki content on this page'
Functions should be very clear in what its for and users should do.
The whole point of using Vaultwiki instead of mediawiki is that mediawiki needs users to understand all kinds of difficult code and functions, while Vaultwiki can be used by users who understand forum functionality.
#2) When browsing through the categories, I am easily lost and it looks like there are no categories, while there are.
Looking at a category, there is a lack of overview. While a category should provide just that.
Layout should be improved to provide better overview of categories.
Attachment 1305
A user has many buttons & functions to:
- edit the category
- add content
- post a new discussion
- post a comment
- post a comment through the inline editor
There is a lack of intuitiveness here. Its not crystal clear what each function means or what a user should do. The average user will abort in confusion.
#3) 'add content' can mean 'add wiki content', or 'add comment/discussion', so at first sight it seems the same as the other button. Mind that the average user will not look any further than 'at first sight'.
the difference between a discussion and a comment is not made clear. When you click on that button the user is presented with confusing functions. I can't make sense of any of the select a page function. The hovering window makes it more confusing.
Its unclear how to 'add a wiki article to this category'.
#4) Why is a 'add comment' button needed when there is already a large editor there? Its pretty obvious that the user can comment there.
I also think that its needed to make clear that an empty article needs content. Unfortunately I am unable to create an example for you, but here is a category that already exists:
Attachment 1306
#5) Currently an empty article with just a title looks as if its good like it is and does not need content.
A user should be motivated to add to a wiki.
The above article is basically a dead end. The user can do two things: use the drop down functions or leave the site. The page offers no guidance about what to do.
#6) The options in the 'view' drop down are confusing. There is 'list' and 'source'. List of what? What does source mean? How is the user supposed to know this? Or how are you going to inform the user what it means and what to do?
The 'options' tab is equally confusing, as the drop down offers functions without accurately describing what those functions are exactly. Only when trying out these functions it becomes evident. But users will leave the site long before they find out.
How about changing:
'book' into 'add to book' (move this to the bottom, because its still unclear what a book is)
'group' into a description that explains what this does.
'translate' into 'post translated article'
'synonyms' into 'post synonyms' (This function does not work atm, so I am not 100% sure if my suggestion is correct)
'watch' into 'follow' or 'subscribe'
All in all I think that with the design of these pages and functions there should be some serious consideration about
:
- how can you provide the optimal overview for users?
- how can you stimulate engagement?
- how can you avoid confusion and add more K.I.S.S. ?