I just noticed a new link appear next to the user page etc links at top right (in monobook skin):
"Try Beta"
I haven't clicked it, but it seems to be a usability testing thing:
"Special:UsabilityInitiativeOptIn"
Anyone know what this is about, where it was announced, and where we can read about it and discuss it?
I looked, but only found this, which was still interesting:
http://blog.wikimedia.org/2009/07/29/the-abcs-of-usability/
Carcharoth
On Fri, Aug 7, 2009 at 2:15 AM, Carcharothcarcharothwp@googlemail.com wrote:
I just noticed a new link appear next to the user page etc links at top right (in monobook skin):
"Try Beta"
I haven't clicked it, but it seems to be a usability testing thing:
"Special:UsabilityInitiativeOptIn"
Anyone know what this is about, where it was announced, and where we can read about it and discuss it?
I looked, but only found this, which was still interesting:
Ah, it seems I was reading the right thing after all.
From there you can get to:
http://usability.wikimedia.org/wiki/Releases/Acai
And at the bottom it says:
"Opt-in/Opt-out switch and survey: As the features above are deployed as one of the user preferences, Opt-in/Opt-out page allows logged in users to turn on and off multiple preferences for the usability initiative at the same time. Users are asked to participate in a quick short survey when they opt-out. This feature is scheduled to be enabled early August."
Has anyone tried this new skin "Acai" yet? Or the other "Beta" options? What do you think?
Carcharoth
On Thu, Aug 6, 2009 at 9:15 PM, Carcharothcarcharothwp@googlemail.com wrote:
There's a more recent post to the tech blog: http://techblog.wikimedia.org/2009/08/try-the-usability-beta/
Try clicking on it, don't worry it doesn't change the format or anything unless you confirm it and you can always "Go Back" at any time.
It does, however, automatically put you back to the Monobook skin, which is clearly only an issue if you use something else.
~A
On Thu, Aug 6, 2009 at 21:29, Casey Brown lists@caseybrown.org wrote:
Try clicking on it, don't worry it doesn't change the format or anything unless you confirm it and you can always "Go Back" at any time.
On Thu, Aug 6, 2009 at 8:29 PM, Casey Brownlists@caseybrown.org wrote:
Try clicking on it, don't worry it doesn't change the format or anything unless you confirm it and you can always "Go Back" at any time.
Be warned that it confronts the user with an AOL-reminiscent battery of stupid questions prior to disabling.
—C.W.
On Mon, Aug 10, 2009 at 2:33 PM, Charlotte Webb charlottethewebb@gmail.com wrote:
Be warned that it confronts the user with an AOL-reminiscent battery of stupid questions prior to disabling.
Which you can ignore. It's beta-testing, the whole point is to gather feedback and make things better, so I don't have a problem with it. :-)
-- Casey Brown Cbrown1023
On Tue, Aug 11, 2009 at 4:36 AM, Casey Brownlists@caseybrown.org wrote:
Which you can ignore. It's beta-testing, the whole point is to gather feedback and make things better, so I don't have a problem with it. :-)
On the subject, when you click "beta feedback", one of the questions is: ---- What could we have done differently to keep you using the Beta? ----
It seems misplaced. There's no reason to assume the person leaving feedback is going to stop using the beta interface...
Steve
Steve Bennett wrote:
On Tue, Aug 11, 2009 at 4:36 AM, Casey Brownlists@caseybrown.org wrote:
Which you can ignore. It's beta-testing, the whole point is to gather feedback and make things better, so I don't have a problem with it. :-)
On the subject, when you click "beta feedback", one of the questions is:
What could we have done differently to keep you using the Beta?
It seems misplaced. There's no reason to assume the person leaving feedback is going to stop using the beta interface...
Steve
Good catch. Not sure how that question crept into the feedback survey. It was meant for "leave beta" survey. We will correct it.
- Naoko
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On Mon, Aug 10, 2009 at 1:36 PM, Casey Brownlists@caseybrown.org wrote:
Which you can ignore. It's beta-testing, the whole point is to gather feedback and make things better, so I don't have a problem with it.
If you mean "ignore" in the sense of "click away from the questionnaire form without submitting", the user will still remain in beta-mode.
I appreciate the importance of feedback, but I would suggest an alternative approach: A. Go back to the normal skin first, then prompt the user for feedback. B. Put a "skip this" button at the top of the questionnaire, even if it does just submit an empty form. C. (my favorite) Direct all feedback to SOME TALK-PAGE ON THE WIKI (or even to this mailing list).
I should apologize for the harshness of tone. I meant "stupid questions" in this context as opposed to "smart questions", i.e. specific ones asked based on previous responses as during normal communication between humans.
My hypothesis is that you'll get better feedback if users have greater reason to believe someone will read it, address it, and even reply to it.
At least I know I would never have bothered to explain all this in the feedback form (for this exact reason).
Thanks.
C.W.
I'm trying it. It looks a lot like Vector, which I was already using. Haven't really made up my mind about Vector/Acai. Seems like a step in the right direction, but it's not really earth shatteringly better. But then, usability is not really about helping experienced power-users...
Steve
On Fri, Aug 7, 2009 at 11:15 AM, Carcharothcarcharothwp@googlemail.com wrote:
I just noticed a new link appear next to the user page etc links at top right (in monobook skin):
"Try Beta"
I think "Vector" is the skin, and Acai is the usability initiative. A remember reading a blog post where Vector was described as the first element in Acai. Vector itself has been available as a skin for awhile. It's a neat skin, I like it, but I find that I rely (as an editor) on the many gadgets and .js tools attached to my Monobook/Modern skins. For readers and new editors, though, it should work well. I particularly like the left-hand navbar links to featured content.
Nathan
On Mon, Aug 10, 2009 at 1:10 AM, Steve Bennett stevagewp@gmail.com wrote:
I'm trying it. It looks a lot like Vector, which I was already using. Haven't really made up my mind about Vector/Acai. Seems like a step in the right direction, but it's not really earth shatteringly better. But then, usability is not really about helping experienced power-users...
Steve
On Fri, Aug 7, 2009 at 11:15 AM, Carcharothcarcharothwp@googlemail.com wrote:
I just noticed a new link appear next to the user page etc links at top right (in monobook skin):
"Try Beta"
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2009/8/10 Nathan nawrich@gmail.com
I think "Vector" is the skin, and Acai is the usability initiative. A remember reading a blog post where Vector was described as the first element in Acai.
Acai is just the codename for the first release of the usability initiative. "Vector" is indeed the skin part of this, and there is also an enhanced editing toolbar which can be enabled in Special:Preferences (Editing tab). The next release will be called "Babaco", and is in the design stage: ( http://usability.wikimedia.org/wiki/Babaco_Designs). The plan is for four releases in total, all named after tropical fruits. ( http://usability.wikimedia.org/wiki/Releases)
I particularly like the left-hand navbar links to featured content.
Monobook has this as well I believe.
Pete / the wub
Hey you're right. I suppose I forgot it was there and only noticed it again because I was actually paying attention to the interface. Thanks,
Nathan
On Mon, Aug 10, 2009 at 11:14 AM, Peter Coombe
I particularly like the left-hand navbar links to featured content.
Monobook has this as well I believe.
Pete / the wub _______________________________________________ WikiEN-l mailing list WikiEN-l@lists.wikimedia.org To unsubscribe from this mailing list, visit: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikien-l