Riding The Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress

Riding the Crazyhorse:Future Generation WordPress

Jane Wells & Liz Danzico

WordCampSan FranciscoAugust 2008

Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress

Two kinds of people


Eye tracking, New York City, June 2008

The 2.5 Release: Backstory


Findability, consistency, and “transparent design.”


User-focused

Solo Blogger Power User Pro Admin

Consultant Teacher


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


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


Hugecommunityresponse


Real users. Real time.


Real users. Real time. With lasers.

Round 1: Testing 2.5


Lasers!


Media Insight Center, New York


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


Prototype 12.5

Comparative Approach

VS


Participants• 8-12 participants• .COM and .ORG users• Beginner to experienced


Eye tracking


Test Sessions• Use own blog• Perform specific tasks• Use prototype 1• Rate all features


Findings:


Navigation“I can never remember which menu things are in.”


Navigation“I can never remember which menu things are in.”

Recommendation:New navigation model; reducecrowding; increase findability


Dashboard“I never look at it.”


Dashboard“I never look at it.”

Recommendation:New layout; di!erent modules; user control of display


Media Uploader & Libary“It’s trying hard to impress me. I don’t need to be impressed. I just need it to [work].”


Media Uploader & Libary“It’s trying hard to impress me. ... I just need it to [work].”

Recommendation:Simplify; make more visual; clarify relationship


Write Screen“I always forget to add my tags because I have to scroll down.”


Write Screen“I always forget to add my tags because I have to scroll down.”

Recommendation:Two-column layout; drag-and-drop modules


Comments Management“I use a plugin to man-age my comments. It’s much better.”


Comments Management“I use a plugin to man-age my comments. It’s much better.”

Recommendation:Closer tie between commenttext and possible actions


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


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


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


Futuredesign

Actionablefeedback

Our focus

VS


Navigation groupings


Navigation groupings


Wireframe iterations


Crazyhorse

Round 2: Testing Crazyhorse


Iterative ApproachEarly access

Abbreviated task flow

Post-task discussions

Ease of use ratings

Compare performance to 2.5


Findings:


Navigation“I had faster access to more items.”


Navigation“I had faster access to more items.”

Response:Every participant preferred Crazyhorse navigation over 2.5


Dashboard“I would definitely check this when I logged in.”


Dashboard“I would definitely check this when I logged in.”

Response:Every participant preferred Crazyhorse dashboard over 2.5; most would like module control


Media Uploader & Library“Yes.”


Media Uploader & Library“Yes.”

Response:Every participant preferred Crazyhorse over 2.5


Write Screen: Overall“I like being able to choose what goes where.”


Write Screen: Overall“I like being able to choose what goes where.”

Response:All participants preferred Crazyhorse over 2.5


Write Screen: Bottom Bar“Even when I knew it was there, I kept forgetting to look at it.”


Write Screen: Bottom Bar“Even when I knew it was there, I kept forgetting to look at it.”Response:Performed poorly; showeddesire for persistence


Comment Management“It streamlines the process of reviewing comments.”


Comment Management“It streamlines the process of reviewing comments.”

Response:All participants preferred Crazyhorse over 2.5


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!”


Success:A#nityOpportunitiesFramework


Thank you!WordCampSan FranciscoAugust 2008

Business

Riding The Crazyhorse: Future Generation WordPress