more, Ubiquity Slideshow for Ubuntu

[mac_v]

Phil Bull wrote:
> 
>> The first thing the most of them ask is>
>> 1: where is the start button!
>> 2: They mistake the show desktop button for the start button!
>> 3: other questions are what is this places! and what are these,where is
>> my computer, control panel... any basic familiar Windows Xp jargon
>> 4: They did not realize that applets could be added to the panel.
> 
> Excellent! This is just the sort of thing you need to think about. But
> which personas do these apply to? Do the users quickly correct
> themselves, or do they need documentation to help them resolve their
> problems? I think that most users will find out that the Applications
> menu is equivalent to the Start menu after a few seconds of clicking,
> but maybe there are some personas where they don't.
> 

When they use the show desktop button and nothing happens[since first
start and no windows]. they wonder why its not working...
But the have to be instructed that the applications are the start menu...

People do pick up and understand the menu after it has been told...

But i feel the slideshow could be a nice attractive way to inform...

Categorizing the task, i'd say is easier for me.: they are generally
interested in videos, browsing, im chat.

since i'v introduced them to the new system they dont use the
documentation! i'm their personal documentation!
Sometimes it makes me wonder why i spread the new system!

Regarding documentations: someone else had said that elders are more
interested in reading the documentations , but the people i have
interacted with generally feel, do i need to read soo much to do simple
tasks, which is why i felt this slideshow would be an easy way to get
them accustomed to the Ubuntu environment

>>
>> and in case they need any other softwares other than the ones in the
>> default repos they find it difficult> example the medibuntu repos.
> 
> These things are covered in the system documentation. Why do you need a
> slideshow to help them with this? Can't you just point them to the docs?


I feel that a Slide in the videos/media section  saying
"If Ubuntu doesnt automatically recognize any DVD/CD format,
 Dont worry ,
 All you need to do is install the medibuntu repository from the ...."

I think it is essential to address this because:
1: This is a very well known issue and it wouldnt be a surprise to the
user when he pops in a CD/DVD sometime later.

2: Because they dont realize that they have to use the repos..

3: When the DVDs dont play the user is just informed that the format is
not playable since the codecs are absent. But not informed about the
medibuntu repo.

3: since this comes into the tasks section , and it is essential to have
the medibuntu for several media.
[AFAIK medibuntu needs to be part of the install , but legality is a b****]


Also, *I now understand that you have a well set goal and plan* , which
i didnt realize from your initial mails...


*My suggested improvements to the slideshow would be* :

1: persona seems a good concept... even thought from the example you
have given, "i feel" tasks cannot be specifically narrowed down

but i think using tasks as the segregation is better, because the person
interested in photo , might also want to use Ubuntu for powerpoint/movies

I personally feel identifying the tasks would be a better method, Just
having a look at the layout of the applications menu Should give you a
good idea how to split the slides.[Entertainment/Photo
editing/Chat/Browsing]

If i have understood you right, persona is only for the identification
of the user types as the easy guide to point the direction for the
slideshow development? But the end user is not asked actual questions
during the slideshow to identify the persona? Hope this is the use for
personas and not actually querying the end-user before the start of the
slideshow , which i feel would be intrusive.

2:
Have you checked the Ubuntu tour in the
http://www.ubuntu.com/products/whatisubuntu/810features/
The images images flow from one to the next.

You could use this method, rather than using 3 small screen shots in the
bottom, and 3 lines of text above

 Make the images and text flow behind the single app slide in a loop.
Use the desktop screenshot[800x600] of the application you are
describing as the background . Using max of 15-20 words:

 Example : instead of having 3 screenshots and 3 lines on top

 group them and *run them in a loop* , till the user clicks next

screenshot1 + Use Add/Remove... to install and uninstall thousands of
approved applications from our online repositories.

screenshot2 + The Ubuntu community makes sure these packages are
polished and virus-free to make your life easier and safer.

screenshot3 + Regular updates keep you up-to-date when improvements and
new versions become available.


This will be more visually pleasing in 2 ways
[a]the screenshot is more a regular size of the display,
[b] splitting the lines doesnt overwhelm the user with all the text info
at once.

3: If possible add a pleasant music to the slideshow. Something that
would be present in the examples folder.


Cheers,
mac_v