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Welcome to the world of EZ-Mail

E-Mail should be for Everyone…Including your Grandmother!!!

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Team MembersTeam Members

• Anjli

• Idan

• Mounir

• Rabie

• Rasha

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ObjectivesObjectives

• Introduction• Design Evolution• Summary of feedback provided by

the evaluation team• Changes in response to feedback• Conclusion

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IntroductionIntroduction

•Purpose & Scope

•Old System

•Features

•Usage Scenario

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Purpose & ScopePurpose & Scope

• Simplify the use of email

• Fewer functions

• Improve Interface

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Who is the User?Who is the User?

Everyone!Everyone!

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The Old SystemThe Old System

• Complicated

• Expensive

• Time Consuming

• SOLUTION….EZ-Mail

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Are We the First to think about it?

NO!!

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CIDCO E-Mail Appliance

• Customer Reviewer: An electronics fan from Amherst, VA December 31, 1999 – "…Perhaps MailStation could have even fewer

functions, making for more simplicity of operation."

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CIDCO E-Mail Appliance vs. EZ-Mail (2)

• It includes a calculator, a spell check, and a calendar!!

• Why add these extra features, the user wants to send an email and not calculate numbers!

• The user is not lead through!

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FeaturesFeatures

• Requires NO computer skills

• Simple learning curve

• Simple Keyboard

• Touch-screen email

• Small & Portable

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Usage ScenarioUsage Scenario Mother trying to reach me at school

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Design Evolution

Key decisions

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Evolution of the PrototypeEvolution of the Prototype

• 3 Iterations– Step 1: Mock-up

• “go to” type story board mock-up

– Step 2: html prototype• implementation of “go to” type mock-up

– Step 3: improved html prototype• more functionality• more consistency• improved interface

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From From Iteration 1Iteration 1 to to Iteration 2: Iteration 2: Major Changes...Major Changes...

• Changed the method of “logging in”

• Feedback for new messages

• Improved the marker for new messages

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Login screenLogin screen

1st Iteration 2nd Iteration

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Options PageOptions Page

1st Iteration 2nd Iteration

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Message ListMessage List

1st Iteration 2nd Iteration

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Other ChangesOther Changes

• Address book

• Ability to go to the previous and next message for the current message

• Screen consistency– same colors in all screen– Exit button in the same place on the screen

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Evaluation Stage

Summary and Analysis of Feedback

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Log on EZ-mail

• "Logging on" step unclear.

• "system password" or "select button" ?!

• Navigation by tapping the screen not obvious.

• Registered user, message clear and concise.

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Add New User

• Message unnecessarily long and wordy.

• "Registration form", "system" and "create your account" would intimidate a novice user.

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Registration Confirmation Message

• The user’s email address is provided once after the user creates an account but after that it is nowhere to be found.

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Options: Read Messages & Compose New Message

• User kept informed of number of unread messages.

• Red, flashing "unread messages" indicator should remain present as long as unread messages exist.

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Compose a Message

• "Cc?" & “E-mail list?": Terms unclear to novice user.

• No Cancel and exit EZ-mail options.

• No indication on how the user is expected to move between fields.

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Send Message

• Feedback is excellent!

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Inbox:List of Messages

• "new/old", "from" and "subject" columns seem to indicate one should get a different response by clicking on each!

• Width of first column disproportionate to that of the other columns.

• No "Refresh"Inbox option.

• No Delete message option.

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Read Message

• Affordance, visibility and feedback are good.

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Add E-mail address to Address Book

• Task is simple, Feedback is good.

• No option to delete or edit in Address Book.

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Reply/Forward Message

• No option to exit Ez-mail or cancel the action.

• "Cc" & "forward" might be an unknown term to novice users.

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Generalities

• Exiting EZ-Mail– Very easy and very quickly done. But not all

screens have this option.

• Feedback– Title of each screen keeps user informed as to

what the current interface is meant for.

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Generalities (Continued)

• Control & Freedom– Technical support information not required on

every screen. – Advanced user mode more for experienced

users requiring a quicker alternative to PC-based e-mail.

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Generalities (Continued)

• Aesthetics– Nearly identical design and layout of each

screen very appropriate.– Reduce size of EZ-Mail logo.– Take advantage of the screen dimensions by

using "landscape" screen instead of the "portrait" screen.

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Evolution of the interface

The Final Prototype...

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General ModificationsGeneral Modifications

• “Cancel” button added to all relevant screens. (Concept of Forgiveness)

• “Exit EZ-mail” added to all post welcome screens.

• Confirmation messages for Destructive action.

• Reconfigured screens to Landscape Format.• Access to Help by touching

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Welcome ScreenWelcome Screen

•Simplification of wordings

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Create New AccountCreate New Account

•Simplification of wordings •Choice of E-Mail address•Cancel Button

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E-Mail OptionsE-Mail Options

•Button Style (obvious)•Changed the title

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Compose New MessageCompose New Message

•E-Mail List => Address book•CC is omitted•Cancel Button

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Message ListMessage List

•Delete Functionality•Confirmation Message•Compose New Message Functionality

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Read MessageRead Message

•Forward/Reply•Delete

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Address BookAddress Book

•Choice of E-Mail address•Simplification of wordings •Add/Delete

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ConclusionConclusion

HCI Concepts

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How were HCI concepts applied to the design of EZ-mail?

By respecting the founding principles of HCI

• Norman’s principles of good design

• Iterative design process

• Shneiderman’s Golden Rules

• User-centered design approach

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Norman’s principles of good design

• Provide a good conceptual model

• Make things visible

• The principle of mapping

• The principle of feedback

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Iterative Design Process

• Initial design specification phase

• Storytelling prototype phase

• Functional prototype phase

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Shneiderman’s Golden Rules

• Consistency throughout design

• Shortcuts for frequent users

• Informative feedback

• Closure via design dialogues

• Error Handling / Action reversal

• Reduce short-term memory load

• K.I.S.S. (Keep it short and simple)

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User-centered design approach

• Concentrate on user’s abilities and needs

• Study the user’s work habits

• Provide the tasks the user demands