Know-How Exchange : Website Critique

I'm not seeing the demo app on my webpage using Firefox...

What did you get? Jay, could you send me a screenshot something?

Thanks.

Don

KSA, yes you're exactly right. This is a demo app, a "teaser".

And the current full version is student-centric...

Thanks.

Don

Oh, the page is supposed to show an "Add Note", "Search", etc. buttons with the "Introduction" text?

If this is a demonstration, then I'd make is blindingly obvious what you want people to do (press the Add Note button). However, people won't really get an idea of how it all works in practice. Since you have tutorials, why not craft a better demonstration of its use (using a screen capture program with a voice over) - and don't add any "sales hype" - just show it being used with a real-world example that showcases how much better your software is than other solutions the student is likely to use.

Jay,

To your paragraph 1, yes.

And to your suggestions, and yes too, good points, implemented, please check it out.

Thank you.

Don

I don't get it. I'm not sure what the benefit is. When I enter information and click "add note" I don't see whatever it is I'm supposed to see. And I don't have the patience to try to figure out what's wrong.

My guess is that your target audience would have the same reaction -- especially if they don't know what the benefit would be if they did invest the time to figure all this out.

If there's anything there worth having, you need to extend it to a legitimate benefit for your target audience, and you need to explain that benefit in a way that will resonate with them. Stress the BENEFIT, not features or instructions for use.

P.S. Maybe the problem is that I don't understand or accept the premise you set up. You're describing someone else's itch, not mine ... so I don't know where to scratch.

@mgoodman,

[When I enter information and click "add note" I don''t see...]

How did the "enter information" happen?

@mgoodman,

Yes, BENEFIT (benefits) should scream for attention. Thanks.

A) Great User/Customer Experience
B) HUGE Time Saving for capturing and use of information

First time through I typed it in the little box in the upper right, then hit "add note."

This time I clicked "add note" FIRST and got a screen where I could type a subject and a message.

Still not sure why I might want/use this, but now at least it "works." The instructions are not clear ... obviously. The fact that I don't read carefully suggests that the instructions as written don't do the job. That search box in the upper right looks like where you're supposed to enter the message. You might want to redesign the page so the box isn't there when there are no messages to search.

(Still not sure I understand what the product is supposed to be/do, so maybe you need to start there before you mess around with screen or instruction modifications.)

How is this different from Windows Notepad?

The search box is pretty standard (many many website provide a similar service).

With regard to the question, how is it different from Windows Notepad?

Try to enter one or two meaningful notes and you'll see...
how intuitive and easily available the information is.

I'm sure I'm missing something. (And I worry that your target audience will have the same problem.) How is this any more intuitive, or more easily available, than Windows Notepad or an email message to myself?

I really don't get it. When I use Windows Notepad I don't have to be online to see my notes; they're saved on my computer. And when I send myself email I can get to the file whenever I'm online; no need to download as long as I can get to Gmail or YahooMail.

So how is this different/better? What am I missing? Don't I have to both (a) have my computer handy AND (b) be online in order to use it?

And as for intuitive, how is it more intuitive than typing an email message or creating a Notepad document? Most of us have done those things before and they feel pretty intuitive. And with Google Desktop we can search whatever is on the computer.

Please explain the core concept. Why would someone prefer this? What's the big-idea benefit? Is it better grades, more sleep, a tuition rebate, hot dates, free food, other? WIIFM -- What's in it for me?

@mgoodman,

+ Intuitive,

See this screen capture,
https://www.knowledgenotebook.com:8600/knDEMO/researchResults.PNG

"I don't have to be online to see my notes; they're saved on my computer."
That's EXACTLY what this program can do as well.
The full version needs to be downloaded and installed locally. The demo app is a teaser.


One of the key/core concepts is,
Info is "Right There" or "Always There", once again refer to the above screen capture ...

Would it translate into better grades, more sleep, yeah, I think so.

Thanks.

Yeah, Phil, good catch and good input, thanks.

With regard to price info, the separate Download page has it.

Also, I'm thinking about creating an even simpler version for people like journalists and every one else other than students...

Cheers,

Don

@Phil Grisolia

Phil,

I'll definitely DO. You can expect a beta version for journalist, business people type ready some time tomorrow. Yes, I've read your profile, EXCITING stuff. Thanks.

@KSA

Kathleen,

Interesting thought. I'll consider it. Thanks.


Don

Guys, here''s an update, I found some minor text formatting issue with IE browser for the beta version, will fix it tonight and have it uploaded tomorrow.

Thanks.

Guys, here's an update, I found some minor text formatting issue with IE browser for the beta version, will fix it tonight and have it uploaded tomorrow.

Thanks.

Another update. The good news is the app is ready (probably at production level not beta) but the bad news is, I need to find a fast connection to upload the file to my server. Please stay tuned.

Thanks.

Phil and all,

It's available now but I don't want to release it to the public yet, please shoot me an email
(donli at yahoo.com) for its download URL.

Btw, the app performance is superlative for my Windows 7 with 4GB RAM and pretty good for a Vista with 1GB RAM among other things.

Cheers,

Don