February 15, 2010
The website is generally accessible. In fact, no matter which direction your eyes look there are links to primary functions such as profile, messages, events and so on. However, there is one significant exception: the center of the interface – the content which displays the social relationships and in sum, the core experience of the system.
Questionable components of the new interface:
1. The Logout should not require user interaction – it should be in plain sight, not in a drop down menu.
2. The same goes for my Inbox. Users shouldn’t have to navigate to an icon drop down (not even the word Inbox!) and click ‘See All Messages.’ I realize the left navigation offers direct access to the page but having alerts on the icons guide users in that direction when they desire to send and check received messages. It becomes habit.
3. Moving the home and profile pages from left to right leaves the user confused.
4. Events placement. The 3 column system only works on so many levels. Having the events bottom right in dull text format makes them easy to oversee. Events represent the material form of the friendships users maintain online and should be prioritized.
5. Redundant functions. I mentioned that the website is generally accessible, but perhaps too accessible – the subtraction of redundant links could offer a less cluttered interface, clearer focal points and an overall better experience.