Example 5
Figure 11 shows the top portion of a
new message window in cc:Mail for Windows V2. To address a new message, a
name from the cc:Mail directory is typed on the text entry field to the
right of the "To" combo box. After typing the name, the user
must press the Enter key to put the name into the blank list box below the
field. If Enter is not pressed, the name is visible, but the Send command
is inactive. The Send menu command is gray and the Send icon just beeps
when clicked. The user receives no useful feedback as to the cause of the
problem or how to correct it.
Figure 11. Before:Top Portion of cc:Mail for Windows V2 Message
Window
The problem of having two separate places for addresses (one to enter
them and one to view them) couldn't be solved in the short term. Instead,
the problem was essentially solved with a simple workaround; the Send
command was enabled regardless of whether a name was simply typed or typed
and entered. When a typed name is not entered and Send is chosen, a dialog
box appears to prompt the user, e.g., "A name has been typed in but
not entered into the address list. Do you want to send the message to this
address? Ashlund, Stacey". By choosing the default button, Yes, the
message can be sent. User confirmation was required because of the
critical nature of accidentally sending a message to an unintended
recipient.
Other Examples
Many of the other changes are not as visual. In cc:Mail for Windows V2 all
windows started by default as maximized. This made it difficult for users
to navigate within cc:Mail; they'd forget which message windows were open,
and had difficulty getting back to windows hidden behind other maximized
windows. The redesign changed the default window size to nearly full-size,
but leaving just enough room to see if there was another open window behind
the current one. If users could see it, they could click on it. Another
change was enabling the use of the Escape key to close windows, in addition
to the difficult Windows standard Control-F4 or double-clicking the hidden
control menu (the lower of the two rectangles in the upper left corner of
Figure 11). Lastly, many commands in V2 were modal, e.g.,
the user must first open and go to the Address Book Window before the
Create Mailing List command is enabled. The redesign allows the user to
choose the command from any window, and if the necessary window is not yet
open or visible, it is automatically displayed.
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Example 1
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Example 2
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Example 3
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Example 4
Conclusions