Re: [hylafax-users] notify

[Lee Howard <faxguy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Chris Baechle wrote:

> We gave WHFC a test drive, and found it to be confusing to our users. 
> We can show them how to use winprint hylafax in about 10 seconds. WHFC 
> can be accidently exited too easy. Also, it gives them too many 
> options. Some users get scared when faced with too much. winprint 
> hylafax is so simple a monkey could use it. The only possible options 
> to the user are the fax number and return email (and to save that fax 
> number in the address book). If it's too difficult, we found that 
> they'll get up and use the paper fax.


A note to any HylaFAX client developers out there...

These are the kinds of conclusions and feedback that I get back every 
time I try deploying a fax client.  In fine, "Why is this darn thing 
asking me for anything more than the fax number?"

Users don't want to be harrassed about coverpages, resolution settings, 
compression, notification options, etc. when they fax.  They want to 
press "print" (or "fax") and then to get a pop-up asking for the fax 
number, and then press "send"... that's it.  Any other options should be 
buried underneath an "Options" or "Advanced" button of sorts.

Once you start adding these so-perceived "advanced" features into the 
default pop-up window you create confusion in the user that is so 
accustomed to walking to the fax machine, putting the paper in, entering 
the number, and pressing send.  You have to make it that simple, in 
effect, or you'll lose usability to the fax machine and all of the 
attractions that workers find on their way to and from it.

Lee.


____________________ HylaFAX(tm) Users Mailing List _______________________
 To subscribe/unsubscribe, click http://lists.hylafax.org/cgi-bin/lsg2.cgi
On UNIX: mail -s unsubscribe hylafax-users-request@xxxxxxxxxxx < /dev/null
 *To learn about commercial HylaFAX(tm) support, mail sales@xxxxxxxxx*