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When viewing the map, tagging options allow the user to organize friends into groups and toggle which friends are visible on a map. The user also has the ability to control who they are visible to with the application’s hiding options. Interaction between friends is facilitated via the built-in instant messaging client.
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TASKS -
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FIRST PROTOTYPE
Task 1.
Direction: Log into the website
User actions: Type in user name and password, then select one of the three moods.
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Task 9.
Direction: Message person found in Task #8.
User actions: Drag Tamika’s name from the map or friend list to “I’m chatting with” field in the bottom.
OBSERVATIONS
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- PROTOTYPE ITERATION
1ST PROTOTYPEWe presented our first prototype to 3 users. All users could finish task 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 8 without difficulty. We observed two major usability issues from the test:
1. Friend Finder Search Bar:
When the user is asked to "Add 'Mason' to your friend list," the user completely misses the Friend Finder Search Bar. Instead, the user tries to find an "Add Friend" button in the tabs. When the user cannot find the button, the user searches the map next-- still not thinking to use the Friend Finder Search Bar. It is unclear to the user what the search bar does. When the user does use the Friend Finder Search Bar, further trouble arises because it is not clear if the Friend Finder Search Bar is searching in the user's pool of accumulated friends, or the site's entire user database.
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Modification 6: An alternative route to "Hide From" a person is made. When a user clicks on a friend on the map, the window that pops up includes both a "Chat With" and "Hide From" button.
OBSERVATIONS - SECOND PROTOTYPE
We presented our second prototype to 3 new users.