2011-05-25 | Tips on Making WebBrains User Friendly

Here's a short list of tips for how to make a public WebBrain more user friendly.

Note: I may or may not follow these tips myself. ;)

<ul>

<li>Take a look at Shelley's blog post How to Create Engaging Brains for Quick Online Publishing (linked as a jump thought). It contains good information on structuring your WebBrain based on the topic you are dealing with.</li>

<li>On your home thought, consider adding a quick primer on how to use and navigate a WebBrain, especially if people who aren't familiar with the product are going to see it.</li>

<li>Make it visually appealing, but not overwhelming. After uploading your WebBrain, take a critical look at it asking yourself:

<ul>

<li>Is the thought text easy to read against the background?</li>

<li>If you use colors in the thought text, does it make it harder to read?</li>

<li>Can you use icons to clarify what kind of thought it is (a link, a person, a file)? This gives people an idea on what they can expect when that thought is activated, and can make the WebBrain more visually appealing. Remember to credit the location where you found the icons in your WebBrain.</li>

</ul>

</li>

<li>Use the notes section.

<ul>

<li>The notes section is the first thing people see (besides the icon) when activating the thought. If it's not immediately apparent what the thought is or represents, add a note, even if it just says "click the child thoughts below for more information on..." This will help orient the person viewing the WebBrain.</li>

<li>If you a hyperlink attached to a thought and it's not immediately apparent on where it goes, consider adding a short note to explain it. For example, "Click the hyperlink for an article on...".</li>

<li>If you have a file linked that contains text and it's short enough, consider adding the text to the note instead. This will reduce the steps that the viewer has to take to see the information.</li>

</ul>

</li>

<li>Refine, refine, refine. While using the database you created the WebBrain with, constantly ask yourself if sections can be improved, if the structure makes sense, and what can be done to make it better.</li>

<li>Make frequent use of smiley faces. Everyone loves smiley faces.... (I'm kidding).</li>

</ul>