SLIP stands for Sort, Label, Integrate, and Prioritize.
It's a process created by John Maeda, currently president of RISD. He's developed an online application that follows this process and it's basically a more evolved version of the Post-It notes thing we've been doing for recent redesigns.
So Terry and I are working on SLIP-ing the "Jump To" menu contents as suggested in the latest strat doc for Windows IT PRO. It's basically what www.computerworld.com has right now in the upper left. I'll be starting the process where Terry and I will follow up with suggested reorganizations in the comments section. If the URL is too long, you can shorten it with www.tinyurl.com.
Here's the suggested "Jump To" menu submitted by Windows IT Pro.
Here's a quick attempt - Terry
It's a process created by John Maeda, currently president of RISD. He's developed an online application that follows this process and it's basically a more evolved version of the Post-It notes thing we've been doing for recent redesigns.
So Terry and I are working on SLIP-ing the "Jump To" menu contents as suggested in the latest strat doc for Windows IT PRO. It's basically what www.computerworld.com has right now in the upper left. I'll be starting the process where Terry and I will follow up with suggested reorganizations in the comments section. If the URL is too long, you can shorten it with www.tinyurl.com.
Here's the suggested "Jump To" menu submitted by Windows IT Pro.
Here's a quick attempt - Terry
14 Comments:
Here's an idea for a suggested grouping:
http://tinyurl.com/5v2lcj
(the 'stuff' menu, if you will.)
Cool concept for a site. Only thing I couldn't figure out: Is it possible to sort the order of the items in each category?
Check out this white paper on Web visitor need states, developed by the Newspaper Association of America. They are Connectedness, News and Information, Shopping, and Entertainment. It's not a new concept. We were talking about these need states in 2000 at About.com. I think they are still of value:
Connectedness: This is the whole purpose of community. The ability to feel connected to peers who can help you get things done.
News and Information: This is the one everyone gets.
Shopping: Instead of shoes, clothes, or cars, we're talking about SQL server licenses or MS Sharepoint installations.
Entertainment: Wade loves him some Dilbert and often brings it up in work situations. I often think B2B should try to make their properties less dry and add a little humor to the mix. Maybe this one isn't a fit, but maybe it is?
Good point about need states. You might even make the case that these need states existed in some fashion in 2000 BC. So, time-tested!
I’ve always wondered if communities would be better served without so much anonymity especially in professional situations. You'd be more likely to check what you offer in a community if your name was in front of it. This seems to work pretty well on Linked In for example.
The Windows IT Pro site is actually trying a humor or IT humor element. I'm not sure what form it will take though. Hopefully it won't be lame. I proposed a flash game a while back that was kind of a strange cross between Dilbert/Office Space and Resident Evil but we never got a chance to work on it. It would have been great.
Here's an attempt using Terry's suggestion: http://tinyurl.com/6mjrvh
I added a "Troubleshooting" section. It seems as though some, if not most of their users would go to the windows IT pro site for immediate help. To differentiate between short and long term resources might satisfy user needs...
Splitting out the troubleshooting list from the resources group is a good idea. I'd think whitepapers would be moved over as well, since they're in the same product boat as e-books and essential guides...
Would "Supersite" be labeled as such? I've always wondered if that is a strong enough brand name that enough users would know what it is.
Jason,
As far as the SuperSite - maybe and maybe not. It should say SuperSite news or News from Paul Thurrott, but I agree with your comment about the brand.
Updated with whitepapers moved over to troubleshooting section.
http://tinyurl.com/witpro
@Jason, I think the only way to organize the stuff within a column is to create a temporary column. It's too bad that we are limited only to 6 columns...
Taking another look at this ... I still don't understand why they would have RSS and Mobile Editions under the Jump To menu. Shouldn't it be displayed somewhere on the page already? Perhaps in the utility nav?
I know that when I'm on my iPhone, I want to find the link to mobile version without having to click through a dropdown menu.
It's like having quick access to the emergency brake right before before going off the side of a cliff.
I agree the RSS and mobile version links should be displayed outside this drop-down the same as with login (discussed earlier). BTW Does anyone see anything wrong with Essential Guides, White papers, code etc under a Troubleshooting label since some of those elements are about best practices, how to and implementation etc, not just troubleshooting? Just a thought-
Here is another.
http://tinyurl.com/6evbcg
@Prescott, there is a 'humor' section mentioned in the strat doc. I think it'll be interesting to finally offer a break in the everyday-sort of content.
As for everything else, I think the Windows IT Pro site covers all four aspects of the Need States...
Connectedness: Forum
News and Information: Paul Thurrott's updates and other news posted by Windows IT Pro
Shopping: Windows IT Pro's Bookstore
Entertainment: Quotes, Anecdotes, etc.
@Terry
I like the new organization. It's definitely a lot cleaner, but do you think "Reference Materials" is as direct as "Troublshooting"? Just a thought.
Gene,
Reference Materials may be descriptive but no, I don't like it that well. I don't mind troubleshooting, it's just that troubleshooting only describes part of what these materials represent. I'm open for anything that makes sense. One things for sure, going back and forth is helping to sort this out - I think.
Hmm... over at Microsoft's Developers network, http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/, they have Home, Library, Downloads, Support, and Community as their top nav.
What about splitting Reference Materials up into two groups, Troubleshooting and Library?
http://tinyurl.com/56kukl
I think that's an improvement. I'm curious about Bookstore now. Would that be a better fit under Library? I'm not sure whether they're setting this up as a stand alone site apart from Windows IT Pro or some co-branded thing. Just a thought - but I definitely like this arrangement better.
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