ISO: Feedback on Proposed Template

[ksieger]

During the Spring 2011 DLC Meeting, attendees got a brief glimpse at the proposed redesign of the FDLP Desktop.

The FDLP Desktop Web team would like feedback from the community on the next generation of FDLP Web tools and services.

In this thread, we would like to hear your feedback on the proposed template. We are interested in your thoughts regarding colors, imagery, and text headers.



Click on the URL below to view a larger image.
http://community.fdlp.gov/images/forum/fdlp-dt-proposed-home.jpg

Once we finalize the site design concept, we will start building subpages.

[aprophet]

The proposed desk-top design is more visually appealing than the current version. I like the amount of white space in relation to the overall design. I especially like it that you are keeping links at the bottom of the page to some of the tools and applications. More important than the design of the front page is the ease with which the high use tools are found. Also it would be nice to have the links to the use statistics for individual institutions right up front and easy to find. Such links would assist documents librarians promote the value of the depository.

[JohnStevenson]

The design of this template is attractive and including new colors is a refreshing change from the red, white, and blue dominating older GPO pages. The real test will be whether users can locate needed content within two categories. Improved search capabilities would also help: it's often difficult to access an announcement regarding cataloging or distribution that's a more than a few months old.

Will there be something on the pages to explain the distinction between "managing your depository" versus "managing your collection" -- the images imply that the distinction is between managing people and managing materials.

[ksieger]

@aprophet: Could you tell us which statistics you would like to see on the homepage?

We are working on a revamp of the tools to provide more inner-relationships of data sets. For instance, once a coordinator logs into the site, a page would show information that is critical for the coordinator, such as:

• FDLD information with ability to edit
• Regional name and contact info
• Current selection profile with checkboxes to drop
• Access to support tickets
• Access to Webmail system (in development)

If you have ideas on smart applications that we can build that will make your lives easier, please let us know so that we can scope our new tool development.

[ksieger]

Improved search capabilities would also help: it's often difficult to access an announcement regarding cataloging or distribution that's a more than a few months old.

@JohnStevenson: The next upgrade of our CMS will focus on search, so we are monitoring updates on that front.

In the meantime, are you aware of the FDLP News Archive http://www.fdlp.gov/home/fdlpnews/news? That page will let you locate older archives via search, category, article title, et cetera.

Unfortunately, we have been unable to add a link to the FDLP News Archive from the current homepage. At this point, we are putting our efforts into fixing issues with the redesign.

[bcollazo]

I also like the use of white space and the new colors, which brighten up the site. The prominence of the search bar is in the prime viewing zone of the page and easier to spot at-a-glance. I especially like that scrolling has been minimized and that there is less happening on the page.

I have some questions:
1. Will the new site allow font re-sizing?
2. Will the new site support advanced search capability?
3. The subscription buttons are centered around the news column. Will all the other subscriptions, such as to events, still be available?

Thank you!

[ksieger]

I have some questions:
1. Will the new site allow font re-sizing?
2. Will the new site support advanced search capability?
3. The subscription buttons are centered around the news column. Will all the other subscriptions, such as to events, still be available?

@bcollazo: Thank you for your feedback. In response to your questions:

• We can incorporate font resizing.
• Yes, advance search will be available.
• Yes, we will provide access to a comprehensive list of RSS feeds. That is not currently reflected in the image. Also, we are working on integrating FDLP-L into the Desktop.

[kamen]

Like everyone else, I think the visual aspect of the new site is really nice. Good work!

I personally don't have a problem distinguishing Managing your Depository from Managing your Collection, if the former refers to requirements, etc. (I assume that's where you'd link the Manual, for example).

Managing the Collection is probably the only section of the site that I would use with any regularity. Within this section PLEASE give links the important tools--like Item Lister, Shipping Lister, Claim Forms, Web Tech Notes, Amendment to Item Selections,etc.--prominent placing. In the past I have had trouble finding these links on the desktop, and ended up just putting them in a LibGuide I have with links for my use.

I like that Managing the Collection is in the middle position on the main page, since that's where the meat of the content (at least that I use) will be.

[Steve Beleu]

1.Consider adding this to the bottom separator bar to highlight its importance: "FDLP Community".
2.In light of the growing importance/rivalry to the FDLP of E-govt., consider also adding this link to the bottor separator bar: "USA.gov".

S. Beleu, OK Dept. of Libraries

[ksieger]

PLEASE give links the important tools--like Item Lister, Shipping Lister, Claim Forms, Web Tech Notes, Amendment to Item Selections,etc.--prominent placing.

@kamen: Duly noted!

Each of the main areas is designed to be a "landing" page that will aggregate specific news and tools. I am hoping to work on revising the collection tools to integrate and inter-relate the data and provide some new tools, such as the a claims notification tool, shipping list lookup module, and whatever else we can brainstorm. Keep sharing your ideas!