By Farid Rostami on Monday, 27 October 2014
Posted in General Issues
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I love EasyBlog because it has tons of features. However, I am not impressed with the user-friendliness of the application. It is non-intuitive and sometimes even confusing for the users. I also hoped that the template design would be more neat. Let me explain myself by two examples:

Edit Entry Page (some examples):

  • For example there is this “Save” button. When users press on it, it saves AND closes the page. The users expect just saving and not closing. This is confusing to almost all users; Not only because the button says save but also because they are used to a different behavior. Joomla, for example, has a “Save” button and a “Save and Close” button. In any other application(for example Word, notepad, Photoshop and so on) when users press “save” applications does not close.
  • “Apply”button. Non-IT users don’t understand this button. I suggest you call this button “Save” and the save button “Save and close”.
  • When a blog is already published you still can choose between “Apply” button and “Publish Now” button. What is the difference?
  • What happens when users select drop down “Unpublished” and press “Publish now”? Why not integrate these? And why not moving this drop down to the top? The location of this important drop down makes no sense among “Media” buttons.
  • And so on…

Edit Profile: Too many options: Less = More!
The first reaction of my first user was:
Her: “There is so much to fill in!”.
Me: I explained to her, “you don’t need to use all of them. Only a few are important for you.” Her reaction was: “So why are you showing them all to me?”
Me: “uhh… “
Currently I have to choose between disabling a feature (so there is less for the eye) or not disabling a feature and scaring out the users. I would rather see a user interface which is designed having the user (and not functionality) as its main focus. Why not focusing on the most important functions and presenting the less important options differently, in a way that they don’t scare the users. This way I still can provide the users as much as features as possible without discouraging them.
Personally I like the editing interface of Blogger or the Joomla Article manager. Both hide the less important features behind Ajax tabs and menus. So the focus remains on editing and still providing the advanced options. (see screenshots)

These examples come out of feedback from my test group. EasyBlog has a lot features. My suggestion would be to focus a bit more on look and feel, design and user expertise to incorporate all these functionalities in a neat user-friendly interface;

So my question is: Are their any other skins available which address my concerns? What is your road-map concerning the user-interface? Do you have any plans on these field for the coming months? I would love to cooperate with you on this.

Looking forward to your reply and keep up the good work.
Farid,

EASYBLOG 5 - Coming Soon! I think a lot of your improvement suggestions will be addressed in EasyBlog 5.

Check out the EasyBlog 5 Blog story:

Under the codename "N5XT", we have totally revamped the whole of EasyBlog and gives you the feel of using a totally different component yet retains the uniqueness and characteristic of EasyBlog. We're nearing the release date and thus we're offering something for those who wishes to 'purchase' EasyBlog and/or renew their licenses.

There are videos that show the new awesome features and interface changes in EasyBlog 5; such as the EasyBlog Composer.



Go here for the other EasyBlog 5 videos.
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Monday, 27 October 2014 08:27
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Impressing! I really want to join the beta testing. I bought my Pro editions a couple of days ago and now I want to switch to this 15 month subscription. How can I change my subscription without the need to ask for refund?
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Monday, 27 October 2014 08:53
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Farid,

I just renewed my upgrade too the other day and I saw only 12 months. It's a weekend and this issue will be addressed for both of us on Monday or Tuesday this week by someone in sales and marketing from StackIdeas. Not to worry, the StackIdeas Team always looks after customers.

EasyBlog 5 is exciting and it will be good to beta test it when it's available.

Randall
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Monday, 27 October 2014 09:02
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Hi guys,

Thank you for your inquiry. Farid, as Randall pointed out, most of your concern will be addressed in EasyBlog 5. However, the beta tester plan is only open to our existing customers; hence it's available to those who renew their licenses and not purchasing a new ones. Do you have an existing license prior to your purchase? Let me know so that i can sort out your license for you.
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Monday, 27 October 2014 12:54
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Hi Ahmad,
I have already bought a license a couple days ago. Does that mean that I am entitled to participate with the beta testing? If so, would you be so kind to update my license?
Best regards
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Monday, 27 October 2014 23:21
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Hello Farid,

As soon as EasyBlog 5 beta is available, you will be able to beta test them
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Monday, 27 October 2014 23:52
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Great! Looking forward to test the beta.

Will my support also get updated to 15 months? Do I need to do anything for that?

Thank you for the great support.
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Tuesday, 28 October 2014 00:01
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Please write to https://crm.stackideas.com
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Tuesday, 28 October 2014 00:13
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Ahmad Justin wrote:

Hi guys,

Thank you for your inquiry. Farid, as Randall pointed out, most of your concern will be addressed in EasyBlog 5. However, the beta tester plan is only open to our existing customers; hence it's available to those who renew their licenses and not purchasing a new ones. Do you have an existing license prior to your purchase? Let me know so that i can sort out your license for you.


Ahmad,

Here is my renew for my Existing License:

Randall McCallum Oct 23 at 12:57 PM
Thank you for your order!
Your order is currently processing. You will receive additional information via a separate email.
Charges will appear on your bill as: FS *Stack Ideas
1 EasyBlog Professional Edition Renewal
Total: US$79.00
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Tuesday, 28 October 2014 03:15
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No this was the first time I bought the license. regarding my concerning about the user-interface, I really would like to participate in the beta-version.
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Tuesday, 28 October 2014 03:39
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Randall M wrote:

Ahmad Justin wrote:

Hi guys,

Thank you for your inquiry. Farid, as Randall pointed out, most of your concern will be addressed in EasyBlog 5. However, the beta tester plan is only open to our existing customers; hence it's available to those who renew their licenses and not purchasing a new ones. Do you have an existing license prior to your purchase? Let me know so that i can sort out your license for you.


Ahmad,

Here is my renew for my Existing License:

Randall McCallum Oct 23 at 12:57 PM
Thank you for your order!
Your order is currently processing. You will receive additional information via a separate email.
Charges will appear on your bill as: FS *Stack Ideas
1 EasyBlog Professional Edition Renewal
Total: US$79.00


Hi Randall,

I apologize for editing your post; it contains what appears to me some sensitive information which personally I feel uncomfortable sharing in a forum. Nevertheless, your renewal was already applied the 15 months' extensions.

Thank you for your continuous support, Randall.
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Tuesday, 28 October 2014 11:26
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Thanks Ahmad,

As I have grown to expect - someone from the StackIdeas Team satisfies me every time as customer. Thank you.

Randall
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Tuesday, 28 October 2014 11:35
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Great work. Thanks again.
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Tuesday, 28 October 2014 11:41
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Hi guys,

Thank you for all of the responses.

Would it be alright if I close this thread? This is to ensure that our forum are clean and manageable.
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Tuesday, 28 October 2014 11:51
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Go for it.
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Tuesday, 28 October 2014 12:32
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Thanks for the updating us on this Farid
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Tuesday, 28 October 2014 13:43
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