[vbs-devel] Virtual Bookshelf

[Brandon A. <bra...@tf...>]

I read through Josh's notes to you about the Virtual Bookshelf, and have
added a few books of my own so far.  Below are a few thoughts that I
have so far.  Please keep in mind that I'm trying to focus on a
usability perspective, and that these are only my opinions.  Also, I am
usually not offended if you tell me to STFU. :)  Odds are, some or most
of these things have occurred to you already, which is why I wanted to
meet with you and we could just talk for a while about the project, but,
it's probably better if I get this all down in writing, that way it
looks like I'm working. :P 

- The initial interface is a bit confusing to me, at least at first. 
The category selection dropdown at the top in the middle above the
bookshelf should probably be labeled "Sort By", and the "Add to Shelf"
button should be relocated to the left "Menu" area, and, most likely
renamed "Add to My Shelf".  Maybe something a little less Microsoft-ish,
if that offends you. :)

- The books should filter properly below when the category selection bar
("Sort by" :D) is used.  I see that they do filter in the Existing books
drop down, but, I feel the list below sorting would be much more
tactile.

- If the book list is auto-sorted, you wouldn't need the "Existing
Books" drop down, or the "Owner" drop down, and could actually do away
with the whole section at the top, making the entire middle of the page
be a users bookshelf.  I believe this would be a more intuitive
interface.  Additionally, you could move the two menu items on the
right, over to the left, giving more room for the book list.  

- The search bar could be expanded to behave a little more like Amazon,
where, the drop down box with the different categories in it could be
below the search box.  Or, you could have the search category box called
"Find a Book..." and below the title, have the search box, and below
that, it could say, "Or jump to a category:" and have the category
dropdown. In Josh's spec, he has the search with many different
options.  These should be in an "Advanced Search" section, of course. 

- In the center bookshelf area, there should be a column for which user
shelf the book belongs on, as opposed to who owns the book, which I
suspect in 90% of the cases will be TFCC for us.  Or, we could just
start using the "Owner" column in this way.  Also, the status column
could list who currently has the book.  The names in these columns could
be clickable email links.

- I think when a book is clicked on in the bookshelf list, it should
bring up a new page or a window, and on this page/window the data should
be static and unchangeable.  I also think there should be an option for
the owner of the book to put comments or a review of the book, or
whatever, when they add the book, and these would be readable on this
book details page.   

- Next to each item in a listed bookshelf, there should be a link/button
that says "Reserve" or "Check Out".  Something like that, anyhow, so, a
user could do a search for Programming Perl, a page is populated with
the half a dozen books that are not in use, and can click on the button,
automatically shifting the book to their bookshelf and sending the
proper emails.  The book list should then reload to show the user as
having that book.  The button would then read "Book Returned" or "Check
In" to allow the user to put that book back.

That's all that's come to me at this point.  If I think of anything
more, I'll send it your way.  If any of this has been overly confusing,
please feel free to email me back or stop by my cube.  Also, if you
would like assistance coding, I am usually available. 

-- 
Brandon Allen - Software Engineer
Twenty First Century Communications

Email: bra...@tf...
Phone: (614) 442-1215  ext. 263