The application/product:

The Open Source CMS framework Drupal

The Issue:

The CMS framework Drupal by default (for versions 6 and previous) has a long form for content entry with multiple settings displayed. Users were often confused by the settings and the longer the form, the more tedious users found the process of content submissions

The solution design process:

SteveJB (founder of Web Media DX) forwarded (as a voluntary community contribution) the use of tabs to segment the multiple form fields. Based on community input (developers and end users) vertically aligned tabs was proposed by SteveJB as a solution.

By placing information in tabs, the number of settings on display was significantly reduced however horizontally aligned tabs demanded page width which was limited on the majority of monitors and website page widths.

A phone directory with vertically aligned tabs was mentioned by a developer as easy to browse. Vertically aligned tabs were then designed by Steve JB and put forward to and was accepted by the Drupal community as a workable designed solution. The vertical alignment of tabs allowed for easier scanning of pages while minimizing the need for horizontal space to fit in multiple tabs in a single column.

The design allowed the content submission forms to appear more streamlined and provided a more attractive appearance.

Production phase:

A prototype was developed by Bevan Rudge that improved the usability of vertical tabs furthur by suggesting  and adding tab descriptions to the design of vertical tabs. The addition of tab descriptions made for improved information design.

An initial module was developed and usability testing was performed.

A final module was developed to be used as a Drupal 6 extension module.

Additional notes:

Vertical Tabs is the first significant interface enhancement to be shipped in Drupal 7. Drupal 5 and Drupal 6 as of late 2009 have a combined installed base of over 200,000 websites.

Notes:

Write Up to be written

Relevant Nui Group Forum Post:
http://nuigroup.com/forums/viewthread/4092/

The application/product:

Mozilla Firefox web browser

The issue:

Users who are new to internet as well as the technically challenged find url entry to be tedious. I have met users who use e-mail links and links from instant messengers to visit websites they frequent. Their browsers open up to a website such as Yahoo where they can access search and e-mail messages.

Despite the lack of technical know how to use , the users have made online purchases using their own credit cards.

The solution:

A browser dock that displays the latest websites visited. he Dock would contain thumbnail images of the websites or only the website or web page title.

The dock could contain fixed links, automatically arranged links based on previous browsing activity and sponsored links by advertisers (or owners of the computer in the case of internet cafes and business lounges.)

Production:

Currently Not produced

Additional Notes:

Runner up Design challenge for production feasibility.

The application/product:

Mozilla Firefox web browser

The issue:

Users with over a dozen tabs find it difficult to find previously opened tabs.

The solution:

Grouping tabs

Adding labels to tab groups

Production:

Currently Not produced

Additional Notes:

The solution was a presented as a draft as time to dedicate to the research and design of a complete solution was not available.