SamePage Beta Feedback - Batch Update
Posted by Jim Garvin on May 18, 2008
In my last post, I talked about popdowns, and how they turned out to be a failed experiment. This time around I’m going to show off something that we got right: batch updating.
One of our beta testers had this to say about SamePage’s batch updating feature:
“It is the best implementation of bulk editing that I’ve ever seen in a web application.” -Ryan McGeary
That’ll be one for the endorsement page (when I make one).
SamePage’s batch update in action
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Good UI Mojo
The batch updating feature should inspire happiness for a few reasons:
- It’s discoverable. New users will naturally click around on things, and when they click on a requirement, the batch update controls will present themselves, drawing attention and providing instruction. This is the principle of pleasant surprise that we like.
- It’s gives intuitive and explicit feedback. Only the specific cells that were updated (as opposed to the entire row) will be highlighted upon successful batch update. Users will feel confident that their intended changes were made.
- It’s out of your way. It doesn’t take up valuable screen space, or draw your eye, until it’s needed.
Next up: How SamePage avoided the abominable tree widget.
