[jsr-314-open] [www.javaserverfaces.org] A couple of things

[Dan Allen]

Lincoln,

I really like the multi-pane approach. In fact, it's exactly what I
described to Kito when giving him suggestions for JSFCentral 2.0. This
layout helps people find the starting point they need, then focus their
eyes. I'm hopeful that with a refreshed layout, we can really make this
something that draws the eye in, and perhaps uses the space most
efficiently.

It's interesting to search for "framework" and look at the different ways
that projects present their wares. Most of the ones that are most appealing
to me are those that tell me "what it is" and "why I need it". Steven
Boscarine made that point at JSF Summit that presentations should first
explain why the audience should care...what problem does it solve for them.
I think the other important point we are getting across is that JSF is a
specification that has multiple implementations. That is just something that
users need to know to understand what is going on.

I split off the releated specifications page and did some wordsmithing of my
own.

We are really looking for feedback about which links are currently missing
from the home page. JSF Matrix was a great suggestion by Kito.

-Dan

On Thu, Dec 10, 2009 at 1:01 AM, Lincoln Baxter III <lincolnbaxter at gmail.com
> wrote:

>  [ Read this paragraph if in a hurry ]
>
> I've updated the http://www.javaserverfaces.org home page, and done a
> little reorganization on some others. I've word smithed a little and
> attempted to present main points with concise descriptions. This will
> continue to evolve, not only as we decide what information we want to
> present, but also learn to express what our vision for JSF is.
>
> [[[ Read farther if you have a few minutes to "burn" ]]]
>
> I'll try not to dig too deep into marketing mumbo jumbo, but the home page
> is the first chance we have to exert influence. We can put a lot of
> information there, but overloading will dilute our strength. Keeping the
> entry point small, and providing definite steps that the user should take
> next, will ensure a greater probability that our desired outcome is reached
> :)
>
> Basically that's long winded for, "Tell people what to think," or "Tell
> people how to start thinking." Guide the interaction you want to occur, and
> we want people to use JSF.
>
> By giving them a specific starting point, and a short list of options, you
> increase the chances that they will take some action. When people get
> overwhelmed, they take *no* action. A good example of this that I've heard
> a few times is the Restaurant Menu. A long menu causes indecision, a lack of
> action; ordering takes longer because people are afraid they won't get the
> absolute best possible meal they could have ordered for their current mood.
> A short menu will lead to quick decisions, people are more willing to try
> something because they see everything up front, and arent afraid they are
> missing something, or forgotten something they've seen on another page.
> Also, most people usually order the same things over and over anyway, so an
> important key is to learn what they do order, and eliminate the rest.
>
> That also holds true for websites... an overload of links will distract
> users and give them more chances to abandon the site and go elsewhere. So
> I'll try to keep tabs on things and make sure they stay simple / organized.
>
> ***Also!*** We also need to be careful not to undermine our own vision,
> goals when writing/publicising JSF. Don't list an advantage of JSF2, then
> put a little disclaimer afterwards saying "Hopefully that's the case." --
> That's not going to make people trust us! Cutting off that last internal
> thought is hard, but really, it makes a big difference. It's all about
> confidence. Are we confident or not??? :)
>
>   ---
>
> Lincoln Baxter, III
> http://ocpsoft.com
> http://scrumshark.com
> "Keep it Simple"
>
>   On Wed, 2009-12-09 at 18:05 -0500, Dan Allen wrote:
>
> On Wed, Dec 9, 2009 at 5:58 PM, Lincoln Baxter, III <
> lincolnbaxter at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Ill work on the organization some tonight.
>
>   One technique on the home page to help new eyes recognize the nested
> information is to have a lot of short paragraphs on the home page that draw
> the user into the nested pages. Teasers so to speak. Not that I'm any
> information architect specialist, but if I don't see it on the home page, I
> usually don't go probing around without a cause.
>
> -Dan
>
>
> --
> Dan Allen
> Senior Software Engineer, Red Hat | Author of Seam in Action
> Registered Linux User #231597
>
> http://mojavelinux.com
> http://mojavelinux.com/seaminaction
> http://www.google.com/profiles/dan.j.allen
>
>


-- 
Dan Allen
Senior Software Engineer, Red Hat | Author of Seam in Action
Registered Linux User #231597

http://mojavelinux.com
http://mojavelinux.com/seaminaction
http://www.google.com/profiles/dan.j.allen
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