On Thursday 06 December 2007 03:32:06 :murb: [maarten brouwers] wrote: > Hi Graham, > > Not much to add (wow! :) ) than that I agree with you that we shouldn't > create new pages for the sake of it. > > I was just thinking of reducing/editing/restyling existing text. While I > like the visual appearance of the why page it is very slow loading and > doesn't fit in with the rest of the website (e.g. it doesn't have a > menubar), but besides that I would leave much of it intact. On the other > hand, I wouldn't throw away the Why pages as they are, since it is useful > in marketing campaigns to have a kind of mini site purely on 'Why', for > which an alternative design is perfectly acceptible. > > Support on the other hand should be reduced to a few core items, and > nothing more (e.g. remove all <2.x; refer only to the top resources, to > reduce confusion), linking maybe to the current page for those who want to > know about everything. A page I like (actually it is directly a FAQ): > > http://www.basecamphq.com/help/ > > Above the faq, this text is placed: > > "Got more questions? Got feature requests? Drop in on the lively customer > forums.
This site is rather cool. The tone is conversational and by using a colloquial style they actually ask a long question without all the words. "Got" in this context is a colloquial abbreviation for "Do you have..." It's quite a common tactic, very TV ad in style. If however you want to sound reassuring you use the full phrase like this one they use below: > > If you can't find answers here or in the forums, you can always email > support and we'll get back to you within a few hours." Using the abbreviated style it would read "Can't find answers here or in the forums? Email support and we'll get back within hours." But as you can see it's not as reassuring. Adding the personal pronouns into the sentence makes it much more calming. That's what we have to do is reassure the New User Our site should have a "feel" like the basecamp answers statement. We've got to give the new User the impression: "Yes we know that downloading OOo is a big step, but we'll be right there with you all the way to catch you if you stumble." The abbreviated style in the first basecamp para is excellent in context. It conveys excitement and enthusiasm, just like the ticket seller you first meet at the top of the bungy jump where you buy the ticket. "Yea! DO IT! Its' a blast, you'll love it, we're here for you!" The full style is the reassurance, like the Jumpmaster who is encouraging you take that first jump. "Trust me it is a lot easier than you may think it is right at this moment and we're all here to support you, all way through it." The user is being guided toward exactly the same end result, but each style is relevant within it's own context. The first is Enthusiastic, the second Sincere. However, all of the above is for the Why page What I want to get the new User to do is be comfortable about the step they are about to take from the splash page > > g., > > > Maarten Cheers G -- Graham Lauder, OpenOffice.org MarCon (Marketing Contact) NZ http://marketing.openoffice.org/contacts.html INGOTs Moderator New Zealand www.theingots.org.nz GET DRESSED : GET OOOGEAR Gear for the well dressed OOo Advocate www.ooogear.co.nz --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
