HELP - creating an online assistance that really helps!

Help!creating anassistancethat reallyworks. | Tal Florentin

I wrote a great book.

If I were you I’d read it: UXBook.co.il

We try to create intuitive products…

…but people still need help.

Sometimes because they need a sophisticated solution.

…and sometimes because they are just not SMART.

www.flickr.com/photos/joestump/3950901167/in/photostream/ In the beginning – there were User Manuals.

…but people thought those were written in Chinese…

Some people say that only old people read user manuals.

They are right…

Then came that /? online help.

Then came Windows.

stepsandleaps.wordpress.comThen came Microsoft Bob.

toastytech.comBob wanted to help….

She is the one responsible for BOB. jillstanek.com

She is married to Bill. seattleweekly.com

Bill wanted to get his X telegraph.co.uk

…so Bob got promoted.

Bob turned into Clippy. domn.sopca.com

Clippy tried to help… domn.sopca.com

domn.sopca.com The world hated Clippy

Then came F1.

Then Microsoft tried to help…

www.flickr.com/photos/benny_lin/191393604/ Help seemed like a dead end.

We know different types of help.

A flashlight shows the way but doesn’t tell us where to go.

www.flickr.com/photos/richardleonard/236295670/ A lighthouse tells where to go, but doesn’t show the way.

www.flickr.com/photos/calsidyrose/4925267732/ A compass tells you the direction, but doesn’t lead the way.

A good help combines these three.

There is a secret formula for good help.

Here it is.

User Manuals Online Help Assistant Let’s check it out.

User Manuals Online Help Assistant

beauxartstrio.orgThere are three solutions.

Variation over Store.Apple.com A variation concept over Apple’s store screens, where the question mark opens an assisting help in the right place at the right time. Inline help. It is there – Just ask.

YouTube.com YouTube’s floating assistance telling us about the new UI Floating help. There to begin with.

Pulse iphone app.; Plictu app. Pulse and Piictu’s floating explanation screen. Seen a lot on mobile apps and not enough on Web and desktop products Floating help. There to begin with.

Prezi.com Prezi.com’s instructing box, leading the user through tasks floating over the screen Floating help. There to begin with.

I’m sure we can think of something…Wait. Is Clippy really dead?

UXVision’s “Julie” – a visionary model using an assisting presenter, leading the user through the usage of the product and adding info for each input fieldPresenter Help. Clippy reborn. Meet Julie.

When Julie is interrupting, you can ask Julie to disappear. When you want her back just open her.Presenter Help. Clippy reborn. Meet Julie.

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