There is no real definition out there as to what *really* constitutes an
app. Many websites run some form of Javascript but where do we draw the
line between web app and website?
I think richness of functionality, how data is treated and to which extent
it integrates native ui has a lot to do with that.
UI-wise I think the app works pretty well other than the small improvements
suggested by Sun. Only may I add that the page is quite long and somehow
tedious to fill. Multi-page form with progress bar and different icons per
page anyone? Also instead of simply mentioning the « Definitions as per
Data Protection Act 2004 », why not underline the technical terms on the
forms with an icon and a tooltip (the information is there when it is
needed).
As far as richness of functionality is concerned, I do believe there is
room for improvement.
0. I got a wrong answer for question ø, fair enough. What impact could it
have on my organisation? What does the law (which section) say about it
exactly (a reference at least)?
1. After submitting the form, I am given 3 pieces of advice in red. These
are too generic (like someone goes to the doctor, tells him/her a list of
symptoms, and the doctor says, you need some rest, try to have some
medicine and if you are unsure, please see a specialist). What would be
better is a list of actions recommended (checklist) for the person as per
the answers given. This provides a more pragmatic approach to the whole
affair, the person is more aware as to what exactly needs to be done.
2. Also, after submitting the form, the person is given a green and red
box, but no indication as to the scale of how good and how bad things are.
Ok, I missed a couple of points, but is it serious doc? (A scale perhaps? A
percentage? A grade?)
3. The person is required to print the form. I tried printing it (to a pdf
format admittedly), but where did the green and red go? The printed version
is black and white and there is no indication as to whether each answer is
correct or not. Even if the person were to choose to print black and white
(many offices have laser b&w printers), why are there no indication (other
than color) to make it evident?
4. Assume an employee performs this test, and wants to discuss the results
with his/her manager. The manager sees the form and tells the employee, «
no you made a mistake for the question ø, we actually do cater for this
thing, please correct this and come again». What happens? The employee has
to start all over again? There are means to resolve this, e.g. save on
server side (ok privacy issues), provide a url to prefill the form, allow
the data to be saved client side (html5 ftw), export the form state to a
format (json, password encrypted json ... ).
5. Seriously why no email? Warn the user of potential risks associated but
why limit the choice? An email can be sent for consideration to a manager,
who will read it according to his/her availability instead of waiting in
line to meet the manager face to face to show a piece of paper. Pragmatism
and choice.
6. Web app (if it is one) to mobile app is a short leap with the
availability of tools such as Cordova, PhoneGap etc.
7. Who is your audience? Could it be wise to define different sets of
questions based on the audience? Debatable, but point to ponder. Different
people in an organisation have different roles and visibilities, and as
such may have different applicable questions.
I am sorry if I do seem harsh, this is far from my intention. My opinion
was asked, and here it is. The design looks good, and it is fluid. I guess
this is a decent v1, but if the application were to be as useful as its
usefulness has been lauded by the nice lady who did the presentation, and
were it to be more than just an electronic version of a paper questionnaire
(and more of a web app), I do believe there are avenues that need to be
further explored.
Best Regards,
Yusuf Satar
On Sun, May 3, 2015 at 5:58 PM, Ish Sookun <ish_at_hacklog.in> wrote:
> Hi Yusuf,
>
> On Sun, May 3, 2015 at 2:43 PM, fluxy <fx_at_fluxy.net> wrote:
>
>>
>> Looks good, but as much as I admire the work, is it really an app - is it
>> available on an app store (when I heard it being an app during the
>> presentation, my first reflex was to check playstore - maybe this is
>> something to consider)
>>
>>
> I'd like to give my opinion on this one. I was one of the people involved
> in the brainstorming of the webapp.
>
> As SM stated earlier though, it is a webapp as the application runs on
> webserver. It is not being presented as a mobile app. That is a common
> confusion when people think about web applications; attention is given to
> mobile apps stores (iOS, Android and Windows Phone). It is just a webapp
> easily accessible on mobile phones.
>
> The Privacy Compliance Assessment app aims to give an indication to an
> organization whether they are in line with the Data Protection Act of 2004.
> I don't believe the user would want to install such an application on
> his/her mobile phone and use it 2 - 3 times per day. If that were the case,
> I would have suggested during brainstorming phase that we make mobile app
> packages.
>
> The web application is designed to be visually pleasant on different types
> of screens and it appears to be sufficient for the purpose it is designed.
>
> One point though, I would agree that the URL might not be easily recalled
> and something needs to be done about that. Maybe if there is support from
> the Internet users community, it might be interesting to ask the Ministry
> of TCI to host it under govmu.org. Not to forget that the application is
> released under an open source license to facilitate such moves.
>
> Regards,
>
> --
> Ish Sookun
>
> - Geek by birth, Linux by choice.
> - I blog at HACKLOG.in.
>
> https://twitter.com/IshSookun ^^ Do you tweet?
>
Received on Sun May 03 2015 - 14:50:41 PST