Systray layout opinion

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

This thread started as suggestions and comments about the avast systray menu naming and layout, and got a little deeper into interface design.
Summary so far…

General guidelines:

  • Make it user friendly, especially for newcomers.
  • Unify the interface of systray menu, main window(s) and menu(s).
  • Unify naming.

These may be better discussed in the avast! User Interface future… thread.

Suggested interface changes:

  • Antivirus and on-access scanner in the same window.
  • File scanner as a “provider”.
  • Group “Start/Stop” and “Suspend/Resume” in the “Sensitivity” level.

Suggested naming changes:

[tr][td][i]Original[/i][/td][td][i]Suggestion[/i][/td][/tr] [tr][td]"Start avast! Antivirus[/td][td]"File scanner"[/td][/tr] [tr][td]"Provider"[/td][td]"Service" or "Shield"[/td][/tr] [tr][td]"avast! Log Viewer"[/td][td]"Event log..."[/td][/tr] [tr][td]"Program Settings..."[/td][td]"Settings..."[/td][/tr] [tr][td]"Updating"[/td][td]"Update"[/td][/tr] [tr][td]"VRDB"[/td][td]"File Recovery Safety" or "File Safety"[/td][/tr] [tr][td]"Virus Chest"[/td][td]"File Chest" or "Safe Storage Zone"[/td][/tr] [tr][td]"iAVS"[/td][td]"Known Viruses" (replace or append)[/td][/tr] [tr][td]"iNews"[/td][td]"Security News" (replace or append)[/td][/tr]

Common to menu suggestions:
“------------” is a menu separator.
" → " indicates a submenu.
“b[/b]” means the item can be checked like a checkbox.
“b[/b]” means one item can be active in the group.

Systray menu

[tr][td]avast! Antivirus[/td][td](optional tile, not selectable)[/td][/tr] [tr][td][b]Open[/b][/td][/tr] [tr][td]Settings...[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Upgrade to Professional...[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Update->[/td][/tr] [tr][td]?->[/td][td]or "Help & Documentation", or "Information"[/td][/tr] [tr][td]------------[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Shields[/td][td]aka Provider (optional tile, not selectable)[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Overall ([i]status[/i])->[/td][td](sets all shields at once)[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Peer to Peer ([i]status[/i])->[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Instant Messaging ([i]status[/i])->[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Email ([i]status[/i])->[/td][td](includes Outlook/Exchange)[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Web ([i]status[/i])->[/td][/tr] [tr][td]System ([i]status[/i])->[/td][/tr] [tr][td]File ([i]status[/i])->[/td][/tr]
([i]status[/i]) shows the actual status of a Shield. "VRDB" is controlled by File Shield sensitivity.

Service menu: (wichever)

[tr][td]Sensitivity[/td][td](optional tile, not selectable)[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Custom (radiomark)[/td][/tr] [tr][td]High (radiomark)[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Normal (radiomark)[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Asleep (radiomark)[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Off (radiomark)[/td][/tr] [tr][td]--------[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Settings...[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Assitant...[/td][td](for email only actually)[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Scan...[/td][td](for file only actually)[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Safe Storage Zone[/td][td]aka Virus Chest (for file only actually)[/td][/tr]

? menu

[tr][td]About...[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Help[/td][/tr] [tr][td]www.avast.com[/td][td]or "Web Site"[/td][/tr] [tr][td](iAVS) Known Viruses[/td][/tr] [tr][td](iNews) Security News[/td][/tr] [tr][td]Event Log[/td][/tr]

Update menu

[tr][td]Anti-virus->[/td][td]Now[/td][/tr] [tr][td][/td][td]Automatically (checkmark)[/td][/tr] [tr][td](iAVS) Known Viruses->[/td][td]Now[/td][/tr] [tr][td][/td][td]Automatically (checkmark)[/td][/tr] [tr][td]File Safety->[/td][td]Now[/td][/tr]

Please comment if something is not clear: it is probably because of wrong design.

The original content of this first message was moved to my next post.

2

These suggestions would probably serve better in the suggestion thread: http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=57.195

–lee

3

If the user even read this… well, will he/she read the help file? Will he/she even learn about any computer program? :-\ ::slight_smile:

4

Copied here from original previous message:
Some things are wrong in the avast! systray context menu layout in my opinion.

These things should be kept short, compact, fast.
Otherwise the user won’t bother to read, or not notice what he is looking for.

“avast” is repeated 5 times.
One is enough : “About avast! 4…”.
Make it bold or something, so that it is understood as the title for the whole menu.

“Start avast! Antivirus”
To “Start” avast would mean that it is was not started, and not protecting.
And this is in fact the file scanner.
I suggest “File scaner”.

“avast! Log Viewer”
“Log…” would be too short.
“Event log…” should be enough.

“Program Settings…”
“Settings…” is enough.

“Pause Provider” and “Resume Provider”
These 2 could be just one “Services” menu.
A check mark would mark curently active entries.

“Stop Provider”
A check mark here too would allow to relaunch the service (if technically possible)

The last two could be regrouped in a unique “Service” menu item, with a submenu listing services, and each a submenu with “Suspend”/“Resume”/“Active”, “Stop”/“Relaunch” or other action pertaining to the service.

“Updating” submenu
“Update” is repeated, this is useless.
A “Both” entry would be usefull.
“VRDB” could be mentionned also.

“Set/Change Password”
“…” lacks, because it spawns a dialog box.

“avast! Professional Edition Info…”
“Upgrade to avast! Professional Edition…”
Both leading to similar web page…
A unique “About the Professional Edition…” would be enough.

“Stop/Start On-Access protection”
This should be an “All” entry in the “Service” menu(s).

Original message:

Sorry, I overlooked that.
(I wasn’t thinking of it as a feature)
I copied the message over there, this thread may be closed.

5

Honestly, I really don’t see much reason for the suggested changes.
There is one correct note: the ellipsis is missing in the “Set/Change password” item; I have just fixed that. Maybe the “Start avast! Antivirus” should be replaced by something better, we might change it in future.
But that’s probably all… I really don’t think the rest would help that much to the understanding, in some cases it may even lead to some confision (such as when “Program settings” replaced by “Settings”, it’s not clear whether it’s Program, or Resident protection settings).

Btw, “Program update” always updates the virus database as well, so there’s no need to have the “both” option. Also, VRDB doesn’t have anything to do with it…

6

Igor, as a relative newcomer to avast (I’ve only been using it for a few months) I would like to say that I agree with almost all of musaran’s suggestions. With just a few minor tweaks, that menu could be much more clear and concise.

7

How clear is it that “Program settings…” relates to “Start avast! antivirus” ?

“Start program” & “Program settings…”
“Start avast! antivirus” & “avast! antivirus settings…”
“Start” & “Settings…”
“avast! antivirus”->(“Start”,“Settings”)
Use what you want, but use the same.

By the Way, distinction between program and resident protection is a concept for programmers or system administrators, not for the average user.
Who wants an anti-virus not active ?

Btw, "Program update" always updates the virus database as well, so there's no need to have the "both" option.
"Program and virus database update" It is not just being precise, it is also not letting the user believe avast does something stupid (update only the program).
8

Musaran, I respect your opinion…
But, you stay here writing and writing about avast and you could take a short time to read something about it.
avast is on more than 20 languages… A little change in English will bring a lot of work to all of us, translators.
Ok, we can improve, thanks for the comments but, as any other newbie, please, don’t take it so strong to say you must do that, you should change, this needs to be changed, etc..

By the Way, distinction between program and resident protection is a concept for programmers or system administrators, not for the average user. Who wants an anti-virus not active ?
In fact not. There are users that want a second (backup) antivirus, non-active. The two kinds of updates - program and definitions - is [b]well spread[/b] in Internet. Tons of applications do that, specially, antivirus, antispywares, etc.
Btw, "Program update" always updates the virus database as well, so there's no need to have the "both" option. "Program and virus database update" It is not just being precise, it is also not letting the user believe avast does something stupid (update only the program).
You can't. Please, be resonable... there are many reasons to do so... The number of letters used there, the non-accented characters in other languages besides English... Well, [b]believe in your team[/b] 8)
9

If a change is necessary, the work has to be done anyway.
If a change is useless, no need for excuses.
And besides, an anti-virus faces much greater challenges than translation.

Ok, we can improve, thanks for the comments but, as any other newbie, please, don't take it so strong to say [b]you must do that, you should change, this needs to be changed, etc.[/b].
I know been told "you are doing it wrong" by a someone who does nothing of the like is unpleasant. But when I feel something is wrong enough to go and tell, I just do so straight. Trying to disguise my thoughts would be obscure, or even lying.

Likewise, I prefer being proved wrong than left in mistake.

Positivate : I wouldn’t bother to comment on a bad program. :wink:

The two kinds of updates - program and definitions - is [b]well spread[/b] in Internet. Tons of applications do that, specially, antivirus, antispywares, etc.
That means users are more likely to be used to it. Sadly, it doesn't mean it is a good idea. :( ("program" meaning both)

“Update/Anti-virus” would naturally include both.

It just struck me that “viral database” is obscure. (edit: “iAVS” in fact, even worse)
“virus knowledge”, “virus identification” or “virus profiles” are more accessible terms.

In fact not. There are users that want a second (backup) antivirus, non-active.
Right, I didn't think of that.

Nevertheless, resident protection is part of avast!, not a separate feature.
Reversely, “avast anti-virus” includes all features, not just file scanning.
This should be reflected in the interface layout (not only systray menu).

Currently, a normal click on systray icon brings resident on-access scanner configuration.
Not accessible from there are :
-File scanning.
-General settings (one of them affects mail).

10

Other thoughts about this menu:

  • “Pause/Resume” and “Stop/Start” can be merged and reduced to “Off/Asleep/On”
  • Less used menu item should be further away.
  • “About…” should be first or last in the menu.
  • VRDB doesn’t need to be separate. Same icon can animate “a” or “i”.
  • Keep items as short as possible, no more, no less.

Summary of the sugested layout :

[tr][td][i][b](Menu)[/b][/i][/td][td][i][b](Submenu)[/b][/i][/td][/tr] [tr][td] http://home.etu.unige.ch/~delamar1/icon-avast.gif

http://somesite/image.gif
avast! 4 Antivirus[/td][td](tile, not selectable)[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]About…[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Settings…[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Upgrade to Professional…[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Update->[/td][td]Anti-virus (or All)[/td][/tr]
[tr][td][/td][td]Virus knowledge (or profiles/identification)[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Event Log[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Quarantine Zone[/td][td](Virus Chest)[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]------------[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]File Imprint (On Inactivity)->[/td][td]Generate Upon Inactivity i[/i][/td][/tr]
[tr][td][/td][td]Generate Upon Screen Saver[/td][/tr]
[tr][td][/td][td]Off[/td][/tr]
[tr][td][/td][td]------------[/td][/tr]
[tr][td][/td][td]Generate Now![/td][/tr]
[tr][td][/td][td]Settings…[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]File Scanner (Running)->[/td][td]Scan…[/td][/tr]
[tr][td][/td][td]Pause/Resume[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]------------[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Shields[/td][td]i(tile, not selectable)[/i][/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Overall (on)->[/td][td]On i[/i][/td][/tr]
[tr][td][/td][td]Asleep[/td][/tr]
[tr][td][/td][td]Off[/td][/tr]
[tr][td][/td][td]-------- (separator from above group)[/td][/tr]
[tr][td][/td][td]Settings…[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Peer2peer (asleep)->[/td][td](same submenu)[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Instant Messenging (on)->[/td][td](same submenu)[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Email (off)->[/td][td](same submenu)[/td][/tr]
[tr][td][/td][td]Assitant…[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Web (on)->[/td][td](same submenu)[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]System (on)->[/td][td](same submenu)(or Machine/???)[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]------------[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Web Site[/td][td](or www.avast.com)[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Help[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Open[/td][td](better name for this ?)[/td][/tr]

Some say titles in menu are bad.
In this case :

  • Make “About…” “About avast! 4 Antivirus…” and consider it as a sort of title.
  • Remove “Shields” Title.

If this menu is too long :

  • Make “Shields” a menu item with submenus.
  • Remove “Web Site”, it is in the about box already.

Lastly, I am not sure wether “…” is for…
…spawning dialog boxes ?
…spawing any window ?

11

This almost sounds like:
“If you do it my way, I’ll be happy”
“If you don’t, I’ll write some more.”
That’s my opinion. :slight_smile:

12

Whilst it is never a good point getting involved in discussions on style/aesthetics/layout etc. there are many differing opinions and none is totally right.

Over the time I have been on these forums there have been a number of suggestion/opinions about the context menu of the avast icon. I myself suggesting adding a link for the help file so people didn’t have to open the on-demand scanning to access it.

There have been many other suggestions but for the most part these have been for the inclusion of entries, rather than the removal or re-ordering/rationalising of the context menu. All of those requests/suggestions are equally valid, in their opinion. But to assume that it is wrong just because in your opinion it is wrong.

Sorry, just my opinion.

13

I like my girlfriend but much more if:
1- eyes like nicole kidman
2- legs like sharon stone
3- lips like monica bellucci
4-bottom like britney spears… on and on and on… ;D
Why plump for a girl you don’t like as it is?
Why use a product if you don’t appreciate it? :wink:

14

wise words, DavidR…

15

I was trying to say the same… but nobody heard me… so ;D 8)

16

So, are we no longer allowed to make suggestions on the forum? I thought the forum was an excellent place to discuss this sort of thing. I didn’t realize that suggestions for improvements were so frowned upon. ::slight_smile:

Musaran was simply offering some suggestions and, as a relatively new Avast user, I agree with most of his suggestions. I believe that if his suggestions were implemented, Avast would be easier to use for new users. Obviously, opinions differ, but why be so negative?

17

Exactly.
Ease of use is my aim, it seems a success here.

It is not my way, what I would want for myself is quite different (and irrealistic).
It is not to make me happy, but most users happier using avast.

I write more to explain more, as necessary.

It is possible and easy to combine the best parts in software, enjoy. :slight_smile:

Why use a product if you don't appreciate it? ;)
Seems you didn't read me... It is precisely because I appreciate avast that I want to perfect it.

Style & aesthetics, I agree (that is why most controls have a neutral look).
But layout, why ? There is logic in this, not just taste.

there are many differing opinions and none is totally right.
Some points are better in the suggested layout, with reason :
  • File operations are grouped.
  • Tracking features are grouped (Event log & Quarantine zone).
  • Services are grouped, in one glance the user knows which are available and their status.
  • Status display and the commands to change status are the same thing (same name, same place, all choices available at once).
  • Status names are much sorter, and very usual words.
  • Features most useful to newcomers are the very firsts (down in a systray menu).
  • Easy to add/remove service-specific command at design time.

and more…

I feel these logical improvements outweight matters of taste.

If you think otherwise, can you explain ?

18

neiby

So, are we no longer allowed to make suggestions on the forum?
That was never said. Of course you can make suggestions. That's how avast! has gotten better. However if you've made a suggestion and then have it explained to you why some suggestions are good and some things aren't going to happen and you insist that that's not good enough, Then I guess you can continue to fill up pages with repeated info that's not going to be listened to.
19

But Bob, that wasn’t what happened as I see it. Someone made some excellent suggestions and he was basically told three things:

  1. Avast is just fine as it is
  2. You must not appreciate the program
  3. We don’t like your suggestions therefore you’re wrong

Musaran’s suggestions are very logical and are based in a solid understanding of ergonomics and interface design, and a few of his suggestions had occurred to me in the past.

As a relatively new user, I was lightly confused by some of the design elements that musaran mentioned. As one example, why is there one interface for on-demand scanning, another style for on-access settings, and another for program settings? This is confusing and does not present a common look. Those three interface styles could be combined to present a single, common main interface from which to interact with Avast.

Another example is “Start Avast! Antivirus” on the menu. That wording makes it appear that Avast isn’t running and needs to be started. This is unclear and imprecise. A better menu title would be “On-Demand Scanning” or something like that.

Let’s be clear: Avast! is a great program! I love it and I recommend it to all my friends and anyone else who will listen. However, it is not perfect, and interface design is one of the areas in which it could improve. It may be perfectly clear to you who to use it becase you’re very familiar with it, but some aspects are a little confusing to new users and they could be improved without negatively impacting the program in other ways.

Regards,
John (who really does love Avast!)

20

All of we are talking the same…
All of we are giving the acceptance for the others opinions…
All of we are just ok: ones giving opinions, others saying they’re good, others (like me) saying that they’re good but could bring trouble, others don’t like…
This is the way to get a long journey ;D