Ubiquity is a new cloud computing storage/ sharing product. User research has provided insight to inform the interface design of the new service. There were five areas of specific concern for this user profile: • Security • File organization • Collaboration/incentives • Access to help • Ability to share with other cloud services There are two primary interface improvements that were informed by the user concerns: • Feedback • Redundancy:

Ubiquity Cloud Computing Interface Design

Well-designed feedback will benefit the product by: • Reinforcing correct user behaviors, such as when an

operation is performed successfully • Rewarding certain actions, such as inviting others to

join the service • Reassuring user concerns, such as providing virus

scanning when exchanging files The five areas of focus are: 1. The home/login screen 2. File organization view 3. The uploading interface 4. Some specific system feedback instances 5. The interface for sharing with other cloud services

Make the product’s security features part of the home screen text/tagline. Put the login fields up front, rather than hidden behind a Login link. Put links to important information on the home screen, so a new user can get information without having to create an account.

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Design area 1: The home/login screen

Ability to select alternative views Account controls for settings and logout link made persistent in display, rather than hidden in dropdowns. Persistent sidebar with information on user’s account space, links to help and information, plus a message about other features of the service. Icon view can be assigned an icon from a stock set, or customized by the user

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Available space

50MB of 5GB

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Design area 2: File organization view

Selecting the alternate file view changes to a more traditional file-exploring structure This view provides additional options to sort files by size, name and date. Orienting breadcrumbs to keep file contents in context with rest of system.

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Design area 2: File organization view - alternative

Upload window will pop up (semitransparent) over the existing view.

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Progress bar during upload, with provided virus scanning featured.

Progress bar changes color upon successful upload, and antivirus status is part of dialog text.

Design area 3: The uploading interface

Feedback for problems, with links to help files. Per-file permission settings could allow users to set notifications and other file behaviors. For expert users, the message can be turned off. Notification for individual files – hover over a file and a popup will indicate whether a file has been viewed or downloaded by a collaborator (indicating that the user can safely delete their copy and free up storage space).

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Design area 4: System Feedback - Uploading

Don’t show this message again. You can also change these settings here.

All options to get more space for an account are displayed in one screen. Incentives are clearly explained for each option.

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Design area 4: System Feedback - Incentives

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2 For every new user you sign up, you’ll both get 2GB extra.

Trying new features can earn you extra storage space.

Complete your profile and we’ll add 2GB to your account.

Select alternative service account (either the user’s or a collaborator’s). Check files to move back and forth.

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Design area 5: The interface for sharing with other cloud services