Initial Concept

In this column are images of the initial concept for GoogleBuddy, which would become SearchBuddy. The images will walk you through a typical search using the interface.

Final Version

In this column are images of the last version of GoogleBuddy that was produced, just prior to the transition to SearchBuddy. Notable differences from the initial concept will be highlighted.

Description:

This is the initial start up page that users would experience. They would begin by selecting a search domain to explore from the dropdown menu in the upper right corner, right under the GoogleBuddy name.

Description:

Some major changes include:

1. Revised color scheme to be more soothing
2. Moved search topic selection to left to better match natural reading order
3. Search steps don't appear until after a topic is selected

Description:

Users would select a search domain topic from the dropdown. This would then load the steps that were relevant to that particular search strategy.

Description:

Search steps appear after the topic selection is made from the dropdown.

Description:

Each search step is then highlighted while a natural language voice reads the text of each step.

Description:

With the first step presented, the user could select [Show Me] to get additional information about this step.

Description:

After each search step has been highlighted the first step is expanded, and the user can then select from [Guide Me] or [Sample Sites].

Some major changes include:

1. Clarified language used in step descriptions and on buttons
2. Inactive steps are compressed to allow for better interface space management
3. [Guide Me] detail is not initially displayed

Description:

Some major changes include:

1. Clarified language used in [Guide Me]
2. Voice reads detail exactly as it is displayed

Description:

Or the user could select [Example] to see suggested sites that are relevant for this step.

Description:

Some major changes include:

1. More descriptive button name used - [Sample Sites]

Description:

As the user types in their search query, keywords to help make the search more effective are suggested by the interface.

Description:

Some major changes include:

1. Suggested keyword is bolded
2. Dropdown box is modified to make it pop
3. Dropdown box is branded to let user know that search terms are provided by SearchBuddy
4. Suggestions are numbered to illustrate ranking

Description:

The user then selects the modified search query that they want to try and the results provided by the search engine are provided.

Description:

Some major changes include:

1. User is required to select from one of the query keywords being suggested
2. If they fail to do so an error dialog appears and no results are shown

Description:

The user then selects the modified search query that they want to try and the results provided by the search engine are provided.

The move to SearchBuddy

After our initial work on GoogleBuddy, we migrated to a new version of the interface that was called SearchBuddy. With this version we hoped to address some of the remaining issues that were uncovered through user testing of the GoogleBuddy interface and move towards a more instructional search strategy tool. The introductory tutorial was to be delivered via Flash, and the concept for that tutorial can be seen in this PowerPoint presentation.