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Search UI revealed

We finally have the Silverlight UI complete for the Unified Search prototype and are working on deploying the code to the live servers for partners to test. As we scramble to get the final pieces of the Unified Search interface ready for in-person focus groups with partners today, I wanted to give everyone a sneak peak at the exciting changes we've made to the project.  Be sure to comment on these changes--your feedback will help us make this project better.

Opening Page – This is the page users start out at when visiting UPS. We have the Top Level of Search Navigation with our three categories (Partner, Knowledge Base, Learning). Users can also select the source system filters from the bottom of the page.

Unified Search landing page

Second Level Nav – Shows the UPS user the second level of Search Navigation under the Knowledge Base category. We have made the searches very developer focused but they can be altered with Partner feedback.

Second Level Navigation

Basic Search Results – Our UPS user has clicked the IT Pro Community folder and UPS has retrieved search results relating to the community from the 5 source system exposed in the Unified Partner Search system (Partner Portal, Partner Learning Center, MSDN, TechNet, Live Search). We display each result in a icon based view with the source system and file type exposed. Hover over the result icon and the user will receive a short description of the page.

Search results returned

Filtered Results – Since our search was focused on IT Pro Community, I want to focus in on the source systems best suited to developer content, MSDN and TechNet. I used the filters that are available in the search result window to remove results from the Portal, PLC and Live Search. Results from these source system can be added back in by reselecting the checkbox.  

Filtering results in UPS

List View FreeText – UPS allow users to work with up to 5 search results windows. We have expanded the canvas to increase the amount of working room that we have. Results windows are stackable but this allows more freedom to view results side by side. In my second search I use the text entry box in the main canvas to search for “Partner Sales Management”. A new results window opened and I used the filtering in the results pane to limit results to the Partner Portal and Partner Learning center. In this results window we are using the List View to look at the search results in a more traditional view.   

Using the list view in UPS

Saved Results – We have identified search results that we want to keep and moved them into the saved results area. A click on any of the icons will open the page with the search results in a new window.

Saving your results in UPS
Published Tuesday, July 08, 2008 6:10 PM by Jon Whisler

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# a-foton » Search UI revealed

PingBack from http://blog.a-foton.ru/2008/07/search-ui-revealed/

Tuesday, July 08, 2008 4:38 PM by a-foton » Search UI revealed

# re: Search UI revealed

So... instead of the search engine doing the work for me, now I have to know the "source system" to search from?  

If I know where to search from in the first place, I would not need to bother...

Thursday, July 10, 2008 8:34 AM by John Macdonald

# re: Search UI revealed

Actually, the search engine is pulling from multiple sources automatically--the check boxes are intended as source filters for users that are looking for content in a particular source.  The original problem we are trying to tackle is the fact that partner-based content is hosted in multiple locations, forcing users to search each site separately.

Do you feel the source filter is confusing?

Thursday, July 10, 2008 1:23 PM by Jon Whisler

# re: Search UI revealed

I can't speak for John, but I have to admit it looks a little confusing, since the large and prominent folders at the top might lead you to believe that you have to select one when you perform a search...in fact, just glancing at the pictures, that is exactly what I thought.  Putting the filter boxes at the bottom is bad.  This is Silverlight; why not a drop-down at the top with embedded checkboxes for filtering?

Friday, July 11, 2008 3:17 PM by Joe

# filter

Not that the source filter is confusing... maybe unneccessary? Well having never used this application, I can't say that for sure. But the filters definately do not belong at the bottom of the page. They should be right below the search box. You know, like "advanced search" would typically be.

You already have some controls above where the results would be displayed, so why are filter controls be at the bototm of the page? You'd have to go to the bottom of the page, make selections, then go up to the top again to request a new search. That is awkward. That awkward interaction is what doesn't make sense. I know there are MS design styleguides that specify those details.

Friday, July 11, 2008 6:37 PM by Jeff Knooren

# re: Search UI revealed

I am confused.  So... in the opening page, you have Knowledge Base highlighted at the top, but you have all the source system checked off at the bottom.   Which "source" am I searching from then?  The 4 checked off or the highlighted one up top?

Saturday, July 12, 2008 10:52 AM by John Macdonald

# re: Search UI revealed

What is it with microsoft and their partners.

There are five options at the bottom of the initial page and there is a bunch of icons at the tops of the page.  There are even more options in the results page ... you guys must be working for Microsoft.

C'mon people, are you really so completely unaware of this (www.google.com) ... unless you make your engine work for me, your engine is useless -- and it appears that your engine (or perhaps only the UI to said engine) requires too much.

The only reason this is of any interest to me (personally) is to help provide some competition to the world leader in search technology -- google.  For, unless Google has competition we might get in a stagnant and rather unfriendly atmosphere (ecosystem) such as is case with the Windows OS.

Saturday, July 12, 2008 11:17 PM by donquixote

# re: Search UI revealed

One thing that can make things like this easier to explain would be having a Silverlight app showing the interaction as an animation. Of course even better would have been a "demo app" with limited interactivity (hardcoded search string and results for example).

Sunday, July 13, 2008 10:45 PM by Ulas Bardak

# re: Search UI revealed

Thanks all of the comments. It pretty apparent that the interface is tough to figure out in screens, so I've got the app on test server for you to play with.  My appologies for it being in Silverlight 2, beta 1.  We are working on a update this week.  If you want to look at it you'll need to delete Beta 2 before hitting the URL -- http://97.65.97.24:8095/UnifiedSearchExperience.aspx

Monday, July 14, 2008 1:32 PM by Jon Whisler

# re: Search UI revealed

I just tried the demo.  Oh boy.  I was confused as heck....   I tried searching for "silverlight".   Nothing came up.  Searched "CRM".  Nothing came up.   Then I searched for payroll management.   Now, a window with a whole bunch of icons popped up with all these text cut off...   unusable.  Tried scrolling it with the mousewheel, nothing happened.  Moved my mouse around and the window behind kept popping up.   Hover over the icons, the text are unreadable as the text is mixed with the background.  

Why can't all this be just some simple webpage???!?!   Why am I subjected windows popup hell within the browser?  I just want to search and move on to what I need, not play around on this simulated desktop.   Seriously, what were you guys thinking??

Tuesday, July 15, 2008 2:41 AM by John Macdonald

# re: Search UI revealed

#John - Good catch on the search terms.  Logging a bug against the webservice and we are investigating that now.  Oddly enough, Microsoft Silverlight returns results.  

The icon view needs some work--this was also pointed out in focus groups during WPC.  There really isn't any indication of relevance in that view and the call to action is unclear.

The response time of the query windows is slow in this version.  I'm experiencing the same odd window behavior.

As for 'what we were thinking', the new windows are the first try at building a UX element for cross referencing, saving out and sharing queries.

It's an early prototype, so keep the feedback coming.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008 3:36 PM by Jon Whisler

# re: Search UI revealed

Thanks for the reply, Jon.   I just find that this whole experience to be far from desirable at the moment.   It's not utilizing my browser window size even though I make my window to be maximized.  I agree with don up above that I just want it to be simple like google search.  Why am I subjected to all these windows popping in and out?   This just makes me want to use google search even more.   I would not want to use this in its current form for sure.   This is just like all those flash websites that I avoid like the plague.  

Wednesday, July 16, 2008 1:13 AM by John Macdonald

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