I love you guys. If there were ever a question that we listen when you speak, let me put it to rest. We’re going to do a Harper’s Index:
- 287: Personal emails I read last week from users
- 1: American Idol guest who emailed me about meebo last week
- 39.14: Average blog comments per day on my last post
- 2: People whose full-time job includes responding to blog comments and having a (well-attended) meeting every week to tell us what people have been saying
- 1240: Volunteers to be our usability lab rats (“esteemed givers of in-person feedback”)
- 784: Words (so far) in the list I keep of user suggestions
A lot of your suggestions were things that we’re going to add in the future. Some were fascinating suggestions that are directly applicable to things I’m working on right now; there’s one in particular I wanted to show you today. A lot of you noticed that when we reorganized the preferences a few weeks ago, we totally left out the drop-down list of old backgrounds to choose from. We didn’t mean to leave you backgroundless – we just knew there was a better way to let you choose backgrounds than a drop-down list, especially a list that would get awfully long as we continue to make backgrounds.
I spoke last week about the first step in the design process being to find out what people are thinking, and as I’ve said, almost 600 of you let us know last week either through the blog or by emailing me directly. This week, we’ve progressed to step two of the design process – making wireframes. Wireframes are really simple diagrams to get a sense of what a design would look like. They’re not supposed to LOOK the way the final product will, they’re just ORGANIZED the way the final product could be. So backgrounds, icons, buttons, et cetera are all used in the simplest possible way – I even ended up taking some of the color out of these – deciding which colors would be best is something that comes after we’ve figured out how we want to organize things. So here are four possible ways we’re playing with to put backgrounds back into meebo – take a look and feel free to leave your comments.
Concept 1 (PNG)
Concept 2 (PNG)
Concept 3 (PNG)
Concept 4 (PNG)
All Concepts (PDF)
Vi veri veniversum vivus vici,
-a
[ comments ] [ past blogs ]
July 7th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
Bro. Andrew,
Where are you lodged out of?
July 7th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
I like the idea about uploading our own image as a backround. And also, the second and third concepts are my favorites. =]
July 7th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
I like the third and fourth concepts best. And uploading our own image or theme would be great.
July 7th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Do we always have to look at parts of the prefs/options on the background of our session? I wouldn’t like that. Given that, #3 is the best. If the separated prefs (backgrounds, colors, noises, etc.) strictly appeared after we opened preferences, that’d be much better, and I’d say throw #2 in the running, as well.
July 7th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Definitely 3 it’s the classiest, and neatest. I like it a lot! (Ironically?) I really don’t like any of the other ones at all.
Thanks for being awesome!
July 7th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
For what it’s worth, I like two and three.
July 7th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
i like the 4th one best, a drop down menu for preferences and a new window for backgrounds
July 7th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
I like 3 and 4. Could you also include a way to personalize the backgrounds so we can load our own pics?
July 7th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
yeah i also like the 4th one. one the first one, new users might be confused by “appearance” and “background.” and i also like the 4th one b/c i prefer wider to longer.
July 7th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
how do you make a skin or like backround or get one atleast
July 7th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
My vote is for #3. It looks neat and not too intrusive.
July 7th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
I like 4 the most. I also love the idea of uploading our own backgrounds, and I think we should be able to not just use images like .jpg’s and .png’s but also .gif’s and animated .png’s (sometime in the future if and when they become popular).
July 7th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
I like 3 and 4, but again would like a custom background. Even if the user could use a image already on the web (so meebo doesnt have to manage user images) by providing the url, that would be great.
July 7th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
+1 for concept 3
July 7th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
I like the #3!!!
July 7th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
I liked 2 the most until I gave it further thought and looked at how it extended to cover up some of the buddy list. That being the case I think 3 is probably the one that offers the best display to square footage use ratio. The only way I could see my opinion reverting to 2 again would be the given that the layout is not being shown in a normal aspect ratio layout, so the background list might not intrude as I first stated.
July 7th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
I am not criticising another member, of course, but what the hell does:
” # Merrill Hartman Says:
July 7th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
Bro. Andrew,
Where are you lodged out of? ”
mean?
July 7th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
i like concept 2. btw what does Vi veri veniversum vivus vici mean?
July 7th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
#3 makes me feel slightly uncomfortable in that it’s vertical. I suppose it’s natural that I’d prefer something horizontal, having a wider screen than most… But you have to admit, the boxes that are horizontal (1, 2, 4) feel a little bit more “natural”. Or perhaps that’s just a matter of personal taste.
My favorite would either be #1 or perhaps a horizontal version of #3.
I don’t particularly like #2 because I feel that the bottom tab lags sometimes, and #4 makes one more button to click to access the backgrounds. *shrug*
July 7th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
the 3rd…simple, clean, feels small while including everything
July 7th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
How about orange as a background color?
July 7th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Dear Andrew,
I understand that you want to make Meebo feels n looks better. I really appreciate that but there is one flaw that I don’t really understand. Meebo is so unstable, leave it idle for a few minutes then it will send a message to reconnect. Is it my connectivity problem or my location? U see, I’m a user from Malaysia and I love Meebo due to it’s IM concept of putting important IMs on one page but lately, it’s getting on my nerves as it keeps logging out by itself.
Since I’m at it, can u pls add on more emoticons for us, users who expresses feelings thru emoticons. They are the deal breaker for a conversation. As for your concepts of backgrounds in your blog, I DO NOT like it at all, it’s ugly and i think you can do better. Hey! U can’t please everyone, do you? So I suggest that do a revamp or pick one and progress from your choice later if further improvements are needed.
I’m looking forward for further improvements… Ciao!
July 7th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
I like the third one but hosting a picture would be sweet.
July 7th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
I like 3 the best! (in fact it’s the only one i feel like using)
July 7th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
I like #1 and #3…but I don’t see where you put the little checkmark boxes for some of the options in #1.
July 7th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
DEFINITELY Number 3!
(This is what I do for work redesign websites… and 3 is the best without a doubt – very user friendly and your eye travels nicely down the screen)
keep up the good work!
(P.S. – when will we see display pictures of the people we are talking to?)
July 7th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
I like design 2; the horizontal layout works best for browsing the background thumbnails. But design 2 seems like it would be intrusive to the Media Bar. Design 3 probably offers the best balance between usability and integration into the entire site. For example, currently when selecting “Preferences,” a dialogue box appears with the three tabs “Accounts,” “Preferences,” and “Meebo Me!” I think this single dialogue box for all utilities is wise, so the new preferences should be integrated into it. Design 3 would be best for this. The one suggestion I would make to tweak 3 would be to move the page arrows to the left side of the box and the “Use My Own” button to the right side, as “Use My Own” seems like the last option one would consider through the hierarchy of preferences. Also, I would suggest placing the “pg 1/8″ text in between the arrows, as such:
July 7th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
I like concept 3 & 4 the best. They are the most visually appealing in my opinion!
July 7th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Personally, I’m digging numbers 1 and 4 at the moment. Who knows which I’ll favor in a couple hours. Just keep it clean and simple. Continue the great work.
July 7th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
I definitely love 2 the most. I am surprised at the number of votes for 3; I think 2 is the cleanest. Thanks for listening to all our comments — it makes a difference!
Beth
July 7th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Concept 3 is my fave =]
July 7th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
I have to say I like the forth one. It is the best to me. ::nods:: I really think that if the website was like that I would use it a lot more often. =D
Thanks for listening!!!
Trilli0n
July 7th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
# 2 !!!
July 7th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
I like #2 & #3 but i like 2 a little better
July 7th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Concepts 1 and 3
Great designs overall… they just work better.
July 7th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
I like two and three the best.
With four, the appearance box feels like an aftethought, and I just don’t like one – it feels cramped.
I agree with Tyler in that it would be nice for there to be the “pg. 1/8″ type text near/between the arrows for concept two.
July 7th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Nah Scratch that – i like em both equally. I don’t know. And someone else brought up a good pooint, about the lagging on the bottom media bar.
=P So yeah #2 or #3…lol
July 7th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
hey loser
July 7th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
reply you idiots
July 7th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
hi
July 7th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
I prefer option 3. The vertical layout of controls was immediately clear to me.
My issues with option 1:
– I’m not thrilled with the idea of seeing the color swatch all the time. I like how clean Meebo looks now. I don’t need to constantly be reminded that I can change the color scheme and background.
– I’m not sure, but it looks like the “preferences” item might pop up a menu (an issue in my option 4 list).
My issues with option 2:
– The “X” (close button) is in an inconsistent location.
– The horizontal layout took me slightly longer to understand (seems less clear) than the vertical layout in option 3.
My issues with option 4:
– Although the color swatches are larger, they don’t show the range of tints/shades that will actually be used in the interface.
– The menu isn’t as convenient as a dialog box for setting toggles. If I’m adjusting preferences, I don’t want to keep popping up a menu to check/uncheck options.
July 7th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
only four words #4 please
July 7th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Who can I contact to help the meebo team maximize their market? I would love to involve meebo with some of the upcoming events that are in the planning stages for next year.
July 7th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
Concept 1.
Definitely Concept 1.
…or concept 4.
Concept 4.
July 7th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
I like the 3rd concept the best! the 4th is a close favourite too.
July 7th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
ahhhhhhhhhhhh…to no meeboo…
bahhhhhhhhh….colee cambada
July 7th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
I like all of them because of the “Use my own” background option finally meebo can look even more awesome.
July 7th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
concept 4 is cool, i like number 4…
btw: a little off topic, but are you ever going to have any other noise for sending and receiving im’s?
July 7th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
i like the first one the best. i like that the options are built into the interface without having to go into a preferences panel or anything(it looks like, anyways).
good looks, guys!
July 7th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
I prefer the third concept, am not a fan of the second concept, and dislike the little color choice blocks on the fourth concept because they are the only thing in the little window that runs off the edge I think it makes them look unfinished.
July 7th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
I definitely like #1 and #4. They’re both really neat, and they seem to be really easy to access. But no matter what kind of layout we’ll be having, I can’t wait for the updated looks!
July 7th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
i like the preferences menu in #4, the box in #3 (minus the preferences option, which i definitely prefer in menu form rather than dialog box form, because i don’t like having to pop open a dialog box whenever i want), and the permanent appearance box in #4.
in other words: ideally, i’d love to have the “preferences” in a menu at the top of the screen, with an “appearance” area built into the background itself and a background dialog box.
#2 is my least favorite, and ignoring the fact that #4’s colors don’t have gradients, it’s my favorite.
these look great! thanks for all the time you spend working on everything.
July 7th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
I really like the third option.
July 7th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
Layout 2 or 3 would be good. The other two change the interface to something that isn’t currently in use. Better to stay with something your users are already familiar with than to make them learn something new. In that respect, 3 would probably be even better given the standard location of the close button, but I also sort of like the wider layout of 2. Perhaps a combination of both.
July 7th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
4 fo sho. Its encapsulated well, but not hidden like an easter egg.
July 7th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
i love meebo and use it every day over AIM or Yahoo. I would love to volunteer to give suggestions…just let me know…
i have to say that i like 1 and 4 the best. They appear the most streamlined and most compact, which is one of the things i love the best about meebo!
just let me know if i can be of any future assistance…
thanks a lot for your time =]
P.S. The emotion-cons are fantastic on meebo! i love
the best, i named him ted! =]
July 7th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
I like the 3rd one. It seems that if you want preferences you just click on the top and the menu pops up. Really easy to use and looks nice.
July 7th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
Here’s my feedback:
Concept #1: I don’t think preferences belong on “the desktop.” It just doesn’t seem very natural to me. And I think the color schemes and backgrounds should be bundled together since they both deal with the overall theme of meebo.
Concept #2: I like how the preferences are isolated away from everything else, but I think they should belong in a window, not as a tray at the bottom. I like my focus to be in the center of the screen, not at the bottom.
Concept #3: Once again I think it’s good that the preferences are isolated, but I don’t how it’s a long window. I think if it was horzontal window like #2 it would look well.
Concept #4(My favorite): I like how the preferences are integrated into the menubar, it reminds of offline applications. I also like how the appearance and application preferences are separated from each other. I think it reduces the clutter you get when you try to combine the two things together. My only concerns would be the menu popping out over the buddylist and the “Meebo Me Widget” option. Neither is really a big issue. In my opinion it just doesn’t seem right that in the preferences there an option for Meebo Me. Just doesn’t feel right. It also decreases advertising of it because it’s hidden.
This concept I think also has the greatest flexibility/extendability as you add more features to meebo.
Just my thoughts…
July 7th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Sorry for double post….
After reading woody’s comments about #4, I would suggest to have an “Apply Changes” button so you could instantly see the effects of what you have changed.
July 7th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
i like 2 and 3 best
July 7th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Concept 1 looks awesome ^_^
July 7th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Oh, what American Idol guest???
I like 3 and 4 the best.
July 7th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
My vote is for #3. Thanks for listening to customer concerns.
July 7th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Concept #4 seems like the most appropriate one of them all. It would be more comfortable for the user.
July 7th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
i’m voting for number 2 and i like the upload your own image idea
July 7th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
I like #3 the best =)
July 7th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
the second one looks good.
July 7th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
Three! looks really spiffy
July 7th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
I like #2 the best.
But they’re all great so pick which ever one you like
July 7th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Here’s the failure:
> A lot of you noticed that when we reorganized the preferences
> a few weeks ago, we totally left out the drop-down list of old
> backgrounds to choose from. We didn’t mean to leave you
> backgroundless – we just knew there was a better way to let
> you choose backgrounds….
But people were confused. A good UI doesn’t impose a “better way” from on high — it is intuitive. Judging by the number of confused users, you missed the boat on that one.
July 7th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
[...] 2008 · No Comments Meebo hires their first interaction designer! Andrew has already started taking feedback from users on his projects through the Meebo blog! [...]
July 7th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
I like the option of no 4
July 7th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Escape flatland. The reason why people like number 3 better than number 2 is the black box you’ve put around the choices for background themes, when its really not necessary. Actually, you’d be better off not categorizing things on your own as the heirarchy will lead to even worse user interactions, but rather having a search box for pictures (possibly linked to another site like flickr where people can host their own images). Really, showing all possible backgrounds and letting the user search is much more efficient and effective a user experience than limiting choices…
July 7th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
Option 1 and 2 but also want to upload my own…
July 7th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
I like the second option the best, and I think that all the preferences should be moved into a tabbed thing in the bottom expandable bar.
July 7th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
I like concept 4, the menus idea RULES!
July 7th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
I like the third concept the best myself.
July 7th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
“Really, showing all possible backgrounds and letting the user search is much more efficient and effective a user experience than limiting choices…”
Sorry but you don’t get it
.
Obviously they are going to have images from their advertising partners, which is why they have the catagory setup. Your setup removes a revenue stream, so they won’t do it that way.
Goodbye.
July 7th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
I like 2 or 3 =]
July 7th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
i like 3 the best – it’s more of a dedicated setting menu than an afterthought kinda thing with #4, though they are both better than the first two. Some people may like customizing a lot and want a dedicated window for backgrounds, but a dedicated window feels more polished – it kind of bothers me when I come across small apps that have a menu with radio/check buttons. i don’t know why, it just does.
If you’re going to have a menu, put substantial categories on it that opens up a window. Especially with the way the web is setup, it’s just natural to click a menu item and expect something to pop up or go to a new page.
July 7th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
** i meant… but a dedicated window for all preferences and not menu buttons feels more polished..
July 7th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
2 is pretty cool, but 4 is the best, except… leave the colorscheme buttons as they are.
July 7th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
My vote goes to the 2nd concept.
hm.. maybe the 3rd will do it as well
July 7th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
Meebo Team,
Hi can we have Preferences check box options like
Turn Off Blogs at Startup
Turn Off Bottom Advertisement at Startup
This is all I ask! This seems like a very good feature for users!
Warm Regards,
Jonathan
July 7th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
mostly i like #3!
July 7th, 2008 at 10:58 pm
I like concept 1. Specially the fact that the color selection is not part of the background selection. I would like to change the color of my meebo login based my mood on that day, but i don’t use the background images since they make the session heavy.
July 7th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
I looked at your concepts and I found Concept 3 to be the easiest one for me to follow, and it took up a lot less space by using the arrow pages than the others did, which grabbed my attention.
July 7th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
I think preferences do not need to be in a floating window and a permanent place for it would be a better option. And should be least intrusive too. #2 will do for me
July 7th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
I like no. 3 best. Neat and clear. straightforward.
July 7th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
i like concept1. it’s neat, simple, and straightforward.
July 7th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
I prefer the 4th. And one thing I didn’t like is having to close the preferences window to see how the wallpaper fits…. I think it would be good to have an “Apply changes” button, or make the changes be applied just by clicking the photo.
Congratulations for making meebo so good!! Bye
July 7th, 2008 at 11:40 pm
I like the 4th one a lot. It’s clean, neat and has all the functions that are needed under a single button.
July 7th, 2008 at 11:44 pm
The 4th. Definitely
July 8th, 2008 at 12:00 am
Hello,
When I see the numerous opportunities giving by this web version, I am impressed.
Speaking about suggestion, I would highly recommand the opportunity to receive offline messages. Would it be possible in the future?
Thanks,
July 8th, 2008 at 12:19 am
Number 3.
July 8th, 2008 at 12:26 am
Concept 3
For sure
The look is addicting
Has the qualities of all the others but mixed wonderfully.
I want to eat it.
o.0
July 8th, 2008 at 12:35 am
concept 3 looks best – if you can just add the color scheme format from concept4 into the concept3. i mean instead of icon size boxes of color , a slightly lengthier stripes.
July 8th, 2008 at 12:49 am
Hi and thanks for your job. meebo is a very pleasant to use application, and very useful.
I prefer Concept 3.
Bye.
July 8th, 2008 at 1:01 am
I like concept2’s categories for backgrounds and also the concept4’s dropdown menus. Maybe concept4 would be a little faster and CPU friendlier than concept2, but I like the classic dialog with all the preferences. Anyway, excellent ideas, all of them.
I also see that you’re trying to place the accounts, preferences and widgets dialogs into separate elements. Thumbs up for that!
July 8th, 2008 at 1:08 am
Hey guys!
Those wireframes look great. For the record, I like the first one.
One question I did have – would it be possible to “apply” the themes so we can see them? At the moment, you have to:
- Go into the Preferences menu
- Choose a new appearance
- click Save. This will close the window and then apply the theme.
Could you have a ‘Preview’ button or something, so we could see what it looks like without closing the Preferences screen? The preview thumbnails look ok, but I don’t think they would represent the desktop fully.
It’s not a criticism – just a suggestion
)
keep up the brilliant work!
C
PS: I noticed a comment earlier about connections. I found when I was in SA on Telkom broadband I could not get Meebo working at all! (it kept saying Reconnect). I think it’s an ISP issue, not a app issue!
July 8th, 2008 at 1:16 am
I would go with either 1 or 4, both are simple and to the point
July 8th, 2008 at 1:20 am
I like concept 4.
July 8th, 2008 at 1:24 am
ba en fai je trouve ke c’est pouris a se chier d’su en plus c’est tt ecri en anglais alr je kapte rien de vo conerie alr ciao et parler en francai la prochaine foi
July 8th, 2008 at 1:33 am
I like number 4 the best, although i would change the “color scheme” colors to squares like in the other examples instead of rectangles touching the edge.
July 8th, 2008 at 1:53 am
I like concept 4. it would be great to be able to use our own backgrounds as well
July 8th, 2008 at 2:02 am
Personally, I like number four.
July 8th, 2008 at 2:21 am
3rd one is the best…..
Now consider this,
instead of reading through all the comments and manually finding out the people’s choice…how about having a generic voting pad?
July 8th, 2008 at 2:23 am
where do you get your meebo mail??
July 8th, 2008 at 2:31 am
I like the overall horizontal layout of concept 2 with the multiple rows of backgrounds like in concept 3 (and the option of a scroll bar on the right if more backgrounds than the frame can fit.
July 8th, 2008 at 3:22 am
conquered the universe with meebo, have you?
July 8th, 2008 at 3:22 am
Thanks for your service, but please, you are too fragile online as you always go off tto frequently. This is highly discouraging as I have to reconnect always. Please, treat.
July 8th, 2008 at 3:24 am
I like 3 or 4
July 8th, 2008 at 3:27 am
I’m personally a fan of three – four as my second.
3 looks the most like an actual messenger options panel, which I really, really like.
Also, Gbenga – I use Meebo on a daily basis and have never had a problem with needing to reconnect. My guess is it has something to do with your Internet connection – if there isn’t a constant one, it’ll drop.
July 8th, 2008 at 3:27 am
I like option #3…also, I never figured out how to use my msn account IM because the only option available when signing in for msn automatically converts it to “hotmail”. Any help would be appreciated.
July 8th, 2008 at 3:28 am
2
July 8th, 2008 at 3:49 am
Concept 3 is a winner.
Concept 4 as runner-up.
Would be helpful to use a poll system for this sort of post.
July 8th, 2008 at 4:00 am
I really like #2 and #3 – 3 the best. You all do a great job with requirements gathering and such. Awesome job!
July 8th, 2008 at 4:50 am
concept 3 with the runner up being 1 is my choice. Keep up the great work guys!
July 8th, 2008 at 5:02 am
#3 = <3
July 8th, 2008 at 5:11 am
I love U too!
July 8th, 2008 at 5:15 am
It was knid of hard to choose one as they are all very well designed. I must have flipped through each image 10 times before deciding. I think number 4 looks the best out of all and here is why:
Number 1: I didnt like the fact that the Appearance colours were seperated from the Background box.
Number 2: It looks like the Preferences is out side the window and kind of hides half the buddy list. Although this option forces you to focus on the preferences you are choosing I didnt like the fact that it hides the buddy list and is not incorporated in the over all view of the main workspace.
Number 3: This was a tough call because I thought this one looks quite neat but the problem is that it is too tall. Even though everything is accessible in one window it takes up too much space for a property window. This however would be my second favorite out of the four.
Number 4: As I mentioned this design is my favorite. The design is easy to use and I love the way the colours at the bottom of the box are not simple squares. Having more visual of a colour really does help understanding what the colour would look like when using it. Sometimes the little squares can be deceiving to the eye. I like the fact that it is a smaller box so it does not take up too much space on the main screen. The fact that the ‘Play a sound’ preferences are actually in the preferences dropdown is more convenient because when you start having to many items in one box on the screen it may get a little confusing for some users. Hopefully this one gets voted in.
July 8th, 2008 at 5:17 am
I love the choice of using our own background. 3 is good for me as well…..
July 8th, 2008 at 5:24 am
Please don’t add a lot of clutter to meebo. I even despise the “media bar” now. Please leave it plain and simple. I don’t really want to hear about some random artist.
p.s. Add an option to turn the new stuff off individually.
July 8th, 2008 at 5:25 am
Hi! I loved the third concept…that’s definitely my pick. Also, I was wondering: is there anyway to have new im messages minimized for when I leave my desk at work? I love Meebo and wish I was closer to be at some of these in person meet-ups that you have! Thanks for all the hard work
Juliet
July 8th, 2008 at 5:25 am
Andrew,
Your premise here (kindly correct me if I’m wrong!) seems to be that Meebo “listen[s] when [we] speak”.
But I have been “speaking” for literally years now (just a few years cuz that’s all Meebo has been in existence for, of course), with a number of highly constructive suggestions related to the need for focus on basic IM functionality — as opposed to superficial frivolity, like cosmetics, superkewl addon applications, and yes, even design, much of which is frivolous in the sense that it does not bear upon basic functionality (although if you at least talked more about SYSTEM design instead of VISUAL design, at least that would have SOME bearing on functionality).
And NO ONE responds. Ever. In any blog. In any email. In any way. Other than, a few times, when Sue, Yuie, Corey, have responded by email and even occasionally by IM when I or my staff have had severely incapacitating functionality problems. (For which I and my staff are grateful, but that’s not what you or I are talking about, here.)
I have resorted to analogy, figures of speech, metaphor, various rhetorical devices, all to no avail. Here’s my favorite: you guys have done the approximate equivalent of building A CAR THAT BARELY RUNS, BREAKS DOWN CONTINUOUSLY AND REPEATEDLY, BURNS AN OUTRAGEOUS AMOUNT OF GAS, IS RISKY TO RIDE IN BECAUSE IT DOESN’T PROTECT THE DRIVERS OR PASSENGERS IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT, AND, BASICALLY, THOUGH IT POSSIBLY WILL GET YOU WHERE YOU’RE GOING, GETS YOU THERE IN TEN TIMES THE AMOUNT OF TIME IT SHOULD TAKE TO GET THERE, GIVEN THE LAWS OF NATURE. Thus, though it is admittedly a slight improvement over the horse and carriage as a means of transportation, it is NOT MUCH OF ONE.
So I have a few questions regarding the stats you cite in support of your claim that Meebo “listens” — though of course I doubt I’ll get the answers, quod est demonstrandum, since you like to toss off Latin phrases:
* 287: Personal emails I read last week from users
How many emails came in that you DIDN’T read? And why don’t I have your email address so I can write you? But even better…WHY AREN’T YOU ACCESSIBLE, AT LEAST OCCASIONALLY, TO ME VIA IM, the very medium on which Meebo trades?
Also: fine, let’s say you read all 287 of them. Is it a secret how many of these you RESPONDED TO? Perhaps the number was ZERO, or close to zero?
* 1: American Idol guest who emailed me about meebo last week
So what? How does this demonstrate that Meebo “listens”? “Surely you jest!”
* 39.14: Average blog comments per day on my last post
With how many responses, per day, BY YOU to the poster? And in what form?
* 2: People whose full-time job includes responding to blog comments and having a (well-attended) meeting every week to tell us what people have been saying
Who are the people? Why don’t you publish (HERE) a way to contact them directly, lie, e.g., an email address, but better, WHY AREN’T THEY (or more people, nothing keeps you from hiring a few more, and in fact we have even sent you a candidate from OUR staff!) IN A MEEBO CHATROOM SOMEWHERE TALKING TO PEOPLE at least for part of the day?
* 1240: Volunteers to be our usability lab rats (”esteemed givers of in-person feedback”)
How come no one has ever asked ME or anyone from MY STAFF to be among these 1240 volunteers…or 1241?
* 784: Words (so far) in the list I keep of user suggestions
Again…how does this demonstrate that you are “listening”? Part of LISTENING is RESPONDING (and viceversa)…where’s the dialogue?
There is a forum item, a poll, which suggested that the developers maintain a chatroom to talk to the users in. The poll opened with respondents being unanimously in favor, something like 14 to 0, then one person voted “no” without giving a real reason for NOT doing it (and was suspected of being someone from Meebo, or someone just voting no to be contrarian), and afaik that is the last and only “no” vote. And yet: still, no chatroom. No comments from the developers or staff in the forum item. NOTHIN’, HONEY.
Finally, the development team announces (on the Meebo help Wiki, and elsewhere) that it will “hold open sessions during certain times to help troubleshoot bugs, and help you resolve any problems you’ve been having with meebo…”, and indeed such a page does exist, at http://www.gomeebo.com/talkdev.html, with a Meebo widget running on someone’s computer, probably Sandy’s. under the name “dev team”, but NODBODY IS EVER THERE, all you ever get from a visit there is “dev team is offline, leave a message”. ONE time, in the whole year or more that I have been on Meebo keeping that page open round-the-clock in my browser, I ran into Sandy there,who basically couldn’t be bothered to enter into an authentic dialogue with me or even at least set a time for such, given that I didn’t expect her to “drop everything” to IM with me.
“Don’t get me wrong”, I am a tremendous fan of the Meebo concept…but the more I am exposed to the IMPLEMENTATION of the concept, the less of a fan I become. I still share the warm-fuzzy feelings a lot of your younger users seem to express here, but I can guarantee you they have been STRAINED by the lack of responsiveness from the decision-makers there, to reasonable and highly constructive questions that I and my staff have posed over the entire period of time I we have been users.
So, how about taking this as a personal challenge, Andrew?: can I get the answers to the above questions, somehow?
That is the QUICKEST WAY TO SHUT DOWN MY RANTS: just answer me! Engage me in dialogue.
And yet…no one does. Even though, at one point, I found myself getting censored in the blogs/forums…cute!
Best,
Rob
July 8th, 2008 at 5:29 am
I like concept 3 the best. It would be the easiest interface I think. I like where all the important things would be.
July 8th, 2008 at 5:30 am
Definitely option 2.
Big no-no for 4, dropdown option menus are extremely annoying as you have to keep opening the menu for every option you want to change.
July 8th, 2008 at 5:35 am
Choice number 4, and you could put in the preferences a drop down menu which lets you choose which concept you want, in other words prefered preferences.
July 8th, 2008 at 5:38 am
I like the 3rd one better
July 8th, 2008 at 5:39 am
Hey Andrew, not sure which one I like best…but for consideration: I use my asus eee 701 when im at home chatting on meebo. it would be great if the concepts would show completely on my tiny screen when they go live…and not fall off because of size
July 8th, 2008 at 5:42 am
I definitely like number 1 best Andrew!
July 8th, 2008 at 5:42 am
I like the 2nd concept.
I agree with Hayate, as the whole dropdown feature is annoying. I like option two because it can be the “command center” where you can control your account. Prefs, Accounts, personal information.
July 8th, 2008 at 5:42 am
You can user test and you are asking for user opinions? Sigh.
None of your designs present a control to deselect a background (select nothing) or a tile that indicate the default state.
Functionality that supports testing out a background or color scheme (i.e. apply changes), and not committing to it, might allow more exploration.
As you can see I value my undo.
July 8th, 2008 at 6:04 am
Love the second one. Love the fact that we can upload our own backgrounds.
Keep up the good work guys.
July 8th, 2008 at 6:05 am
Prefer the second one.
Love your work.
July 8th, 2008 at 6:09 am
I like #4!!
July 8th, 2008 at 6:12 am
#1 – I don’t like the Appearance as part of the background, even if it only shows after clicking preferences.
#2 – I don’t think preferences belongs as a tab with meebo rooms. But putting the backgrounds there for selection looks good, like joining a meebo room.
#3 – Looks fine.
#4 – The popup Appearance box looks fine. The dropdown preferences doesn’t fit the rest of the UI.
And if you really are going to have many backgrounds, you’ll need a search like for meebo rooms.
July 8th, 2008 at 6:13 am
i love ur meebo andrew got to know about by a friend. it really looks nice.i know it needs some improvement amd upgrade to make chat faster and easier, pls do it fast so as to create a big and long chain of connection between people and make the world a more assisible global village .ok. keep it up dearie.
July 8th, 2008 at 6:13 am
2
July 8th, 2008 at 6:20 am
I think I like the #2 layout the best, although the square corners don’t really fit in with the rest of the page very well (i don’t think). #3 would be my second choice.
July 8th, 2008 at 6:26 am
I like the concept #1. My reasons are b/c it’s small and neat little options screen and you can scroll through the pages. I will admit that I like the look of #3 but I just think it would take too much of the screen when I will be chatting with my friends. I would like the option screen to be a bit like concepts #1 and the rest of the stuff will be great.
The drop down screen is annoying because if it sticks it’s there for a while till it goes as with pop up screens you can normally move them like a chat box when it plays up. (That might just be my computer I use)
Whatever the concept is used I’m glad that wallpapers are coming back with an added bonus of it being neatly placed for us to use more effectively.
Thanks for all the hard work!!
July 8th, 2008 at 6:28 am
I like #4 the best.
July 8th, 2008 at 6:29 am
Andrew,
I absolutely love Meebo! I love the fact I can use all my im sign in names at one time. My family is spread out quite drasticly as our my friends these days due to the War in Iraq so I love beig able to keep up with everyone in one place.
I like design number 1 the best but I understand why most like 3, as it would be my 2nd choice. Thanks for doingsuch a great job. i love it!!!!
July 8th, 2008 at 6:29 am
i like the 4th the best, followed closely by the 3rd. the 2nd is too blocky! and i definitely like the dropdown concept.
July 8th, 2008 at 6:31 am
Hi,
I love concept 3 the best! The bubble layout that you guys are adopting right now is great. Please do not resort to menu with drop down. It would look too much like a windows application then. Boring!
Thanks. Keep up the good job!
Regards,
Brian.
July 8th, 2008 at 6:33 am
I can’t decide between concepts 2 and 3. Concept 4 is too much…no need to have two windows to handle preferences. Concept 1 is similar to 4 in that there is more than one place to adjust preferences. Changing the BG with a click w/o opening a window is quick, but it’s not as clean as having a preferences pane. If I had to pick right now, I’d say concept 3 is the best one.
Meebo is teh awesome.
-j
July 8th, 2008 at 6:34 am
I vote for #2!
July 8th, 2008 at 6:41 am
How about answering some of those emails?
Or at least acknowledging that you got them?
Even a form response would be better than no response.
July 8th, 2008 at 6:42 am
I like concept 3 the best. It looks the cleanest and most user-friendly!
July 8th, 2008 at 6:49 am
I like designs 2 and 3. And I definitely like the idea of uploading my own background. I hope to load my water drops bg that i took.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3271/2620459092_8a6feaa482_o.jpg
Please don’t limit the resolution or the size any smaller than 2MB. I’m running my browser at 1920 and want the backgrounds to fill the whole screen when I’m in full screen view. Keep up the good work!
July 8th, 2008 at 6:51 am
Anything but concept 2 (its pretty oogly)
concept 4 is my fav tho (I find pref. menus are generally better as drop downs as opposed to being in its own window)
and i agree with Maj some sort of acknoweldgement to emails would be nice. But with mass messages i can see how that would be tough. Although i guess the best way to let us know you got our comments would be to just see the feature we wrote about get fixed/improved!
July 8th, 2008 at 6:55 am
I’d vote for 1, then 3.
nice work folks!
July 8th, 2008 at 6:55 am
I like # 4.
Thanks for listening!
July 8th, 2008 at 6:56 am
#3 seems to be easiest on the eyes. Isn’t today’s world all about clean lines and streamlining processes.
)
Enjoy and stay cool!
Thanks for all your hard work, simple users like me really appreciate how much meebo has helped our daily lives, and that’s all the way from the east coast!
July 8th, 2008 at 6:56 am
Concept 2 is the best.
Concept 1 is too independent from everything else. Concept 3 and 4 are too standalone and the window is similar to the preferences window as it is now. Concept 2 would integrate nicely — especially on varying screen resolutions. I do like the aesthetic look of concept 3, however, so if concept 2 could have more rounded edges perhaps and a different color scheme such as concept 3’s, it would be nicer.
July 8th, 2008 at 6:59 am
Hey I want to be a volunteer too…You are awesome…I can’t believe you get to read all these messages…!!
Greetings from Panama….Meebo is great !!!
July 8th, 2008 at 7:00 am
I don’t like concept 1 because breaking the appearance out of the preferences sounds like a bad idea to me, although I’m sure some people would like having easy access to mess with their presentation so easily.
Concept 2 is too wide and I think you guys should stick with the “rounded” scheme rather than opt for a suddenly blocky look.
I think concept 3 has too much going on, but it’s still pretty good.
I like the potential of concept 4 the best, although the don’t like that the color swatches extend all the way to the bottom of the window. And there’s also no “use my own” button in it.
July 8th, 2008 at 7:05 am
I like #1 and #3 the best. They seem good. n_n
July 8th, 2008 at 7:08 am
Option 3 is my fave and seems to be the most popular on the other comments, so my vote is for 3
July 8th, 2008 at 7:08 am
I like 3 the best. Concept 2 is ok but, as others have mentioned, it is too wide.
July 8th, 2008 at 7:10 am
I believe the third is the best. And I wanted to thank y’all for making something that makes me seem smart. When I tell my IT friends about meebo they think I really know what I’m talkin’ about.
July 8th, 2008 at 7:15 am
I like Concept 2 the best!! (by far)
July 8th, 2008 at 7:16 am
Who was the American Idol guest?
July 8th, 2008 at 7:23 am
I vote for #2. It reminds me of the preference toolbar in the Adobe products.
July 8th, 2008 at 7:24 am
number 4, it is the most organized and sensible
July 8th, 2008 at 7:28 am
Andrew,
I think 1 and 2 are the cleaner versions, with 2 being preferable because it appears a bit larger. It is also a nice feature to be able to use your own background. I could really work with all of them, but 2 is the best in my opinion.
Thanks for working this out!
July 8th, 2008 at 7:29 am
I like #4 the best, with #3 a close second.
Keep up the great work!
July 8th, 2008 at 7:30 am
I like concept #3 best but with the larger color buttons that are shown in concept # 4.
July 8th, 2008 at 7:31 am
I liked the 3rd one. It’s neat and I think would load faster than the others. I connect to Meebo from a remote desktop so I would go with anything that loads fast and has a thin interface. Also I get to face a lot of the reconnect again screen and need to refresh and connect, hope that will be looked into. Thanks for all the hard work for us.
July 8th, 2008 at 7:31 am
If I had to choose, I’d say I like 2 and 3 the best. 3 looks the best, but I kind of prefer the layout of 2. Being able to use my own background would be great. I haven’t been thrilled by icon/background options provided in the past. I also wouldn’t mind just seeing Backgrounds as another tab in the current Preferences window.
July 8th, 2008 at 7:37 am
I vote for the 3rd one.
July 8th, 2008 at 7:43 am
couple thoughts…
I would like the ability to save my chat history easily…either per screen name on list or for entire list.
I would like the ability to purge my chat history at the time of download.
I would like the ability to purge my chat history any time
I would like to ability to turn viewing the recent history in the current chat window or not…meaning I would prefer if to see the chat history it was a separate window
July 8th, 2008 at 7:46 am
oh and I like #3 I think the best…
July 8th, 2008 at 7:48 am
I like #3 the best: It looks SIMILAR to the one we currently have, but it’s vertical. And also, I LOVE the fact that we’d be able to upload our own backgrounds.
July 8th, 2008 at 7:49 am
And another idea: you could change the preference list you want…
July 8th, 2008 at 7:50 am
I like the second one.
July 8th, 2008 at 7:52 am
I just want to add that I love using Meebo and I think it is great that you keep us in the loop with those messages when logging in. There are very few companies like this out there which involve the users to such an extensive level which is awesome. The entire Meebo team ROX!!!!!!!!!
July 8th, 2008 at 7:53 am
I really like number 1. It seems to integrate more with the rest of the meebo experience than the others. Number 2 is my least favorite by far. I notice a lot of number 3 votes on here also – it’s not as bad but I still prefer 1.
Meebo is one of the most amazing services I have come across on the web. Thank you all for saving me from the horrid traditional AIM clients
July 8th, 2008 at 7:53 am
Concept #2 looks best to me!
July 8th, 2008 at 7:54 am
I like concept 3 the best — it’s simple, clean and uncluttered.
July 8th, 2008 at 8:02 am
Keep it like it is.
July 8th, 2008 at 8:04 am
I like the third one. I like the background options being included in the drop down ‘Preferences’ menu. I like its simplicity.
July 8th, 2008 at 8:08 am
I like concept 3 best and concept 4 second-best. I understand wanting to calling it Appearance because it’s bg *and* color scheme, but that label’s a bit confusing because of how it’s been working so far.
July 8th, 2008 at 8:10 am
I like the layout of concept 4 the best. The others aren’t bad, I just like this one better.
July 8th, 2008 at 8:14 am
I like the first and last the best! im kind of in a twixt between though oin which one i like best. ( love the usernames on the first one to it made me giggle)
July 8th, 2008 at 8:16 am
I like 3 or 4, and definitely like the idea of being able to use my own.
Could you also please add to the wish list: Ability to delete chat logs by date (instead of just Delete All)
July 8th, 2008 at 8:18 am
For what it’s worth, I like the third concept the best.
It’s very neat, and it seems kind of…classy, if that’s what concepts can be. xD
And just so you know, you guys who work on meebo are amazing, I love my meebo more than my myspace
(And that’s really saying something…)
July 8th, 2008 at 8:25 am
option #2 is the best
July 8th, 2008 at 8:27 am
If I were to choose 1 of the design ideas exactly as they were, I like #3 the best. However, what I would really like/suggest is one based on #2.
#2 shows a tabbed interface, including only 1 tab named “Preferences”.
I would recommend using the #2 style, but creating a 2nd tab named “Appearance.”
I would keep the items in the left section (emoticons, sounds, etc.) in the “Preferences” tab, and move the Color Scheme and Backgrounds to the “Appearance”.
This concept of separating the “Preferences” items from the “Appearance” items is shown in concept #4, but I don’t like how they are separated into a drop down menu for the “Preferences” and a dialog box for the “Appearance” items.
July 8th, 2008 at 8:28 am
third and fourth seem best to me, third i like better than fourth
July 8th, 2008 at 8:31 am
I like being able to upload my own photo if I desire. I like Concept 3.
July 8th, 2008 at 8:32 am
The second option works best for me, because it’s mostly horizontal, which makes it easier to take in, in one glance.
The other options looked like design was favored over user-friendliness (is that even a word, I don’t know) because they all look better than the second, but are all a bit clunkier.
July 8th, 2008 at 8:32 am
i like the third one the best,, and the fourth one is my least favorite.
July 8th, 2008 at 8:40 am
I liked the third and fourth options best, and didn’t like two because it looked like it got in the way.
July 8th, 2008 at 8:41 am
i like the first one best but like no ones agreeing with me haha
July 8th, 2008 at 8:42 am
I liked Concept 3, with 4 coming in second.
July 8th, 2008 at 8:46 am
I cannot believe how many people have commented already! I like 2, as it were.
July 8th, 2008 at 8:48 am
I immediately liked number 3 best
July 8th, 2008 at 8:53 am
#3 looks tasty! Any album art that I could upload would be a bonus.
July 8th, 2008 at 8:57 am
The options in #3 seem most usable to me. I understood most clearly that I don’t HAVE to choose a background if I don’t want to, I can just choose a color. Plus, the checked boxes for what to show tell me what I have “on” and “off.” I love it!
July 8th, 2008 at 8:58 am
You know the one feature that I have yet to see that is pretty much standard on all other IM clients is notification of signon / away status change. This would be very useful
July 8th, 2008 at 9:00 am
I loved #3. And i see most of the people liked it too. I quite did not like other concepts. If you go for any other concepts.. do let user chose the style he/she wants for own account.
Thanks for the great site!!
July 8th, 2008 at 9:14 am
I liked #2!
July 8th, 2008 at 9:14 am
hi.
for the 478th million time, please make a Symbian / WM6 version.
When, oh when will this happen?
Funny how you had an iphone version ready the day it came out, although most people use Symbian or WM6. Why the clamoring to appease Apple users?
July 8th, 2008 at 9:16 am
The #2 and #4 are the best because they are the most organised looking and people wont get tired after a few years of using that…..Please chose #2 or #4 please it will be a bette choice for EVERYONE!!! so please trust me on this…ur expectations will be a sucsess with these 2 options…………everybody think about this its not only for u but for everyone that uses this….which requires people all over the world.. thank you and make the right decision……byebye….think hard and think for all of us
July 8th, 2008 at 9:16 am
I love the Third Concept the best and the whole idea of uploading your own themed background. I would say stay away from the fourth concept. i really didnt like it.
July 8th, 2008 at 9:18 am
Really kind of like them all, they all look great to me (but that could be because i’m looking at them without my glasses on).
What’s Vi veri veniversum vivus vici mean????
July 8th, 2008 at 9:19 am
I like wire 2, thank you
July 8th, 2008 at 9:20 am
Concept 3 is the best by far…. think it’ll make it? 2 is okay as well, just stay away from 1!
July 8th, 2008 at 9:22 am
Hey meebo! I personally like the first concept. It’s clean, simple and doesnt take up too much space. Concept 3’s idea is a little too big. When changing the background, people just wanna get in, change it, then get out. The third gets in the way of IM screens. Concept four’s color choices are too blocky in my opinion; I prefer the smaller squares of color. They get the point across and once again, don’t take up too much room. Last, the only problem with concept 2 is it is oddly big. Bigger than it needs to be.
Good luck with updates and thank you for a great service =]
-Kristin
July 8th, 2008 at 9:31 am
I prefer to read horizontal rather than vertical, so concept 2 is the easiest for my eyes to track what I am looking for. I do however like the media bar look and feel of the other concepts.
July 8th, 2008 at 9:31 am
I like 4 the best if the preferences are not automatically displayed every time I log in. If displaying the preferences is the default, then I like #3. I’m curious about why all of the preferences are listed in #3. Conceptually it makes sense, but do people really swap out sounds, colors, etc that frequently?
July 8th, 2008 at 9:38 am
Do you think you can change your display picture everytime i start meebo that picture kinda creeps me out and makes me not wanna read your blog… o.o;
July 8th, 2008 at 9:39 am
I like the ideas you have here, especially the idea about uploading our own backgrounds. As far as the concepts you have here, I like the 2nd and 3rd ones the best. I slightly favor the third because it keeps the interface close to the current one with the pop-up instead of having to get used to another new way of doing things.
July 8th, 2008 at 9:42 am
I like number two
July 8th, 2008 at 9:45 am
I love the idea of sharing design concepts with users via the Meebo blog. I am a UX designer at McAfee and while we do a lot of user visits and testing, it is much more formal. Great stuff.
I might try doing it with internal customers. I’ve used RSS feeds in the past to easily get new prototypes out but it was more deliverable focused. Giving people an informal glimpse in to the day to day work is a good way to get early buy-in and get people involved in the whole story rather than just the end product.
Good stuff. Thanks for sharing.
—David
July 8th, 2008 at 9:56 am
Voto por el 4.
July 8th, 2008 at 10:02 am
I’m in favor of concept #4. To be fair though, I have to say why I favor it over the others, right?
Concept #1: The “Appearance” color swatch panel is a little awkwardly placed for me, it just doesn’t seem like it belongs there. That space could be better used for something else like… a scrolling news feed for the meeblog or Fark.com or The Onion or something else of the user’s liking.
Concept #2: Having all the preferences in once place generally seems like a good idea, but when put into place like this, it looks a little too cluttered/distracting for me.
+Adding to feedback for Concept #1 as well as #2, I do like the idea of the Background preferences being in a smaller, horizontally longer box.
Concept #3: I just do not like this concept… It uh.. just.. I don’t know, it doesn’t work for me, I can’t figure it out… It’s almost like it makes the space seem unbalanced.
Concept #4: The “Color Scheme” swatches look awkward going all the way to the bottom line of the box. Keeping the original square shape of the swatches would work better for sure. I also like this idea the best because instead of having a window pop up when I click the “Preferences” link, I get a drop down menu, and I LOVE that. It would definitely be easier to work with than the pop up window. The drop down “Preferences” menu is why I like Concept #4 more than Concept #1.
For all the concepts, I have one overall sticky spot: the background category list/menu. Instead of the background categories being displayed in a vertical list, could it be possible to display them horizontally across the top/bottom of the window? To keep the overall modern/clean/simple look of the meebo website, I also think that getting rid of the black outline around the menu items and instead having a more subtle horizontal divider under/over the menu would work better (if the menu is displayed horizontally). Displaying the menu horizontally also leaves more space for thumbnail preview images, which is really awesome for those of us who are on the blind side of the vision spectrum.
Hope that helps. Of course, all of this is with love from a fellow designer. :]
PEACE+LOVE+ROCK&ROLL!
-Katherine Johnson
July 8th, 2008 at 10:05 am
I feel # 2 is very clean and in a good location on the screen.
July 8th, 2008 at 10:11 am
I liked the 4th one with the hang down menu.
DONT forget to put that “My own..” button, ITS JUST one of the things I was asking for.
GREAT.. keep doing so!
CONGS
July 8th, 2008 at 10:15 am
First impression, I like 3 and 4 the best.
July 8th, 2008 at 10:16 am
Wow. To cut to the chase of the question: I vastly prefer #3 — it’s the most professional and most compact of them all.
As I scanned through this lengthy thread, though, I was stunned at the negativity of Rob8’s comments. I have used Meebo for almost a year now, and have e-mailed comments and suggestions twice. BOTH times I’ve gotten a polite, informative, and encouraging reply from Meebo personnel.
I do agree with Rob (although I’d state it a LOT more gently) that I’d prefer that Meebo focus on meaty changes rather than worrying too much about backgrounds and cosmetics. My personal favorite wishlist item is the ability to download chat logs, but hey, that’s just me.
Meanwhile, I think that like a lot of startups, Meebo is accomplishing a huge amount with probably a very bare-bones staff, and I applaud them, especially for how they reach out to their users (VERY unusual, frankly! Look at what Facebook has done in terms of implementing questionable changes and THEN hearing a firestorm of complaints, rather than polling people up front.)
Keep it up, Meebo! I appreciate your work.
July 8th, 2008 at 10:18 am
I liked concept 4 because I think it leaves more room for expansion of the “appearance” methods. The “appearance” part could even become a menu of different appearance methods as you allow for more creativity from your user community. As another writer said, I also feel I have more real estate in the horizontal than in the vertical so I like wider better than taller (therefore preferring concepts 2 and 4).
July 8th, 2008 at 10:24 am
I really like the third concept.
July 8th, 2008 at 10:26 am
Concept # 2 is more feasible. The layout is right there for the average end user to make the necessary changes as needed. will it be possible to see the changes take affect before exiting out of that pref. window? That would be helpful.
Can there be an format platform as well (font/Text color, Bolding, Underlining, Italics?
July 8th, 2008 at 10:28 am
I really like the 3rd and fourth concepts. Out of those two, I’d have to say the 3rd one is the best. I like the popup window with the backgrounds there.
July 8th, 2008 at 10:30 am
I love the third concept the most. I think this offers up the options in a nice neat manner. Thanks Meebo for taking our opinions seriously it speaks volumes on your company.
July 8th, 2008 at 10:30 am
I like number 3 and 4…..if that matters
July 8th, 2008 at 10:35 am
Keep it simple and keep it clean….#4.
July 8th, 2008 at 10:37 am
I like 4 best. Wider is definitely better than longer.
July 8th, 2008 at 10:48 am
i like the first three concepts but i would choose number 2 or 3
July 8th, 2008 at 11:01 am
#2!!!
#2!!!!
#2!!!!
July 8th, 2008 at 11:12 am
I’m not sure if this is the place to submit this comment, but I am using a program called Fring to use IM on my mobile phone. Meebo won’t load on my Nokia e61 as it does not seem compatible with the browser.
I would love it if Meebo came up with a product so that I can connect to it using my Nokia e61 phone. With the advent of the iPhone, I am not sure whether meebo works with the iPhone, but a mobile application would be cool.
Ideally, your application would be linked to skype to allow for wifi calls (Fring allows access to Skype and to certain IM services like gmail, msn and SIP) but maybe that’s beyond the scope of your IM service.
Thanks so much and keep up the good work.
Alastair
917-714-3515
July 8th, 2008 at 11:16 am
I am surprised that you would show wireframes to your users. Haha, it seems like asking for trouble. Then again, I bet that comes with any new feature or change for an app like meebo.
The team at meebo is amazing at what they do, so I am not going to give an opinion on what the best thing would be for their app. Whatever the decision is, it’s gonna be awesome.
BTW, good decision on not just bringing back the old UI but improving on it instead.
Keep rockin it,
Wes
July 8th, 2008 at 11:17 am
I think, this is in addition to the preferences (I liked 3 & 4, btw)…it’d be neat if you could make a “nudge” like feature. The live messenger has one, and I like that it can shake the screen and get some attention from someone who has forgotten you’re there! What do you think?
July 8th, 2008 at 11:34 am
I like #3
July 8th, 2008 at 11:34 am
I like #3 the best, simply for what appears to be the dragable preference menu :]
Then again, I love the menu styles of #4. The only problem with that is the fact that the real menu may extend waaaay down the page. A little inconvenient for a menu of that style maybe?
I heart #4, but go ahead and put down my vote for #3!
July 8th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Wireframe 3 has a simpl feel to it, and i would quite possibly be the most user friendly one out of the bunch.
Keep it up.
July 8th, 2008 at 11:46 am
Number #3 is the best!
July 8th, 2008 at 11:47 am
#4. Wider is always better than longer, especially when you already have the contact list stretched down the display. And I love the dropdown for Preferences. : )
July 8th, 2008 at 11:58 am
I think Concept #4 is more usual, so I would use it.
MAYBE, just maybe, each user could choose the concept he use.
July 8th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
I really like concept 3 for the simple reason that it’s not dramatically different from meebo now. I like how there is an option to use your own background. It’s just simple, and that’s what people need; something that is easy to use where you can sign on quickly and be able to chat with buddies without a lot of unnessecary things getting in the way. Don’t change meebo, please, just modify it a little. Many people like it just as it is now.
July 8th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Concept three all the way… it’s simple and easy.
July 8th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
i like concept 4 the best
July 8th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
I like concept three the most. <3
July 8th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
concept 3 and 4 are the best. did anyone notice greg, nightripper is the guy known as “girltalk”? i thought that was funny. random musician being a “lab rat”
July 8th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
هال شما خوب است
July 8th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
i’m for #3
July 8th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Number 2 and number 4…number 4 above all else, though.
July 8th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
I think the 4th concept is best. It is not as in your face as the others. IMHO.
July 8th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Hmm… I’m torn between 2 and 3. I like where 2 is placed more but the layout of 3 looks more user friendly and has a smoother design.
Thanks for the improvements!
July 8th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
I see Andrew likes V for Vendetta.
Very good comic — and film.
July 8th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
I “vote” for #2 and #3- if you are taking votes! I agree with Brittni- #2 is my favorite, but the layout of 3 looks user friendly- so maybe you can combine those two for the most awesome layout!!
July 8th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
hey there!
personally i like the 4th one, very user friendly and it has a nice sleek look to it; also i LOVE the idea of us uploading our own backgrounds!!
July 8th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
In order of preference:
#3
#4
#2
#1
July 8th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
I like number 3, mostly because it would not hide the buddy list when open.
July 8th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
I prefer Concept 3. It seems the least blocky or intrusive.
July 8th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
UJY4EY jgiohsdfoi gdfiojgfiod gfiodgjiodfg jfidogjoifd
July 8th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
I was curious about the voting numbers so I quickly calculated them all.
Since some people gave 1 choice, some 2 equally ranked choices, and soem 2 weighted choices, it was hard to come up with an exact number. To keep things simple I counted all votes as the same (no weights). So if you gave two votes both of them are counted once.
Here is the data so far:
#1 -> 24
#2 -> 57
#3 -> 117
#4 -> 74
And a some general comments that got my attention were as follows:
- People love the “upload your own” option so keep that for sure!
- Many votes for the “Apply changes” button
- The only criticism for #3 is that it is too tall. So if you can do something about that, it will get even more votes.
Hope this helps!
July 8th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
I definitely like concept 4 the best. It’s the most eye appealing
July 8th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Hi!Hmmmm. Well personally I like the 4th one. It has a nice look to it.It would be great if we could upload our own pictures for the background. It would be cool if we could change the toolbars and stuff to be a pale pink,pale purple,plae blue,pale green etc. Hey thats only sum suggestions!!!Hope you consider them!
~Ani-chan out!
July 8th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
I like the concept 2. You’ve biult that bottom bar for some reason, let’s use it!
July 8th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
#2 for the win! tho 3 is my #2 choice…
2 or 3… they’re both great.
July 8th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
concept 4!!
July 8th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
numbah 4!
July 8th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
I also came up with a UI based on the comments. It is a really quick thing hacked together in pbrush.
http://img503.imageshack.us/my.php?image=meeboprefsinghaiy8.png
July 8th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
I like the looks of concept #3 the best. I love meebo!
July 8th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
I may be the only one that says this, but I like concept #1. It just looks the best…
July 8th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
#3 rocks!
Go with that one!
I feel like usability and aesthetics are perfect on that one.
July 8th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
3 is alright, but it’s too many vertical bars. why have your eyes keep moving up to down?
thus, my vote is for 1, due to its simplicity and less clutter.
July 8th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Would it be possible to have something like Music then the artists name/logo and show the possible backrounds of the artist when the name is selected. That way users do not have to go to each page just to see if there artist is listed. Number 4 gets my vote as it makes meebo look/feel more like a desktop app.
July 8th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Ahh! That is really weird – I just watched V for Vendetta for the first time last night and loved it. I love coincidences.
By the way, I’d say #3
July 8th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
hey well i didn’t read anything cause it’s long and boring! lol jk anyways add me, my aim is athebomb3195! =) luv ya all
July 8th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Concept 1. Definitely the sexiest.
July 8th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
3 or 4 and I like the option of adding your own background. I write and i like to have my characters on my desktop, but when I’m at work, I can’t do that…
Also, someone mentioned the connectivity/idle issue. What’s up with that? Is thre a way to fix it?
July 8th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
i also agree that concept 3 are more better than other because it look simple n nice but i think you can do better design or much better than this. other than i also agree with Inez say about add more emotion and why this meebo don’t have icon buzz.
July 8th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
i like the first and third one best
July 8th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
i vote #3
all the way
July 8th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
i like the thrid one the best!!
July 8th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Background needs to have its own panel; it wants too much space to be part of preferences. Concept #1 suggests how preferences could work like Adobe panels, with a menu/way to turn panels on/off. This would be a strong design. Limiting pages to 6 images seems like it will get annoying very quickly. (See flickrleech.
I have little interest in setting a background image. I would like more choices for colors/appearance, though.
July 8th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
i like the third one!
July 8th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
#3 with out a doubt is the best.
July 8th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
I like concept 3 for the backgrounds it looks easy and i like that its all there under prefrences. Love ur site meebo it has hepled me alot not to have to down load more stuff to my hard drive so i save space. TY meebo.
July 8th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Most definitely its number 4
July 8th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Love the fouth one! Concept 4 (PNG)
its better then all of them!
Go Meebo!
July 8th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
I love being able to use our own.
i like concept 4 better. it looks simpler to use and it won’t mess with me while i’m talking to friends, like i think I’ll accidentally hit a different color in concept one while i’m moving I.M boxes around….
July 8th, 2008 at 7:05 pm
PKtm (today at 10:16AM):
First, note that it is RobS, not Rob8.
I do agree with Rob (although I’d state it a LOT more gently)
I was gentle at first…but when my entirely constructive and good-natured comments and questions went (largely) ignored, I started to harden my attitude. You’ve only been on Meebo a year, I’ve been on it almost since Day One of its existence!
But my attitude can quickly become gentler again…all they have to do is RESPOND. You will note that hours and hours have passed and a huge number of responses have appeared on this blog, and Friend Andrew has not SAID A WORD here.
But then, this is not a true blog. Part of the essence of blogging, as I understand it, is INTERACTIVITY between the blogger (or blog originator) and the other participants.
I see NONE of that here. At least not since Seth used to come back on and answer a few blog responses. But not even he does that anymore.
In any event, “attitude” aside, you agree with the substance of what I am saying, but even the “favorite feature” you describe is only really icing on the cake, if they can’t get the system to WORK RIGHT to transmit simple lines of text from their origin to the intended recipient with a minimal latency and a reasonable confidence that they will get there! Not to mention just keeping the system IN OPERATION so it can work.
So…we can only hope for better days.
Meanwhile, I think that like a lot of startups, Meebo is accomplishing a huge amount with probably a very bare-bones staff, and I applaud them, especially for how they reach out to their users (VERY unusual, frankly!
This is the image they try to project, and most people, or certainly most of the kiddie-users, swallow it hook, line, and sinker, but if you look into their history a bit more closely, you find out some interesting stuff. I won’t go into it here, you can Google and Wiki it up yourself, but suffice it to say that they are NOT just the kids down the block.
Still, I don’t hold who they are against them AT ALL, in fact I rather identify with them, regardless of whether or not the image they try to project matches the underlying reality. I just wish they would wake up and start using some common sense…and displaying at least a rudimentary understanding of what their MISSION is, and manifesting that understanding in their system design and implementation!
Thanks for your lone response among literally hundreds of posts starting with the word “I”.
Best,
RobS
July 8th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
i absolutely love how you can have your own pic for the backround, and i really love either concept one or concept three. both are really good. glad to hear we can finally change our backrounds soon.
July 8th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
I like concept 4 better.
July 8th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Surely the fourth idea is the best. :] Keep coming up with the great ideas!
July 8th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
hey, andrew! i had no idea you were going to work for meebo. funny how i was just in your web class last semester. anyway, i’m leaning towards the dropdown, and i like the use of the small squares array for color choices. good luck with everything!
July 8th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
#4
Concept 4 is the best because the drop down menu for quick preferences seems much more efficient than opening up a new window. Concept 1 seems like it would be too easy to change color scheme accidentally, Concept 2 is decent but still cluttered a little, and Concept 3 looks more like the shape of the buddy list and takes up too much room. Custom backgrounds would be awesome too.
July 8th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
I went through all of the concepts. I think two was the most “to the point” yet four was the most creative. I think that uploading your own image as a background would be a good idea also. I would like to add that I love Meebo so much because it allows me to use all of my instant messenger applications at once! And it doesnt slow my computer. Keep up the good work!
July 8th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
The third option is great. I like the idea of not having the preferences visible on the screen, but as a pop-up. Option 3 is also very easy to follow and use.
July 8th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
I’m so glad the backgrounds are coming back! I really like the uploading your own background idea; I would love to be able to upload my own pictures. As for the concepts, the second one was my favorite. Very clean, organized, and not distracting.
Great job with Meebo! It’s my favorite (and really my only) messenger!! =D
July 8th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
definatly #2
July 8th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
I love the fourth one. <3
July 8th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
#3
it provides everything in that category in one succinct pop up
that way people can do all of that stuff at once:)
July 8th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
So the fourth one is most definately the best. For some reason i am leanient towards that one. =]
July 8th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
Vi veri veniversum vivus vici to you too, man!
By the way, what does that mean?
0_0
I like number 4!
July 8th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
I Like Number 1
I guess we dont need ur backgrounds, just put a Upload ours button so we can upload our image
Its possible to add nick change feature? like nick change on MSN PLUS! ?
Cheers
July 8th, 2008 at 11:02 pm
Concept 4! It has the modern look!
July 8th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
Concept 4! It has the designer sense!
July 8th, 2008 at 11:53 pm
I like the third concept!!
July 8th, 2008 at 11:59 pm
I like the last one best
July 9th, 2008 at 12:34 am
I like the second one the best, just based on the concept of utilizing the media bar for more than just an ad space. If I had to choose another one, I would have to go with the fourth one, because it is simple, yet aesthetically pleasing. All in all, awesome program, you rock!
First comment, btw
July 9th, 2008 at 1:46 am
Definitely concept 4 – its the only one which offers you the best chance to extend meebo in future (additional menus, additional clicks in the menus…endless…)
the rest is just taste…
July 9th, 2008 at 2:08 am
this meebo employee is not modest at all. Meebo stuff is losing control of the blog and situation of the company.
July 9th, 2008 at 3:33 am
It would be grt if u could include an search box(to search for the names with in the buddy list)
July 9th, 2008 at 3:56 am
I always get excited about new meebo stuff! I think #3 is the best layout. I also agree that the ability to upload my own background would be awesome!
July 9th, 2008 at 5:06 am
Can I tell you…I just love meebo!!! I like concepts 3 and 4 best!I like being able to upload my own pic as well.
July 9th, 2008 at 5:16 am
Dear Meebo people,
I have an idea that you may have already heard before, but here I go anyways (this is along with benefits and downsides and the such):
It would be really, really, really awesome if there was a downloadable Meebo toolbar. Just imagine: users could just check their messages from Meebo directly from their Homepage while they browse the inernet. They could also see posted blogs/ posted blog notifications, and see all their preferences and buddies and stuff. Not only would it be extremely convenient, but it would boost Meebo and its sense of progressive advancment, therefor boosting its credibilty and “consumer” (user) approval. This may just mean more members to add to the Meebo community.
My only two viewable downsides to this is, 1, a major loss in actual website log ins, unless the toolbar was for notifications only, and, 2, a lot of possible hard work and time devoted to creating this toolbar.
There is my one and only suggestion, so thank you for reading it this far (assuming that you honestly have).
– Bladekid
July 9th, 2008 at 5:24 am
#3 is my first choice, then #4.
July 9th, 2008 at 5:26 am
#2 and #3 are the best! Uploading our own pics sounds good too!
July 9th, 2008 at 5:36 am
I’m not particular about which, but I really like the background having its own box. #3 looks more crowded because the preferences are in there too.
Also, another vote for custom backgrounds. I don’t, however, agree with the idea of us uploading them on meebo servers. That’s just a stress on you an is unnecessary. That said, allowing us to provide a URL (and maybe giving the option to stretch or tile the background) would be more than sufficient. Less stress on you and more customizing for us. Win-Win!
Blakekid: Do you use Firefox (if not, I recommend it wholeheartedly) because they have a plugin that seems to do what you want: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/5700
July 9th, 2008 at 5:43 am
I like concept 3 the best. I like seeing as many visible options as possible. I hate have to click tons of menus, drop down boxes, and pages just to set my preferences.
July 9th, 2008 at 5:53 am
I like concept 3 & 4, preferrably 4.
July 9th, 2008 at 6:04 am
ñ gostei e ñ entendo ingles por favor traduza p/ mim!se ñ me esqça!!
July 9th, 2008 at 6:08 am
I really like #2 and #3 is a close second choice…the ideas are great…thanks to meebo I really look like I am working hard all day!! You guys are the best!
July 9th, 2008 at 6:12 am
oks im a teenage user so this might be a little weird but meebo is something i use bc i have various accounts (duh) and i want it to feel like im using a desktop program ( heck it should be a desktop program) u know like flyout menus and the chance to add things on to the page like a profile like certain apps. also id like to have some type of connection to various sites such as mypace and facebook so that way meebo would be the first ( in my viewing world) to integrate social sites and instant messaging for the avg. social person or teen. i dont really care bout what it looks like( well as long as its streamlined and like it is now) i just want it to work so that i dont have to have tabs and windows open and my computer seems streamlined. PLEASE EMAIL ME SO I CAN TELL U WHAT I MEAN OR IM ME ! http://www.myspace.com/ph2trek
July 9th, 2008 at 6:18 am
do u guys acctullay read this stuff cause some of that i didnt really say the right way ^^^
July 9th, 2008 at 6:25 am
It was between 3 and 4 for me but 3 takes it.
July 9th, 2008 at 6:43 am
I love meebo and have referred it to many of my friends – it is really helpful when they are international students who haven’t navigated several other common sites. That being said, I think the one issue that most internet users get frustrated by is spam, or advertising, or other stuff we have to wade through and delete before we can actually get down to business with our communication. It used to be that when I signed on to meebo, there was only the site admin’s blog – which i almost always read; you guys are very personal and animated, like friends – but now I get the advertisement for movies or music (which are cloaked and not too distracting), and lately its the “You’ve got a friend who wants to talk with you! Click here!” I fell for it a few times, then realized it for what it was, and now it is just invasive and super-annoying to have to click out of all the extra STUFF before my screen is clear and I start talking. I don’t even read the blog anymore most of the time because its just ONE MORE THING to have to do before I type.
Obviously, I read this last one, in order to send you this!
July 9th, 2008 at 6:44 am
heyy… welll personnnallyy i like the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd ones… llike i reallyy dontt wanna go into preferences just to go to the backgrounddd.. oh and i really like how i can choose to download my own theme or background.. thats reaallyyy coooll..
well all for noww lmaooo
love yaa (no seriouslyyyy ))
x3 ERiKA xOo
July 9th, 2008 at 6:47 am
I personally prefer the first most, because it means it’s starting to make the main preferences that we use on the main background and it’s just THERE. You don’t have to look for it.
Just my opinion.
July 9th, 2008 at 6:47 am
heyyyy againnn…
well i hopee no one read the coment above this becuz i spelled alott of stuff wrongg orr withh extraa letterss.. butt if u did im sure you figured it outt =]
lovee yaaa (no seriousslllyyy)))
x3 ERiKA xOo
July 9th, 2008 at 6:49 am
Concept 2 and 4 integrated would be nice.
having the module at the bottom and having the drop down at the top to select appearance.
It is more efficient and less confusing =)
July 9th, 2008 at 6:49 am
heyyy again again…
eeerrrrrr…. on the above comment i meant
“the comment 2 before me”
kk thankss
lovee yaaa ((no seriousllyyy ))
x3 ERiKA xOo
July 9th, 2008 at 6:50 am
heyy again again again…
errrrr…. just screw the last 2 coment i sennttt.. cuz there reaallyy messedd upp … sorryyy
welllll….
lovee yaa (noo seriousllyy ))
x3 ERiKA xOo
July 9th, 2008 at 7:08 am
I like all of them
July 9th, 2008 at 7:11 am
I like three a lot.
July 9th, 2008 at 7:16 am
nothing like tossing in a loosing vote
but 4 is the my personal favorite…once preferences are set they don’t need to be up all the time so the pull down would be great. (thanks for giving green back too 
)
July 9th, 2008 at 7:23 am
#3 – efficient, effective, eye catching
July 9th, 2008 at 7:27 am
TMBG wins by default.
I love the inside jokes to the names.
Vaary Niiice!
- Borat
July 9th, 2008 at 7:30 am
Concept 4 is cool. Looks more clean than the other ones.
July 9th, 2008 at 7:31 am
I truely do beleive that the third option looks and would run better then its previous or any other you have listed. Whilst it looks professional and seems to be smoother than the rest, You never know until You try it….sooooo…heres hoping.
July 9th, 2008 at 7:34 am
Hey, is that Latin at the bottom?
July 9th, 2008 at 7:35 am
I like #2
its wide and clean. Although I would like the boarders of #2 in the style of #3
July 9th, 2008 at 7:43 am
3 is nice, esp dig the Girl Talk user names. (unrelated, but still)
July 9th, 2008 at 7:44 am
I like #3. It’s big enough for us “oldsters” to read easily. The layout is user-friendly and all the bells and whistles are attractive, and it is easy to understand what they are for.
July 9th, 2008 at 7:54 am
I love the third concept image. Better fits the widescreen of my iMac.
July 9th, 2008 at 8:02 am
I would have to say that I like the look and usability potential for #2 and #3 myself. Those are my 2 cents
July 9th, 2008 at 8:14 am
I’m deciding between numbers 1 and 3. They are really good! But I have to say, DEFINITELY not number 2. The thing at the bottom really isn’t good, and it gets in the way.
Thanks!
( :
July 9th, 2008 at 8:18 am
I really like Concept #4. It’s clean, but unique at the same time. I don’t like the bars across the bottom of my meebo as they tend to be bright and draw attention to my monitor (thus causing someone to stand over my shoulder watching me work).
July 9th, 2008 at 8:50 am
Dude! I like #2 Design. Uploading your image might be kinda cool 2.
July 9th, 2008 at 8:52 am
I’m a big fan of either the 2nd or 3rd concept. Those two concepts are consistent with what the site has already, the 2nd being similar to the media bar and the 3rd being similar to the pop windows. Even though the 1st concept is a pop up, it doesn’t offer enough options for you to choose like the 3rd concept does.
July 9th, 2008 at 8:53 am
# 4 was my flav-orite.
July 9th, 2008 at 9:07 am
i really enjoyed number three though i’m not at all opposed to number four.
thank you for listening to the users! and let me know if another “reading blogs/responding” position is ever open!
(uploading our own background is also a cool idea to think about for the future)
July 9th, 2008 at 9:08 am
Concept 3.
July 9th, 2008 at 9:11 am
#3 and #2
July 9th, 2008 at 9:16 am
I like #2 and 3!
July 9th, 2008 at 9:43 am
Hey,
Concepts 2 and 3 sound deliciouss
July 9th, 2008 at 10:04 am
umm i dont like the new meebo becaus when u make ur profile it only lets u use 1 color!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I HATE THAT! please fix it
July 9th, 2008 at 10:06 am
@Bobby Bob : I agree with you about being to able to upload our own image.
Great job guys though I must ask you to rush it. After over a month of looking at Ashley Tisdale for 16 hours a day, I am ready to move on.
Thanks.
July 9th, 2008 at 10:07 am
Can we have it so we can change our status to say something without it having to be an away status.
Like on Gchat and AIM you can have a personalized status msg without it being an away msg.
Is that available and am I just not seeing it?
July 9th, 2008 at 10:20 am
Guys, you rock. I give you props all the time. I know you have heard this before but please consider a Blackberry App. We don’t need to be so iPhone centric do we?
July 9th, 2008 at 10:25 am
I like concept 3. Nice and clean and customizable. And yes, mobile access like a blackberry or even a cell phone like my Razr would be cool. I love how you let me get past our bluecoat appliance at work here…heh.
July 9th, 2008 at 10:26 am
The second one is a-grade mechanistry. I would concur with self uploaded image abilities
July 9th, 2008 at 10:29 am
I like #2. I prefer tabs to separate windows. I like having all the layout and color stuff in one place. It all belongs on one tab. Why not add a 4th tab for “Appearance?” Thanks.
July 9th, 2008 at 10:30 am
I vote for #3, I like having the preferences in a window by themselves that is taller than it is wide.
July 9th, 2008 at 10:34 am
I think there all a bit boring, the appearence select could be a nice half colour wheel, with the centre of the circle being a background dialogue button, or the edges of the wheel displaying possible backgrounds. Out of the concepts though, number 3
July 9th, 2008 at 10:36 am
MAKE IT FOR SYMBIAN PLS PLS PLS <3
July 9th, 2008 at 10:37 am
I would vote for 4 but i dont mind having 3.
I like 4 because its condensed and there isnt anything blocking my message chats.
3 reminds me a lot of the meebo windows so it matches very well with the other chat windows.
1,2 is definitely too bulky
thanks and i hope the opinions help out!
July 9th, 2008 at 10:54 am
1: No. colors and backgrounds are the same sorts of things. Group them.
2: Good!
3: so-so
4: so-so plus
July 9th, 2008 at 11:32 am
How do i get a job reading blogs and replying to them, that sounds like fun for me!!!!
July 9th, 2008 at 11:41 am
option 3 is very nice.
July 9th, 2008 at 11:54 am
Concept 4 is by far the most practical solution. No need to clutter up the screen unless the user wants to change their appearance. otherwise they may change their preferences in the drop-down menu.
July 9th, 2008 at 11:55 am
I have to agree with the overall opinion, 2 & 3 are best and as some others have stated, 2 does obscure part of the buddy list, which IMO, covering any part of the UI is a no-no, but at the same time, I’m confident enough to say that the user-base for Meebo is smart enough to know how to close the options area so, with that said, from a usability standpoint 3 does a clearer job of laying out all the preferences without keeping them hidden.
The problem with 1 & 4 is the separation of preference options. This creates a disconnect that makes it seem that you have to leave a preferences area to change another preferences area. It works on an OS (Tabs), but on a Web GUI, the separation is not needed.
July 9th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
pls pls pls pls pls <333
July 9th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
I think #4 then #3 in that order. I also think that the ability to upload your own is awesome!
July 9th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Thanks for the ongoing efforts to improve Meebo.
Fwiw, I like #2 the best. The horizontal layout, while “wasting” some space seems to be the one that allows for the most expansion without pushing things downard. Also, the horizontal design takes advantage of “widescreen” monitors which helps minimize, in my opinion, the scrolling down that might be required with the other designs. As someone hinted at in another post, it’s nice to be able to see as much as possible without having to scroll.
July 9th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
I like the build of the fourth option the best. It gives the user the option to forgo the options in which they have no interest.
July 9th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
being a GUI designer myself option #2 gives you [us] the most fluidity and a central docking port for everything. If you use the “easing” up and down like you have been for the Weezer advertisements, that would be a great way to have someone “sponsor” that docking pallet.
As for the response from ROBS…is this guy a joke? 12 years old? He literally writes a “QQ – i’m a whiny beeeotch” essay because meebo doesn’t get back to him. I hope he doesn’t have Comcast, or ever late on a credit card bill, or not get a phone call returned from a girl he met the night before. “Physco ROBS” understand that Meebo is a very fast growing media conglomerate…thy don’t have time to answer all of us – even if you moan for 5 pages of nothing. Grow up and appreciate what roughly 20 people created while in college.
THANK YOU MEEBO KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
July 9th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
I really really like concept 1 and 3. I don’t like 4.
July 9th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
i think the 3rd one matches the feel of meebo best. plus the long narrow column matches the buddy list and thats cool. the 2 step process of #4 is annoying.
July 9th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Is there a different UI for iPhone/Touch users? If not, this would be really cool… I’ve been holding off, as I am not a fan of AT&T, but a friend recently got an iPod Touch, so I’ll be looking at how this place works on it…
July 9th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
i love meebo. meebo is my favorite website . my aim/meebo is ecc1231
July 9th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
my bff’s r haley amanda meredith emeily cristin victoria jenna and erika
my bf r kathryn and angelia!!!!!!!!
July 9th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
I am guessing Andrew must be an Aleister Crowley fan.
July 9th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Dude
Meboo lets me talk on AIM at work.
You. Rock.
Thanks for helping me be an even bigger slacker at work.
July 9th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
i like hockey
July 9th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
do u people like hockey
July 9th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
I love the cleanness in the separate appearance window in 4. However, I really don’t like the dropdown menu layout. It feels stifling having pulldown menus in Meebo. It feels too much like I’m in an ugly desktop application not a pretty web app. 3 is nice, but it makes the preference page a bit long. Maybe just a link to a separate window from within the preferences page.
Or even better. Use 3, but auto hide the background and color schemes. You would see Play Sound, emoticon, Log and a link called appearance. When you click on it, it would expand the window out and show the background and colors. -SvL
July 9th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
I like the 4. It’s looking pretty controlled.. I also like the 3. .. I think 1 and 2 is looking pretty confusing or something like that.. I like the third because all the stuff is in one box-thing.. You get a pretty fast overview.. The forth? Ehm, I like the fact that the background and all the sound stuff is separated, and that you’re only sitting with, for an example, a little box with the backgrounds.. I think my reply is pretty confusing, but I hope you can use it.. ^^ (If I have some mistakes in my grammar, well I’m from Denmark, so forgive me ^^)
July 9th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Well, I agree with Sven Lendo ^^
July 9th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
I like Concept 3 the best.
July 9th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
You should make a place for us to make an online status, so we can put something up while we are online, and not just an away message.
The little thing at the bottom of Meebo is really annoying, i really hate it being there, its annoying. You can have it there, but make a place for us to be able to turn on and off the new stuff. In options or preferences, make it so we can turn off what we dont want
thanks
July 9th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
I still think that KISS – Keep It Simple Stupid is the name of the game. I love your service, but any features that slow down the browser or make the experience less than smooth should be an add-on option, not something that runs by default.
Before you redesign the whole interface.. there is some stuff on the back end that would be great, like mail notification for AOL and Yahoo Mail.
Meebo Rocks!
July 9th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
So are we just left background-less until you get all of this decided and coded in?
Because that kind of sucks :/
July 9th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
three’s my favorite but four’s okay too
July 9th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
& i agree with spectrox & melly’s last posts. but bob, talking about hockey, haha wth.
July 9th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
I like 3 and 4 better…they seem more intuitive than others for the frequent computer users.
July 9th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
DEFINETLY CONCEPT 4!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 9th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
i am really thankful that there is a meebo. I can able to chat with my sisters and close friends even during work. Good thing also that it is compatible with Linux. Thank you and more power to Meebo
July 9th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe. I think not
July 9th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
hockey is so much beter from the crap your talking about
July 9th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
I like number four a lot, the color chooser was particularly striking. Also, if you need more, I would love to volunteer to be a guinea pig for you guys.
July 9th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
If only Chuck Norris had a suggestion. Everything else is a moot point.
July 9th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
I love Concept 2, It’s awesome.
July 9th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Definitely Concept 2. Everything is kept together, so there aren’t too many windows to confuse together, and having it displayed horizontally let’s the eye naturally read from left to right. The vertical bars are too confusing, and having two separate windows for preferences and appearance is too messy. I vote Concept 2, which can be minimized/x-ed!
Thanks people!
July 9th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
hi
July 9th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
Definitely Concept 2. Everything is kept together, so there aren’t too many windows to confuse together, and having it displayed horizontally let’s the eye naturally read from left to right. The vertical bars are too confusing, and having two separate windows for preferences and appearance is too messy. I vote Concept 2, which can be minimized/x-ed! Thanks people!
July 9th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
I really like the third and fourth ideas. I’m not sure how fast/simple it would be to open either one up from just the general home screen so I can’t choose a favorite, but I like the idea of being able to quickly find it and see them all in the same sized frame without it having to be re-sized or opening an entirely separate frame for it. Basically that it’s integrated with the other parts of the interface. lol
July 9th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Definitely #4, or maybe a mesh between #3 & #4… b/c #4 requires an extra click for options that will be accessed the same amount in my opinion… but the way #4 feels definitely fits what I normally expect without knowing where things are (makes more sense logically)…
July 9th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
the whole universe?
July 9th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
I really like #3, it seems like the best design in my opinion.
July 9th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
definately concept 4
July 9th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Numbers 3 and 4 are my favorite!!
I’m not a fan of number 1 because theres already enough on the main page and it would make it cluttered.
Great idea meebo by letting us see the product before you choose it without our opinions!
Thanks
July 9th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
#3 is my choice.
July 9th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
Vi veri veniversum vivus vici
“By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.”
Really?
Nice… I actually kind of like it… Have you seen V for Vendetta, excellent flick, btw…
Haha
July 9th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
I definitely like 1 and 3.
July 9th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
Concept 2 and 3 are my favorites… and I like the background thing everyone’s mentioning, that’d be nice. JUST BRING BACK PASTEL PINK~!!!
July 9th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
I like the #4.
July 9th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
How to chatting with youngb who i’m not know
July 9th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Orange meebo plox.
July 9th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Background color is the most important thing to me, since you end up staring at for for longish periods, so a wide selection would be good. The upload picture option is interesting…
Is there anyway that i can still be chatting in a meebo IM when i’m surfing the web? IE the popup could follow me from window to window? Just curious.
July 9th, 2008 at 11:58 pm
number 3 is the best!!
July 10th, 2008 at 12:11 am
Welcome to Meebo Andrew. Sorry I am kind of late in welcoming you here. As I am so busy in my life and right now being in Italy. I like all of what you have done here on Meebo. And I know you will be adding more to it. I have seen the change here since I have been a user for many years of Meebo. Good luck and keep on doing what you do best. Ciao e buon lavoro.
July 10th, 2008 at 12:50 am
I say why not incorporate ALL concepts… let the USERS choose which style suits them best.
July 10th, 2008 at 2:52 am
#4 is my favorite, because I’m a big fan of drop down menus. It’s just easier for me to access and use. The other concepts give me too much clutter on my page, hence why the fourth concept is, personally, the most plausible concept for me to use on my page.
July 10th, 2008 at 2:53 am
i like all concepts…all are good..it will fit the taste of different users…
keep up the good work!
July 10th, 2008 at 4:08 am
all good basically
but #4 look different, just the same as the other, but it feel like more free to choose the content.
July 10th, 2008 at 4:15 am
hey js saw d new concepts
amazin man!
id saY CONCEPT 3 LOOKS D BEST
n lik d cleanect n clearest of d 4
thanx fr evythin !
meebo fr eva ! lol
July 10th, 2008 at 4:16 am
Definitely diggin’ #4 the most, but #s 1 and 2 are pretty fly as well…. Not a fan of 3.
July 10th, 2008 at 5:20 am
Number 2! It goes with what we already have!
And definitely add a way for us to upload our own! ^_^
July 10th, 2008 at 5:25 am
ok #1 is my fave n then #2 n then #3… i dont like #4
n i like if i can add my own background… doesnt need to be uploaded can be url link
i LOVE u guys ^.^
July 10th, 2008 at 5:32 am
I like the simplicity of #1.
July 10th, 2008 at 5:37 am
Have to say i like the look of concept 3.
Just adding my six-pence-worth…..
Just one suggestion, is it possable to add Skype to the list of IM’s that meebo reads from ???
Please keep up the great work…
July 10th, 2008 at 6:03 am
I like the 2nd and 3rd ideas.
July 10th, 2008 at 6:05 am
I like the third and fourth one best. I’d love to upload my meebo backround as JB! (:
July 10th, 2008 at 6:09 am
I only like the 3rd one.
July 10th, 2008 at 6:14 am
I’d love the idea of uploading your own wallpaper! (:
Oh, and Concept 4 would be my favorite.
July 10th, 2008 at 6:22 am
In my opinion, #2 is the best. It uses an existing area, and I would love to see integration of the preferences into the media bar. I’ve also often wondered about how the blog popups could be better integrated into the UI. I was wondering about integrating them under the AD, directly under the account status area. Something that could be minimized, and maybe something where we could read past blog entries as well (just by scrolling down)
That’s my two cents.
July 10th, 2008 at 6:28 am
I love number 4….i like the menus
July 10th, 2008 at 6:29 am
I liked number 3 best. I also thought that a horizontal orientation would be preferable, though it’s nice not to have it blocking the buddy list…
Surprisingly I actually disliked number 4. The way the background color choices ran right to the bottom of the window somehow made me uneasy.
Thanks for all your hard work!
July 10th, 2008 at 6:54 am
I like the 4th one with the drop down menu for preferences! Definitely a better way to go. However, I don’t liked the stretched color scheme swatches. The little boxes like the other examples you have are much cleaner of a look.
July 10th, 2008 at 6:58 am
I like concept 3 the best. :]
July 10th, 2008 at 7:18 am
how about we talk about hockey and by the way concept 1,2,3,4 r all crap
July 10th, 2008 at 7:22 am
concept 3 was best.
July 10th, 2008 at 7:23 am
I like the dropdown menu of number 4, but that little window is not very nice, too small and I also do not like the color scheme swatches.
In version 2 I like the whole preferences at the bottom, so I think a mixture of 2 and 4 would be really good.
July 10th, 2008 at 7:33 am
Isn’t there a way to just let us download a picture from our own computer to use as our background?
July 10th, 2008 at 7:34 am
man who cares about concepts there all teribal
July 10th, 2008 at 7:37 am
Hi Andrew. In my opinion I would prefer the organization of things in concept#3 the backgrounds in two rows and the round corners but I would make this Concept#3 horizontal like concept#2, I rather horizontal because most people see monitors in a horizontal way and you don’t make people scroll down if that was the case. I would stick with the square color swatches the piano look in the concept #4 doesn’t follow the same language of the design, so ends up looking kinda funny. so I like #3 but make it horizontal
July 10th, 2008 at 7:41 am
hockey is better
July 10th, 2008 at 7:42 am
I like 4 best, & 3 looks good to
July 10th, 2008 at 7:43 am
obiously you guys arn’t canadian
July 10th, 2008 at 8:04 am
I think to fit the theme of the slide-up tray at the bottom of the page, option 2 is most appealing to me. It also seems to give the most screen real-estate with a seemingly non-invasive look. Links @ the top would ideally pull up a tray from the bottom to make selections in.
Keep up the good work.
July 10th, 2008 at 8:20 am
no way
July 10th, 2008 at 8:22 am
ya know what hockey is way better then this crap
July 10th, 2008 at 8:54 am
Where are preferences saved? Why do they appear to be saved locally instead of server side? If the intent is to make the preferences persistent across sessions and cookie removals, then why are my preferences pretty much reset every time I log in? This is a major bug for any product.
Why do new blogs from you guys keep popping up when I log in after I have closed the window? This is a nuisance. I know you guys are working on the UI but there are so many bugs that are not being addressed in the process. Do you have a formal qa process?
July 10th, 2008 at 9:35 am
i liked the 4th one, it looked rlly cool and the design is awesome! =)
July 10th, 2008 at 9:57 am
no its not hockey is
July 10th, 2008 at 10:24 am
This is awesome, I love the fact that you guys want to engagement the community. Here are my comments.
Option 1: Background options seem disconnected from preferences. The real estate for the background also feel a little bit on the small side. Its like i’m cramped =)
Option 2: It appears that Preferences will accessible from the bottom of the page. Simliar to the ads which is cool. Its feels a little bit disconnected since most of the menu options are at the top of the page. I love the layout it much more pleasing that the first.
Option 3: Somewhat keeps with the existing look and feel except in a pop up window. Use my own option seems to pop out at you in this layout.
Option 4: I like the drop down menu for preferences, but I don’t like the fact that the appearance is a pop up. It would be nice if it were a drill down or an extension of the menu. I don’t like how the colors are displayed its kinda funky to be shown as bars instead of boxes. Just my preference
I actually prefer Option 2, simply b/c the space is more appealing with the extra white space.
July 10th, 2008 at 10:42 am
hey (: honestly i think the 2nd one is the best and most chic looking
July 10th, 2008 at 10:55 am
We use meebo at our library for staff purposes and we all agree that 4 is the best.
July 10th, 2008 at 11:01 am
I like the fourth concept the best
July 10th, 2008 at 11:02 am
this is the easiest thing to use and organized
July 10th, 2008 at 11:12 am
The appearance window in the first concept should stay no matter which concept you use. I think if you had this, and the pop up tray displayed in the second concept, this would be the most appealing. Good job Meebo team!
July 10th, 2008 at 11:13 am
I like Lemonade.
July 10th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
You forgot 1 presidential candidate.
Vote Ron Paul 08
July 10th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
I would love to see a combination of concept 3 & 4. Perhaps people can scroll at the top and the drop down will be available, but also have an icon or toolbar like the mac that you can select and the floating window will be on your desktop. Especially if your dealing with options/settings you use frequently. That would be sick!
July 10th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
I was immediately drawn to concept #3–clean, well organized and very intuitive.
July 10th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
i like 2,3,4
July 10th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
I like #2 the best.
July 10th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
I’m going with 2. It’s clean with everything available.
July 10th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
I like #4, but make the color boxes shorter. They feel too tall.
I don’t like #2 because it’s too square. It doesn’t fit with the rest of the Meebo feel.
I like the look of #1, except the appearance isn’t important enough to have its own section on the main window.
#3 would be alright, but I like the list style of #4 slightly better than the tab style of #3. I agree that #3 would feel more natural if it was wider and less tall.
I hope we can see more than 6 per page, especially if there are that many.
July 10th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
Three is best.
July 10th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
I like concept 4, but it could be even better if there were more than just 6 concepts to choose from.. (maybe show more if window gets larger or something like that? :s)
I dont like 2 nor 3…
maybe a 1 with tabs for color and background?
July 10th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
i like concept 5
July 10th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
2
July 10th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
I really like the 4th. I also think the idea of having the option of “user defined” backgrounds would be fantastic.
The ad at the bottom which pops up is terribly tacky, and has got to go.
July 10th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
5
July 10th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
I really like #4 and #1. Though #1 would be kind of hard to use, I like how it’s organized by category on the side.
I like #4 the best. It looks really easy to use, and you can move the window around. User-made backgrounds would be a lot of fun too. My vote goes to #4.
July 10th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
I like being able to upload our own images but I miss the old backgrounds
July 10th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
I love meebo!!!!!!!!!!!! =)
July 10th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
I like the second one the best. ^_^
July 10th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
I’d say concept 2 works best from usability and design point of view. Go Meebo!
July 10th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
amigo buenas noches una pregunta como hago para leer mis mensajes de hotmail . si ya no tengo coneccion con mensseger. a cuales paginas puedo entrar. para leer mis mensajes.
July 10th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Definitely concept #3.
Well… maybe concept #2 if you keep the cute rounded corners!
Keep it up!
BUG(?) NOTE:
I only get to see about half (or less) of my MSN buddies’ avatars.
I’ve asked them what client they use, but I couldn’t detect a pattern: some use MSN Messenger (and only I see some of them), others use Windows Live Messenger (same story), others use others clients (again the same).
Sometimes I get to see someone’s avatar for 2-3 days and then suddenly it’s not there anymore.
NOTE for jair:
Just go to http://www.hotmail.com/.
July 10th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
i like 2 and 4 the best. with 2 being the favorite. thank you for all you do!!!!
July 10th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
i like the 3rd one
July 10th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
I love all …
July 10th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
The 3rd is the classiest and most aesthetically pleasing. The economy and expansive layout makes it much more appealing than the rest of them.
July 10th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
I like number one the best. Though I see most people like three. But I miss the old backgrounds terribly! I want my PINK back! Pretty Please?? =^.^=
July 10th, 2008 at 11:56 pm
I like second concept
July 11th, 2008 at 12:23 am
Please add stealth setting support to yahoo messenger in meebo
July 11th, 2008 at 5:14 am
I like the 2nd concept, it looks better orginsed and fits neatly at the bottom of the screen.
July 11th, 2008 at 5:22 am
Ahh you’re doing great! I love the first and third consept by the way, but I’ll be fine with anything! The more features the better. Thank you~!
July 11th, 2008 at 5:57 am
Definitely go for concept 4! This seems the most intuitive to me.
July 11th, 2008 at 6:07 am
I’m diggin concept 4. Yayyy the backgrounds are coming back =)
couldn’t get better
July 11th, 2008 at 7:12 am
i like concept 3!!
July 11th, 2008 at 7:42 am
I like concept 2 and 3 best
July 11th, 2008 at 7:45 am
hi
am nike,like to meet some friend.am single and student.
July 11th, 2008 at 7:47 am
I’m liking concept 4…. More efficient (More space for future add-ons) and then if you decide to expand on the appearance menu, you have that option.
July 11th, 2008 at 8:05 am
The 3rd for sure.
Its much cleaner/neater than the others.
July 11th, 2008 at 8:05 am
The third concept is crisp and clean. Everything self explanatory.
July 11th, 2008 at 8:05 am
http://www.meebo.com/rooms/create/
July 11th, 2008 at 8:11 am
i like 1 and 3 the best
July 11th, 2008 at 8:48 am
I liked Concept 4 the best.
July 11th, 2008 at 8:55 am
Kia ora
I really love Meebo. When are you going to get your Meebo Firefox plugin working for Firefox 3 on Linux?
Keep up the good work
Strypes
July 11th, 2008 at 9:01 am
My first meebo blog comment ever – yes, I have been lurking. Lurking and thinking! :3
I like #4 best!!
Right off the bat, the piano-keys layout of the colour swatch caught my eye and I found it cool – I know that’s a simple reason to like it, but it was aesthetically pleasing! Really, having that little panel just for themes makes it seem better managed and more organized, even if it’s the same concept as any of the others.
Functionally, the idea of having the preferences in your menu as out-of-the-way toggle options in a drop-down is great. You’re not covering up your sessions with a panel. Would just want to make sure that if you are accessing the menu, a new IM window popping up wouldn’t swap your focus away from it. That’s my first thought.
I liked how the ‘accounts’ thing was gone from the top menu list. But that leads me to believe that there should be a little link, in-line with your lefthand list of accounts, with the little gear (maybe combined with a +) as its icon (vs the aim icon, msn icon, etc), that says “Add or Configure…” which would then give you a similar panel to the one you use to work with appearance.
It’s very minimal and easy – not too many menus, and everything is very obvious in what it does. PERFECT.
Something I like about, as near as I can tell, all of them, is that your buddy list can minimize into your bottom bar rather than collapsing all the way off to the left like a window. If it can’t, it should. Then it could have actions to notify you of things like buddies coming online, buddy status changes, etc.
Finally, I had the thought of being able to build our own themes and upload them. If there was some kind of a template where you provide each necessary image that would be part of a theme, and then select colours (maybe from a gradient swatch) for items like menu bars and window backgrounds, etc, then you could save that theme and other users could also use it, so it would be sort of a community theme design implementation. That might be too big to look at right now, but it’s just a thought.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:07 am
Oh, also – I agree that the ad at the bottom has gotten a little too invasive for me. Having the little music ad on the side suggesting that I check certain things out was cool because it didn’t get in my face and I could choose whether or not to look at it. It was more like a suggestion than an advertisement. I liked that. This thing at the bottom strikes me more as a … *shudder* -banner-. :X
Keep up the good work though
July 11th, 2008 at 9:19 am
I like the 1st or 3rd… with window resizing that grows to show more than 6 at a time
July 11th, 2008 at 9:36 am
Ok so i like 3 or 4 whichever i dont really care just get it done already……my pink pepto bismol background is getting me queasy…lol…j/k…no but really consensus say go with numba 4….lol
or 3……………………lol
July 11th, 2008 at 9:42 am
I really find numbers 1 and 2 very well designed. they include everything with a simple touch. they are both elegant.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:06 am
I like concept 1 best, followed by 4 and 2.
I also agree with James’s suggestion to permit window resizing. (static windows really annoy me).
July 11th, 2008 at 10:12 am
Definitely #3, followed by #4.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:17 am
A few comments about WHY I prefer 1 and 4: the easy MUTE button and having the meebo me widgets moved into preferences are what I like best about number 4. On number 1, what I like is that I can do a quick color change without having to pull up a whole menu.
Suggestion: I’d love to be able to download and save my chat logs as a single file. Right now if I want to dl a few days worth of logs I have to do so one log at a time – very tedious and not at all user-friendly. I’d also like to be able to search past chat logs, as my friends and I often brainstorm stories and such online, then later find ourselves needing to reference older sessions. Right now that means going through our chats log by log; NOT a quick or convenient operation.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:24 am
Back again – just to clarify – one file per buddy or room. “Download All Logs” would give me one complete chatlog for each buddy (with appropriate date/timestamps on conversations) rather than a single chatlog with all buddies; “Download [buddy] Logs” would give me a single file for that buddy.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:43 am
i like the third one , (:
July 11th, 2008 at 10:45 am
Meebo is awesome. The only thing I’d change is the way your see the person’s icon/avatar. when you scroll to check on previous entries/posts/sentences, the icon pushes the words away and makes it hard to read because the words keep “jumping” every time you scroll. I hope I’m making sense.
Thanks for listening, you guys are great!
Paul
July 11th, 2008 at 10:54 am
I like Concept 3.
July 11th, 2008 at 11:33 am
4 o ya
July 11th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
I like the third and fourth concepts best.
Also: Can you add a “transparent” theme. It would be great having windows whose borders are translucent, and you could see thru them your custom background image
July 11th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
I like number four.
Tee hee!
July 11th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
I already commented about the layout thing,
But I was wondering.
Is there any way you guys could make it so that we could highlight text and make the highlighted text different? Because whenever I try to do that it does the whole thing or jumps back to the beginning, so there’s no way to vary a certain word or anything, except caps lock. Which is a little too aggressive sometimes, it makes it seem like you’re screaming through text.
Just sayin’.
Thanks :]
meebo=boyslikenikki20
July 11th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Personally, I have issues with all of them, but the one I favor the most is #2. Hope you don’t mind me commenting on all of them.
#1: Like a few of the other users have mentioned already, I don’t want to be constantly reminded that I can change my background color. I like keeping my screen simplistic and clean, seeing as I sometimes have multiple IMs running at the same time. Even though it’d be in the background, it just gives a more cluttered feel. I ruled this out right away because of that fact.
#2: I like the idea of the horizontal preferences. For me, horizontal is better than vertical because we automatically orient ourselves to read from left to right anyways. The problem I had with this though is that I think having tabs to switch between general preferences (the left column) and the background (the right column) would be better. It feels less cluttered and less…crammed, I suppose. The way you have the “Preferences”-looking tab at the top of the box gives that kind of feel. This is more an individual’s preference though, and I suppose most people aren’t as minimalistic as I am. I’m assuming that the preferences box will only appear if you click on preferences at the top…if it were always visible, I think it’d be very annoying for the majority of users.
#3: The horizontal preferences just makes me feel…stretched out I guess. It doesn’t feel very natural for some reason, and just sticks out like a sore thumb too much. I like the setup of the backgrounds thing, however, with this one. I guess it’s just the vertical feel that annoys me the most.
#4: For some reason, I’m not a big fan of the drop-down menu setup of the preferences, and then the requirement to open a new window for appearances. I wouldn’t mind opening a window for preferences, but to have a drop-down menu along with another window…I don’t know, that irks me. This was another one I ruled out after seeing.
Also, seeing as it looks like you’re trying to implement allowing users to customize their backgrounds fully, I think the best way to go is to have people upload to a site such as Photobucket or Imageshack, instead of having them upload to Meebo’s server itself. That will potentially cause problems in the future in terms of bandwidth and space, and I’m sure that people won’t have a problem with going an extra few feet to upload the images themselves. The only problem with this suggestion that I can see is that we’ll have very stupid leechers who will directly link to someone else’s domain instead of saving the image and uploading it to their own site/a free hosting site/whatever. You -could- always buy a server dedicated strictly for user-uploaded images, and have it purge any images that aren’t being used (such as if the user changes the background image, allow it to delete the previous one to keep the space relatively open). Having a cap on the file size and the type of files that are allowed to be uploaded as backgrounds is also a good idea (such as only .jpg, whatever…I don’t see the need to have .gif or .png as a large background image, but that’s just me. Obviously .bmp would be a stupid thing to upload as it’s just bulky for not reason, but yeah).
July 11th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
2!
July 11th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Whoops, forgot to add a comment about emoticons that a user posted before: emoticons are not universal, especially if they’re specific to a certain client (like MSN has fancy emoticons that cannot be seen outside of MSN…unless you install more emoticon packs). I see no reason to add more graphical emoticons when you can achieve the same effect with simple
:’( 
…and more. The Japanese get by easily with their cutesy text emoticons that you can see in text messages and blogs and whatnot, and those are easier to make “universal” than graphical ones where the inputted text used to show the graphics (such as (r) for rainbow in MSN) can be slightly confusing and not worth learning. To be honest, I don’t think you need to implement more graphical emoticons, since the set you have right now is good from what I can see, and adding more emoticons that people are most likely not going to use will just adds a needless pile of images 
. Also on that note, I don’t find emoticons to be a “deal breaker” for a conversation – it can ease up tension, but for people who want to care about what you say, emoticons aren’t necessarily what shows that attention.
July 11th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
thanks for the screenshots and letting us help you choose which one to go with
…i know this is a long one, but read it… theres lots of good suggestions!! 
concept 1: thumbs down
*i HATE that the appearance bar is on the “desktop”… its bad enough having the artist of the day or whatever on there and the media bar at the bottom that you have to minimize… lets not clutter things up further
*i dont like that the appearance and background are separate from the other preference items… one stop shopping, guys!! c’mon!
*the bg image category list being boxed-in makes it seem too detached from the images
concept 2: decent
*the layout is nice
*the location is a little unnatural… as is the location of the “close” button
*it would be better if it didnt cover the width of the entire window… i think a pop-up window would flow better with current style of everything else in Meebo
*it also would flow better with the current style of Meebo if it didnt have such square edges… consistency is important in aethestics!
*same deal with the boxed-in bg image category list
concept 3: looks great
*maybe a bit too long
*i like the rounded edges
*aaand the location of the “Use my own…” option… that looks great… i like that it is separate from the provided images
*i think i like the bg image categories off to the left instead of on top… they seem kinda floaty since theyre so spaced out from each other
*LOVE that its a pop-up window… much more intuitive… and consistent with all the other windows in Meebo
*i think that maybe it would look better if it was horizontal
concept 4: puke on a stick
…lets not make this window look ugly 
…also, they look much better when you show the gradients… perhaps making those itty bitty squares a tad bigger and less spaced out would do the trick 
*first off, why make us click extra junk? why cant all the preferences be just one click away? i think the drop down menu is pointless and just requires more clicking energy… a “preferences” link that opens a pop-up window containing all preferences would be perfect… if more preference options are created in the future, you can still keep the link to a pop-up window, and just add tabs to the top of the pop-up window, each opening a new page of categorized preference options
*same deal with the bg image categories list
*the color scheme options look atrocious… i understand that you probably let them leak off the edge so that you can see what they look like up against your current background… but thats what a preview button is for
general suggestions:
*preview button! or “apply” button, so you can see your changes before you exit the preferences window
*putting the “pg. 1/8″ inbetween the left and right arrows would look better
*selected items should be consistent (same color and similar style of highlighting the item)
*more color options!!! like neon green and orange… (currently, in those two colors are included in the “appearances” icon, but theyre not included as color scheme options! D: )… itd be really cool to just have a spectrum so you can pick exactly what color you want, but the coding for that would probably be extensive… ooor maybe it wouldnt… depends on how you guys set up the color schemes… but at least having all the color options that you have for text in an IM would be a spectacular start
*while we’re talking about color, a few of the options are sort of dull… especially the red… its almost like a dark salmon… a brighter, truer red would be awesome
*it would be really cool if the non-text areas of the windows were colored in, like with the onyx color scheme… and maybe some font color changes for the buddylist!
*basically, concept 3 with a few tweaks, combined with a few notable attributes from the other three concepts would be good
here’s my compilation of the perfect solution!
(please excuse the crudeness, im at work so Paint is all i have to work with lol)
http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/4411/meeboll8.png
a few things to notice:
*i brightened the “aqua” and the “red” color options
*i added neon green and orange color options
*i made the color options bigger (obviously)… they might be a tad on the big side, but the gradients are there and you can clearly see what the colors are… and theres still room for more color options
*the “blue” color scheme, the “music” category, and the “weezer 1″ background are all highlighted in a similar way
*no box around the bg image categories… the bg images and the categories are all free floating… consistency!
*preview button!
*the “pg. 1/8″ is inbetween the two arrows
if you guys settled with something thats like this, i would be completely ecstatic! and i think it satisfies a lot of the requests that have been expressed in these blog comments
i also made up an example of what i mean about brightening the colors and coloring the non-text portion of the windows… personally, i really like “aqua” to be bright instead of a grayish blue-green… here is what i think would be an amazing color scheme! (once again, please excuse the crudeness of Paint)
http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/2926/brightaqualightdf8.png
really, the only differences are that its brighter, the windows are colored, and the buddylist text is colored… naturally, brightening the other colors doesnt have to be this migraine-causing-ly bright, but coloring in the windows and buddylist text would be neato!
and thats all i got lol… lemme know what you think or if you have any questions
(ps – dont worry, Singha… ive been working on these images since july 7th, so i didnt copy off you
…it takes a long time to do that stuff using Paint, solely during downtime while at work lol)
July 11th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
http://viewer.zoho.com/docs/afnpg (if anyone wants to see them all without a pdf reader)
I kind of like the first one
July 11th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
can u put some stuff that was on yahoo.com like the messanger lie file sharing and other things please
July 11th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Im a meebo user. I ONLY use meebo. and the 4th concept is the best
July 11th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Definetley number 3.
: )
July 11th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
I like concept # 3. I would like for you to post the date along with the time, as I am sometimes late reading my messages. Thanks for your service.
July 11th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
hey
i like concept #2 because all of the options are close to each other and i personally think that it’s alot easier than waht some of the other options present. the horizontal layout is awesome ans also contributes to that particular factor.
thanks for listening.
July 11th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
You should add my instant messenger on meebo
July 12th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
I’m going to vote for #3, but not so long vertically, maybe horizontal like #2, but not at the bottom of the screen.
July 12th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
yea man!
u have some spirit
o and by the way…
i hope u can win some gold medals!
July 13th, 2008 at 8:09 am
I love meebo for the iPhone (I’m typing this on it) but with the release of the new software with the app store I was wondering if you would be creating an application to make it integrated with everything the iPhone has to offer. Hope you consider it. Thanks.
July 15th, 2008 at 7:30 am
It works! http://www.real-wishes.com have fun
July 24th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
The 3rd concept, I think, looks the best.
Being able to upload your own background would be awesome!
August 2nd, 2008 at 2:04 am
how do u sign in???????????????????????????????????????????????
August 3rd, 2008 at 6:12 pm
hey
August 4th, 2008 at 9:33 am
does anyone know how to log into meebo again?
August 10th, 2008 at 6:10 am
i like number 3 the most..
August 11th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
I want to be able to upload my own background (like on a normal IM program) since the choices aren’t to my liking (Except for one or two of them). That would be great to have, thanks
August 11th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
I like #4 the best
August 12th, 2008 at 8:33 am
hej
March 24th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
Chris for president
April 20th, 2009 at 1:43 am
@ Lindsey – That sure was a comprehensive comment! If you keep this up you might just be recruited to work for meebo on a permanent basis! Great analysis, terrific job! You got my thumbs up!