That's not bad, but really the way it is now is not a problem. I don't have any trouble asking questions. There use to be a saying, "If it's not broke, don't..." hummm...what was the end of that quote?
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I love it! I will point out some things however that I personally feel.

I think that the comments idea is good as it is much more neat to select a topic, subtopic and then a third topic (if) in there. However, I think the box is a bit too big and you will have to scroll a lot down to press the answer button.

Personally, I would prefer the comments selection box to be shorter but to have a scroll bar instead.

As well, I think there is too much going on. The current layout is much nicer as although you have to go through several steps, at least it is clear. This has a lot of steps all crammed in one page.
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http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/7006/thumbsup.jpg

I like it.

I think that working past the functions would simplify things further. For example, background (image) containers to "hold" the 3 different sections (Question, Category and Payment) would delineate the 3 tasks that the user is completing on the single page.

I've never been a huge fan of multiple select boxes, but that's more of a personal preference than a proven frontend U.I. concern. I do realize that there is a problem in the way that categories are assigned however.

My last note is to implement a "similar question" feature on the right hand side of the page. After the details textarea looses focus use some fancy javascript to show similarly answered questions and Mahalo SERP's. Display those without a refresh and have them open in a new window if clicked. Already, we're seeing a few duplicate questions and it's only going to get worse.

Hope these quick one-off ideas help!
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I love the idea actually. I like how the categories are looking there and if everything can be done with less loading time I think everybody will come to appreciate it.

Maybe the same can be done when answering questions? After you click "submit your answer" a new window loads and you have to click "submit your answer" again. I know the new window includes the essential source box, but maybe someday they can both be on the same page and can be accomplished at the same time.
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1. I've never had a problem with the two page answering system to be honest. I know some folks don't like the two step process, but I think this feels overwhelming to a new user (plus it will be slower).

2. Perhaps we should have it be one page for folks who are green belt or better? This way new folks get the longer--and easier--process, and the older folks get the streamlined (but more complex) version?

3. I think we should take away the terms of service agreement for folks who check off "never show this again." That would take 1/3rd of the process out for folks.
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Looks good...

Now... will you get on to A) editing questions throughout the process and B) ability to lengthen the Best Answer cut-off time.
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If you want to streamline and improve the user experience, my first thought is: don't start with the asking questions process. Most of don't ask more than a couple of questions a day, and it's not a big deal one way or another how it's done.

There are a lot of other places that could do with being streamlined first.

Example 1: When you look at answered question, first it loads the page with answers ordered oldest first, then you wait more while it sorts the page into most helpful. That increases how long it takes before you're all set to read the answers, and it's also annoying in that you might have started reading something and then the page gets re-ordered.

Example 2: If I want to edit a comment, I have to reload the page, and usually click edit a couple of times before I can actually edit anything.

Example 3: Voting on a bunch of questions, I have to go back and forth in my browser to get the next question I want to vote on.

All those are things I do much more frequently than asking questions.

Now some thoughts on the actual proposal itself:

- Makes the page look complex, could be intimidating to newbies

- Slightly streamlines the process for power users

- Will it take longer to load? I'd rather have three steps each of which loads fast than one step that I have to wait a while before I can even start. Complex Mahalo pages often take a while to load I'm afraid, and that's not good. :)

- If it'll load fast, I personally would be happy with it, but it's not that big of a deal either way
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I love it!

Maybe then I would be able to select a subcategory when creating a question.
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After reading the above replies and gettings jasons input on this...

I am both for and against.

I kinda like the idea of being taken threw a 3 step process before my question is submitted., It might actually confuse people who are so used to it, and never see this question.

On the other hand it might have some good points as well, conserving screen real estate and innovating even better ideas for the future.

-

All in all however I would much better off seeing the site optimized more for a more wide array of browsers than changing the dynamics of its submissions process.

Kind Regards,
XDS
Source(s):
My opinion.

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If it is not too much to asked, is it possible to have the options of single screen or multiple screen question in the profile.

http://www.mahalo.com/Special:MahaloSettings?un=username

This is a spin-off from @jasoncalacanis answer.

-- quote --
2. Perhaps we should have it be one page for folks who are green belt or better? This way new folks get the longer--and easier--process, and the older folks get the streamlined (but more complex) version?
-- end quote --
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I like the idea. Extra key clicks cost time. Wasting time is bad.
Source(s):
remove waste

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