dpoll ― Suggestions For Improved User Experience

The open source app dpoll provides a means for Steemians to create polls, sometimes also called surveys or canvases, and to respond to such queries posted by fellow Steemians.

As a user who recently discovered the convivial pastime of posting and engaging with other users on the blockchain via this app, I'll offer a modest suggestion to improve the user experience in this post.

Repository

https://github.com/emre/dpoll.xyz

It's interesting to note that this app got its start as a project of the 2018 Utopian Hacakthon. The team behind it includes: @emrebeyler @isnochys @bluerobo and @tolgahanuzun.

Components

• User experience when responding to a poll via the Steem posting front end at dpoll.xyz

Proposal Description

This is a two part suggestion. Both ideas stem from personal experience enjoying the app as user new to voting on the platform:

1. Hide results by default, so that users aren't swayed by previous answers
2. Warn users about expired polls before they compose vote comments

Mockups / Examples

Each of these changes is illustrated below as well as contrasted to the app's current behavior.

Hiding Results

Currently when a user first lands on the dpoll post they are shown the entire question, potential options they may vote and the way previous voters responded.

Even without meaning to a voter may glance at the results so far and be influenced, consciously or otherwise, as to how they vote―or even whether to vote, if the disclosed results seem to make the outcome a foregone conclusion.

_{A recent dpoll by @emrebeyler}

One alternative would be to use a simple JavaScript to hide this information by default:

_{An example ― hiding results by default}

True, these are not scientific polls but dpolls are vehicles for engaging discussion. Rigorous steps are not required to prevent client side disclosure, as the information is by no means secret.

The goal of this suggestion is only to prevent an inadvertent "spoiler" effect. This effect has the potential to undermine neutrality and enjoyment in engaging with the question.

So, this extra step of clicking to reveal results ensures the viewing is intentional. A user is still free to easily view the survey results before answering if they believe that is better.

Expired Polls

Next we come to an idea to address a slightly more detrimental experience.

By way of background, when creating a dpoll a Steemian can choose the term for expiration―that is the period of time for which votes will be accepted. Current options for this are one week or one month.

_{Options for poll duration}

This flexibility is great and it is useful to have a time bounded sample to lend the discussion a sense of focus and timeliness. However, it is not always clear to the voter that a poll expired.

_{The dpoll.xyz interface encourages users to contribute to the conversation}

The present interface does not inform the voter that the poll is expired until after writing the comment and clicking Continue. Unfortunately the voter's draft comment will not be preserved. This can lead to wasted time and effort―especially for a new user unfamiliar with poll expiration.

The user could be given notice about expired polls through one or both of the following:

1. A message on the post or comment dialogue that indicates: "This poll has expired. You can view the results but no new votes will be accepted."
2. Removong or disabling the Vote button for expired polls. Alternatively, clicking on the Vote button could popup a message warning the user about expiration.

An additional mitigation for user frustration would also be to preserve drafts of comments whenever the user takes an action that may not succeed. It would also be helpful to point out that even if voting is over comments can still be posted to the Steem blockchain. These could either be accepted directly on dpoll.xyz or the user could be pointed to one of the other front ends (e.g. Busy.org or Steemit.com) for continued discussion.

Benefits

Implementing the first of changes would preserve the opportunity to answer polls without being influenced by results so far. This is both more fun and leads to better discussion by encouraging forthright and revelaing votes. Moreover, people may be discouraged from voting if they peceive their own point of view is irecoverably marginalized or―conversely―already well represented.

The second aspect of this suggestion prevents users from becoming discouraged by lost work or confused by the app leading them into an action that ultimately cannot succeed.

GitHub Account

https://github.com/tdreid