Tue
28th
The Layout Manager: A Usability Perspective
Published by: Ryan on Tuesday 28th April 2009 11:04am
Dear Network Owners,
We recently launched the much anticipated 'Layout Manager'; an advanced system that gives you, our network owners, a vast degree of control over your network's pages. The system is brand new, and, as such, requires feedback as to what you feel you need from it. We appreciate any and all feedback on the system - and we certainly appreciate your interest!
The Layout Manager has been designed to allow maximum flexibility with the minimum amount of fuss and confusion. This is a very fine line to walk, and certain design decisions have been made to make the network lives of our owners easier to manage.
Here is a list of the most commonly asked questions regarding the Zones and Widgets:
Why am I not able to resize the zones on the default pages?
The Zocku display pages have been created with a specific purpose in mind; this and the fact that some specific HTML does not scale well unfortunately limits the zone re-size capability on our default pages. Enabling re-sizing on all pages would mean that certain widgets would not display correctly, and you, the network owner, would need a way to modify the html for your specific requirements. This is one of the items we are looking for feedback on.
Why can't I move Widget X into Zone Y?
Due to the nature of HTML, certain widgets will not display correctly when placed in a zone that is a) too small or b) too large for its specific display requirements. That being said, all widgets can be re-ordered within the zone that they are in as well as be disabled, so, if you dont like it where it is, you are able to disable it or change its position in the list.
After those 2 limitations, the Layout manager gives you vast control over your custom pages and, with the following powerful tools, provides you with a new horizon of customisation:
Custom HTML Text-Boxes
The Custom HTML text-boxes allow you to add all kinds of html & 3rd party media almost anywhere on your site.
The feature allows you to copy and paste valid html of your own creation or from 3rd parties and use it within your network. Everything from video embedding, javascript, images, mp3 players, scrollers, tickers to Google Gadgets can be placed here.
Limitations: 5 per page. Due to the high security and page load time-risk, and the fact that the more Javascript you add to a page the slower it will load, you are currently only able to place 5 Custom HTML Text-Boxes.
Required Tech Level: Basic-Advanced. This widget is incredibly powerful and as such will allow you to be as advanced as you like; however, if you're a more basic user you can simply use it to paste in videos, music, or even custom announcements, tips, and advice.
Security risk: Low-High. This depends on what you paste into the widget, as some javascript is malicious by nature and could cause problems for you and your users.
iFrames
The iFrame Widget allows you to link in an entire 3rd party website (that allows iFrame linkage) which can then be navigated from within your network.
The website that you select to load in the iframe will load in its entirety; after your main network page has loaded, bear in mind that it will also load in the 3rd party website's javascript.
Limitations: One per page. Overuse of 3rd party sites and the nature of iFrames may cause your page to load more slowly; therefore, only one is allowed per page.
Required Tech Level: Moderate. Selecting the right website to embed in your site can be a challenge; if you don't need to, then you probably shouldn't overuse this widget.
Security risk: Moderate. This depends on the 3rd party site that you link to. We advise that you ONLY link to sites that you have direct control over or are on face-to-face speaking terms with the owner.
RSS Feed Widget
The RSS Feed Widget allows you load in a 3rd party RSS feed and display it in almost any zone; you can even customise the HTML used to display the items in the list.
Requires a valid RSS feed URL.
Limitations: 2 Per Page. As the lists can be quite long (depending on how many items you choose to display) only 2 are allowed per page.
Required Tech Level: Low. Simply enter a valid RSS feed URL and select the number of items you want to show. More advanced users can modify the default html used to display each list item, thus giving you an unprecedented degree of control over your lists
Security risk: Low.
Static SocialGO.com widgets
Some of the default widgets can be customised - you can tell this by clicking on a widget; if the "Edit Widget" button becomes available, you will be able to modify some aspect of that widget's properties.
Coming Soon: The Widget Store
We are currently hard at work developing the Zocku.com Widget Store - this is very tightly integrated with your site, and, as such, provides developers with the power and flexibility to create the features that are most often requested.
Such tight integration with your site means that developers can seamlessly build extensions, addons, and even full-on applications that integrate so tightly with Zocku.com that they appear to be (and in fact are) part of your network and not merely appended on.
This is a tough requirement and requires much testing and design. We're proud to say that Zocku.com and the team at WidgetLaboratory are developing an initial batch of widgets to get you started, with many more widgets to follow as they pass testing and integration requirements.
We recently launched the much anticipated 'Layout Manager'; an advanced system that gives you, our network owners, a vast degree of control over your network's pages. The system is brand new, and, as such, requires feedback as to what you feel you need from it. We appreciate any and all feedback on the system - and we certainly appreciate your interest!
The Layout Manager has been designed to allow maximum flexibility with the minimum amount of fuss and confusion. This is a very fine line to walk, and certain design decisions have been made to make the network lives of our owners easier to manage.
Here is a list of the most commonly asked questions regarding the Zones and Widgets:
Why am I not able to resize the zones on the default pages?
The Zocku display pages have been created with a specific purpose in mind; this and the fact that some specific HTML does not scale well unfortunately limits the zone re-size capability on our default pages. Enabling re-sizing on all pages would mean that certain widgets would not display correctly, and you, the network owner, would need a way to modify the html for your specific requirements. This is one of the items we are looking for feedback on.
Why can't I move Widget X into Zone Y?
Due to the nature of HTML, certain widgets will not display correctly when placed in a zone that is a) too small or b) too large for its specific display requirements. That being said, all widgets can be re-ordered within the zone that they are in as well as be disabled, so, if you dont like it where it is, you are able to disable it or change its position in the list.
After those 2 limitations, the Layout manager gives you vast control over your custom pages and, with the following powerful tools, provides you with a new horizon of customisation:
Custom HTML Text-Boxes
The Custom HTML text-boxes allow you to add all kinds of html & 3rd party media almost anywhere on your site.
The feature allows you to copy and paste valid html of your own creation or from 3rd parties and use it within your network. Everything from video embedding, javascript, images, mp3 players, scrollers, tickers to Google Gadgets can be placed here.
Limitations: 5 per page. Due to the high security and page load time-risk, and the fact that the more Javascript you add to a page the slower it will load, you are currently only able to place 5 Custom HTML Text-Boxes.
Required Tech Level: Basic-Advanced. This widget is incredibly powerful and as such will allow you to be as advanced as you like; however, if you're a more basic user you can simply use it to paste in videos, music, or even custom announcements, tips, and advice.
Security risk: Low-High. This depends on what you paste into the widget, as some javascript is malicious by nature and could cause problems for you and your users.
iFrames
The iFrame Widget allows you to link in an entire 3rd party website (that allows iFrame linkage) which can then be navigated from within your network.
The website that you select to load in the iframe will load in its entirety; after your main network page has loaded, bear in mind that it will also load in the 3rd party website's javascript.
Limitations: One per page. Overuse of 3rd party sites and the nature of iFrames may cause your page to load more slowly; therefore, only one is allowed per page.
Required Tech Level: Moderate. Selecting the right website to embed in your site can be a challenge; if you don't need to, then you probably shouldn't overuse this widget.
Security risk: Moderate. This depends on the 3rd party site that you link to. We advise that you ONLY link to sites that you have direct control over or are on face-to-face speaking terms with the owner.
RSS Feed Widget
The RSS Feed Widget allows you load in a 3rd party RSS feed and display it in almost any zone; you can even customise the HTML used to display the items in the list.
Requires a valid RSS feed URL.
Limitations: 2 Per Page. As the lists can be quite long (depending on how many items you choose to display) only 2 are allowed per page.
Required Tech Level: Low. Simply enter a valid RSS feed URL and select the number of items you want to show. More advanced users can modify the default html used to display each list item, thus giving you an unprecedented degree of control over your lists
Security risk: Low.
Static SocialGO.com widgets
Some of the default widgets can be customised - you can tell this by clicking on a widget; if the "Edit Widget" button becomes available, you will be able to modify some aspect of that widget's properties.
Coming Soon: The Widget Store
We are currently hard at work developing the Zocku.com Widget Store - this is very tightly integrated with your site, and, as such, provides developers with the power and flexibility to create the features that are most often requested.
Such tight integration with your site means that developers can seamlessly build extensions, addons, and even full-on applications that integrate so tightly with Zocku.com that they appear to be (and in fact are) part of your network and not merely appended on.
This is a tough requirement and requires much testing and design. We're proud to say that Zocku.com and the team at WidgetLaboratory are developing an initial batch of widgets to get you started, with many more widgets to follow as they pass testing and integration requirements.
Thu
9th
Layout Manager Updates
Published by: Doody Zocku on Thursday 9th April 2009 07:04pm
Okay, so the Easter present we slipped into your admin centre when you weren't watching was the Layout Manager and wow have we had some feedback from everyone playing with their new toy in the last 24 hours. Thanks for all the compliments, suggestions and odd bug report. Keep it coming!
There are a few known bugs that we are working on and they will be fixed soon. If their is anything you discover thats needs to be looked at, tell us right away on support@zocku.com.
Now with great freedom comes great responsibility. You can now do some super crazy things with your networks , but you can also get yourself into a pickle if you're not careful. If you do, don't worry as help is not far away. Spence (a.k.a. the Evil Genius) over at Widget Laboratory is particularly expert at getting owners out of these pickles (the Lab worked very closely with us througout the Layout Manager development and knows it back to front). So drop Spence a message if you need de-pickling on help@widgetlaboratory.com.
We have also created a new topic in the forum for the Layout Manager, which should build into a great repository of ideas and advice. Also, there is a Layout Manager section in this blog where you can watch videos and read tutorials.
Enjoy
Doody
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