Extension Manager:UI Update: Difference between revisions

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== Background  ==
== Background  ==


This wiki will serve as a planning page for a redesign of the Addons Manager for Firefox 3.7.  
This wiki will serve as a planning page for a redesign of the Add-ons Manager for Firefox 3.7.  


The addons manager has been largely unchanged in Firefox, while the scope and functionality of addons has increased dramatically. Especially in light of new addons functionality and projects, such as Personas and Jetpack, the addons manager could be improved and redesigned in order to better assist users personalising their browsing experience.  
The add-ons manager has been largely unchanged in Firefox, while the scope and functionality of add-ons has increased dramatically. Especially in light of new add-ons functionality and projects, such as Personas and Jetpack, the add-ons manager could be improved and redesigned in order to better assist users personalising their browsing experience.  


== Past work  ==
== Past work  ==


Madhava worked on redesigning the addons manager in 2007, and posted his work [https://wiki.mozilla.org/Firefox:Add-ons_Manager_UI here]. He also [https://wiki.mozilla.org/Firefox:Add-ons_Manager_UI_interim_rev2 designed much of the current addons manager] for Firefox 3, which is largely unchanged today.  
Madhava worked on redesigning the add-ons manager in 2007, and posted his work [https://wiki.mozilla.org/Firefox:Add-ons_Manager_UI here]. He also [https://wiki.mozilla.org/Firefox:Add-ons_Manager_UI_interim_rev2 designed much of the current add-ons manager] for Firefox 3, which is largely unchanged today.  


Madhava's goals for the project were similar to ours, with major goals including better integration with amo, greater task orientation, and increasing consistency in the design. His minor goals focused on information hierarchy and prominence of items, as well as giving the user more useful information about their addons and addons inventory.  
Madhava's goals for the project were similar to ours, with major goals including better integration with amo, greater task orientation, and increasing consistency in the design. His minor goals focused on information hierarchy and prominence of items, as well as giving the user more useful information about their add-ons and add-ons inventory.  


Madhava's recommended design was a two-panel window which showed addon inventory on the left, and detailed information about a selected item on the right. He simplified the category names of addons into more intuitive words: features, players, languages, search engines, and themes.  
Madhava's recommended design was a two-panel window which showed add-on inventory on the left, and detailed information about a selected item on the right. He simplified the category names of add-ons into more intuitive words: features, players, languages, search engines, and themes.  


http://people.mozilla.com/~madhava/files/addons/manager/2007-08-21/am1.png  
http://people.mozilla.com/~madhava/files/add-ons/manager/2007-08-21/am1.png  


Madhava's wiki describes how addons would easily download from within the addons manager through controls in the right "expanded view" panel.  After installing an addon and then restarting, the user would see the addons manager with the addon they recently installed highlights, its options visible in the right panel for easy configuration.    
Madhava's wiki describes how add-ons would easily download from within the add-ons manager through controls in the right "expanded view" panel.  After installing an add-on and then restarting, the user would see the add-ons manager with the add-on they recently installed highlights, its options visible in the right panel for easy configuration.    


== Prioritized Goals ==
== Prioritized Goals ==


There are five main areas of the addons manager that this redesign will involve:  
There are five main areas of the add-ons manager that this redesign will involve:  


;1. Maintaining and Configuring
;1. Maintaining and Configuring


:*Allow users to quickly locate the addon they want to inspect  
:*Allow users to quickly locate the add-on they want to inspect  
:*Provide simple, usable controls for basic addon operations such as disabling and uninstalling  
:*Provide simple, usable controls for basic add-on operations such as disabling and uninstalling  
:*Allow new forms of addons, such as jetpacks and personas, to be maintained and configured easily alongside traditional addons
:*Allow new forms of add-ons, such as jetpacks and personas, to be maintained and configured easily alongside traditional add-ons
:*(at best) Provide users with a consistent place to go for a particular addon's preferences, or (at worst) provide users with a consistent place to go to launch a particular addon's preferences  
:*(at best) Provide users with a consistent place to go for a particular add-on's preferences, or (at worst) provide users with a consistent place to go to launch a particular add-on's preferences  
:*User questions addressed:  
:*User questions addressed:  
:**"What addons do I have installed?"  
:**"What add-ons do I have installed?"  
:**"Do I have Foxmarks installed?"  
:**"Do I have Foxmarks installed?"  
:**"How do I disable Flash?"
:**"How do I disable Flash?"
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:*Allow the user to choose silent updates if they prefer, and for those updates to happen without interfering with browsing  
:*Allow the user to choose silent updates if they prefer, and for those updates to happen without interfering with browsing  
:*User questions addressed:  
:*User questions addressed:  
:**"What addons have an update available?"  
:**"What add-ons have an update available?"  
:**"Is there an update available for Flash?"  
:**"Is there an update available for Flash?"  
:**"How do I keep my addons up-to-date automatically without getting notices?"  
:**"How do I keep my add-ons up-to-date automatically without getting notices?"  
:**"Which addon was updated recently and has stopped Firefox from working correctly?"  
:**"Which add-on was updated recently and has stopped Firefox from working correctly?"  
:**"What updates have been made to addons and what was in those updates?"
:**"What updates have been made to add-ons and what was in those updates?"


;3. Installing
;3. Installing


:*Streamlining the install process to as few steps as possible  
:*Streamlining the install process to as few steps as possible  
:*Providing the user with a clear indication of the process and what actions are needed, especially in the face of possibly differing install experiences per addon (restart required vs not)  
:*Providing the user with a clear indication of the process and what actions are needed, especially in the face of possibly differing install experiences per add-on (restart required vs not)  
:*User questions addressed:  
:*User questions addressed:  
:**"How do I install this addon?"  
:**"How do I install this add-on?"  
:**"What is the next step to install this addon?"  
:**"What is the next step to install this add-on?"  
:**"Did my addons install successfully?"
:**"Did my add-ons install successfully?"


;4. Discovering
;4. Discovering


:*Providing a compelling first run experience to new addons users, including showing what addons can do in a way that makes sense to non-technical users  
:*Providing a compelling first run experience to new add-ons users, including showing what add-ons can do in a way that makes sense to non-technical users  
:*Allowing users to search for addons from within the Addons manager, only requiring a visit to AMO when greater community involvement or information is sought  
:*Allowing users to search for add-ons from within the Add-ons manager, only requiring a visit to AMO when greater community involvement or information is sought  
:*User questions addressed:  
:*User questions addressed:  
:**"What are addons?"  
:**"What are add-ons?"  
:**"Why would I want to install an addon?"  
:**"Why would I want to install an add-on?"  
:**"What addons can help me with my 5000 tabs?"
:**"What add-ons can help me with my 5000 tabs?"


;5. Troubleshooting
;5. Troubleshooting


:*(possibly) Provide a way to rank addons by size, RAM, etc to see if disabling one would give a significant performance boost  
:*(possibly) Provide a way to rank add-ons by size, RAM, etc to see if disabling one would give a significant performance boost  
:*(possibly) Use some heuristics to determine if a particular addon is causing problems  
:*(possibly) Use some heuristics to determine if a particular add-on is causing problems  
:*Give clear communication and instructions if there is a security problem with an addon
:*Give clear communication and instructions if there is a security problem with an add-on
:*User questions addressed:  
:*User questions addressed:  
:**"Is an addon causing Firefox to crash?"  
:**"Is an add-on causing Firefox to crash?"  
:**"Are there any security vulnerabilities in my installed addons?"
:**"Are there any security vulnerabilities in my installed add-ons?"


While a cohesive redesign will likely touch all of these areas, the first iteration of the addons manager redesign will consider tiers of importance in where to direct efforts and design.  
While a cohesive redesign will likely touch all of these areas, the first iteration of the add-ons manager redesign will consider tiers of importance in where to direct efforts and design.  


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'''Tier One: ''' <br> '''Basic Functionality'''<br>Minimum features needed for usable addons manager, would substantially change in any redesign, incorporation of newer forms of addons (jetpacks, personas) cannot happen without. The functionality here is not provided anywhere outside of the addons manager  
'''Tier One: ''' <br> '''Basic Functionality'''<br>Minimum features needed for usable add-ons manager, would substantially change in any redesign, incorporation of newer forms of add-ons (jetpacks, personas) cannot happen without. The functionality here is not provided anywhere outside of the add-ons manager  


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'''Tier Three''':<br> '''Enhancements<br>'''Features that are currently barely present in addons manager but could provide substantial value to users. The functionality provided by these is available outside of the addons manager, but could be provided within it  
'''Tier Three''':<br> '''Enhancements<br>'''Features that are currently barely present in add-ons manager but could provide substantial value to users. The functionality provided by these is available outside of the add-ons manager, but could be provided within it  


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The goal of this project is to substantially improve the basic functionality of the Addons Manager (tier one), turn current "interruption" areas into integrated parts of the browser (tier two), and provided added functionality that will benefit addons users (tier three).  
The goal of this project is to substantially improve the basic functionality of the Add-ons Manager (tier one), turn current "interruption" areas into integrated parts of the browser (tier two), and provided added functionality that will benefit add-ons users (tier three).  


A successful but less ambitious redesign in the first stage would substantially improve basic functionality and fix current problems, but would leave added feature enhancements to future versions.  
A successful but less ambitious redesign in the first stage would substantially improve basic functionality and fix current problems, but would leave added feature enhancements to future versions.  


The minimum level of success would be to substantially improve the basic functionality of the Addons Manager, while developing a plan of action for fixing current problems and adding new features.  
The minimum level of success would be to substantially improve the basic functionality of the Add-ons Manager, while developing a plan of action for fixing current problems and adding new features.  


== Current Addons Manager  ==
== Current Add-ons Manager  ==


=== Positives  ===
=== Positives  ===


;Pre-populated Featured Addons
;Pre-populated Featured Add-ons
:The current design's constant inclusion of five featured addons provides a benefit especially to new users, by giving them both an idea of what addons can do and possibly suggesting one he is interested in downloading. This also provides a huge benefit to the developers whose addons are featured
:The current design's constant inclusion of five featured add-ons provides a benefit especially to new users, by giving them both an idea of what add-ons can do and possibly suggesting one he is interested in downloading. This also provides a huge benefit to the developers whose add-ons are featured


;AMO-wide Search  
;AMO-wide Search  
:The addons manager allows users to search through all addons on AMO, get search results back within the addons manager, and install them - all without visiting AMO. This is excellent functionality for people who know exactly what addon they want to install. Unfortunately, because this feature is not very discoverable, many experienced users are not aware it exists.
:The add-ons manager allows users to search through all add-ons on AMO, get search results back within the add-ons manager, and install them - all without visiting AMO. This is excellent functionality for people who know exactly what add-on they want to install. Unfortunately, because this feature is not very discoverable, many experienced users are not aware it exists.


=== Negatives  ===
=== Negatives  ===


;Category confusion  
;Category confusion  
:Addons are currently categorized by terms such as "extensions" and "addons," which are similar to each other and not necessarily meaningful to users. While some separation of addons by category is probably necessary, expanding the correct category is currently the only way to find a desired addon. This leads to the common current user behavior of clicking categories until he finds the addon he is looking for, rather than finding it obvious where the desired addon will be.
:Add-ons are currently categorized by terms such as "extensions" and "add-ons," which are similar to each other and not necessarily meaningful to users. While some separation of add-ons by category is probably necessary, expanding the correct category is currently the only way to find a desired add-on. This leads to the common current user behavior of clicking categories until he finds the add-on he is looking for, rather than finding it obvious where the desired add-on will be.


;Finding an addon is difficult  
;Finding an add-on is difficult  
:related to the above, currently category selection and then scanning is the only way to locate a particular addon. In many cases, the user knows exactly the name of the addon he wants to find, but not what category it is in. Compounding this problem, users sometimes go to the Preferences page first, which handle similar issues as many addons.
:related to the above, currently category selection and then scanning is the only way to locate a particular add-on. In many cases, the user knows exactly the name of the add-on he wants to find, but not what category it is in. Compounding this problem, users sometimes go to the Preferences page first, which handle similar issues as many add-ons.


;Little room for addon information  
;Little room for add-on information  
:Addons are currently displayed in one line each, with a one sentence description. Potentially useful information such as the author, size, or options for an addon are not displayed.
:Add-ons are currently displayed in one line each, with a one sentence description. Potentially useful information such as the author, size, or options for an add-on are not displayed.


;Redundancy, especially in installing updates<br>  
;Redundancy, especially in installing updates<br>  
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;Inconsistency  
;Inconsistency  
:The current addons manager looks very much unlike other parts of Firefox's UI. The user encounters interactions in the addons manager that they do not see anywhere else in Firefox, leading to the user taking longer to complete a task.
:The current add-ons manager looks very much unlike other parts of Firefox's UI. The user encounters interactions in the add-ons manager that they do not see anywhere else in Firefox, leading to the user taking longer to complete a task.


== Redesign Themes  ==
== Redesign Themes  ==
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=== Distraction and Interruption  ===
=== Distraction and Interruption  ===


A large theme in the addons redesign will be the attention of the user - especially when to insist on it and to what degree.  
A large theme in the add-ons redesign will be the attention of the user - especially when to insist on it and to what degree.  


A common criticism of the current addons manager design is that it demands the attention of the user too often, and especially when the user is engaged in another task. For instance, when the user launches Firefox, he often is presented with an addons manager window announcing that updates are available and suggesting that the user download them at that moment. Since the user is launching Firefox, it's reasonable to assume he has a task in mind to perform and that his intention is unlikely to be installing addon updates. The appearance of the addons manager window over the main Firefox content area presents a break in the users' workflow by forcing him to take an action before he can begin the task he intended.  
A common criticism of the current add-ons manager design is that it demands the attention of the user too often, and especially when the user is engaged in another task. For instance, when the user launches Firefox, he often is presented with an add-ons manager window announcing that updates are available and suggesting that the user download them at that moment. Since the user is launching Firefox, it's reasonable to assume he has a task in mind to perform and that his intention is unlikely to be installing add-on updates. The appearance of the add-ons manager window over the main Firefox content area presents a break in the users' workflow by forcing him to take an action before he can begin the task he intended.  


The balance of when the addons manager should be prominent and when it should recede from focus will be a challenging one to strike. The management of addons itself can be thought of as a "background" task, removed from everyday browsing, much as the Preference menu should be. Aside from some maintenance and configuration of a user's addons, the user should expect addons to perform their intended function without requiring much care or maintenance on their part.  
The balance of when the add-ons manager should be prominent and when it should recede from focus will be a challenging one to strike. The management of add-ons itself can be thought of as a "background" task, removed from everyday browsing, much as the Preference menu should be. Aside from some maintenance and configuration of a user's add-ons, the user should expect add-ons to perform their intended function without requiring much care or maintenance on their part.  


As with bookmarks, preferences, and many other parts of Firefox, some users will want to optimize and micromanage their addons manager to tailor-make the best browsing experience for them. Others will want to install a few addons and never have to deal with the addons manager ever again. A successful addons manager redesign will allow an addons user to be on either side and have a good user experience. The current addons manager could be said to cater to the micromanaging addons user: it often alerts users of new updates and provides many configuration options for individual addons. Ideally, if a user wants updates for a particular trusted addon to be installed silently and automatically, he should have this option.  
As with bookmarks, preferences, and many other parts of Firefox, some users will want to optimize and micromanage their add-ons manager to tailor-make the best browsing experience for them. Others will want to install a few add-ons and never have to deal with the add-ons manager ever again. A successful add-ons manager redesign will allow an add-ons user to be on either side and have a good user experience. The current add-ons manager could be said to cater to the micromanaging add-ons user: it often alerts users of new updates and provides many configuration options for individual add-ons. Ideally, if a user wants updates for a particular trusted add-on to be installed silently and automatically, he should have this option.  


Some of the addons manager functions should not disrupt the user unless summoned, other should give notifications subtly, while others need to divert the attention of the user to them.  
Some of the add-ons manager functions should not disrupt the user unless summoned, other should give notifications subtly, while others need to divert the attention of the user to them.  


Functions that should not disrupt the user:  
Functions that should not disrupt the user:  


*The appearance of the addons manager itself. While there may be links to the addons manager within the browser (for instance on the Home Tab), the user should not see the addons manager unless they've summoned it.
*The appearance of the add-ons manager itself. While there may be links to the add-ons manager within the browser (for instance on the Home Tab), the user should not see the add-ons manager unless they've summoned it.


Functions that should give notifications subtly:  
Functions that should give notifications subtly:  


*When updates are available. The availability of updates should not get in the way of user's browsing experience or present obstructions that force the user to act. The user should be given the ability to make updates for a particular addon or all addons install automatically.
*When updates are available. The availability of updates should not get in the way of user's browsing experience or present obstructions that force the user to act. The user should be given the ability to make updates for a particular add-on or all add-ons install automatically.


Functions that should actively seek the user's attention:  
Functions that should actively seek the user's attention:  


*Steps in the addons installation process. Each step should actively focus the user's attention on the next step. Anyone should be able to install an addon after four shots of whisky.
*Steps in the add-ons installation process. Each step should actively focus the user's attention on the next step. Anyone should be able to install an add-on after four shots of whisky.


*Confirmation that a user has chosen to uninstall an addon, as well as any warning about preferences that will be lost as a result.
*Confirmation that a user has chosen to uninstall an add-on, as well as any warning about preferences that will be lost as a result.


*Notification that an addon has been automatically disabled or uninstalled because of a security vulnerability, as well as a link to more information about the specific case.
*Notification that an add-on has been automatically disabled or uninstalled because of a security vulnerability, as well as a link to more information about the specific case.


One way current applications handle the tasks which should give notifications subtly is by providing a small cue which, if the user choose to act on it, launches into a dedicated task related to the notice. This way, once a user sees the cue, they can choose to ignore it or switch tasks to find out more about the cue. In the addons manager redesign, this would be the transition from a subtle notification to the addons manager itself. The balance to strike is to not make the cue too distracting for users who want to ignore it, but to also make it noticeable enough for users who wish to act on it.  
One way current applications handle the tasks which should give notifications subtly is by providing a small cue which, if the user choose to act on it, launches into a dedicated task related to the notice. This way, once a user sees the cue, they can choose to ignore it or switch tasks to find out more about the cue. In the add-ons manager redesign, this would be the transition from a subtle notification to the add-ons manager itself. The balance to strike is to not make the cue too distracting for users who want to ignore it, but to also make it noticeable enough for users who wish to act on it.  


<br> [[Image:Smallnotification tolarge.png]]  
<br> [[Image:Smallnotification tolarge.png]]  


== Focus on Tasks rather than Addons ==
== Focus on Tasks rather than Add-ons ==


Addons are one of the biggest benefits of using Firefox over other browsers. While other browsers are beginning to offer addons and develop communities around them, none of them yet come close to approaching the diversity and scale of Mozilla's addons community. However, only about 30% of Firefox users currently have any addons installed.  
Add-ons are one of the biggest benefits of using Firefox over other browsers. While other browsers are beginning to offer add-ons and develop communities around them, none of them yet come close to approaching the diversity and scale of Mozilla's add-ons community. However, only about 30% of Firefox users currently have any add-ons installed.  


While getting every Firefox user to install addons is not the goal, making them more accessible to more users would benefit both users and developers. A common criticism of the current addons manager is that it is easy to find an addon by name, but less so by functionality. This redesign will seek ways for users to find addons based on how they browse or functionality they want rather than only by addon type.  
While getting every Firefox user to install add-ons is not the goal, making them more accessible to more users would benefit both users and developers. A common criticism of the current add-ons manager is that it is easy to find an add-on by name, but less so by functionality. This redesign will seek ways for users to find add-ons based on how they browse or functionality they want rather than only by add-on type.  


== Wireframes ==
== Wireframes ==


=== Storing/Managing Addons ===
=== Storing/Managing Add-ons ===


==== Two-Panel System ====
==== Two-Panel System ====


The default Addons Manager view will be in a two-panel basic hierarchy view within the content area of the browser.  Addon categories, search, past searches, and recommended addons will be in the left panel, and expanded view will be on the right.  This increasingly common format is a familiar layout in operating systems and applications, and follows a larger planned design plan for Firefox's auxiliary controls.
The default Add-ons Manager view will be in a two-panel basic hierarchy view within the content area of the browser.  Add-on categories, search, past searches, and recommended add-ons will be in the left panel, and expanded view will be on the right.  This increasingly common format is a familiar layout in operating systems and applications, and follows a larger planned design plan for Firefox's auxiliary controls.


[[File:Outline1 for addonsmanager1.png]]
[[File:Outline1 for add-onsmanager1.png]]


For viewing installed add-ons, the Detail View in the right panel will either show the contents of a category or an individual addon, depending on which is selected.  Viewing the contents of a category will show a summary view of the addons, with basic information and the ability to disable or remove an addon.  This gives the user the ability to quickly browse the contents of a category with more information than the list in the left panel provides.  The information shown will be similar to what's in the current addons manager, but will allow for sorting by categories such as size and date added.
For viewing installed add-ons, the Detail View in the right panel will either show the contents of a category or an individual add-on, depending on which is selected.  Viewing the contents of a category will show a summary view of the add-ons, with basic information and the ability to disable or remove an add-on.  This gives the user the ability to quickly browse the contents of a category with more information than the list in the left panel provides.  The information shown will be similar to what's in the current add-ons manager, but will allow for sorting by categories such as size and date added.


[[File:Category view diagram in new addonmanager.png]]
[[File:Category view diagram in new add-onmanager.png]]


When the user selects an individual add-on, the right panel displays the add-on's information, options, preferences, and the ability to contribute to its developers.  
When the user selects an individual add-on, the right panel displays the add-on's information, options, preferences, and the ability to contribute to its developers.  


[[File:Addondetailview innewaadonmanager.png]]
[[File:Add-ondetailview innewaadonmanager.png]]


==== Installing a New Addon ====
==== Searching for and Installing Add-ons ====


(how addons are installed!)
[[File:Search and installation.png]]
 
==== Disabling Add-ons ====
 
[[File:Diabling add-ons.png]]
 
==== Removing Add-ons===
 
[[File:Removing add-ons.png]]


== Team  ==
== Team  ==
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=== Status  ===
=== Status  ===


This project is currently in the planning and early design phase. The participants in the Sprint are gathering requirements and meeting with Addons, Jetpack, and Personas developers and planners to determine what changes need to be made to the addons manager to reflect the longterm goals of Firefox.  
This project is currently in the planning and early design phase. The participants in the Sprint are gathering requirements and meeting with Add-ons, Jetpack, and Personas developers and planners to determine what changes need to be made to the add-ons manager to reflect the longterm goals of Firefox.  


Mossop is currently rewriting the whole motherfucking API.  
Mossop is currently rewriting the whole motherfucking API.  
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=== Posts  ===
=== Posts  ===


*12/11/2009: [http://jboriss.wordpress.com/2009/11/23/redesigning-firefoxs-addons-manager/ Redesigning Firefox’s Addons Manager]
*12/11/2009: [http://jboriss.wordpress.com/2009/11/23/redesigning-firefoxs-add-ons-manager/ Redesigning Firefox’s Add-ons Manager]


:*'''Automatic Updates''' I totally agree with the automatic updates. The FInd Updates feature is a geek thing. There could be an option merged with “automatically update firefox”. But be careful with add-ons not hosted on AMO, this could lead to serious security issues if the domain name was bought by another person. Plus, sometimes updates remove or break features. Normal people are not “update addicted”, they just want things that work. It would be interesting to make the difference between minor and major updates, or better, let extensions developpers say in the update feed “this is a feature and/or bugfix and/or security update”. Then, one could decide “This extension works, I never want to update it” or “Only where bugfixes and security issues are available”, and so on. Undo an update is another interesting point. - Snap
:*'''Automatic Updates''' I totally agree with the automatic updates. The FInd Updates feature is a geek thing. There could be an option merged with “automatically update firefox”. But be careful with add-ons not hosted on AMO, this could lead to serious security issues if the domain name was bought by another person. Plus, sometimes updates remove or break features. Normal people are not “update addicted”, they just want things that work. It would be interesting to make the difference between minor and major updates, or better, let extensions developpers say in the update feed “this is a feature and/or bugfix and/or security update”. Then, one could decide “This extension works, I never want to update it” or “Only where bugfixes and security issues are available”, and so on. Undo an update is another interesting point. - Snap


:*I’d really love the addons manager UI to '''expose which addons are not successfully checking for updates''', as I have a fair few installed from external sites. - Takoosh
:*I’d really love the add-ons manager UI to '''expose which add-ons are not successfully checking for updates''', as I have a fair few installed from external sites. - Takoosh


:*At Tool/Add-ons, you’re very much on the right track. That’s the logical place for new users to go and we need more TLC. What’s the difference among the four headings? In “Get…” if FireShot is an Extension why is it under “Get Add-ons”? If not recommended, why five stars? Got room for the “Browse All…” and “Browse All Recommended…” with “Recommended” above the other one and BOTH links together at the top or bottom? None of the ones that popped up for me were recommended, so why do they pop-up? “Recommended” scrolls off the lower page and some will miss it.
:*At Tool/Add-ons, you’re very much on the right track. That’s the logical place for new users to go and we need more TLC. What’s the difference among the four headings? In “Get…” if FireShot is an Extension why is it under “Get Add-ons”? If not recommended, why five stars? Got room for the “Browse All…” and “Browse All Recommended…” with “Recommended” above the other one and BOTH links together at the top or bottom? None of the ones that popped up for me were recommended, so why do they pop-up? “Recommended” scrolls off the lower page and some will miss it.
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:*'''Flag add-ons not hosted on AMO'''. See: http://adblockplus.org/blog/extension-conflicts-2009-edition. These don’t go through the review process and should be seen as higher risk.
:*'''Flag add-ons not hosted on AMO'''. See: http://adblockplus.org/blog/extension-conflicts-2009-edition. These don’t go through the review process and should be seen as higher risk.


:*'''Integrate Collections''' (RE: the Add-on Collector) by default. https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/11950. Collections are huge.
:*'''Integrate Collections''' (RE: the Add-on Collector) by default. https://add-ons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/add-on/11950. Collections are huge.


:*I would’ve actually consider of merging with AMO, to have a sort of hybrid like it’s done by http://www.feedly.com/
:*I would’ve actually consider of merging with AMO, to have a sort of hybrid like it’s done by http://www.feedly.com/
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:*The location bar could also be differentiated. The identity button could be made to look more chrome-like, or eliminated altogether. The URL could be replaced with a more readable breadcrumb trail (like Alex Faaborg’s ‘Personal URL’). Better yet, when Firefox 4 comes around, the whole Navigation toolbar could be eliminated altogether—a behaviour reserved for the browser and applications that are given permission.
:*The location bar could also be differentiated. The identity button could be made to look more chrome-like, or eliminated altogether. The URL could be replaced with a more readable breadcrumb trail (like Alex Faaborg’s ‘Personal URL’). Better yet, when Firefox 4 comes around, the whole Navigation toolbar could be eliminated altogether—a behaviour reserved for the browser and applications that are given permission.


:*I think your mockup is way to complicated. I definitely like the idea of putting the manager in a tab, but you should not put more information there. Information like Compatibility, “updated” and so on should only be shown if the user explicitly clicks on it. I would suggest to show a list of all addons with activated/deactivated status by default like in the old dialog.
:*I think your mockup is way to complicated. I definitely like the idea of putting the manager in a tab, but you should not put more information there. Information like Compatibility, “updated” and so on should only be shown if the user explicitly clicks on it. I would suggest to show a list of all add-ons with activated/deactivated status by default like in the old dialog.


The rest is not interesting for most of the users and just raises the barrier for users by showing them a clutter interface they have to “learn  
The rest is not interesting for most of the users and just raises the barrier for users by showing them a clutter interface they have to “learn  
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<gallery>
<gallery>
Image:Basic two panel incontent design.png|Basic two-panel accordian design - gives expanded information and additional addon actions in right panel, with inventory on left.
Image:Basic two panel incontent design.png|Basic two-panel accordian design - gives expanded information and additional add-on actions in right panel, with inventory on left.
Image:One panel down style.png|Progressive disclosure - a more minimal design with expands an addon's information from an inventory list
Image:One panel down style.png|Progressive disclosure - a more minimal design with expands an add-on's information from an inventory list
Image:Desktop windows manager style.png|Windows manager style - like navigation in the operating system, similar to current design ideas for better bookmark and history management
Image:Desktop windows manager style.png|Windows manager style - like navigation in the operating system, similar to current design ideas for better bookmark and history management
Image:Addons redesign 1.png|Two-panel design, in content or not
Image:Add-ons redesign 1.png|Two-panel design, in content or not
Image:Addons redesign 2.png|Notification on two-panel design, in content or not
Image:Add-ons redesign 2.png|Notification on two-panel design, in content or not
Image:Notification to addonsmanager discloser.png|Transition with animation from subtle notification to addons manager in an update notification
Image:Notification to add-onsmanager discloser.png|Transition with animation from subtle notification to add-ons manager in an update notification
</gallery>  
</gallery>  


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<gallery>
<gallery>
Image:Amo style.png|Styled like amo for comparison - what a design based on web content rather than Chrome could look like.  The problem is that it's not obvious the user is on a preferences page rather than a website.
Image:Amo style.png|Styled like amo for comparison - what a design based on web content rather than Chrome could look like.  The problem is that it's not obvious the user is on a preferences page rather than a website.
Image:Grey not in chrome.png|Chrome-styled design without prefs, similar to current addons manager
Image:Grey not in chrome.png|Chrome-styled design without prefs, similar to current add-ons manager
Image:Lesschrome1.png|Breadcrumb links
Image:Lesschrome1.png|Breadcrumb links
Image:Minimal white.png|Minimal white website style
Image:Minimal white.png|Minimal white website style
Image:Nochrome2.png|Top of breadcrumb trail
Image:Nochrome2.png|Top of breadcrumb trail
Image:Nochrome3.png|Full top-down prefs and addons rough mock
Image:Nochrome3.png|Full top-down prefs and add-ons rough mock
</gallery>
</gallery>
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