OpenOffice.org has come out with a new version. This one has an interesting new feature. They call it the “User Experience/OpenOffice.org User Feedback Program” and is the major component of their “UX Project” which, in turn, is part of “Renaissance“.
“Create a User Interface so that OpenOffice.org becomes the users’ choice not only out of need, but also out of desireâ€
The Feedback Program is a cool concept. In a nutshell, you give them permission to collect data on how you use OO.o and they use that data to make OO.o better. The data collected is not what you type, but the commands you use and how you use them (as in via macro, toolbar, keyboard shortcut, etc). I would assume that any time a command is activated, the data is collected. You can keep track of what they are collecting by going to Tools>Options>Improvement Program. You can click “show data” and get an actual report. I haven’t typed anything since I agreed to it but I did go check the Options thing. The report already has tracked that I did that. I can also save that data into a file for myself.
This effort is yet another reason why I love this program and the people behind it. It follows the old saying of “we can’t fix what we don’t know is broken”. They are making an effort to find out what works and what does not and, hopefully, will use that information to actually do something. For example, I hope they see how many people have to: Tools>Options>Language Settings>Writing Aids just to change the active personalized dictionary. A major PITA for writers with different manuscripts going at the same time. This would be much easier if it were part of Tools in a sub-menu.
I’ll get back to y’all later on how it works (the process on my side).
Linkages:
OpenOffice.org (free productivity suite)
User Feedback Program main page
UX Project (User Experience Project)
Project Renaissance