Get Help

So, the blog post today is on the application Get Help. So what IS Get Help? It's an interesting use of Facebook's inter-connectivity: using it to ask for help from those on your friends list. While the idea is a really good one, there are some inconsistencies with the design that may detract users from its main purpose.

Initial / Main Page

First of, the initial page one sees on launching the application. The profile tab is highlighted, when this is clearly not the profile. It may seem minor, but a consistent design is often key to reducing the learning curve of a new application.

Also, beginning the request with "I need help with" could actually hinder the users somewhat. Not every request can be phrased as an "I need help with ..." statement, leaving the user puzzled as to how to phrase the request.

On the available alternative channels for posting a request, I'm a little puzzled as to how an SMS option would work. Who would the application be sending SMS-es to? Would it be somewhat a breach of privacy if the application were to start SMS-ing a group of the user's friends?

I feel that the choices of who to send the request to could be greatly improved. More specifically, I believe there is a need to allow users to prevent certain users from sending their requests, even if said request has been forwarded from the original sender. Imagine, for example, a request for help to build a gift for a close friend. Most probably, the user would not want this request to be seen by the intended recipient of the gift, as it would spoil the surprise.

Overview Page

Now, onto the Overview Page. I don't exactly think a Project being likened to a Fire is a very healthy comparison... Also, perhaps adding Overview and Recommendations to the group of tabs might be a better idea, for it can be a little hard to find these two links otherwise.

Project Page

The Project Page. How do you get here? Perhaps the flow of the site would be more apparent were I actually using it... And as a somewhat sidenote, "Wish her luck!" seems somewhat redundant as such well-wishes could be offered in the comments section, and with more detail at that. The 4 tabs being covered by the Project details also affects the design negatively.

Statistics Page

Finally, the Statistics Page. I disagree somewhat with the assignment of rankings and rewards to an otherwise altruistic application. Such rewards detract from the purpose of helping, which is simply to help, without expectation of any gains. Instead of encouraging people to help, such rewards actually change the motivation of helping, and soon the users would be helping simply for these rewards.

So, while I feel the idea was a really good one, I think the implementation could do with quite a few improvements~ That being said, they have already changed their design, and I'll be checking it out soon to see whether any of my suggestions have already been implemented ^^