'Next Steps' or 'What to Do' block
Closed this issue · 25 comments
I had removed this block (I thought) and replaced it with a "Things to Do" block as a temporary measure, based upon the following feedback.
The old format makes it look like you MUST make a donation before you can suggest a topic or post a video presentation.
Also, the Step 1, Step 2, Step 3 format suggested a necessary order, which might not always be applicable. I was hoping that we might make some changes to the original block before restoring it.
Now, I see that in some places, the old block seems to be back while in others, my block is still there.
It is possible, that I just didn't make the change everywhere I thought I did. But, before I start making more changes, I'd like to be sure we're on the same page here.
This is getting much discussion in Zulip at the moment.
It seems that in fact the "donation" step is considered a "required" step in the process. It is required in the sense that we expect everyone to at least consider a donation. If they don't feel that they are able to, they can opt out. But, we do expect folks to at least consider a donation, the amount of which is up to them.
Here is the current language on the site.
I found my temporary replacement block was still visible on at least one layout and I restored the original block.
Atten: @jenlampton and @irinaz
There are a lot more problems with the new custom block as compared to the old one. For staters, all of the links in the new custom are hard-coded, so most of the links will be broken, most of the time, for most people. (The old block dynamically changed the links based on the status of the person viewing the block)
I have restored the previous version of the block with not-broken links on all pages, and deleted the problematic one.
In general, it would be good to document any problems with something, so that those problems can be addressed without introducing new ones :)
These are the known issues with the dynamic block
- Backdrop can't tell if you've made a donation or not, so there is no checkmark added to 3 (this is hard to fix)
- There is no checkmark added for 4 or 5 (these are easier to fix)
These are the perceived issues with the dynamic block, that should have more discussion before changes can be
made
- The old format makes it look like you MUST make a donation before you can suggest a topic or post a video presentation.
This is correct (because the donation is part of registration)
- Also, the Step 1, Step 2, Step 3 format suggested a necessary order
It's important that someone knows they must create an account before they can register for the event. It's important to communicate the necessary order for 1 and 2. And since 3 is really a part of 2, that should also come as 3.
Because someone needs to be a registered attendee for the current event before they can submit a presentation and/or discussion for that event, number 4 and 5 need to come after number 3, but you are correct that they could go in any order.
Maybe we could add these items in a separate list below 1, 2, and 3, with a new heading that reads "Once you are registered..." or something similar? I can start working on that now :) -- please provide suggestions for the heading if you don't like "Once you are registered..."
I'm good. I was just trying to implement a short term solution to problems that were being brought to me by other people, until we could fix the original block. Clearly, it was not my intention to make things worse.
I'm comfortable going back to the original block. I think the concerns that were raised are being addressed as I hoped they would be. It was always my intention to get feedback, fix the original block, and restore it.
That seems to be the outcome, so I'm happy. Sorry for any temporary inconvenience.
No need to apologize, I just need to know what I should be fixing :)
I logged in, registered, made a donation and suggested a discussion. I see checkmark next to first two steps, no checkmark next to steps 3 and 4. Not sure if this is a bug or checkmarks are not available in this block. Thanks!
@irinaz @klonos please read the comment above where this was mentioned.
This is correct (because the donation is part of registration)
I'm not sure I agree with this, but can we please at least append (optional) as a suffix to the link in step 3? (the suffix itself shouldn't be part of the link)
can we please at least append
(optional)as a suffix to the link
No, the donation is not optional. This is not a free event.
Oh, sorry then. I had it wrong all along. ...but in all truth, I think that it should be a free event - but I'm sure there are reasons. I'll have a think about it ...perhaps I shouldn't be that concerned.
There are a lot more problems with the new custom block as compared to the old one. For staters, all of the links in the new custom are hard-coded, so most of the links will be broken, most of the time, for most people. (The old block dynamically changed the links based on the status of the person viewing the block)
I have restored the previous version of the block with not-broken links on all pages, and deleted the problematic one.
In general, it would be good to document any problems with something, so that those problems can be addressed without introducing new ones :)
These are the known issues with the dynamic block
- Backdrop can't tell if you've made a donation or not, so there is no checkmark added to 3 (this is hard to fix)
- There is no checkmark added for 4 or 5 (these are easier to fix)
These are the perceived issues with the dynamic block, that should have more discussion before changes can be
made
- The old format makes it look like you MUST make a donation before you can suggest a topic or post a video presentation.
This is correct (because the donation is part of registration)
- Also, the Step 1, Step 2, Step 3 format suggested a necessary order
It's important that someone knows they must create an account before they can register for the event. It's important to communicate the necessary order for 1 and 2. And since 3 is really a part of 2, that should also come as 3.
Because someone needs to be a registered attendee for the current event before they can submit a presentation and/or discussion for that event, number 4 and 5 need to come after number 3, but you are correct that they could go in any order.
Maybe we could add these items in a separate list below 1, 2, and 3, with a new heading that reads "Once you are registered..." or something similar? I can start working on that now :) -- please provide suggestions for the heading if you don't like "Once you are registered..."
One suggestion would be to separate step 1 and 2 from other links as they have different behaviour. Or maybe we can hide them for those who already have account and registration instead of adding checkmark. If we remove text "step 1" and keep bullets it would be easy to do.
can we please at least append
(optional)as a suffix to the linkNo, the donation is not optional. This is not a free event.
From technical perspective I do not have checkbox next to Make donation after I made a donation.
From technical perspective I do not have checkbox next to Make donation after I made a donation.
@irinaz please read the comment above where this was mentioned.
As a first step, I've removed the links from item 1 and 2 (once they are done) so that it is clear that it is not necessary to do them again. Let's see if this helps: https://events.backdropcms.org/faq
There is no checkmark added for 4 or 5 (these are easier to fix)
As a second step, I have added checkmarks next to 4 and 5 if people have done those things:
https://events.backdropcms.org/donate
Thanks for all updates!!!
As a next step, I separated the list of steps into 1,2,3 and 4,5,6 and separated them with headings Register now and Next steps (suggestions welcome)...
I added a "view the schedule" link as 4, and moved 5,6 down below that one. (and removed the numbers from 4,5 and 6 since the order is no longer important after you have registered)
https://events.backdropcms.org/archive
Here's where we are now:
What should I do next?
@jenlampton - I think this is much better. Thanks. But, I'm testing and I just registered as "Rajib" and I'm not seeing a check mark in the right place.
I've checked as admin and it appears that Rajib is registered.
@jenlampton - For reference. If I click on the Register link, I get a blank page that says "Welcome to Backdrop LIVE" with no chance to register again. So the registration is recognized, it's just not registering in the "register now" block.
A user just reported being confused about the "Next Steps" block, because they are already registered but the lack of a checkmark let them to believe they must register again. They reported thinking that they must register for each session.
looking now.
I am not quite sure why I would want to see steps that I already completed. If I am logged in that means that I already created an account. @jenlampton, would it make sense to hide items that are completed (create account) and keep list of things to do(make a donation)?
no, removing things frustrates people. they think "I could have sworn I saw it somewhere". I think all we need to do is make the checkmark work :)
I finally got the bug fixed :) I'm going to close this issue but if other things come up that need to be addressed with this block, please open new ones!