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Maniphest T308026

Make mobile Topic Containers easier for people to parse
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Description

Problem:Usability testers struggled to understand the purpose of the Talk Page when the topics were collapsed by default.

Approaches

  • Approach #1: Expose one dropdown on all mobile talk pages by default.
    • Considerations
      • Uncollapsing only one might just make it so that's the only section they think exist. via T308026#7917837.
      • The first section is usually the oldest and possibly least relevant. via T308026#7920714.
  • Approach #2: Expose one piece of metadata within collapsed Topic Container (e.g. date of last comment, number of comments, number of people in discussion)
    • Details
      • Make it easier for people to parse the metadata within Topic Containers, and therefore understand them as representing discussions, by reducing the amount of metadata presented within them.

Related Objects
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StatusSubtypeAssignedTask
 ResolvedEAkinlooseT317719 Ensure the Add Topic button and language menu appear in the same order on Wikipedia namespace pages
 OpenNoneT276497 Scale DiscussionTools to all projects
 OpenNoneT366095 Deploy comment thanking to all wikis
 OpenNoneT310959 Scale Usability Improvements to all projects
ResolvedmatmarexT310960 [Config Change] Make all DiscussionTools available by default at mediawiki.org
 OpenTrizek-WMFT319146 [Release Ticket] Offer Usability Improvements as default-on feature at all projects (desktop)
 ResolvedppelbergT318198 Two lines appear beneath H1 section headings when they are immediately followed by an H2
 ResolvedEsandersT319147 Suppress Topic Container section divider when section follows <h1>
 ResolvedBUG REPORTmatmarexT314714 Metadata and buttons should be inserted after a heading, not inside of it
 ResolvedppelbergT302547 [Usability Improvements] Deploy as Beta Feature at all wikis (desktop)
 ResolvedmatmarexT305286 Metadata within topic containers gets jumbled when switching between languages
ResolvedppelbergT282639 [Release ticket] Deploy Topic Containers as Beta Feature at Partner Wikis
 Resolved• KieranMcCannT310914 Implement Topic Container design adjustments (desktop mobile)
 Resolved• KieranMcCannT308026 Make mobile Topic Containers easier for people to parse
 ResolvedppelbergT304372 [Release ticket] Deploy Page Frame as Beta Feature at Partner Wikis
 ResolvedppelbergT299115 [SPIKE] Decide whether to show the sticky header in the talk namespace
 ResolvedEsandersT299246 [SPIKE] Decide how and if to show the table of contents in the talk namespace
 ResolvedmatmarexT303662 [SPIKE] Document script(s) talk page activity indicator might need to cope with
 InvalidNoneT307642 [SPIKE] Decide on approach to inconsistencies between titles of talk pages and associated action pages
 ResolvedppelbergT307727 [SPIKE] Decide on approach to potential differences in namespace and page title font heights
ResolvedppelbergT309422 Revise link text within last comment indicator
 ResolvedmatmarexT309424 Add article icon-link to sticky header on talk pages
 ResolvedEAkinlooseT309463 [Talk pages] Polish the design for the table of contents shown on talk pages
 ResolvedppelbergT309890 Latest comment indicator does not update when a new comment/topic is published
 ResolvedppelbergT307715 Align contentSub with page title
 ResolvedppelbergT306675 Display the latest comment indicator next to the siteSub/contentSub messages
 ResolvedmatmarexT307726 Add topic button should become disabled after click
 Duplicate• KieranMcCannT310968 Revise how talk page titles are styled
 ResolvedppelbergT313636 Add space between talk page namespace and page title
 Resolved• Whatamidoing-WMFT306440 Add markup to article headings to distinguish between the namespace and the title
 ResolvedmatmarexT317907 [Config Change] Enable Page Frame as beta feature at partner wikis (desktop)
 ResolvedRyasmeenT303634 Adapt new ToC to help people understand and navigate pages that contain discussions
 DuplicateNoneT305663 [SPIKE] Determine what additional work (if any) is required to adapt ToC for use on discussion pages
 ResolvedBUG REPORT• nrayT305123 Showing Table of contents sometimes requires reload (Vector 22, wmf.5)
 ResolvedppelbergT305576 [SPIKE] Define work to be done before discussion-specific ToC is production ready
 ResolvedppelbergT306364 Define treatment for H3 and H4 topics in ToC on talk page
 ResolvedJdlrobsonT307251 [ToC] Show new/modified sections after publishing an edit (new floating ToC)
 ResolvedBUG REPORTmatmarexT307480 Modify VisualEditor to trigger a hook with sections data for table of contents re-rendering
 ResolvedmatmarexT307823 Improve how ToC is rendered to allow adding discussion enhancements
 ResolvedppelbergT313454 [SPIKE] Decide whether config is necessary to isolate Page Frame to desktop talk pages
 Resolved• Whatamidoing-WMFT323725 [Announcement] Make volunteers aware of Page Frame functionality being added to beta feature (desktop)
 ResolvedppelbergT304371 [Release ticket] Deploy Clear Affordances as Beta Feature at Partner Wikis
 Resolved• iamjesskleinT299814 Create design concepts for clearer talking affordances and page frame
 Duplicate• KieranMcCannT309465 Introduce an "Add Topic" button that is noticeable and available regardless of where people are on a talk page
 DuplicateNoneT304341 What to do for topic container / page frame enhancements without new-Vector/sticky-header
 ResolvedEsandersT309904 Revise Reply button appearance to make it less distracting on busy talk pages (desktop)
 ResolvedppelbergT313453 [SPIKE] Decide whether config is necessary to isolate Clear Affordances to desktop talk pages
 ResolvedEsandersT314076 [Config Change] Make new Reply affordance styling available at mediawiki.org
 ResolvedppelbergT314898 [SPIKE] Should a shared design pattern unify the appearance of talk page buttons' disabled states?
 ResolvedDLynchT315626 [Config Change] Add Clear Affordances to beta feature at partner wikis (desktop)
 ResolvedEsandersT314449 Reconsider the amount of whitespace between Topic Container and first comment (desktop)
 ResolvedppelbergT315581 Topic Containers can cause a blank space to appear atop desktop talk pages
 Resolved• Whatamidoing-WMFT317717 Announce planned Clear Affordances (desktop) Beta Feature deployment at partner wikis
 ResolvedmatmarexT316175 Make the mobile Add Topic button easier for people to access
ResolvedppelbergT312671 [Release Ticket] Deploy Topic Containers (desktop) as Beta Feature (Phase 1 wikis)
 ResolvedEsandersT312672 [Config Change] Enable Topic Containers as beta feature at Phase 1 wikis (desktop)
 ResolvedEsandersT313560 Ensure Topic Container metadata and section heading styling appear simultaneously
 Resolved• Whatamidoing-WMFT314624 Announce planned Topic Container (desktop) beta feature deployment in Tech/News
 ResolvednayoubT312674 Revisit placement of "Subscribe" / "Unsubscribe" within Topic Containers (desktop)
 Resolved• Whatamidoing-WMFT312665 Define deployment phases for Usability Improvement (desktop) Beta Feature rollout
 ResolvedppelbergT315624 [Release ticket] Deploy Topic Containers as Beta Feature at Phase 2 & 3 Wikis (desktop)
 ResolvedDLynchT315625 [Config Change] Enable Topic Containers as beta feature at Phase 2 wikis (desktop)
 ResolvedppelbergT291676 Verify usability improvement are not "leaking"
 ResolvedppelbergT280290 [SPIKE] Draft QA plan for topic container
 ResolvedppelbergT299008 Publish summary of Topic Container design concepts feedback
 Resolved• Whatamidoing-WMFT317716 Announce planned Topic Containers (desktop) Beta Feature deployment at Phase 2 wikis
 ResolvedmatmarexT318127 [Config Change] Enable Topic Containers as beta feature at Phase 3 wikis (desktop)
 ResolvedppelbergT320682 [Release ticket] Deploy Clear Affordances as Beta Feature at Phase 1 Wikis
 ResolvedmatmarexT320683 [Config Change] Add Clear Affordances to beta feature at Phase 1 wikis (desktop)
 ResolvedppelbergT321955 [Config Change] Add Clear Affordances to beta feature at Phase 3 wikis (desktop)
 Resolved• Whatamidoing-WMFT321958 Announce addition of Clear Affordances to beta feature at Phase 2 wikis (desktop)
 ResolvedDLynchT323537 [Config Change] Add Clear Affordances (with arrow) to beta feature (desktop)
 ResolvednayoubT320684 Converge on a revised Reply button style for languages where the word "reply" is short (desktop)
 Resolved• Whatamidoing-WMFT320685 Consult with volunteers about proposals for making desktop Reply button more legible
 ResolvedEsandersT352289 Reply link icon not shown in language variants of designated "short reply button" languages
 ResolvedppelbergT323726 [Release ticket] Add Page Frame to Beta Feature at Phase 1 wikis (desktop)
 ResolvedmatmarexT323727 [Config Change] Enable Page Frame as beta feature at Phase 1 wikis (desktop)
 Resolved• Whatamidoing-WMFT327442 Announce addition of Page Frame features to beta feature (Phase 1 wikis, desktop)
 ResolvedmatmarexT327456 [Config Change] Add Page Frame to beta feature at Phase 2 wikis (desktop)
 ResolvedppelbergT327457 Announce Page Frame addition to beta features at Phase 2 wikis (desktop)
 OpenVPuffetMichelT314488 Revise the appearance of the sticky header's "Add topic" button (activated state)
 ResolvedmatmarexT329407 [Config] Offer Usability Improvements as default-on features at partner wikis (desktop)
 In ProgressTrizek-WMFT329408 Host conversations with volunteers about Usability Improvements (desktop) default-on deployments
OpenNoneT331489 [SPIKE] Finalize deployment strategy for default-on Usability Improvements (desktop)
 ResolvedppelbergT302358 [A/B Test] Run an A/B test to evaluate impact of Usability Improvements
 ResolvedDLynchT330938 Ensure the sampling rates of the DesktopWebUIActions and EditAttemptStep schemas are synchronized
 Resolved• Whatamidoing-WMFT332946 Identify wikis for participating in Usability Improvements A/B test (desktop)
 Resolved• Whatamidoing-WMFT332844 Publish proposal on mediawiki.org for how we will evaluate impact of Usability Improvements
 ResolvedppelbergT302359 [Analysis] Usability Improvements: Calculate Engagement Metrics
 OpenNoneT309406 Turn on sampling in the MobileWebUIActions and DesktopWebUI schemas at partner wikis
 ResolvedppelbergT296357 Define the populations we will partner with on the Usability Improvements work
 ResolvedppelbergT298271 [SPIKE] Determine mobile talk page usage volume needs
 ResolvedppelbergT333715 Implement bucketing for Usability Improvements A/B test
 ResolvedsgrabarczukT332947 Run CentralNotice campaign inviting logged-in editors to try out Usability Improvements
OpenNoneT296351 Ensure Topic Container design concepts meet accessibility guidelines
 Resolved• iamjesskleinT300071 [SPIKE] Devise strategy for evaluating accessibility of talk page Usability Improvements
DeclinedNoneT338151 Unexpected space between namespace and talk page title on pages in mobile subdomain
 ResolvedNoneT341491 [MILESTONE] Deploy config change to "turn off" Usability Improvements A/B test and enable features for A/B test wikis
 ResolvedTrizek-WMFT349547 Share Usability Improvements A/B test results and deployments plans with participating wikis (Phase 1)
 DuplicateNoneT331312 [Release Ticket] Offer the Vector (2022) "Add topic" button at all wikis
 ResolvedmatmarexT331313 [Config Change] Enable Vector (2022) "Add topic" button at partner wikis
 ResolvedovasilevaT267444 Make the affordance(s) for adding a new topic easier to identify and access (Vector 2022)
 ResolvedmatmarexT304187 Introduce button for starting new topics within sticky header
 ResolvedDLynchT330191 Instrument the revised "Add topic" button treatment
ResolvedppelbergT330196 Make the new "Add Topic" button capable of being deployed via a phased rollout
 Resolved• Whatamidoing-WMFT331314 Consult with volunteers at partner wikis about enabling the Vector (2022) "Add topic" button
 ResolvedEsandersT352087 [MILESTONE] Offer Usability Improvements as default-on feature at Phase 2 wikis (desktop)
 ResolvedTrizek-WMFT352090 Share Usability Improvements A/B test results and deployments plans (Phase 2 wikis)

Event Timeline

• iamjessklein created this task.May 10 2022, 2:33 PM
• iamjessklein mentioned this in T307840: Run Test A (senior visits Junior's empty user talk) and synthesize feedback.
DLynch subscribed.May 10 2022, 2:52 PM

Uncollapsing only one might just make it so that's the only section they think exist. I continue my staunch support for having everything uncollapsed by default!

Esanders added a comment.May 11 2022, 12:50 PM

Also the first section is usually the oldest and possibly least relevant.

We experimented with showing the first ~200px of the conversation with a "show more" in one of our prototypes in the past: https://patchdemo.wmflabs.org/wikis/aed6d63dcecc14ee69aa3c7405c32c4c/w/index.php/Talk:Main_Page

Esanders removed subscribers: • BKots-WMF, • KieranMcCann, Jdforrester-WMF and 15 others.May 11 2022, 4:42 PM
ppelberg added a parent task: T282639: [Release ticket] Deploy Topic Containers as Beta Feature at Partner Wikis.May 31 2022, 10:00 PM
ppelberg renamed this task from Usability Problem: Consider having at least one dropdown on mobile expanded by default on Talk Pages with discussions. to Make mobile topic containers more obviously appear as representing discussions.May 31 2022, 10:07 PM
ppelberg updated the task description. (Show Details)
ppelberg updated the task description. (Show Details)May 31 2022, 10:16 PM
ppelberg renamed this task from Make mobile topic containers more obviously appear as representing discussions to Make mobile Topic Containers easier for people to parse.May 31 2022, 10:30 PM
ppelberg moved this task from Backlog to Triaged on the DiscussionTools board.Jun 2 2022, 3:33 PM
• iamjessklein added a comment.Jun 3 2022, 3:33 PM

Uncollapsing only one might just make it so that's the only section they think exist.

Yes, that's what we found in testing.

I continue my staunch support for having everything uncollapsed by default!

The issue with this approach is that people will get lost in the entries on very long pages. With the collapsed approach folks are able to scan the items as a table of contents.

We experimented with showing the first ~200px of the conversation with a "show more" in one of our prototypes in the past

I like this approach combined with this iteration:

Topic container option 4.png (1×736 px, 137 KB)

• iamjessklein removed • iamjessklein as the assignee of this task.Jun 3 2022, 3:34 PM
• iamjessklein added a subscriber: • KieranMcCann.
Esanders added a comment.Jun 3 2022, 3:37 PM

The latest patch implements the reduced metatdata: https://patchdemo.wmflabs.org/wikis/c7ed72eadd/w/index.php?title=Talk:DiscussionTools&mobileaction=toggle_view_mobile

I think the padded cards help, although for the main content, any horizontal padding will make the content taller, as horizontal space is very limited, so we should bear that in mind and try to keep it minimal.

• iamjessklein mentioned this in T309459: Make latest comment indicator more discoverable .Jun 3 2022, 3:53 PM
ppelberg edited parent tasks, added: T298055: [RELEASE TICKET] Offer Mobile Usability Improvements and Topic Subscriptions at Partner Wikis; removed: T282639: [Release ticket] Deploy Topic Containers as Beta Feature at Partner Wikis.Jun 3 2022, 6:09 PM
VPuffetMichel edited projects, added Editing-team; removed Editing-team (Kanban Board).Jun 6 2022, 7:30 PM
VPuffetMichel moved this task from Kanban Board to Needs Discussion / Investigation on the Editing-team board.
ppelberg edited projects, added Editing-team (Kanban Board); removed Editing-team.Jun 6 2022, 10:51 PM
ppelberg assigned this task to • KieranMcCann.Jun 7 2022, 11:10 PM
ppelberg moved this task from Incoming to Ready to Be Worked On on the Editing-team (Kanban Board) board.
ppelberg added a project: Goal.
ppelberg moved this task from Ready to Be Worked On to Doing on the Editing-team (Kanban Board) board.Jun 8 2022, 8:06 PM
ppelberg removed a parent task: T307840: Run Test A (senior visits Junior's empty user talk) and synthesize feedback.Jun 10 2022, 10:59 PM
ppelberg removed a parent task: T298055: [RELEASE TICKET] Offer Mobile Usability Improvements and Topic Subscriptions at Partner Wikis.Jun 17 2022, 6:10 PM
ppelberg added a parent task: T310914: Implement Topic Container design adjustments (desktop mobile).
ppelberg closed this task as Resolved.Jul 8 2022, 7:50 PM

We decided on, and implemented, Approach #2: Expose one piece of metadata within collapsed Topic Container (date of last comment) in T310914.

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