Hotmail User Guide Proposal
Introduction
The Hotmail user guide proposed in this document will enable first-time
users to set up an e-mail account, send and receive e-mail, develop
an address book and keep a calendar on the Internet. The proposed
instruction guide will cover only the Hotmail program within the
MSN website and accommodate the two primary learning styles of the
users. The guide will be set up in sections for easy access to instructions
on any feature. A table of contents will allow users to find the
specific feature they need help with. The instructions will be written
in an easy-to-follow, step-by-step format with visuals of the Hotmail
display screens. A team will collaboratively write the guide to
expedite the project. A usability test will be conducted for user
feedback via questionnaire and modifications will be made based
on the results of the test. The finalized user guide will be delivered
in electronic format for use on the Internet.
Statement of Problem
According to Nua Internet Statistics, by the year 2005, e-mail
output in the world will increase 350%. It is a quick, efficient
and free way to communicate with other people in the world. But
only 44% of Internet users in the United States make use of e-mail.
One reason is that some people do not know how to use e-mail. So
we propose to help solve this problem by creating a Web site that
walks an e-mail novice through the process. We chose the Hotmail
program because it is a free Internet-based e-mail program that
does not require the user to own a computer.
Objective
The objective of writing instructions is
to teach the user how to sign up with and navigate the Hotmail program
and use Hotmail's tools by reading step-by-step instructions that
are quickly accessed and easy to follow. The proposed user guide
will be geared towards people new to the Internet who do not have
e-mail but may have browsing experience.
Methods
We will keep the user in mind as we write this user guide. We
feel that a new e-mail user would like guidance in setting up the
e-mail account, instruction in sending and receiving e-mail, developing
an address book, keeping a calendar, and adjusting the program settings
for personal comfort. The following is a breakdown of our methods:
A. Audience Analysis
- Primary audience profile:
The primary audience is inexperienced users who either do not own
a computer or have a modem for e-mail access. They are not familiar
with computers, e-mail programs or the Internet.
- Secondary audience:
The secondary audience is experienced users who want free e-mail
without payi ng for Internet access or who want to learn how to
use seldom-used features of Hotmail.
- Learning styles of the primary audience:
The two primary learning styles are linguistic and visual. The linguistic
style will be addressed by providing written instructions of each
step and describing the buttons or links to select. The visual style
will be accommoda ted by including pictures of buttons, icons and
display screens.
B. Design of Instructions: The user guide will be broken down
into sections for easy access to any feature. A hypertext table
of contents will be provided for ease in finding the specific section
that the user needs help with.
C. Usability Testing via questionnaire:
- A one-page questionnaire will be prepared which addresses potential
problem areas such as sign-in difficulties.
- Each team member will select one or two first-time users to follow
the instructions, then complete the questionnaire.
- The team will analyze and interpret the questionnaires.
- Modifications will be made based on the results of the test.
D. Delivery: Since Hotmail is Internet-based, the most convenient
and cost-effective method of delivery would be electronic on the
Internet. We will place the information on a Web site. This will
keep production costs down, allow for updates and corrections, will
let our user guide reach a larger audience, and possibly even bring
in advertising revenue. Also, we feel that since Hotmail is an Internet-based
email service, the user guide should be online as well.
Management
This e-mail user guide will be a collaborative writing project
to expedite the process. Sections will be written simultaneously
by team members. A form at will be set for consistency and to avoid
extra time and effort reformatting.
Assignments for the Hotmail Instruction Manual Team will be divided
as follows:
- Amy: Composing e-mails.
- Rochelle: Inbox and receiving mail.
- Deb: Registering a Hotmail account, Folders, and Calendar.
- Robert: Customizing user options.
Schedule
October 30: Proposal due. Begin working
on writing individual sections.
November 6: Work on individual sections.
Discuss the Progress Report.
November 13: Progress Report due. Work on
individual sections.
November 20: Decide on types of visuals.
Work on usability testing.
November 27: Complete draft of entire document
due. Make sure all text is in common format and is optimally worded.
December 4: Work on revisions.
December 11: In-class presentation.
Justification
As students who have not yet earned our
degrees, we can complete this task at a much lower cost than a professional
corporation could manage. Two members have long-term experience
with the Hotmail program, which gives the advantage of familiarity
and skills to this project. Two students have significant experience
with computers and the Internet and can quickly learn the program.
In addition, as first-time users, they will contribute a first-time
user viewpoint to the team, a great advantage for a project geared
towards first-time Hotmail users. The combination of experience
and viewpoints will allow us to develop an understandable step-by-step
user guide that the novice Hotmail user can understand and follow
on the first reading.
Budget
The cost of building a user guide in a Web site medium is considerably
lower than that of printing a guide in book form. However, a lot
of time is needed to write, to revise, and to lay out the information.
Here is our proposed budget for completing this project:
- Individual writing: 4 people writing 5 hours weekly for 4 weeks
at $20 per hour: $1600
- Group revision: 4 people revising 3 hours weekly for 5 weeks
at $20 per hour: $1200
- Web site layout: 4 people working 6 hours weekly for 3 weeks
at $20 per hour: $1440
Cost of accumulated labor: $4240
Materials and possible technical glitches: +10%
Total Project Cost: $4664
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