This new version of TechNet set out to make searching easier and more efficient, incorporate content updates from a web site, and use HTML as file format. The previous version, while very popular, carried several substantial problems. First, it is abundantly clear that searching is the prevalent method of accessing desired information. Unfortunately, the search tool required precise Boolean expressions, limiting the audience to skilled searchers or those willing to learn the syntax and generally reducing user effectiveness. Secondly, each monthly issue delivers a vast amount of content, with very little in the way of guidance about which articles we consider important. Third, due to the manufacturing cycle, much of our content is up to 45 days old by the time the CD reaches customers.

• SearchBar for quick searches
• Magazine-like home page to highlight content
• Query Builder helps create efficient search strings
• Corresponding web site offers content update

Acknowledging that searching is the dominant activity, I created the SearchBar, a quick search interface that is intended to be constantly displayed. Since many queries start out as a simple specified string, the SearchBar enables users to start the search without invoking any dialogs. More settings and search controls are available from the Search Results dialog, enabling users to refine their searches based on results of the initial query.

To give subscribers access to content during the manufacturing phase of the publishing cycle, we created the TechNet Subscriber Web Site that contained only new content destined for the next CD issue. Following the same information architecture and using the same search engine, the Subscriber Web Site was the first step in integrating the CD and Web platforms for information delivery.

The magazine-like Start Page as shown here serves to draw the subscriber's interest to a specific theme or set of content. The Start Page also provides the opportunity to highlight important drivers or patches, like the latest Service Packs. In addition, we expanded the size of the toolbar icons, for easy readibily and convenience. In the previous version, we found that because the icon buttons are small and not easily identifiable, most subscribers used one button (Search), and gave up on the toolbar. My design of the toolbar icons and labels proved to be popular with the usability subjects (TechNet subscribers), confirming that the buttons used reflect the most common use patterns.