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Redesigning 1Passwd Disk Image

In my previous post I mentioned that DevonThink's disk image is too complex. There are too many items and it requires extra effort to figure out what to do next.

Having said that I must admit that the product I am currently working on —1Passwd — Password Manager and Form Filler for Mac OS X has the absolutely worst disk image file. If you want to know how NOT to do that, look no further it includes almost all elements of the bad disk image design:

  • Large number of elements without a clearly defined focus point.
  • Complex instructions (installation requires multiple steps as the user has to separately install the browser extensions and then drag-and-drop the application into the Applications folder.
  • Additional graphics (at the top) helps to confuse the user (in fact we had multiple support e-mails where people tried to drag-n-drop the 1Passwd logo displayed in the top-left corner).
1Passwd Old Disk Image

We were so excited developing 1Passwd and forgot that our users do not (and must not) care about all the moving parts and complexity inside.

Thankfully David and I work not only in “Research and Development” but also in the “Customer Support” department. When you answer the same question over and over again; sooner or later you realize — something has to change.

This is the redesigned (inspired by Flock) disk image of 1Passwd version 1.5 and I am sure our users will appreciate the change; our Customer Service department certainly will.

1Passwd New Dmg

Posted by Roustem Karimov on September 8, 2006 11:16 PM |

Comments (4)

Rob:

You should put the alias to Applications back, and a stylized arrow. I think having the alias makes it much easier durring install.

Posted by Rob | September 9, 2006 10:13 PM

Posted on September 9, 2006 22:13

anamexis [TypeKey Profile Page]:

I am also big fan of the Applications folder alias.

Posted by anamexis [TypeKey Profile Page] | September 9, 2006 11:45 PM

Posted on September 9, 2006 23:45

T-bone:

So you removed the installer from the disk image and left behind the password editor? How do I install your plug-in in my web browser? -TH

Posted by T-bone | September 10, 2006 3:40 AM

Posted on September 10, 2006 03:40

rkarimov [TypeKey Profile Page]:

@Rob and @anamexis: I think you are right.

@T-bone: You have to see it! We changed the way the extensions are packaged — it is now 100 times easier (and faster) to install and remove the extensions.

Posted by rkarimov [TypeKey Profile Page] | September 10, 2006 10:19 AM

Posted on September 10, 2006 10:19

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