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20030414: finding and downloading the IDV from my.unidata

>From: Tom Whittaker <address@hidden>
>Organization: SSEC
>Keywords: 200304141344.h3EDiG7U028380 IDV download

Tom-

>One of our (very knowledgable) users just came into my office very, very 
>frustrated after they tried, in vain, to download the IDV.  My 
>conversation with them leads to the following recommendations/ideas to 
>make the user experience better:
>
>1) Since they might have made a typo in their email address when 
>registering, I recommend the dual-entry system.  Apparently, they never 
>received the email with their password (hence the 'fat finger' 
>conclusion) and were then locked out of my.unidata completely.  The 
>double-entry password system seems to be 'standard fair' these days.

I agree.  The Plaza people are cc'd on this for their action.

>2) Put the "Install Anywhere" section before the Web Start section. 
>This person did not want to use Web Start, and then found they didn't 
>know what to do with InstallAnywhere, so they tried the "maual download" 
>- which apparently they couldn't do because they couldn't log in.  I 
>think some more pointed links and perhaps less verbiage might be better 
>(perhaps just a simple list "Get this file and run it to install the 
IDV" might be in order).

One thing we wanted to avoid is putting the actual name in because
it changes with every release.  We have been touting the WebStart
technology and I don't think order matters.  I agree that there
could be a lot less verbiage.  Also, a set of links at the top
listing the various ways to download would help that would link
to the appropriate sections in the document.

>3) Make the URLs on this page actual links -- that way people can click 
>on them instead of cutting and pasting.  If you don't want to do that, 
>at least, highlight the "ftp://ftp.unidata.ucar.edu/pub/metapps/"; one so 
>it stands out.

This documentation is the same as what's in the IDV on-line help.
There, FTP links get you nowhere.  We can highlight them as you
suggest.

>4) Since I can apparently ftp the files without logging in, what is the 
>point to logging in / registering period?  I thought we had a mandate to 
>keep track of who is downloading the software?  With the open ftp site 
>it would seem the only way to track is by IP...does that matter?

It's an escape mechanism for people who can't use the Plaza 
site.  I guess we could replace it with a "If you have trouble,
contact support".

>5) Finally, as always, I think it's a good idea to have non-technical 
>people try to do something (like get the IDV) while you watch and take 
>notes.

I agree.  Would your knowledgable user be willing to preview the
docs for the next release?

Don Murray