Hey All,
I'm trying to improve the first run experience in my new program, Bill Breeze. I started out with a welcome screen, but that just seemed underwhelming to me. Now I'm looking at making a first run "walkthrough" that walks the user through doing some of the basic things in the program like switching views, adding a bill, adding a recurring bill, running a report, etc.
The idea is that a window will pop up on first run welcoming the user, introducing the walkthrough, and instructing them what to do (see screenshot).
Attachment 96873
I've got the easy part down - that is creating the popup (it's an irregular shaped form), setting it to always on top, giving the main form focus, and changing it for the next step. What my brain is choking on is the logic to get from step to step.
For example, the first step (pictured) instructs the user to click on the Calendar icon to see the calendar view. Once he/she does that, I want to know so I can popup the second instruction. I also think I may want to restrict the user to only the action that I'm telling him/her to take.
I'm looking for a general approach here more than specific code. Also, if you know of a resource that discusses this, I'd be grateful for a pointer too.
Thanks,
Bret
I'm trying to improve the first run experience in my new program, Bill Breeze. I started out with a welcome screen, but that just seemed underwhelming to me. Now I'm looking at making a first run "walkthrough" that walks the user through doing some of the basic things in the program like switching views, adding a bill, adding a recurring bill, running a report, etc.
The idea is that a window will pop up on first run welcoming the user, introducing the walkthrough, and instructing them what to do (see screenshot).
Attachment 96873
I've got the easy part down - that is creating the popup (it's an irregular shaped form), setting it to always on top, giving the main form focus, and changing it for the next step. What my brain is choking on is the logic to get from step to step.
For example, the first step (pictured) instructs the user to click on the Calendar icon to see the calendar view. Once he/she does that, I want to know so I can popup the second instruction. I also think I may want to restrict the user to only the action that I'm telling him/her to take.
I'm looking for a general approach here more than specific code. Also, if you know of a resource that discusses this, I'd be grateful for a pointer too.
Thanks,
Bret