@mark, after I posted the original comment the slidey-scale idea continued to bother me a little, but I think where I’m at with that thought at the moment is yes, it’s context-dependent, but the interface *is*, after all, the context. Whichever portion of the interface you’re looking at needs to help along those who need it and get out of the way of those who don’t. Still, perhaps this is too early in the process for that sort of thinking to enter in.

Type of site might enter in with domain-specific language (AKA jargon) but I’m not sure if that plays in this thinking. If I’m an experienced Drupal guy but completely unaware of blogging conventions, for example, an interface that treated me like a rank beginner at first (my blog skill level) would probably be better for me. The only thing advanced Drupal skill would really affect in this particular scenario is how long I stayed a rank beginner, right?

@jadwigo, good point about the temporariness. But I’m not sure I buy into your skills classification method. The way people handle and solve problems is different, yes, but the problems they have are related to skill level, not learning style. Subtle help, in terms of relative position, grouping, prominence, etc., applies to all three, overt help should be available for the second, with the number of options exposed to all three varying by user option.

Anyway, this is probably not the time or place to be debating brain mechanisms and learning styles; it’s too early. Sorry for polluting the stream.

* I just want it to work, don’t make me think, fix it for me this instant.

* Show me how it works please. Next time I hope I remember, but probably not.

* I’ll find it out myself, I know how to google and read a manual or a programming language.

(But then again, all generalizations are wrong)

Classification of users by skill level is IMO not constructive when designing UX, because it’s not about the skills users have – it’s about the way people handle and solve problems.

Skills can be learned, and should be learned if you want to use any system. A first time user is by definition unskilled in that system.

The system you’re designing should help you become skilled enough to do what you need – so it must give the three types (or any other I forgot) the tools to learn the system. The initial skill level is less important, because hopefully that will be a level you’re on only once.

One question about the way the admin functions, why choose to have only a inline edit/manage admin with a framed interface rather than a full interface more like WordPress? Or will the user have the option to use both more like the way Drupal is currently without the framing?

Do you think?

The needs of a completely inexperienced content creator, for example, will differ from the needs of a highly experienced one, likewise for site builder, etc.

The inexperienced ones will need more “handholding” and guidance along the process than the experienced ones, yet these “training wheels” will need to get out of the way of the more experienced ones.