We?d like someone to use one of the tools on our site and compare it
with a new tool we?re developing (both tools are very simple).  Our
name is Headsets.com, and we sell everything headsets.  This review
will yield the best results if the reviewer walks through this
step-by-step, without jumping ahead (should take no more than 15
minutes).

1) Imagine you are a business person who works in a noisy office.  You
are quite good looking (surely you don't need your imagination, and
you don?t want a headband to ruin your look.

2) Browse to the following page and find a Plantronics headset that
meets your needs.  Spend no more than 30 seconds.
http://www.headsets.com/headsets/corded/corded_gallery.html?sort_1=manufacturer_rank%2Casc&style=0&app=7&price=0&manufacturer=0&component=2&mic=0&prod_division=1&connector=0&max=200

3) Were you able to find a headset that met your needs in 30 seconds
or less?  Which headset did you choose?

4) Now go to the following page, but this time find a Plantronics
headset with a ?Convertible? wearing style.  Spend no more than 30
seconds.
http://www.headsets.com/headsets/corded/ch_corded_gallery.html

5) Were you able to find a headset that met your needs in 30 seconds
or less?  Which headset did you choose?

6) Compare the two experiences.  Which did you find easier to use and why?

7) What did you like and dislike about both, and why?

We are not interested in a review from a creative design or highly
technical point of view.  Please write about your experiences as
someone who?s just trying to buy a headset.

We welcome both positive and negative responses.  We?ll pay $20 for a
review.  We?ll tip up to another $15 for a particularly insightful
review.

Thanks!
Headsets.com
www.headsets.com

Dear headsetswebmaster,

I followed your instructions, and here are my experiences and opinions
on both search menus:


I.

I was able to find a headset that meets my needs in slightly less than
30 seconds. I chose the "Plantronics Mirage Headset (H41)".


II.

I was able to find a convertible style headset in about the same time
as my first search took. I chose the "Plantronics DuoSet Headset
(H141)".


III.

The question which of the two different systems of searching for a
product was easier to use can, of course, only be answered from a
subjective point of view. And personally, I found both designs equally
easy to use. I did not have any problems figuring out what I had to do
in either case. Both search menus clearly showed on first sight how
they work, I did not have to guess or try. But if I had to decide
which of the two menus I liked better, I would choose the second.
This, however, not for reasons resulting from the search systems as
such, but because of something I'll explain in the following
paragraph.
I would like to add that the radio buttons of the second design might
have an advantage over the pull-down menus. It takes less actions to
klick on a radio button than to open a pull-down menu, move the mouse
cursor to the desired entry in that menu, and to click on it to
finally confirm the choice. So for functionality and efficiency, I
would say that the second design is a bit better.


IV.

Generally speaking, I liked the clear design of both product search
menus. Nevertheless, I prefer the second design with the radio buttons
to the other one with the pull-down menus. This has nothing to do with
the search method, but rather with the fact that the first search menu
displays, below the pull-down menus, the full range of headsets by
default. This is optically a bit confusing. And a customer might
easily be tempted to instantly scroll down the page, unsystematically
looking for a headset without having even noticed the pull-down menus.
In this respect, the radio button design is superior. The customer is
not distracted by the display of products, he will concentrate on the
search menu. Of course, this could easily be changed by removing the
default presentation of products below the pull-down menus.


I hope that my experiences will be helpful for you.
Best regards,
Scriptor

Thanks for your response Scriptor.  I'm glad you noticed the "filter"
tool on the top of option #1.  Most people don't see the filter at all
it seems.

Hi Mike, 

Nice CNN interview.  Here's a mini review from the distaff persuasion:

1) Imagine you are a business person who works in a noisy office.  
Do I run screaming from the building a lot?
  
You are quite good looking (surely you don't need your imagination).
Actually, today I need an imagination in hyperdrive, but tomorrow I
promise to really glam up.

2) Browse to the following page and find a Plantronics headset that
meets your needs.  Spend no more than 30 seconds.
I'm an NBD personality -- natural born dwaddler, Mike, so it takes me
30 seconds just to get oriented.  I'll try.

3) Were you able to find a headset that met your needs in 30 seconds or less?   
No, just because I want to look at every little box so I don't
overlook that 'perfect gem' of a headset.  That's why I hate to shop. 
I feel the urge to look at *everything* in the store.

Which headset did you choose?
I chose the Plantronics Mirage Noise-Canceling Headset (H41N) for the
added noise cancellation feature.

4) Now go to the following page, but this time find a Plantronics
headset with a ?Convertible? wearing style.  Spend no more than 30
seconds.
Okay, I've got that 30-second thing down now.

5) Were you able to find a headset that met your needs in 30 seconds
or less?  Which headset did you choose?
Yes, because there were only two options.  I chose the Plantronics
DuoSet Convertible headset with noise-canceling microphone (H141N).  
I'm heavily influenced by those stars and it looked so very
lightweight.  The 171N model looked like it had some kind of
step-down, second-floor mouthpiece situation which looked rather
cumbersome but maybe more durable.  I also liked the demo guy on the
H141 -- a very no-nonsense fellow vs. H171 suit man whose desk is a
little too tidy if you ask me.
 
6) Compare the two experiences.  Which did you find easier to use and why?

Well, Mike, as long as I have you to follow me around and tell me what
to do all day, either experience is fine.  On my own, I must admit I
liked clicking those buttons on creature feature #2.  It allows you to
customize your search *if* you know what you want.

I think Tool #1 almost has that 'too much information' look as you
scroll through all the possibilities.  Anyone easily confused can get
hypnotized from all those stars and comparison features and spend too
long deciding.

7) What did you like and dislike about both, and why?

I liked the 'overview' style of Tool #1 just to see what's out there,
the ratings, and the cost comparisons.

Tool #2 works for people who want to exclude certain brands or styles
and limit their search time.  I guess it all depends on what type of
shopper you are -- a canvasser or a pouncer.  I did like the 'show all
styles' feature in Tool #2 for the individual categories which allows
you to widen your search and turns it back into a #1 shopping
experience somewhat.  So, #2 for me, please.  I like the button
flexibility.

Insightfully,
V

"Do I run screaming from the building a lot?"
Yes you do, which is why your peers always use noise-canceling
microphones on their headsets outside the building.

Mike didn't post this review, but he enjoyed your response Voila :)

Good to know.  Lemme tell ya, us dawdlers have no chance to actually
*answer* a question with these Jeopardy-speed button pushers.  But
Mike's always been decent guy who's been around since Day 1 of GA so
he deserves frequent-user bonus info sometimes.  If he ever *gets* off
the phone, tell him 'hi.'

Off to scream in my noisy building...
V