FedEx has just launched their new Flex-based “My FedEx” application! This is a great example of Flex-based RIAs becoming more prevalant in enterprise software. Very cool stuff!
FedEx Launches New Flex-based “My FedEx”
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4 Comments
The application seems interesting, but as a user it’s very problematic. The new app looks like a web page but doesn’t behave like one. The biggest problem is that I can’t scroll with my scroll mouse, I have to drag the scroll bar. That’s unacceptable.
The new app is also slower to load than the old. It takes 9s for the new one to load. The old one loads in 1s.
Fortunately, Fedex allows me to switch back to the old app, which I intend to until it is discontinued or the Flex app fixes these usability problems.
Hi Alan,
Does it come up any faster for you on the second load? For me it loads instantly. But I suspect that it’s pulling the SWF from browser cache.
-James
Can’t agree that it’s a great example of Flex-based RIAs. As for me it’s just another example of old html-school and poor UI design – dosens of comboboxes, half of the screen is empty while half of the data is under the scroll (which is not working on mouse scroll ;), lots of unnesesary details and so on.
With Flex we have to make much better, nice looking and easy-to-use apps!
I like some features. The list box with embedded checkboxes is a nice way to select columns. Bonus that the columns update as the user checks rather than after they close the menu. The slider for resizing the grid is also useful. It would be nice if the user could simply drag the size. Where the site doesn’t go far enough is in use of direct manipulation. For example, there is an edit the site feature that opens a dialog with check boxes for hiding and showing blocks. It would be easier if the user could act on the blocks themselves to close them or move them around.
One of the pitfalls of a tool like Flex is the reliance on pre-built functionality that comes with the components. Developers will find a solution by using what they have. A great thing about Flash is that users have had to build things from more primitive elements such as a drawing tool which encourages more creative solutions. There is a natural tension between rapid development with a toolbox and the creative output of a graphics arts tool.