As part of a UX/UI design project for my studies, I’m currently analyzing the user experience and interface of BookWyrm. The goal is to identify areas for improvement while respecting the platform’s core values (decentralization, simplicity, accessibility, etc.).

I’m looking to gather feedback from actual or potential users of the platform. If you have a few minutes, your answers to the questions below would be extremely helpful:

What do you like most about BookWyrm? Which features do you use most frequently?
Are there any features or interactions that you find frustrating or unintuitive?
What features do you think are missing or could be improved?
How do you feel about the interface (design, readability, navigation)?
Do you use BookWyrm (or similar platforms) mainly to manage your personal library (individual use), or to get recommendations, join discussions, and engage with others (social use)?
Do you mainly use BookWyrm on a mobile device or on a computer? And why?
Do you also use other platforms (e.g., Goodreads, StoryGraph, LibraryThing)? If yes, what makes you prefer one over the other?
If you’ve never used BookWyrm, what’s holding you back? And conversely, what might encourage you to use it regularly?

Thank you so much for your input. I’d be happy to share the results of this analysis here if there’s interest.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] Ludrol@szmer.info 7 points 1 week ago

I have tried Bookwyrm (two years ago and now) but the database is lacking in entries, and adding new entries feels tedious and confusing to me. (I feel like I am 90% user from 90-9-1 rule) ("sortuj według tytułu:" - "sort by title:" is required but doesn't explain what it means.)

I didn't interact with anything more as I would use it mostly for tracking.

The top blue bar is defenetely something of design choice that feel amateurish. (Mobile)

What do you like most about BookWyrm? Which features do you use most frequently?

I bounced back due to database stuff. I Also remeber that database wasn't federated 2 years ago and that is dealbreaker, IDK if that changed.

Are there any features or interactions that you find frustrating or unintuitive?

Adding new book to database.

What features do you think are missing or could be improved?

DB federation.

How do you feel about the interface (design, readability, navigation)?

It's alright for a Linux user used to janky UIs. Top blue bar needs to go, feels like wasted space. The footnote is too big.
In "my books" there isn't compact view. Everything has a lot of margins. I don't like horizontal sliders with more menu options that aren't visible. (At least there is an indicator unlike image toolbox.)

Do you mainly use BookWyrm on a mobile device or on a computer? And why?

Mobile as I can't be bothered to open it on big screen.

Do you also use other platforms (e.g., Goodreads, StoryGraph, LibraryThing)? If yes, what makes you prefer one over the other?

I tried goodreads and storygraph. goodreads forced frequent mobile app updates so I didn't use it. Storygraph has multiple entries for multiple editions so it's also a no. I think I will try lubimyczytac.pl as that's one I didn't test yet. Never heard of LibraryThing.

If you’ve never used BookWyrm, what’s holding you back? And conversely, what might encourage you to use it regularly?

Good Database

Thank you for contributing your time and expertise to improve UI/UX of open source.