Back To Life Online
Ok, I am back! (gulp.. I hope!)
I know I've been away for a LONG time, but now I will be able to update my website regularly. Here are some updates in my life since I've been away.
1 - I've found a WAY better job than the one I had before. I am now working in AT&T Bell Labs and it doesn't require me to take the train for 2 hrs each way, and there are no WITCHES!!! Can I complain? NO!
2 - I have the opportunity to explore different areas in usability. Meaning I can work on applications and websites, as well as wireless gadgets. AND my role is not strictly limited to Usability or Design. Which I find extremely challenging at times.
3 - I get to travel!! I've been to San Francisco already, and I loved it. Both the job assignment I had AND the city of course.
4 - I've decided to wait a while before starting my MBA. Maybe another year. I don't think I want to leave this job for two years, I might end up going to a part-time program somewhere around here.
When I was out of a job I didnt do anything really. I don't know why, but I preferred volunteering over doing anything on usability or my website. I didnt even keep in touch with most of you who were visiting my website. I apologize. I felt extremely useless, when I wasnt working, I felt betrayed by the profession when I couldnt find a job, and I felt extremely angry towards the people I used to work for. Now I have a different view on these things. I am extremely thankful to the Director at Information Builders for getting me laid off because I was able to see that I was seriously wasting my time working there. I wasn't gaining the knowledge I could. I wasnt getting all the experience out of the job. Well, writing and re-writing project plans isnt necessary the most important thing in ones career. Delivering products and actually finishing projects is possible afterall. And I LOVE IT!
And I must admit, I did think about getting away from Usability for awhile. Working in another field. But I don't think I can do it. I care too much about usability, human factors and User Interaction Design. My current job allows me to take my knowledge in the field while also giving me the opportunity to learn about project management and business issues. There are no restrictions about talking to people who are one or more levels above you. Don't need a written approval from the Director to say Hi to the VP when you bump into him in the hallway. ;o))
Now I am going to work on catching up on some of the things I missed. First I'm going to start with keeping up with WebWord and MadMan.
Please keep visiting my page, I promise not to betray you again.
Sunday, December 22, 2002
Tuesday, July 09, 2002
Update
I've decided not to put anything onto fuckedcompany.com since as I said the company itself is not bad. I think it would be unfair. Those who know me, and the circumstances of my layoff are probably thinking: "oh and they were fair to you?" No, but I don't believe the way I, or the other person who was laid off with me from our department, was told about the layoff was the real way the company handles layoffs or any other employee relations. The people who got laid off from other divisions and departments were clearly not notified the same way we were. I believe this was just the doing of the woman in charge of that department, and I really dont want to use the word "mistake" to explain it. It was definitely not the right way to handle it. I don't think that it should go by unnoticed and I will take two actions about this: First is to notify others in the company who will care about it. Second is to write the article and post it here. The majority of my efforts are better placed on finding a job, keeping myself up to date about the field and focusing on my career.
Tomorrow, I will return to my usual way of posting on my blog. Thanks for visiting and reading my thoughts in the meantime.
I've decided not to put anything onto fuckedcompany.com since as I said the company itself is not bad. I think it would be unfair. Those who know me, and the circumstances of my layoff are probably thinking: "oh and they were fair to you?" No, but I don't believe the way I, or the other person who was laid off with me from our department, was told about the layoff was the real way the company handles layoffs or any other employee relations. The people who got laid off from other divisions and departments were clearly not notified the same way we were. I believe this was just the doing of the woman in charge of that department, and I really dont want to use the word "mistake" to explain it. It was definitely not the right way to handle it. I don't think that it should go by unnoticed and I will take two actions about this: First is to notify others in the company who will care about it. Second is to write the article and post it here. The majority of my efforts are better placed on finding a job, keeping myself up to date about the field and focusing on my career.
Tomorrow, I will return to my usual way of posting on my blog. Thanks for visiting and reading my thoughts in the meantime.
Thursday, July 04, 2002
NEWS FLASH: I'VE BEEN LAID OFF! HAPPY JULY 4th!
Hi again everybody. Sorry I couldnt update my blog for awhile. But on July 2nd 2002, I was laid off. With all the bullshit that comes with it, I was busy laughing my butt off to the way my director and my manager handled the situation.
From start to finish it was just SO funny or so pathetic, depending on how you look at it.
I'm writing about it now and I will post it sometime very soon. I want to make sure that I dont miss anything. And trying to decide if I should start something about Information Builders Documentation Services at
At the moment, I am spending most of my energy on finding a new job, a better one hopefully. I really dont know if it can be any worse, I doubt it, but rather not find out! :o)) I am looking around the East Coast, and I will post my resume here sometime soon. Please let me know if you have any ideas or suggestions for me.
Tuesday, June 25, 2002
Statistics Class (via WebWord)
She definitely makes a great point again... I wonder if she would like to take a look at things going on around in this office too... bet we'd have many more articles like this... ;o)
She definitely makes a great point again... I wonder if she would like to take a look at things going on around in this office too... bet we'd have many more articles like this... ;o)
Friday, June 21, 2002
"Tooth-phone" provides covert chat
A prototype radio device designed to fit inside a human tooth and provide covert mobile phone communications has been created by two UK students.
I wonder if it can also be used to record conversations for future reference...;o)
A prototype radio device designed to fit inside a human tooth and provide covert mobile phone communications has been created by two UK students.
I wonder if it can also be used to record conversations for future reference...;o)
Microsoft judge wants compromise (salon.com)
The federal judge hearing the Microsoft antitrust case wants lawyers for Microsoft and nine states to focus on modifying competing penalty proposals rather than argue about their differences.
The federal judge hearing the Microsoft antitrust case wants lawyers for Microsoft and nine states to focus on modifying competing penalty proposals rather than argue about their differences.
Airport kiosks to offer movie downloads
This one I'll definitely be using to keep my mind off of being on a plane...
This one I'll definitely be using to keep my mind off of being on a plane...
Intel to Exit Web-hosting business (digitalMass)
Intel, the world's largest chipmaker, said on Tuesday it is closing the Web hosting business it launched in 1999 and will take a second-quarter charge of $100million.
Intel, the world's largest chipmaker, said on Tuesday it is closing the Web hosting business it launched in 1999 and will take a second-quarter charge of $100million.
Thursday, June 20, 2002
CNN.com - Quirky, quality sites get Webby
CNNs report on the National Webby Awards. Google got the Best Practices Award...
CNNs report on the National Webby Awards. Google got the Best Practices Award...
Simplifying Tasks (via Camworld)
ummm... is the person who wrote the description of the product working with the usability team?
ummm... is the person who wrote the description of the product working with the usability team?
Wednesday, June 19, 2002
Study finds Web of deceit on mental tests (via SIGIA-L)
"A quick search on the World Wide Web can turn up clues to fooling mental-health professionals, both explicit ''coaching'' advice and the unintentional posting of psychological trade secrets. Some psychologists say they've already seen an increased sophistication in ''malingering'' behavior, and the American Psychological Association last year convened a task force to address the Internet and psychological testing."
And it's even scarier when you think that this is probably just the tip of the iceberg.
"A quick search on the World Wide Web can turn up clues to fooling mental-health professionals, both explicit ''coaching'' advice and the unintentional posting of psychological trade secrets. Some psychologists say they've already seen an increased sophistication in ''malingering'' behavior, and the American Psychological Association last year convened a task force to address the Internet and psychological testing."
And it's even scarier when you think that this is probably just the tip of the iceberg.
IT pros: Uncle Sam wants you! (Builder.com)
"Working for the government, or for a company that has consulting contracts with the government, offers one bright spot for the IT hiring industry: an oasis of relative calm and stability in an ocean of cutbacks, layoffs, and outright business failures."
"Working for the government, or for a company that has consulting contracts with the government, offers one bright spot for the IT hiring industry: an oasis of relative calm and stability in an ocean of cutbacks, layoffs, and outright business failures."
WriteTheWeb: What is a k-log? (Write the Web)
Interesting concept. And what I wouldnt do to be writing onto a weblog everyday at work!
Interesting concept. And what I wouldnt do to be writing onto a weblog everyday at work!
Following stock market linked to poor mental health
I hope that people will now listen to me when I say "it can't be healthy going on about the stock market like that!" ! ;o) You all know who you are...
I hope that people will now listen to me when I say "it can't be healthy going on about the stock market like that!" ! ;o) You all know who you are...
Monday, June 17, 2002
On Request
Based on the comments and requests that I received, I have increased the font size. I thought something wasn't quite right.. :o) heheh. Yes, this is definitely better. Thanks MadMan.
Based on the comments and requests that I received, I have increased the font size. I thought something wasn't quite right.. :o) heheh. Yes, this is definitely better. Thanks MadMan.
Why practically no comments?
Why do I practically not get any comments from anybody?
Nike is On a Kick (Boston Globe)
"They are designed specifically for athletes, emphasizing ergonomics, usability, portability, and solid-state construction. The companies say the products will be comfortable to wear while playing sports or doing aerobics, and they'll operate intuitively by feel rather than sight."
Sony, Ericsson, Nokia: New Phones
Let's see what they're working on now..
Why do I practically not get any comments from anybody?
Nike is On a Kick (Boston Globe)
"They are designed specifically for athletes, emphasizing ergonomics, usability, portability, and solid-state construction. The companies say the products will be comfortable to wear while playing sports or doing aerobics, and they'll operate intuitively by feel rather than sight."
Sony, Ericsson, Nokia: New Phones
Let's see what they're working on now..
Friday, June 14, 2002
Writing Tools
Since I work in the Documentation Services department, I really need to know about writing tools and writing. As much as I review technical documents and other writings, I also find myself having to write alot. I suspect that compared to other User Interaction Designers and/or Usability Specialists I probably write more than the average. I write project plans, suggestions, reviews, reports... you name it, I write it.
Lately, after having written in the same company for over a year now, I have been told that I need to improve my grammar and english usage. Apparently some of my sentences don't make sense, or are suspected that they will not make sense, to the reader. For a little more than a week now I have been reading many english grammar books, and even taking a few exercise tests. As far as I can tell from the tests that I score my grammar is not that bad. But I have been made well aware that my writing skills lack the effectiveness that are expected. I accept. I can improve; I should improve my writing skills. There is always room for improvement. What I think over is different. It is not whether I should or should not, or could or could not improve my writing skills. Though I have previously been told that my writing was effective, easy to understand and to the point.
Something that I think about often though, is "Can we pay too much attention to writing?" If you are able to convey your ideas, and make your points clearly, is there any need to try and write like Hemingway, especially if you are not. I do believe, and accept, that very strong writing skills are essential to professional communication. But how is "strong" defined? How strong? Is there a need to put the project on hold to review and edit a written report over and over, because there is a debate going on between saying "...the study will benefit the company..." or "...the company will benefit from the study..."? I really would like to know if there are other Usability Specialists, UI Designers or IAs who have found themselves in a similar situation.
I would like to share with you the links that I have visited and have been visiting and will visit. I have a few today, and you will probably see more in the future. If you have any links that you know about please let me know.
Since I work in the Documentation Services department, I really need to know about writing tools and writing. As much as I review technical documents and other writings, I also find myself having to write alot. I suspect that compared to other User Interaction Designers and/or Usability Specialists I probably write more than the average. I write project plans, suggestions, reviews, reports... you name it, I write it.
Lately, after having written in the same company for over a year now, I have been told that I need to improve my grammar and english usage. Apparently some of my sentences don't make sense, or are suspected that they will not make sense, to the reader. For a little more than a week now I have been reading many english grammar books, and even taking a few exercise tests. As far as I can tell from the tests that I score my grammar is not that bad. But I have been made well aware that my writing skills lack the effectiveness that are expected. I accept. I can improve; I should improve my writing skills. There is always room for improvement. What I think over is different. It is not whether I should or should not, or could or could not improve my writing skills. Though I have previously been told that my writing was effective, easy to understand and to the point.
Something that I think about often though, is "Can we pay too much attention to writing?" If you are able to convey your ideas, and make your points clearly, is there any need to try and write like Hemingway, especially if you are not. I do believe, and accept, that very strong writing skills are essential to professional communication. But how is "strong" defined? How strong? Is there a need to put the project on hold to review and edit a written report over and over, because there is a debate going on between saying "...the study will benefit the company..." or "...the company will benefit from the study..."? I really would like to know if there are other Usability Specialists, UI Designers or IAs who have found themselves in a similar situation.
I would like to share with you the links that I have visited and have been visiting and will visit. I have a few today, and you will probably see more in the future. If you have any links that you know about please let me know.
Resources for Technical Writing
The list is well categorized. The Technical Writing and Design category has the links that interest me the most.
The list is well categorized. The Technical Writing and Design category has the links that interest me the most.
Technical and Professional Writing (Index)
This site has many useful articles and links to resources on and about Technical Writing and writing for the web. It seems to be a comprehensive site and I will try to spend more time in here.
This site has many useful articles and links to resources on and about Technical Writing and writing for the web. It seems to be a comprehensive site and I will try to spend more time in here.
MarketWriter Consulting & Design--Resources & Services
A Consulting company's page. It has more information about the kind of work that they do, but I thought the links on their Writers' Tools section might be useful.
A Consulting company's page. It has more information about the kind of work that they do, but I thought the links on their Writers' Tools section might be useful.
Writer's Cabaret - Where Writers Gather and Interact
The Writer's Cabaret Magazine's home page. It includes links to writer's resources and even a few writing exercises.
The Writer's Cabaret Magazine's home page. It includes links to writer's resources and even a few writing exercises.
The Composition Links
College of DuPage Liberal Arts site. It includes link to Writer's Tools and Writer's Resources. I thought most of them could be helpful.
College of DuPage Liberal Arts site. It includes link to Writer's Tools and Writer's Resources. I thought most of them could be helpful.
Thursday, June 13, 2002
Ads on Websites Discussion
There is a discussion on WebWord about the positive and negative aspects of placing ads on websites. Especially on websites that have a pretty much focused user group. Most of the people who visit webword are assumed to be in the usability practice.
Since I am also interested in advertising, I decided to go ahead and do some research of my own on advertising and online advertising research. Here are a few links that I found that I think might be useful.
The following two articles are from the NUA Internet Surveys site. It is a very informative and interesting website. They have survey results on almost all topics. I visit it as much as I can. I recommend it too.
Brits Find TV Ads More Irritating than Online Ads
I wonder if this is because more people spend more time watching TV than browsing the web? Or maybe the opposite. If I'm watching TV for only half hour and 10 minutes of this is filled with the same commercials day in and day out then that would be annoying too. It doesnt give details about the participants.
Your Comments
Decision Makers more Interested in Offline Ads
This is very interesting. Is this because people don't see the web as credible as print media? As with most "reading" these findings say that people even rather read ads in print than online because it's easier. What implications might this have for e-tailers? And if you click on the PDAi link on the top of the article it takes you to the PDF version. It's an in-depth 28 page report and very informative.
Your Comments
Online Ads Sink into The Abyss
A relevant article from SitePoint. It was published in February, but I think it still stands. It talks about how annoying ads are to end users, but at the same time how companies need to make money from them. Here's an excerpt:
"So, what does this mean to the broader community? It means it's getting increasingly difficult to make a buck/euro though ad sales. Sell advertising and you'll often have to sell your soul by deploying increasingly invasive technology (does anyone really like pop ups?) that may irritate the hell out of your customers. Ad rates are plummeting, and even the once-mighty Yahoo! now struggles to make revenue -- their sales reps even return calls now, which is definitely au contraire to the "I'm too busy to talk with customers .com" glory days."
Your Comments
Alright, that's all the time I have today to do this. Now that my lunch hour is almost over, I need to go get coffee and start working. Fun thing, I'm still going to be doing research today. About creating templates. (?) Don't ask. Oh well.
There is a discussion on WebWord about the positive and negative aspects of placing ads on websites. Especially on websites that have a pretty much focused user group. Most of the people who visit webword are assumed to be in the usability practice.
Since I am also interested in advertising, I decided to go ahead and do some research of my own on advertising and online advertising research. Here are a few links that I found that I think might be useful.
The following two articles are from the NUA Internet Surveys site. It is a very informative and interesting website. They have survey results on almost all topics. I visit it as much as I can. I recommend it too.
Brits Find TV Ads More Irritating than Online Ads
I wonder if this is because more people spend more time watching TV than browsing the web? Or maybe the opposite. If I'm watching TV for only half hour and 10 minutes of this is filled with the same commercials day in and day out then that would be annoying too. It doesnt give details about the participants.
Your Comments
Decision Makers more Interested in Offline Ads
This is very interesting. Is this because people don't see the web as credible as print media? As with most "reading" these findings say that people even rather read ads in print than online because it's easier. What implications might this have for e-tailers? And if you click on the PDAi link on the top of the article it takes you to the PDF version. It's an in-depth 28 page report and very informative.
Your Comments
Online Ads Sink into The Abyss
A relevant article from SitePoint. It was published in February, but I think it still stands. It talks about how annoying ads are to end users, but at the same time how companies need to make money from them. Here's an excerpt:
"So, what does this mean to the broader community? It means it's getting increasingly difficult to make a buck/euro though ad sales. Sell advertising and you'll often have to sell your soul by deploying increasingly invasive technology (does anyone really like pop ups?) that may irritate the hell out of your customers. Ad rates are plummeting, and even the once-mighty Yahoo! now struggles to make revenue -- their sales reps even return calls now, which is definitely au contraire to the "I'm too busy to talk with customers .com" glory days."
Your Comments
Alright, that's all the time I have today to do this. Now that my lunch hour is almost over, I need to go get coffee and start working. Fun thing, I'm still going to be doing research today. About creating templates. (?) Don't ask. Oh well.
AOL Broadband arrives at last, but at a fancy price - Independent News
Seems AOL has the same idea in UK too. By the way did anybody read AOLs belief that people would actually pay $250 per month for broadband connection? It was in the June issue of Communications. They must be nuts!
Your Comments
Seems AOL has the same idea in UK too. By the way did anybody read AOLs belief that people would actually pay $250 per month for broadband connection? It was in the June issue of Communications. They must be nuts!
Your Comments
BW Online | June 12, 2002 | Will Cable Unplug the File Swappers?
Seems like a good blow on downloading MP3s.
Your Comments
Seems like a good blow on downloading MP3s.
Your Comments
Wednesday, June 12, 2002
Change name to Monday (?)
Just hillarious. I really wonder what they were thinking. And is there no copyright issues involved? heh. weird stuff going on. Thanks MadMan. ;o)
Just hillarious. I really wonder what they were thinking. And is there no copyright issues involved? heh. weird stuff going on. Thanks MadMan. ;o)
Study Reveals Key to Making Websites User-Friendly
The findings of an experiment at Kansas University. Nothing too shocking. But the article makes its points very clearly.
The findings of an experiment at Kansas University. Nothing too shocking. But the article makes its points very clearly.
Apple - Switch - Why Switch
I wonder what Microsoft's "Why not to switch" page would say... "We rule the world." ? heh. It would be great to work in an office where they only use Macs. Dont you think?
Your Comments
I wonder what Microsoft's "Why not to switch" page would say... "We rule the world." ? heh. It would be great to work in an office where they only use Macs. Dont you think?
Your Comments
Ananova - Watchdog condemns 'offensive' advert
uh-oh... Better watch out what you say to express your creativity!
Your Comments
uh-oh... Better watch out what you say to express your creativity!
Your Comments
Yahoo! News - Yahoo to give home page a makeover
I can't wait to see this.. It will definitely be great to see a site change after all these years. I hope that their main site will be simpler and not so crowded.
Your Comments
I can't wait to see this.. It will definitely be great to see a site change after all these years. I hope that their main site will be simpler and not so crowded.
Your Comments
Study: Design Lacking in e-tail Sites(yahoo news)
A report from Nielsen. I believe it's very close to the findings and guidelines he reported in his latest book.
Your Comments
A report from Nielsen. I believe it's very close to the findings and guidelines he reported in his latest book.
Your Comments
Tuesday, June 11, 2002
I'm experimenting
I'm experimenting with the new tool, and trying to change my template to my liking. So if you come in and bump into something you think looks wrong dont worry about it. :o)
And read on to hear about my experiences on this new tool.
It appears that when you change the template, the changes to it will not appear until you post something.. hmm. Cant click on publish only, there's a Post and Publish button, but it doesnt work unless you have some text to post.
I'm experimenting with the new tool, and trying to change my template to my liking. So if you come in and bump into something you think looks wrong dont worry about it. :o)
And read on to hear about my experiences on this new tool.
It appears that when you change the template, the changes to it will not appear until you post something.. hmm. Cant click on publish only, there's a Post and Publish button, but it doesnt work unless you have some text to post.
w.bloggar
Seems to be a very useful tool to post to various blogs. This is my first post using this tool. It seems to be pretty straightforward, easy to use and, definitely, useful so far. But I am still trying to learn my way around it. Let's see.
Seems to be a very useful tool to post to various blogs. This is my first post using this tool. It seems to be pretty straightforward, easy to use and, definitely, useful so far. But I am still trying to learn my way around it. Let's see.
Monday, June 10, 2002
When I have my own company... some day(MadMan)
This has been on his website for over a year now. Notice the post date. But really, I hold this so true to my heart. And every other thing that I go through in big corporations reminds me of this list. Especially number 6. I find myself thinking of number 6 so frequently these days. Print it and post it on your manager's door or something. But I doubt that it will do you any good. There's number 6 again...
This has been on his website for over a year now. Notice the post date. But really, I hold this so true to my heart. And every other thing that I go through in big corporations reminds me of this list. Especially number 6. I find myself thinking of number 6 so frequently these days. Print it and post it on your manager's door or something. But I doubt that it will do you any good. There's number 6 again...
Thursday, June 06, 2002
Tuesday, June 04, 2002
Privacy at Work? Be Serious
Wired Magazine, 2001. In detail. If you're interested you should read it. I will, and will probably write a few things of my own in here later on. I really dont even think that this subject should be a discussion issue.
Your Comments
Wired Magazine, 2001. In detail. If you're interested you should read it. I will, and will probably write a few things of my own in here later on. I really dont even think that this subject should be a discussion issue.
Your Comments
TechTV | Email Privacy at Work
This is from the year 2000. It's been pondered on and argued against by the minority for a long long time. It's funny how it never really came to the direct attention of the media.
Your Comments
This is from the year 2000. It's been pondered on and argued against by the minority for a long long time. It's funny how it never really came to the direct attention of the media.
Your Comments
Workplace Email is not your own
Then they run polls to ask if we mind giving up some of our privacy in the name of preventing terrorism. It seems like we've given up our right to privacy when we decided to go "electronic" in the workplace. What right does ANYbody at my workplace has to go in and read my personal mail I write during my lunch hour and breaks to my husband or kids? Ponderous.
Your Comments
Then they run polls to ask if we mind giving up some of our privacy in the name of preventing terrorism. It seems like we've given up our right to privacy when we decided to go "electronic" in the workplace. What right does ANYbody at my workplace has to go in and read my personal mail I write during my lunch hour and breaks to my husband or kids? Ponderous.
Your Comments
Monday, June 03, 2002
The Politics of Usability
A very nice article from the STC Usability SIG's April 2002 issue.
Your Comments
A very nice article from the STC Usability SIG's April 2002 issue.
Your Comments
Intranet ROIs and Corporate Politics
Very useful for us usability professionals who have to deal with corporate politics on a daily basis.
Your Comments
Very useful for us usability professionals who have to deal with corporate politics on a daily basis.
Your Comments
Mormon Theology=Corporate Politics
Very interesting, a short read to stir your mind...
Your Comments
Very interesting, a short read to stir your mind...
Your Comments
Human Cloning
"Gregory Stock, the director of the UCLA Program on Medicine, Science and Technology, considers genetic engineering to be just as natural for humans as other technologies we've created: just another part of our evolution as a species."
This reminds me of Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. Of course, it's a topic very open to debate, but I dont think that playing with the nature of anything is beneficial in the long run.
Your Comments
"Gregory Stock, the director of the UCLA Program on Medicine, Science and Technology, considers genetic engineering to be just as natural for humans as other technologies we've created: just another part of our evolution as a species."
This reminds me of Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. Of course, it's a topic very open to debate, but I dont think that playing with the nature of anything is beneficial in the long run.
Your Comments
Macromedia and Nielsen!
Why God why? What did Macromedia ever do to you to punish them with Jakob? I don't want this to happen.. I don't want Macromedia to go down the tubes! I love Macromedia products!
Your Comments
Why God why? What did Macromedia ever do to you to punish them with Jakob? I don't want this to happen.. I don't want Macromedia to go down the tubes! I love Macromedia products!
Your Comments
Wednesday, May 29, 2002
3 Distributions Power Up Linux(eWeek)
Why dont Windows based companies not get the point? Maybe Linux should be declared a role model in usability?
Your Comments
Why dont Windows based companies not get the point? Maybe Linux should be declared a role model in usability?
Your Comments
England's Air Controllers not Listening to Usability?
This article from the Observer, says that airports in England could have been improved 10 years ago. But isn't that true for just about anything nowadays?
Your Comments
This article from the Observer, says that airports in England could have been improved 10 years ago. But isn't that true for just about anything nowadays?
Your Comments
Usability Testing Forecasts
Depending on exactly how this works, the idea sounds like it might be very handy...
Your Comments
Depending on exactly how this works, the idea sounds like it might be very handy...
Your Comments
Tuesday, May 28, 2002
The Project Cycle (in Reality)
Yeah I like those project cycle analyses given by top notch experts. But here's a few drawings that sum it all up! :o)) I really like this, I think I'll put it up on my cubicle wall..
Your Comments
Yeah I like those project cycle analyses given by top notch experts. But here's a few drawings that sum it all up! :o)) I really like this, I think I'll put it up on my cubicle wall..
Your Comments
Right on with Documentation
This article, from the Washington Post, really outlines what I deal with every day as a usability specialist in the documentation department.. Definitely a MUST read!
This article, from the Washington Post, really outlines what I deal with every day as a usability specialist in the documentation department.. Definitely a MUST read!
Friday, May 24, 2002
Corporate Politics for UI/UX/IA Professionals
It is difficult to understand what political guidelines we need to follow as UI/UX/IA Professionals, especially in big corporations. When do we offer our opinion? We don't we? What are the limits? Is it different for everybody? I would suppose it is.. I would think (and hope) that in a company like Google or amazon the UI Designers or Usability Professionals can speak their minds and word their opinion and offer their expertise freely. But in big corporations it just doesnt work that way. I can't begin to tell you how many times I've gotten into trouble for offering my opinion on something. Saying that it's not how somebody in the upper levels of the ladder wants it! It's not how I want it either, it's how the users want it, it's how they need it! It's what's been proven through experience, trial and error methods and experiments! Of course, I understand that things cant always follow guidelines. You'd have exceptions. Would there be some sort of guidelines or rules for exceptions? Or would exceptions just be about what your boss wants? Some ego show or something?
Do you have any sort of suggestions or words of wisdom about this topic? I really really really want to hear from you!
Your Comments
It is difficult to understand what political guidelines we need to follow as UI/UX/IA Professionals, especially in big corporations. When do we offer our opinion? We don't we? What are the limits? Is it different for everybody? I would suppose it is.. I would think (and hope) that in a company like Google or amazon the UI Designers or Usability Professionals can speak their minds and word their opinion and offer their expertise freely. But in big corporations it just doesnt work that way. I can't begin to tell you how many times I've gotten into trouble for offering my opinion on something. Saying that it's not how somebody in the upper levels of the ladder wants it! It's not how I want it either, it's how the users want it, it's how they need it! It's what's been proven through experience, trial and error methods and experiments! Of course, I understand that things cant always follow guidelines. You'd have exceptions. Would there be some sort of guidelines or rules for exceptions? Or would exceptions just be about what your boss wants? Some ego show or something?
Do you have any sort of suggestions or words of wisdom about this topic? I really really really want to hear from you!
Your Comments
Print it out and post it on your office door
Here's a very good, to the point and late article about how website usability influences business, from Newsbytes. We always knew this, but couldnt really support it.. now we can..
"First, he said, it is important to meet customers' expectations for their Internet experience. "The Web is one way people meet you, so take it very seriously," he said."
Here's one thing about that article though. It clearly states that the website should be under the control of Sales and Marketing. I think that's very problematic. I've seen alot of sites who are under the control of sales and marketing, or under the control of a department who's under their control.
Sites designed and maintained by sales and marketing usually lack an understanding of usability and even mainstream design guidelines. Rarely do sales and marketing people have an eye for or care about usability or design. To them, it appears that as long as some information IS on the site, it doesnt matter how it looks or how you get to it. They say it's there, they say customers would find it if they need it.
I think this is a huge paradox. All these comments and site characteristics come from the department who really worry about how they present themselves, or how their actual sales presentation sounds to the customer. This is from the people who really know most about the customers.
Unfortunately, when the Usability department tries to point out to them that they need to change something on the site to improve it's usability and/or appearance marketing usually finds their way out of it. "It's not that important" they say. "We've had this site like this for the last 5 years, nobody complained" they say. I've always been curious to know if they've actually asked any customer.
My question is, what do we do? How do we convince sales and marketing without harming their delicate egos? How do you tell the sales and marketing department that their design basically sucks, without so many words, and they need to change it in order to meet customer needs? If you have any ideas, let me know.
Your Comments
Here's a very good, to the point and late article about how website usability influences business, from Newsbytes. We always knew this, but couldnt really support it.. now we can..
"First, he said, it is important to meet customers' expectations for their Internet experience. "The Web is one way people meet you, so take it very seriously," he said."
Here's one thing about that article though. It clearly states that the website should be under the control of Sales and Marketing. I think that's very problematic. I've seen alot of sites who are under the control of sales and marketing, or under the control of a department who's under their control.
Sites designed and maintained by sales and marketing usually lack an understanding of usability and even mainstream design guidelines. Rarely do sales and marketing people have an eye for or care about usability or design. To them, it appears that as long as some information IS on the site, it doesnt matter how it looks or how you get to it. They say it's there, they say customers would find it if they need it.
I think this is a huge paradox. All these comments and site characteristics come from the department who really worry about how they present themselves, or how their actual sales presentation sounds to the customer. This is from the people who really know most about the customers.
Unfortunately, when the Usability department tries to point out to them that they need to change something on the site to improve it's usability and/or appearance marketing usually finds their way out of it. "It's not that important" they say. "We've had this site like this for the last 5 years, nobody complained" they say. I've always been curious to know if they've actually asked any customer.
My question is, what do we do? How do we convince sales and marketing without harming their delicate egos? How do you tell the sales and marketing department that their design basically sucks, without so many words, and they need to change it in order to meet customer needs? If you have any ideas, let me know.
Your Comments
Posting Problems Again!
Ok.. I really like Blogger, the service is invaluable and everything! But half of the time when I try to post something I just cant! Or I just can't update it! That's why there are no links on my previous entry!
I hope this works, and I'll make sure to post new stuff... IT'S FRIDAY!!!!!!!!
Ok.. I really like Blogger, the service is invaluable and everything! But half of the time when I try to post something I just cant! Or I just can't update it! That's why there are no links on my previous entry!
I hope this works, and I'll make sure to post new stuff... IT'S FRIDAY!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, May 21, 2002
Google's New Voice Search
John posted a link this morning, on his blog WebWord, about the new Voice Search labs at Google. It is a very new thing, but somebody commented on John's site about what the worth of this is... You still have to have the browser he says. That's true. You do have to have the browser. But today you do. In the future, imagine yourself driving home from work, in deep thought, realizing that your friend had mentioned about a trip to Barbados. You're wondering how warm it is over there right now, how much it would cost for a trip for two etc. So you say "Trip to Barbados" and your car responds: "According to Travelocity you can get a deal to Barbados starting from $150 per person... and Expedia says you can get a deal for $139 per person." You like the idea and you get more specific. How many people, dates, how many days, where you're leaving from etc. By the time you get home you might have tickets to print, or better yet printed! Suprise your significant other with a trip! You can do so much in the car while you're driving back and forth to work every day.. open mind. But this could of course lead to more subtle things too. I dont know.. anything. I'm not sure what Google has in mind, but I'm sure that we'll find out soon!
I took a peak, and I have a few comments about it though. I'm sure that they already know about the phonelines being busy all the time and that the phone number is a local number to them. This probably have to be changed to an 800 number. Another thing is that when I go and look at the results page, I see my results page for about 20 seconds or so and then the browser refreshes. I am not sure if I was doing something wrong or not. But I hit the STOP button and it refreshed it a few seconds later anyway. So if we were trying to scroll down through the links we don't have time. But I definitely could see this being connected to a line from your computer, and you just giving away voice commands... "Search: Accounting Software"... the page comes up.. "Go to:(second link) Software index"... and so on... This could lead to movie theaters and ordering the tickets from a machine, as if it was a live teller. No touching, no clicking no selecting. "Two adults to About a Boy."
I need to find out more about the backend of this technology. What are they using? What kind of limitations are they facing? Why? etc.
John posted a link this morning, on his blog WebWord, about the new Voice Search labs at Google. It is a very new thing, but somebody commented on John's site about what the worth of this is... You still have to have the browser he says. That's true. You do have to have the browser. But today you do. In the future, imagine yourself driving home from work, in deep thought, realizing that your friend had mentioned about a trip to Barbados. You're wondering how warm it is over there right now, how much it would cost for a trip for two etc. So you say "Trip to Barbados" and your car responds: "According to Travelocity you can get a deal to Barbados starting from $150 per person... and Expedia says you can get a deal for $139 per person." You like the idea and you get more specific. How many people, dates, how many days, where you're leaving from etc. By the time you get home you might have tickets to print, or better yet printed! Suprise your significant other with a trip! You can do so much in the car while you're driving back and forth to work every day.. open mind. But this could of course lead to more subtle things too. I dont know.. anything. I'm not sure what Google has in mind, but I'm sure that we'll find out soon!
I took a peak, and I have a few comments about it though. I'm sure that they already know about the phonelines being busy all the time and that the phone number is a local number to them. This probably have to be changed to an 800 number. Another thing is that when I go and look at the results page, I see my results page for about 20 seconds or so and then the browser refreshes. I am not sure if I was doing something wrong or not. But I hit the STOP button and it refreshed it a few seconds later anyway. So if we were trying to scroll down through the links we don't have time. But I definitely could see this being connected to a line from your computer, and you just giving away voice commands... "Search: Accounting Software"... the page comes up.. "Go to:(second link) Software index"... and so on... This could lead to movie theaters and ordering the tickets from a machine, as if it was a live teller. No touching, no clicking no selecting. "Two adults to About a Boy."
I need to find out more about the backend of this technology. What are they using? What kind of limitations are they facing? Why? etc.
Friday, April 26, 2002
German Railway to Sue Google
An article in ComputerWorld explains that a German railway company, Deutsche Bahn AG, is going to sue Google for providing a link to sites that gives instructions on how to sabotage railways. (Via WebWord)
So then we can argue that any search engine that links to information about any potentially "harmful" information should be sued? Like sites about guns, bombs, chemical reactors, poison, etc.? Even hacker sites?
And I like the way they refer to the particular site.. "includes illegal content" Boy oh boy... What exactly is illegal content? Could somebody define it?
What if somebody was preparing a paper about the security of railways? How about using this information about building railways that will NOT be vulnerable to the sabotage methods described in the site?
Information is objective, it's the mind the knowledge is in that makes it constructive or destructive!
But it seems that Google and AltaVista have removed the links already though.
Ok I understand, make it harder for those who want to sabotage the railways in Germany harder to find information, as we want to do for all terrorists. But then all White Pages should also be removed to make it harder for serial killers and other psychos to find us. Isn't it in the same line of thinking?
Please send me your comments on this because I would like to know how others look at this aspect of the Information Age.
Your Comments
An article in ComputerWorld explains that a German railway company, Deutsche Bahn AG, is going to sue Google for providing a link to sites that gives instructions on how to sabotage railways. (Via WebWord)
So then we can argue that any search engine that links to information about any potentially "harmful" information should be sued? Like sites about guns, bombs, chemical reactors, poison, etc.? Even hacker sites?
And I like the way they refer to the particular site.. "includes illegal content" Boy oh boy... What exactly is illegal content? Could somebody define it?
What if somebody was preparing a paper about the security of railways? How about using this information about building railways that will NOT be vulnerable to the sabotage methods described in the site?
Information is objective, it's the mind the knowledge is in that makes it constructive or destructive!
But it seems that Google and AltaVista have removed the links already though.
Ok I understand, make it harder for those who want to sabotage the railways in Germany harder to find information, as we want to do for all terrorists. But then all White Pages should also be removed to make it harder for serial killers and other psychos to find us. Isn't it in the same line of thinking?
Please send me your comments on this because I would like to know how others look at this aspect of the Information Age.
Your Comments
Monday, April 22, 2002
Google Search
John posted a link to Google's new service, I'll call it Google Answering Service. I think it's a more suitable name.
Google has started a new service. I think it might be useful if you are not too experienced with web searching yourself, or if you're too lazy to actually do it.
I personally like searching for things myself on the web, this way I get to find articles and/or research that is for and against some thoughts, or ideas and opinions that look at some issues from different perspectives.
Oh and I'm sure that high-school and college students might be the majority of their users..
I do wonder why they haven't advertised or posted any links about their Answering Service on their main page... I'm thinking maybe it's just because it's the Beta version.
Your Comments
John posted a link to Google's new service, I'll call it Google Answering Service. I think it's a more suitable name.
Google has started a new service. I think it might be useful if you are not too experienced with web searching yourself, or if you're too lazy to actually do it.
I personally like searching for things myself on the web, this way I get to find articles and/or research that is for and against some thoughts, or ideas and opinions that look at some issues from different perspectives.
Oh and I'm sure that high-school and college students might be the majority of their users..
I do wonder why they haven't advertised or posted any links about their Answering Service on their main page... I'm thinking maybe it's just because it's the Beta version.
Your Comments
Monday, April 15, 2002
Friday, April 12, 2002
Index Issue
I have a quesiton about searching through an index (online). Say you're searching for Arrows... You type in Arrows, but there is no entry for Arrows. Do you think that the selection should go to the last entry starting with Ar... or to the first entry with As...? It's been a dilemma here..
Personally I don't think there's a big issue. If there is nothing with Arrows, and the person is looking for Arrows, then it doesn't matter which entry it stops at. And most users who are used to using indexes know that it usually stops at a point 'after' the would be place of your search term.
What do you think?
Oh.. There's a Limit
I think I just figured out that there is a limit on how much you can post and publish at once in blogger! Glad to finally understand what the problem was! Duh...
Your Comments
I have a quesiton about searching through an index (online). Say you're searching for Arrows... You type in Arrows, but there is no entry for Arrows. Do you think that the selection should go to the last entry starting with Ar... or to the first entry with As...? It's been a dilemma here..
Personally I don't think there's a big issue. If there is nothing with Arrows, and the person is looking for Arrows, then it doesn't matter which entry it stops at. And most users who are used to using indexes know that it usually stops at a point 'after' the would be place of your search term.
What do you think?
Oh.. There's a Limit
I think I just figured out that there is a limit on how much you can post and publish at once in blogger! Glad to finally understand what the problem was! Duh...
Your Comments
Who should support 640x480 resolution?
I know this topic has been outdone through discussion on different mailing lists and discussion groups. But, I found this article rather interesting about Putnam.
Yes, unlike many executives in the corporate world, I believe we should all always keep our target audience in mind! I hope they read this and get the point!
Your Comments
Why Easy to use is hard to do? (via WebWord
A criticism by MSNBC's Michael Rogers.
Your Comments
More on Teoma Search
I've been trying more searches on Teoma. Try misspelling Google, if you < a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=usebility>mispell your search term it asks you "did you mean...."
I don't know, as I said, I think I am just too used to Google. Who knows, if Teoma had something better than Google, maybe I'll think about using it as a search engine. But right now, I am happy with Google.
Your Comments
I've foundMadMan
He used to update his site daily, now he hasnt touched the site for the last month!
Your Comments
I know this topic has been outdone through discussion on different mailing lists and discussion groups. But, I found this article rather interesting about Putnam.
Yes, unlike many executives in the corporate world, I believe we should all always keep our target audience in mind! I hope they read this and get the point!
Your Comments
Why Easy to use is hard to do? (via WebWord
A criticism by MSNBC's Michael Rogers.
Your Comments
More on Teoma Search
I've been trying more searches on Teoma. Try misspelling Google, if you < a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=usebility>mispell your search term it asks you "did you mean...."
I don't know, as I said, I think I am just too used to Google. Who knows, if Teoma had something better than Google, maybe I'll think about using it as a search engine. But right now, I am happy with Google.
Your Comments
I've foundMadMan
He used to update his site daily, now he hasnt touched the site for the last month!
Your Comments
Wednesday, April 03, 2002
New Search Engine!
Check out Teoma. It is a new search engine that apparently has just been launched today.
According to this article their aim is to take on Google. I like the interface somewhat, though it does seem to be a little overwhelming with all the terms it throws at you.
I also recall reading this from Search Engine Watch back in July.
I just think I'm too used to Google
Your Comments
By the way have you seen or heard from MadMan?
Your Comments
Check out Teoma. It is a new search engine that apparently has just been launched today.
According to this article their aim is to take on Google. I like the interface somewhat, though it does seem to be a little overwhelming with all the terms it throws at you.
I also recall reading this from Search Engine Watch back in July.
I just think I'm too used to Google
Your Comments
By the way have you seen or heard from MadMan?
Your Comments
Sunday, March 17, 2002
New York City UE/UI/IA/Usability Specialists
Very soon I will begin using this site, or a link from here, as the main site to keep all NYC area IAs and Usability Specialists to be informed of each other and any gatherings that we're planning.
Our last one was on Friday March 15. It was really fun! About 20 people showed up and I think from now on we're going to try and get a more permanent and bigger spot to meet.
Your Comments
Very soon I will begin using this site, or a link from here, as the main site to keep all NYC area IAs and Usability Specialists to be informed of each other and any gatherings that we're planning.
Our last one was on Friday March 15. It was really fun! About 20 people showed up and I think from now on we're going to try and get a more permanent and bigger spot to meet.
Your Comments
Tuesday, February 12, 2002
Chocolate is not (that) bad for you!!!
The New York Times says: Valentine to Dark Chocolate but Go Easy "....chocolate — that dark, sweet, melt-in-your-mouth treat that, while not exactly a love potion, is almost universally loved and is not the health disaster that many people assume it to be."
(Registration to NY Times is required to view article).
I am one of those people who can live on chocolate if nothing else was provided, but couldnt live if I had everything but chocolate... and so, any news about chocolate is worth posting on my blog... :o)
Your Comments
People who have the cold or the flu should not get on the train!!
I know this sounds harsh and unreasonable and everything, but please if you have the cold or the flu or something, and you have to take public transportation to get to work, either learn how to cover your mouth when you're sneezing and all, or just take a day or two off! Believe me, sitting beside somebody who's going through a sneezing and coughing attack is very frustrating and annoying. Yes, I feel for people who are sick, I know how bad it feels, but I'd never get on the train couging and sneezing like that. I mean just cause one person is sick doesnt mean that the whole train should be sick the next week!
Your Comments
hmmm... that's some story to tell the grandkids! I don't think any comment is necessary... :o)
Possible attacks... again
Why do I say again? Of course we've all been on guard since Sept 11th. But what I don't understand is, why during some days, the FBI all of a sudden decides that the threat is more and also say that they do not have any clues as to who's involved.
Look at this article for instance.
Note how they say that the FBI has gotten information from the Afghan detainees in Cuba and that one man was named as a possible suspect. Then note how they say that they do not know if this man is in the States or even if he's alive. Then again, they say that the attacks might be somewhere around Feb 12th but don't give any information about why they suspect THIS date in particular. Why not Feb 11th or 13th? But, however, they CAN say that the olympics are not the target... This kind of news is driving all of us around here insane! We live with these worries in our heads 24 hours a day, especially when we're in Midtown Manhattan all day long! Who knows? So why make some days worse than others if you can't tell us to take the day off or to do something? Or even pinpoint a certain suspect or location?
And why does CNN or NYTimes not cover this story?
Your Comments
The New York Times says: Valentine to Dark Chocolate but Go Easy "....chocolate — that dark, sweet, melt-in-your-mouth treat that, while not exactly a love potion, is almost universally loved and is not the health disaster that many people assume it to be."
(Registration to NY Times is required to view article).
I am one of those people who can live on chocolate if nothing else was provided, but couldnt live if I had everything but chocolate... and so, any news about chocolate is worth posting on my blog... :o)
Your Comments
People who have the cold or the flu should not get on the train!!
I know this sounds harsh and unreasonable and everything, but please if you have the cold or the flu or something, and you have to take public transportation to get to work, either learn how to cover your mouth when you're sneezing and all, or just take a day or two off! Believe me, sitting beside somebody who's going through a sneezing and coughing attack is very frustrating and annoying. Yes, I feel for people who are sick, I know how bad it feels, but I'd never get on the train couging and sneezing like that. I mean just cause one person is sick doesnt mean that the whole train should be sick the next week!
Your Comments
hmmm... that's some story to tell the grandkids! I don't think any comment is necessary... :o)
Possible attacks... again
Why do I say again? Of course we've all been on guard since Sept 11th. But what I don't understand is, why during some days, the FBI all of a sudden decides that the threat is more and also say that they do not have any clues as to who's involved.
Look at this article for instance.
Note how they say that the FBI has gotten information from the Afghan detainees in Cuba and that one man was named as a possible suspect. Then note how they say that they do not know if this man is in the States or even if he's alive. Then again, they say that the attacks might be somewhere around Feb 12th but don't give any information about why they suspect THIS date in particular. Why not Feb 11th or 13th? But, however, they CAN say that the olympics are not the target... This kind of news is driving all of us around here insane! We live with these worries in our heads 24 hours a day, especially when we're in Midtown Manhattan all day long! Who knows? So why make some days worse than others if you can't tell us to take the day off or to do something? Or even pinpoint a certain suspect or location?
And why does CNN or NYTimes not cover this story?
Your Comments
Friday, February 08, 2002
The Benefits of OOBE?
I'm not sure if all of you are familiar with OOBE, it's a great usability technique as well as a corporate experience.
Briefly, OOBE is the Out of Box Experience, developed by IBM's Ease of Use Team. Basically, you watch a "user" receive your product and then unpack it. It gives you a sense of how intuitive the unpacking of the product is as well as the opportunity to see how your users react to what's inside the box. This is especially useful if you're sending a product that requires a packaging with multiple components in it. For instance, a product in a box that contains, software CD, documentation, Demos, marketing material etc.
Of course, as always you tell the user to speak out his/her mind when they see each item in the box. You note their suprise, confision, wonder and some (very informative) remarks about the necessity (or unnecessity of that matter) of an item. How long does it take them to unpack the product? How much garbage are they left with? How much of a hassle is it to unpack?
You can do OOBE internally within a company, or externally with customers. My suggestion is that external OOBE is done first so that you get an idea of what actual users think about your company's current packaging practices what reactions they have to it. Then you can raise those issues in internally conducted OOBEs to make sure that nothing is overlooked with the stakeholders. These sessions usually don't take all that long. Of course, since there are many discussions in internal OOBEs it kind of tends to take longer, average 1.5hrs probably. External OOBEs are usually less than an hour, unless if you have a very big product or a big problem!
Internal OOBEs can be more productive sometimes. (If you can keep people from throwing things at eachother and kicking eachother's behinds that is!) But when they are productive, I think internal OOBEs are the best usability sessions you can have. First of all, you gather as many stakeholders of the product as you can. Put them all in a (large) room. Bring in a boxed product, as it would go out to an actual customer, and then have fun. Usually, you get many of these stakeholders asking about the box. They don't know and that's exactly what you want. The less they know about the complete contents of the box the better. Because you want to see their reactions, you want to see how happy they are about what they see in those boxes, and try to get them to say the magic words: "We should make this easier." (If that's the case.) Once you have everybody gathered, the second step is to of course to pick a "user", who absolutely doesn't know what's in the box, an "observer" who will observe the reactions of the user as s/he opens the box and a "recorder" who will record the discussions and questions that arise from the rest of the "watchers." Though, no comments should be made that will influence the expectations of your "user".
Once the "user" touches the box, you have all the people in the room start talking about how hard it is to just rip open that tape that closes the box! A scissor couldn't even do the trick! Then you get to the best part of it all. You don't have to talk at all as the usability specialist who usually gets stepped on... just listen... and keep the discussions with what's at hand. The stakeholders and decision makers discuss and actually resolve some matters among themselves! You don't get burnt in the process either! It's as if you're a fly on the wall! It's great!
I would have to say that the greatest benefit of an internal OOBE (other than not being at risk of being kicked) is that you get to see the reality within your corporation. You find out the truth about your company's policies and the thoughts of the product managers, VPs, Directors. Unlike how you are usually told that "oh, the Product Managers would never go for that..." "The VP thinks that a stupid idea!" that these people are actually on your side and wonder why the changes you've been fighting to do for the last year or so have not been done yet! And the best part is, you're not being asked that question, the person who was telling you that the PMs and VPs didn't want those changes gets asked that question!
So as you can imagine, it's a perfectly productive and extremely useful and happy event!
Your Comments
Related Sites
Here's Microsoft's OOBE for Windows ME customers. I wonder if they have the same thing for Windows XP and the rest of their products?
Macintosh Out-Of-Box Experience
Ok now THIS is a different look at OOBE, by COMPAQ! (Don't miss the BACK and NEXT buttons on the upper right corner of the screen.)
I'll add on more when I find some interesting things. In the meantime let me know if you have more information, and/or related links about OOBE.
Your Comments
This is GREAT!
This
article was sent to me by a colleague, who's very familiar with my dispute over getting a RAM upgrade to my computer so I can actually WORK! It keeps crashing all day long.. I open a new browser window, crash! I check my email: crash! I launch Flash: Crash! I launch a browser while Flash is open: DEAD! hah!
Couldn't explain this to my "approvers" so it took them awhile to be convinced of my dire need of an upgrade. (It's a 64MB by the way...) So they decided they will, I don't know to what, but they'll upgrade they said. I've been waiting for about 2 weeks since that word came, and I'm wondering when it's going to go onto action now. Let's see how long it takes.. I'll let you know...
Your Comments
I'm not sure if all of you are familiar with OOBE, it's a great usability technique as well as a corporate experience.
Briefly, OOBE is the Out of Box Experience, developed by IBM's Ease of Use Team. Basically, you watch a "user" receive your product and then unpack it. It gives you a sense of how intuitive the unpacking of the product is as well as the opportunity to see how your users react to what's inside the box. This is especially useful if you're sending a product that requires a packaging with multiple components in it. For instance, a product in a box that contains, software CD, documentation, Demos, marketing material etc.
Of course, as always you tell the user to speak out his/her mind when they see each item in the box. You note their suprise, confision, wonder and some (very informative) remarks about the necessity (or unnecessity of that matter) of an item. How long does it take them to unpack the product? How much garbage are they left with? How much of a hassle is it to unpack?
You can do OOBE internally within a company, or externally with customers. My suggestion is that external OOBE is done first so that you get an idea of what actual users think about your company's current packaging practices what reactions they have to it. Then you can raise those issues in internally conducted OOBEs to make sure that nothing is overlooked with the stakeholders. These sessions usually don't take all that long. Of course, since there are many discussions in internal OOBEs it kind of tends to take longer, average 1.5hrs probably. External OOBEs are usually less than an hour, unless if you have a very big product or a big problem!
Internal OOBEs can be more productive sometimes. (If you can keep people from throwing things at eachother and kicking eachother's behinds that is!) But when they are productive, I think internal OOBEs are the best usability sessions you can have. First of all, you gather as many stakeholders of the product as you can. Put them all in a (large) room. Bring in a boxed product, as it would go out to an actual customer, and then have fun. Usually, you get many of these stakeholders asking about the box. They don't know and that's exactly what you want. The less they know about the complete contents of the box the better. Because you want to see their reactions, you want to see how happy they are about what they see in those boxes, and try to get them to say the magic words: "We should make this easier." (If that's the case.) Once you have everybody gathered, the second step is to of course to pick a "user", who absolutely doesn't know what's in the box, an "observer" who will observe the reactions of the user as s/he opens the box and a "recorder" who will record the discussions and questions that arise from the rest of the "watchers." Though, no comments should be made that will influence the expectations of your "user".
Once the "user" touches the box, you have all the people in the room start talking about how hard it is to just rip open that tape that closes the box! A scissor couldn't even do the trick! Then you get to the best part of it all. You don't have to talk at all as the usability specialist who usually gets stepped on... just listen... and keep the discussions with what's at hand. The stakeholders and decision makers discuss and actually resolve some matters among themselves! You don't get burnt in the process either! It's as if you're a fly on the wall! It's great!
I would have to say that the greatest benefit of an internal OOBE (other than not being at risk of being kicked) is that you get to see the reality within your corporation. You find out the truth about your company's policies and the thoughts of the product managers, VPs, Directors. Unlike how you are usually told that "oh, the Product Managers would never go for that..." "The VP thinks that a stupid idea!" that these people are actually on your side and wonder why the changes you've been fighting to do for the last year or so have not been done yet! And the best part is, you're not being asked that question, the person who was telling you that the PMs and VPs didn't want those changes gets asked that question!
So as you can imagine, it's a perfectly productive and extremely useful and happy event!
Your Comments
Related Sites
Here's Microsoft's OOBE for Windows ME customers. I wonder if they have the same thing for Windows XP and the rest of their products?
Macintosh Out-Of-Box Experience
Ok now THIS is a different look at OOBE, by COMPAQ! (Don't miss the BACK and NEXT buttons on the upper right corner of the screen.)
I'll add on more when I find some interesting things. In the meantime let me know if you have more information, and/or related links about OOBE.
Your Comments
This is GREAT!
This
article was sent to me by a colleague, who's very familiar with my dispute over getting a RAM upgrade to my computer so I can actually WORK! It keeps crashing all day long.. I open a new browser window, crash! I check my email: crash! I launch Flash: Crash! I launch a browser while Flash is open: DEAD! hah!
Couldn't explain this to my "approvers" so it took them awhile to be convinced of my dire need of an upgrade. (It's a 64MB by the way...) So they decided they will, I don't know to what, but they'll upgrade they said. I've been waiting for about 2 weeks since that word came, and I'm wondering when it's going to go onto action now. Let's see how long it takes.. I'll let you know...
Your Comments
Saturday, January 26, 2002
Thinking of Project Management and Leadership
Recently I have developed an interest towards learning more about Project Leadership and Management. I was appointed as a Project Leader for two projects at work... I was suprised, not that I didn't want to be but I was suprised! But I am happy about gaining their confidence.
As it happens when I was reading Camworld I saw that Cam linked toa resource! You've gotta love this one.. Now of course, I must wonder if this has anything to do with my project leadership... hmmm...
I am posting a few links that I've found useful.
ProjectZone
"ProjectZone is a community of technology project leaders discovering, learning, inventing, and teaching each other better ways to lead and manage teams and projects."
< ahref="http://www.allpm.com/static.html">allPM
A very resourceful site. You have to be careful though, it can get overwhelming with all those links and popups!
I do recommend that you go through the articles, there are some really good ones. Such as this one.
PM Glossary
Words that will be helpful if we know their meaning! ;o)
Software Projects
Interestingly this site offers a free online course. I don't know how valuable it is, but the contents seem rather interesting. It might be worth checking out!
ProjectConnections.com
"Our mission is to build the kind of online resource we think every project and team manager needs. We're bringing people together and providing easy access to information, products, services, and colleagues --access that we never had as practicing project managers, technical managers, and team leaders."
Please let me know if you have other resources that you think I should know about.
Recently I have developed an interest towards learning more about Project Leadership and Management. I was appointed as a Project Leader for two projects at work... I was suprised, not that I didn't want to be but I was suprised! But I am happy about gaining their confidence.
As it happens when I was reading Camworld I saw that Cam linked toa resource! You've gotta love this one.. Now of course, I must wonder if this has anything to do with my project leadership... hmmm...
I am posting a few links that I've found useful.
ProjectZone
"ProjectZone is a community of technology project leaders discovering, learning, inventing, and teaching each other better ways to lead and manage teams and projects."
< ahref="http://www.allpm.com/static.html">allPM
A very resourceful site. You have to be careful though, it can get overwhelming with all those links and popups!
I do recommend that you go through the articles, there are some really good ones. Such as this one.
PM Glossary
Words that will be helpful if we know their meaning! ;o)
Software Projects
Interestingly this site offers a free online course. I don't know how valuable it is, but the contents seem rather interesting. It might be worth checking out!
ProjectConnections.com
"Our mission is to build the kind of online resource we think every project and team manager needs. We're bringing people together and providing easy access to information, products, services, and colleagues --access that we never had as practicing project managers, technical managers, and team leaders."
Please let me know if you have other resources that you think I should know about.
Thursday, January 24, 2002
Alright alright... all of you are mad at me, and probably not even checking my blog anymore...
I understand... I've been extremely disloyal to you! I am SORRY! I am not going to try and make excuses. I actually don't need to try but that's another story altogether, which is what I'm trying to avoid.
I'm still pushing for that laptop! ;o))
Puns...
You know what I saw on the train this morning and it made me laugh? A "Be Microsoft Smart" bag! Hmm.. you'd think that people would think twice before printing something... I tried finding a picture on the web but no luck.. I guess nobody wanted to post something so silly eh? :o))
Your Comments
Manners, manners, manners...
My friend Madman has a very interesting article today about how to behave online, specifically on mailing lists. While reading the article, I was able to think about a few people I come across everyday on my mailing list, who I think should have this article on their must read list! Ok ok.. sometimes I might be one of them... :o)) Just kidding. I have never (yet!) personally attacked somebody on a mailing list. I always try hard to keep the email to the point and about the opinion or idea, no matter what I might actually be thinking of the person personally...
Aren't these manners the same even in our personal day to day communications? With our boss, our colleagues, our spouse, or children? Sometimes, we have to hold back on our feelings and thoughts to avoid further conflict or the risk of running into WW3! Especially with bosses, you know, though you might be thinking "oh god he's a total idiot!" you just say "I actually don't agree because..." I tend to do that alot... God I hope my boss never gets the URL to this page! ;o)) I was just kidding...
Your Comments
New York Gathering
I will do my best to try and get our colleagues in New York together again... hopefully during the first week of February. And I will post all the happenings on this page. All that we talk about. It should be fun, we're a jolly bunch here in the Big Apple, seriously, I feel special to be one of them, so to speak!
Your Comments
MUST READ ALERT!
Everybody, but I mean every-body MUST read "Who Moved My Cheese?" by Spencer Johnson, M.D.
It only takes a couple of hours to read at the most! I read it on the train this morning coming to work. It's very touching, meaningful and definitely opens your eyes and makes you see things differently.
If you're complaining about changes in your projects, your workload, your responsibilities or anything you should really read it. Trust me, really!
Your Comments
I understand... I've been extremely disloyal to you! I am SORRY! I am not going to try and make excuses. I actually don't need to try but that's another story altogether, which is what I'm trying to avoid.
I'm still pushing for that laptop! ;o))
Puns...
You know what I saw on the train this morning and it made me laugh? A "Be Microsoft Smart" bag! Hmm.. you'd think that people would think twice before printing something... I tried finding a picture on the web but no luck.. I guess nobody wanted to post something so silly eh? :o))
Your Comments
Manners, manners, manners...
My friend Madman has a very interesting article today about how to behave online, specifically on mailing lists. While reading the article, I was able to think about a few people I come across everyday on my mailing list, who I think should have this article on their must read list! Ok ok.. sometimes I might be one of them... :o)) Just kidding. I have never (yet!) personally attacked somebody on a mailing list. I always try hard to keep the email to the point and about the opinion or idea, no matter what I might actually be thinking of the person personally...
Aren't these manners the same even in our personal day to day communications? With our boss, our colleagues, our spouse, or children? Sometimes, we have to hold back on our feelings and thoughts to avoid further conflict or the risk of running into WW3! Especially with bosses, you know, though you might be thinking "oh god he's a total idiot!" you just say "I actually don't agree because..." I tend to do that alot... God I hope my boss never gets the URL to this page! ;o)) I was just kidding...
Your Comments
New York Gathering
I will do my best to try and get our colleagues in New York together again... hopefully during the first week of February. And I will post all the happenings on this page. All that we talk about. It should be fun, we're a jolly bunch here in the Big Apple, seriously, I feel special to be one of them, so to speak!
Your Comments
MUST READ ALERT!
Everybody, but I mean every-body MUST read "Who Moved My Cheese?" by Spencer Johnson, M.D.
It only takes a couple of hours to read at the most! I read it on the train this morning coming to work. It's very touching, meaningful and definitely opens your eyes and makes you see things differently.
If you're complaining about changes in your projects, your workload, your responsibilities or anything you should really read it. Trust me, really!
Your Comments
Friday, January 18, 2002
Monday, January 14, 2002
Ok ok.. I know you’ve been worried SICK about me! Why is she not updating her blog? Well, here I am now. I wish I had a laptop so that I could update all this when I was on the train for 3 hrs. a day. Once I get home, I’m just too tired to log on and write and all. I’m going to try and figure something out though…
But for now here’s what you’ve been waiting for. Please send me YOUR COMMENTS!
Happiness and Productivity @ Work
You might ask, why after such a long time without any writing, am I writing about this subject now? Is it a New Year’s resolution? No it’s not. I wouldn’t want to get Madman mad! Hah! But, as he says “don’t put anything off just to wait for January…” but then again why should I put it off just because it IS January? Right? Alright alright… I’ll get on with my thoughts on the topic.
As I said, the last couple of days I’ve noticed that in many articles people started to talk about happiness at work, related to control and surveillances. A topic that I’ve been interested in greatly. This is something that I would like to research about actually. But I think that this months “Communications” has done that already. They talk about monitoring and limiting internet use in the workplace, and how that’s related to happiness and success at work. I liked the articles very much, and found them very informative by the way, so if you haven’t already joined the ACM I suggest you do.
As, I hope, many of you do, I believe that happiness in the workplace is so much related to management and executives we work and interact with continuously. My question is how much control should management have over us at work? Actually, that questions sounded like an ideological question, as I am sure that many people would ideally want minimal control. Which I do repeat that ideally would be great! But that’s not going to happen anytime soon in the corporate world. So let’s talk about legal, ethical and moral limits to controlling workers at the workplace.
Do you think that our management should go so far as to say “bathroom breaks are 5 minutes, you can’t go longer than that, that’s slacking off!” hmm… is that a hard question? Well, how about saying “you can’t have coffee more than once a day!” Ok, what about “you can only take an hour for lunch and then no breaks!” This list can go on and on and on. For those of you who think that these kinds of things are not practiced anymore in the corporate world, I will take off my hat and bow to you, for you are one of the luckiest within the corporate population, or you are an executive! Employees regularly experience this kind of control, which I am totally against and believe that it reduces productivity since it reduces the comfort level at work, and that feeling of trust.
So how does control, too much or too little of it, influence one’s productivity at work? I will tell you. Why do people need to be controlled? Alright, to keep the social interactions and the structure of a company in order, which I totally understand and agree. After all, I am not arguing about civilization. But when do people get trusted about their civility, their capabilities and understandings? Tying somebody to the desk is not going to get the project done. One should not forget a rule in psychology that those things that are banned to us warrant more curiosity. Why do you think many kids smoke? Why give in to peer pressure? Why haven’t we been able to get rid of drugs?
Please don’t get me wrong, I am in no way suggesting that if all that is illegal was to be made legal it would solve all problems, that’s not at all what I am saying. First of all, I am talking strictly of work places. Secondly, I am not suggesting anything illegal. Thirdly, I am talking of daily necessities for work efficiency.
What happens to having fun at work when you feel monitored and controlled every single second? I don’t believe that there is any fun left at that point.
If all the work is done on time, or even earlier then why the need to change things or control them? If people are irresponsible enough to take breaks rather than finish their projects on time, then that’s a different story. But when an employee can finish all his projects on time or even earlier, then he should not be scrutinized about getting coffee in the morning! This is not about fairness or anything, this is about rights, comfort and trust! A person who is stripped from his rights, tied to his workstation, made uncomfortable knowing that he’s being spied on by unknown sources and made to feel distrusted is not going to be able to delivery full productivity.
Many corporations see “control” as part of the professional life. But I never have, and never can. The control in our professional lives should come internally, not from somebody else. It is important to trust that professionals can judge whether or not they have the need and the time to get coffee or to go to the bathroom. I feel that it is unprofessional to even bring up such matters at a corporation. Probably all of us who work in a corporation are familiar with the “it’s unprofessional to…” line only to be followed by some very peculiar set of words and or decisions that would make even a child question the appropriateness. Do you think that in the name of professionalism the most childish and unprofessional acts are committed most of the time?
Your Comments
But for now here’s what you’ve been waiting for. Please send me YOUR COMMENTS!
Happiness and Productivity @ Work
You might ask, why after such a long time without any writing, am I writing about this subject now? Is it a New Year’s resolution? No it’s not. I wouldn’t want to get Madman mad! Hah! But, as he says “don’t put anything off just to wait for January…” but then again why should I put it off just because it IS January? Right? Alright alright… I’ll get on with my thoughts on the topic.
As I said, the last couple of days I’ve noticed that in many articles people started to talk about happiness at work, related to control and surveillances. A topic that I’ve been interested in greatly. This is something that I would like to research about actually. But I think that this months “Communications” has done that already. They talk about monitoring and limiting internet use in the workplace, and how that’s related to happiness and success at work. I liked the articles very much, and found them very informative by the way, so if you haven’t already joined the ACM I suggest you do.
As, I hope, many of you do, I believe that happiness in the workplace is so much related to management and executives we work and interact with continuously. My question is how much control should management have over us at work? Actually, that questions sounded like an ideological question, as I am sure that many people would ideally want minimal control. Which I do repeat that ideally would be great! But that’s not going to happen anytime soon in the corporate world. So let’s talk about legal, ethical and moral limits to controlling workers at the workplace.
Do you think that our management should go so far as to say “bathroom breaks are 5 minutes, you can’t go longer than that, that’s slacking off!” hmm… is that a hard question? Well, how about saying “you can’t have coffee more than once a day!” Ok, what about “you can only take an hour for lunch and then no breaks!” This list can go on and on and on. For those of you who think that these kinds of things are not practiced anymore in the corporate world, I will take off my hat and bow to you, for you are one of the luckiest within the corporate population, or you are an executive! Employees regularly experience this kind of control, which I am totally against and believe that it reduces productivity since it reduces the comfort level at work, and that feeling of trust.
So how does control, too much or too little of it, influence one’s productivity at work? I will tell you. Why do people need to be controlled? Alright, to keep the social interactions and the structure of a company in order, which I totally understand and agree. After all, I am not arguing about civilization. But when do people get trusted about their civility, their capabilities and understandings? Tying somebody to the desk is not going to get the project done. One should not forget a rule in psychology that those things that are banned to us warrant more curiosity. Why do you think many kids smoke? Why give in to peer pressure? Why haven’t we been able to get rid of drugs?
Please don’t get me wrong, I am in no way suggesting that if all that is illegal was to be made legal it would solve all problems, that’s not at all what I am saying. First of all, I am talking strictly of work places. Secondly, I am not suggesting anything illegal. Thirdly, I am talking of daily necessities for work efficiency.
What happens to having fun at work when you feel monitored and controlled every single second? I don’t believe that there is any fun left at that point.
If all the work is done on time, or even earlier then why the need to change things or control them? If people are irresponsible enough to take breaks rather than finish their projects on time, then that’s a different story. But when an employee can finish all his projects on time or even earlier, then he should not be scrutinized about getting coffee in the morning! This is not about fairness or anything, this is about rights, comfort and trust! A person who is stripped from his rights, tied to his workstation, made uncomfortable knowing that he’s being spied on by unknown sources and made to feel distrusted is not going to be able to delivery full productivity.
Many corporations see “control” as part of the professional life. But I never have, and never can. The control in our professional lives should come internally, not from somebody else. It is important to trust that professionals can judge whether or not they have the need and the time to get coffee or to go to the bathroom. I feel that it is unprofessional to even bring up such matters at a corporation. Probably all of us who work in a corporation are familiar with the “it’s unprofessional to…” line only to be followed by some very peculiar set of words and or decisions that would make even a child question the appropriateness. Do you think that in the name of professionalism the most childish and unprofessional acts are committed most of the time?
Your Comments
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