Cinematic Countermeasure
How cool is that? Very soon we'll be able to walk on the Sidewalks in New York without having to worry about stepping on any DVDs? It's like how'd they do that?
Monday, February 10, 2003
Here’s a good conversation that caught my attention on Webword again.
Is there something wrong with our profession? Usability, UI Design, IA etc that is.. all of it? Where is everybody going? How long does one stay in Usability? If they don’t gain the “fame” that is.. ;o)) Cameron Barrett of Camworld has been out for awhile now. I think he’s looking for alternatives in Siberia even! Is it that bad? Geesh.. Madman?? Him, I know. No matter what he decides to do, he will never be able to get usability out of his blood completely.. if nothing else, I won’t stop buggin him with all of my silly questions and requests… I think he was made for Usability, (that was a compliment..) Madman, whatever you do don’t take away your picture with the monkey… I love it.. It’s something warm to look at on line… :o))
As for me, I am still in this ridiculous lock-up. Today is hopefully the last day and I am typing away in the conference room right now. We are finally reviewing the User Requirements doc that was created. No commenting really… We just listen and go “uh-huh I agree 10000%” unless if we really want to commit suicide.. :o)) Love this. I don’t think I can ever get enough of the ways that we can tick people off with our profession… It’s probably the most “tick-off” job that exists! :o) You can tick off developers, programmers, Users, stakeholders… the list goes on and on and on… and on… I am not complaining because part of the challenge is to find ways to keep people calm. Thank GOD for my psychology background. ;oppppp
Oh, and does anybody else have a manager who’s an ex-marine? :o)))) That gets even more interesting than ever before.. nobody knows what to do with him… don’t even nod… forget about eye contact or you’re dead… But I enjoy this.. who knows? Maybe all these hours and weeks in lockup finally got to me. :o)
I’ll update you on the “Designing for everybody” issue. Did it ever take a twist…
Is there something wrong with our profession? Usability, UI Design, IA etc that is.. all of it? Where is everybody going? How long does one stay in Usability? If they don’t gain the “fame” that is.. ;o)) Cameron Barrett of Camworld has been out for awhile now. I think he’s looking for alternatives in Siberia even! Is it that bad? Geesh.. Madman?? Him, I know. No matter what he decides to do, he will never be able to get usability out of his blood completely.. if nothing else, I won’t stop buggin him with all of my silly questions and requests… I think he was made for Usability, (that was a compliment..) Madman, whatever you do don’t take away your picture with the monkey… I love it.. It’s something warm to look at on line… :o))
As for me, I am still in this ridiculous lock-up. Today is hopefully the last day and I am typing away in the conference room right now. We are finally reviewing the User Requirements doc that was created. No commenting really… We just listen and go “uh-huh I agree 10000%” unless if we really want to commit suicide.. :o)) Love this. I don’t think I can ever get enough of the ways that we can tick people off with our profession… It’s probably the most “tick-off” job that exists! :o) You can tick off developers, programmers, Users, stakeholders… the list goes on and on and on… and on… I am not complaining because part of the challenge is to find ways to keep people calm. Thank GOD for my psychology background. ;oppppp
Oh, and does anybody else have a manager who’s an ex-marine? :o)))) That gets even more interesting than ever before.. nobody knows what to do with him… don’t even nod… forget about eye contact or you’re dead… But I enjoy this.. who knows? Maybe all these hours and weeks in lockup finally got to me. :o)
I’ll update you on the “Designing for everybody” issue. Did it ever take a twist…
Wednesday, January 29, 2003
Update on Last Posting
Thanks for all the comments to my question. Both through email and on WebWord. I agree with practically all of them, it's very reassuring to see that most usability professionals think along the same lines about this issue. And I want to update you on what’s been going on. I haven’t been able to post on my site or anything because I’ve been in lock-up meetings all day everyday which last until 10-11 at night. We talk about this project, develop the User, System and Business Requirements and the kind.. It’s definitely interesting and informative.
I have learned that even most of the “expert” users they talk about are only specialized in one area of the overall new user interface we are building. For instance, imagine Amazon. (I have to start looking for a new example but hey for now bare with me). There are expert users in “Books” who have absolutely no idea what to do in “Electronics” and vice versa. But at the same time, when they go into “Books” they have experts in “Non-Fiction” and experts in “Fiction” who are kind of familiar with the other, but not too much. This implies that the terminology is an issue. All of these users can get orders for any section, depending on what their customer is wishing for that day.
In this case terminology is the main issue. Some of the words are so technical they mean absolutely nothing to you if you havent been doing the job for awhile. So we’re working on simplifying the terminology. It’s fun, I’m getting to learn a lot. Anybody know what CPCLLI is? Heheh I do! :o)) (not that I care but ssshhh)
I guess in theory the look and feel of the GUI is also an issue, but in practice we don’t even have the option to identify it as an issue. We’re going with one single GUI for all the different users that’s it. Oh.. no that’s not it, there’s one more thing: No tabs.. So forget about Amazon. But that’s the part I’m having most difficulty with, if you don’t have tabs, how are you going to accommodate all those different functionalities? Have a gazillion buttons? Frames? I’m exploring at this point.
Another thing I learned about assuming that our target audience is everybody: That’s a completely political statement. The meaning behind it is SO vague that it allows the person who uttered those words to get out of practically any situation and blame you. :o) Anyway, it also means that what management really wants, is a UI Design that they think they would have used if they were doing the job in question.!!! Now mind you I found out that for the most part, the majority of the users of this system will not have a college degree, but will have earned their expertise through years of experience on the job. While of course within our management team the lowest level of education is a BA going all the way up to multiple Masters Degrees. To me the guideline is: whatever management says the users are probably doing the exact opposite.
Now we’re developing the models. I’m developing two different prototypes. One EXACTLY the same way the suits think they would have used if they were doing the job in question, and one through usability and common sense. I wont even comment on which one looks more useful and focused on users’ actual tasks.
I’ll keep you updated… I’m having a lot of fun, that’s for sure.
Thanks for all the comments to my question. Both through email and on WebWord. I agree with practically all of them, it's very reassuring to see that most usability professionals think along the same lines about this issue. And I want to update you on what’s been going on. I haven’t been able to post on my site or anything because I’ve been in lock-up meetings all day everyday which last until 10-11 at night. We talk about this project, develop the User, System and Business Requirements and the kind.. It’s definitely interesting and informative.
I have learned that even most of the “expert” users they talk about are only specialized in one area of the overall new user interface we are building. For instance, imagine Amazon. (I have to start looking for a new example but hey for now bare with me). There are expert users in “Books” who have absolutely no idea what to do in “Electronics” and vice versa. But at the same time, when they go into “Books” they have experts in “Non-Fiction” and experts in “Fiction” who are kind of familiar with the other, but not too much. This implies that the terminology is an issue. All of these users can get orders for any section, depending on what their customer is wishing for that day.
In this case terminology is the main issue. Some of the words are so technical they mean absolutely nothing to you if you havent been doing the job for awhile. So we’re working on simplifying the terminology. It’s fun, I’m getting to learn a lot. Anybody know what CPCLLI is? Heheh I do! :o)) (not that I care but ssshhh)
I guess in theory the look and feel of the GUI is also an issue, but in practice we don’t even have the option to identify it as an issue. We’re going with one single GUI for all the different users that’s it. Oh.. no that’s not it, there’s one more thing: No tabs.. So forget about Amazon. But that’s the part I’m having most difficulty with, if you don’t have tabs, how are you going to accommodate all those different functionalities? Have a gazillion buttons? Frames? I’m exploring at this point.
Another thing I learned about assuming that our target audience is everybody: That’s a completely political statement. The meaning behind it is SO vague that it allows the person who uttered those words to get out of practically any situation and blame you. :o) Anyway, it also means that what management really wants, is a UI Design that they think they would have used if they were doing the job in question.!!! Now mind you I found out that for the most part, the majority of the users of this system will not have a college degree, but will have earned their expertise through years of experience on the job. While of course within our management team the lowest level of education is a BA going all the way up to multiple Masters Degrees. To me the guideline is: whatever management says the users are probably doing the exact opposite.
Now we’re developing the models. I’m developing two different prototypes. One EXACTLY the same way the suits think they would have used if they were doing the job in question, and one through usability and common sense. I wont even comment on which one looks more useful and focused on users’ actual tasks.
I’ll keep you updated… I’m having a lot of fun, that’s for sure.
Wednesday, January 15, 2003
An Over-Discussed Subject: Target Audience vs. Simplicity
I know that many of us web users, designers, programmers etc. have overly talked about defining the target audience and we always stress the importance of defining the target audience at the beginning of most projects but I have an issue and I need your help and comments.
I know that many of us web users, designers, programmers etc. have overly talked about defining the target audience and we always stress the importance of defining the target audience at the beginning of most projects but I have an issue and I need your help and comments.
I am currently working on a project where the higher management is extremely decided not to define the target audience, or to define the target audience as everybody. They say the design should be SO simple that if you were to pull Joe Smith from the street he'd be able to use it. Ok, I'm definitely a fan of simplicity, but is this extreme or not?
Yes, the design should be simple, and yes it's going to be somewhat an e-commerce site. But, for some reason I'm having trouble accepting the part of not defining the target users. Am I too caught up here with the formality of things? Do I not need to have knowledge about at least the users' technical savvyness(is that a word)?
I'm not sure but I don't think that even Amazon went ahead to design for everybody. This to me seems dangerous if anything, and it's a project that has alot at stake! I don't want to get involved in too much politics, which I'm starting to think I'm not even going to notice how I get buried upto my neck in it.
They're thinking that we're going to have more freedom designing, which is partially true, if we don't have a specific user group defined. How do I tell them that simplicity is not synonymous with vagueness or idiocy or even freedom as they're saying?
For now, I'm going to go with the flow. But I have a feeling I'm going to regret giving in to this argument.
Please comment. Thanks!!
Tuesday, January 14, 2003
I might make this a permanent link
Following one of the links on Webword yesterday, I found another site created by the same people. I found Meetup to be a very extremely good idea. It's something like Evite with a different twist.
However, from a company who's selling search engine usability reports for about a hundred dollars, I would have expected better usability. The site is useful, that's for sure. But somethings really confused me. For instance, you could add a few different Profiles to specify different cities that you want to follow events in. But nothing really tells you which profile you have active, or which one's you have available for you to choose anywhere on the event sites. You have to go into the "My Account" section and change from there, which is confusing in itself. I'm going to fool around abit more in this site today, and I probably will have more to add later... But PLEASE let me know what you think... Thanks!
Following one of the links on Webword yesterday, I found another site created by the same people. I found Meetup to be a very extremely good idea. It's something like Evite with a different twist.
However, from a company who's selling search engine usability reports for about a hundred dollars, I would have expected better usability. The site is useful, that's for sure. But somethings really confused me. For instance, you could add a few different Profiles to specify different cities that you want to follow events in. But nothing really tells you which profile you have active, or which one's you have available for you to choose anywhere on the event sites. You have to go into the "My Account" section and change from there, which is confusing in itself. I'm going to fool around abit more in this site today, and I probably will have more to add later... But PLEASE let me know what you think... Thanks!
If you want to see something new -errr, interesting...
This isn't about being better, or worse, or right, or wrong, or polite, or rude, disrespectful or cow towing.
This is about just being.
Looking for Statistics
As I browse around the web I mostly wonder the sites users visit most often, the sites that received the most hits that day, that week, that month for instance. I think that kind of information might show trends in people's behaviors. Maybe there are certain things that certain people pay attention to on certain days of the week that we dont know about and we might be able to find out by looking at the sites they visit. Is there such a service online yet? To give us ratings? There should be.. Please let me know. Thanks.
This isn't about being better, or worse, or right, or wrong, or polite, or rude, disrespectful or cow towing.
This is about just being.
Looking for Statistics
As I browse around the web I mostly wonder the sites users visit most often, the sites that received the most hits that day, that week, that month for instance. I think that kind of information might show trends in people's behaviors. Maybe there are certain things that certain people pay attention to on certain days of the week that we dont know about and we might be able to find out by looking at the sites they visit. Is there such a service online yet? To give us ratings? There should be.. Please let me know. Thanks.
Friday, January 10, 2003
Wednesday, January 08, 2003
The Business of Making Linux Easier to Use
Here’s something useful…
Ask Jeeves Revamps Web Ad Strategy
Here’s something that makes sense. Hopefully, others will take Jeeves’ lead on this issue. I hate pop-up ads!
Kiwis Redesign the Back Button
This is very interesting. I think I missed out on the statistics, that the Back button makes up for 40% of the clicks on-line.
That’s all folks! Now can you please send me your comments? I'd love to hear from you...
Here’s something useful…
Ask Jeeves Revamps Web Ad Strategy
Here’s something that makes sense. Hopefully, others will take Jeeves’ lead on this issue. I hate pop-up ads!
Kiwis Redesign the Back Button
This is very interesting. I think I missed out on the statistics, that the Back button makes up for 40% of the clicks on-line.
That’s all folks! Now can you please send me your comments? I'd love to hear from you...
I'm trying, I'm trying
I don't even want to say I can't find anything to post. Thank god, John is not having a problem finding anything to post though, everything is on Webword. I'm totally stuck.
I don't even want to say I can't find anything to post. Thank god, John is not having a problem finding anything to post though, everything is on Webword. I'm totally stuck.
Thursday, January 02, 2003
Happy New YEAR!!!
2003 is here.. we're getting older. *sigh*
Hopefully it will be a good year for everybody.
What was Amazon thinking?
I can't upload pictures in here, but I'll copy paste the text straight from Amazon:
Customers who wear clothes also shop for:
Clean Underwear from Amazon's Target Store
Ladybug Rain Boots from Amazon's Nordstrom Store
Pet Socks from Amazon's Urban Outfitters Store
Puppy Footed One-Pieces for Newborns from Amazon's Old Navy Store
For a limited time get $25 to spend at Amazon when you spend $75 in Amazon's new Apparel Store! Valid on first Apparel purchase only. Limit one per household.
Explore more in Amazon's new Apparel Store
I wonder what customers who dont wear clothes shop for... :pppp
2003 is here.. we're getting older. *sigh*
Hopefully it will be a good year for everybody.
What was Amazon thinking?
I can't upload pictures in here, but I'll copy paste the text straight from Amazon:
Customers who wear clothes also shop for:
Clean Underwear from Amazon's Target Store
Ladybug Rain Boots from Amazon's Nordstrom Store
Pet Socks from Amazon's Urban Outfitters Store
Puppy Footed One-Pieces for Newborns from Amazon's Old Navy Store
For a limited time get $25 to spend at Amazon when you spend $75 in Amazon's new Apparel Store! Valid on first Apparel purchase only. Limit one per household.
Explore more in Amazon's new Apparel Store
I wonder what customers who dont wear clothes shop for... :pppp
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
