This is an excerpt from the latest User Interface Design Update sent out by HFI or Human Factors International.

quote:

---

It is becoming obvious from the literature that there are MANY
dimensions of usability. Many facets of the design to test. There
are too many issues to hope for perfection. But this is not an
excuse to just give up and slop something together. Instead, do
due diligence in your design process. Get trained. Follow a
systematic, user-centered process. Include cycles of testing,
early and often. Apply the established literature and principles in
the field. You may not be 'truly usable,' but you are likely to beat
the competition.

---

Dr. Eric Schaffer is the "Ergonomic Pragmatist" This and other articles can be referenced here:

HFI UI Newsletter Archive

*Ironically - when I just checked the April link it resulted in "page not found" - but I've emailed their webmaster in the meantime.

I don't really think online design can be clasified as "ergonomic".

Whack-fa-la-de-rab!

Great articles Amanda, thanks for the links. I like his practical approach

---
- Allen
- Stand318
- UBB™ Developers Network | UBBThreads™ Developers Network

From dictionary.com

quote:

---

er·go·nom·ics Pronunciation Key (ûrg-nmks)
n.
(used with a sing. verb) The applied science of equipment design, as for the workplace, intended to maximize productivity by reducing operator fatigue and discomfort. Also called biotechnology, human engineering, human factors engineering.
(used with a pl. verb) Design factors, as for the workplace, intended to maximize productivity by minimizing operator fatigue and discomfort: The ergonomics of the new office were felt to be optimal.

---

Smart Ass

Whack-fa-la-de-rab!

Judd. Meet me at the playground at 3 afterschool. Come alone.

Amanda,

Isn't it time you picked on someone your own size? I think it would be a little unfair of you to start stealing poor Judd's lunch money.

Judd doesn't bring lunch money. I'll have to beat him up for his tasty organic pasta leftovers ;-)

quote:

---

Originally posted by Amanda:
tasty organic pasta leftovers

---

You can have my share

---
- Allen
- Stand318
- UBB™ Developers Network | UBBThreads™ Developers Network

I never get any of those leftovers...He's a hog and doesn't share. There were somethings Judd didn't learn in kindergarten.

*snicker*

You'd think he'd remember.....

Basically design consists of two parts. Dreams & reality. We know what we'd like, and what we'll settle for. Of course the $ element comes into play also, what the client can afford.

UBBUniverse.com
Custom graphics and templates for the ubb.classic ™ and ubb.threads ™

I agree that the 2 parts are essential ingredients. The most successful, [read usable, innovative and "delightful"] fall somewhere in between and can sometimes be one in the same!

...of course - it depends on who is doing the dreaming

This is an awesome technique. From the full article this month.
This Month's Newsletter from HFI

quote:

---

"The Bollywood Technique" - Dr. Schaffer presents an innovative approach to usability testing with subjects who don't like to criticize.

Apala Chavan is the managing director of our office in Mumbai India.
She presented her fascinating new testing method at the Chi convention
this year. She called it "The Bollywood Technique" and I'd like to
share it because I think we can all benefit.

What is the main challenge when you are usability testing in Asia?

In Asia it is impolite to tell someone they have a bad design. It is
embarrassing to admit that you can not find something. So it is very
hard to get feedback.

Apala tested a site that offered railroad tickets for sale. She used the
conventional simulation method and got little feedback. She could see
that users were not succeeding. But they would not willingly discus
the problems.

Apala then tried the Bollywood method. Now Bollywood is the
Hollywood of India. They make more movies then Hollywood. They
are famous for movies that have long and emotionally involved plots. The
movies have great pathos and excitement. In the Bollywood method Apala
described a dire fantasy situation. The participant's beautiful, young, and
innocent niece is about to be married. But suddenly he gets news that the
prospective groom is a member of the underground. He is a hit man! His
whole life story is a sham, AND HE IS ALREADY MARRIED! The
participant has the evidence and must book an airline ticket for himself
and the groom's current wife to Bangalore. Time is of the essence!!!

The participants willingly entered this fantasy and with great excitement
began the ticket booking process. Even minor difficulties they encountered
resulted in immediate and incisive commentary. They participants
complained about the button naming and placement. They pointed out
the number of extra steps in booking. The fantasy situation gave them
license to communicate in a way that they never would under normal
evaluation methods.

I think this is a great method for the Asian markets. But I also expect
we might be able to generalize it to special situations in North America
and other places where participants may be hesitant to communicate
freely.

---