I think the "help and documentation" heuristic is an important consideration because users need to be able to experience a website with ease and minimal frustration. Often times, it may be necessary to provide the user with assistance in leading them to the answer without them having to even ask. For example, the online music radio program, Pandora allows users to create their own music station based on a particular genre, artist, or even particular song. The user can simply click "create new station", type in whatever they would like to listen to, and then pleasantly listen to a playlist for hours end. The search engine will begin to recognize what users are typing, usually by the second or third letter, and provide them with a list of options so they don't even have to physically type. Once they are listening, they can choose to "like" or "dislike" a song, further allowing the program to choose songs to the listener's preference...ultimately creating a very pleasant experience!
If you do not already have a Pandora account, I highly recommend you sign up! It's totally free - so why not?
http://www.pandora.com/
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Usability Testing Challenges
1.) Unable to find contact information -- phone numbers, location, registration etc.
2.) Unable to tell what the site is actually selling/advertising/promoting...
3.) Unable to find the logo.
2.) Unable to tell what the site is actually selling/advertising/promoting...
3.) Unable to find the logo.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Most Confusing Website Ever!
http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/
There is WAAYYYY too much going on on this website! Offensive pictures, ridiculous and biased stories, yellow type that's difficult to read, and thousands of links that redirect you to another window.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Week 1 of Information Architecture
Observation #1
Alisan Atvur is a quick-witted emphatic genius. Before today, I had no idea such a thing "Information Architecture" exists. If I use this class to it's full potential, I will stretch my mind's ability to think, both rationally, and of course, creatively.
I've always been creative, and I've also always considered myself to have a keen sense of rationality and logic....I have a strong feeling I'm going to enjoy this class.
Observation #2
Quick-witted technologically inclined people dress well. Black. Fitted jeans. Nice dress shoes. Designer glasses.
While I love this look, as it is very chic, I love adding my own flair of personality. I hope the ad industry is okay with blue fingernails.
Observation #3
Fast food is slowly killing America. We've all heard this before. It's so easy to swing through the drive through on you're way home from work and buy a super size extra value meal for under five bucks/minutes. And if you're okay with consuming a 1,000 calorie burger, then have at it. Not only is it a direct source of American obesity and inactivity, but it also greatly contributes to our impatient on-the-go lifestyle. When you go to a fast food restaurant, you expect your meal fast. Once you've scarfed down your burger in under 60 seconds, you then transform into time-saving mode. Studies have shown that even after "thinking" about fast food, people are more interested in time-saving products, such as 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner, and that they read a paragraph faster despite the fact that there was no limit. I believe cooking a meal with fresh products and sitting down to enjoy it, is not only healthier but it enhances the quality of life.
Trend #1
People rarely have cash on them. So where is all the green? Well, it's gone to plastic and higher tech devices. In an economy where consumers demand convenience, why carry change when you can simply swipe or scan?
Proof:
- In January 2011, Starbucks launched a Mobil Card payment app where customers can literally pay for their coffee via a 2-D personalized electronic barcode.
- In May 2011, Android launched the the "Google Wallet" app where users can turn their phone into a Mastercard.
Trend #2
People love to kiss their pets. Oh yes, big sloppy wet kisses on the mouth.
I for one, am guilty of this. My justification for this dirty act? Dogs' saliva is said to actually have an even balance of bacteria and contain healing powers for wounds. But still....does that substantiate how unsanitary this action really is? Dogs are notorious for licking their butts, other dogs butts, rolling in dirt, eating poop, sniffing dead animals....need I say more?
Regardless of the viruses I could potentially pick up from my hairy howling brother, he is family, and I will always kiss my family.
Trend #3
Gift giving galore at users convenience. Certain brands across the world are coming up with creative means to help consumers give gifts to their friends. Whether it's buying your friend a Pepsi cola via an SMS code where he/she simply scans the code at a Social Vending Machine, or using an online service that lets users send small "thank you" gifts to other people, you now have no excuse to forget your friends' birthdays.
Anomaly #1
The demise of book stores. The joy of entering a vast empire of endless stories bound in crisp pages is coming to an end. No longer will I be able to grab a latte, cuddle up on the book store's comfy chair, and spend a few hours surrounded by other book nerds aimlessly browsing for their next good read. Thanks to popular businesses such as Amazon and Kindle, large retail book stores like Border's are struggling to survive. Border's has filed for bankruptcy as it hasn't seen a profit in over five years! While I will always love the smell and touch of a book, I can not deny the practicality of virtual books. Not to mention the environmental impact of saving trees. I mean, have you ever passed a paper mill? The billowing smoke and putrid odor can be seen/smelt for miles. Will future generations scoff at hard bound books as we do to cassette tapes and CDs?
Anomaly #2
Youtube, once a method of video sharing and time wasting at the office, has now become and efficient and affordable guerrilla tactic for advertising agencies. Viral videos are made possible through the extensive social networking outlets. It once was really hard to get your film shown. You had to jump through hoops, have multiple hollywood connections, and a fat wallet. Now, if you film a friend who can chug a bottle of syrup, you two might just end up on the Ellen Degeneres show.
Anomaly #3
Smart phones really are smart. Safari, GPS, Facebook, Gmail, Urbanspoon, Pandora, Kindle, Evernote etc. Basically, you're whole word can be compacted into 2.3x4.5 inch - 4.8 ounce device. I used to think how did people live before cell phones, but now, it's how do people function efficiently without smart phones?!! Cell phones have come a long way since their debut in the 1980s, I can't even image what's to come in the future. Will computer chips be embedded in our brains? Will text messages simply be thought and received all mentally? People used to say the future is at your finger tips...well now that has literally become a reality, what's next?
Alisan Atvur is a quick-witted emphatic genius. Before today, I had no idea such a thing "Information Architecture" exists. If I use this class to it's full potential, I will stretch my mind's ability to think, both rationally, and of course, creatively.
I've always been creative, and I've also always considered myself to have a keen sense of rationality and logic....I have a strong feeling I'm going to enjoy this class.
Observation #2
Quick-witted technologically inclined people dress well. Black. Fitted jeans. Nice dress shoes. Designer glasses.
While I love this look, as it is very chic, I love adding my own flair of personality. I hope the ad industry is okay with blue fingernails.
Observation #3
Fast food is slowly killing America. We've all heard this before. It's so easy to swing through the drive through on you're way home from work and buy a super size extra value meal for under five bucks/minutes. And if you're okay with consuming a 1,000 calorie burger, then have at it. Not only is it a direct source of American obesity and inactivity, but it also greatly contributes to our impatient on-the-go lifestyle. When you go to a fast food restaurant, you expect your meal fast. Once you've scarfed down your burger in under 60 seconds, you then transform into time-saving mode. Studies have shown that even after "thinking" about fast food, people are more interested in time-saving products, such as 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner, and that they read a paragraph faster despite the fact that there was no limit. I believe cooking a meal with fresh products and sitting down to enjoy it, is not only healthier but it enhances the quality of life.
Trend #1
People rarely have cash on them. So where is all the green? Well, it's gone to plastic and higher tech devices. In an economy where consumers demand convenience, why carry change when you can simply swipe or scan?
Proof:
- In January 2011, Starbucks launched a Mobil Card payment app where customers can literally pay for their coffee via a 2-D personalized electronic barcode.
- In May 2011, Android launched the the "Google Wallet" app where users can turn their phone into a Mastercard.
Trend #2
People love to kiss their pets. Oh yes, big sloppy wet kisses on the mouth.
I for one, am guilty of this. My justification for this dirty act? Dogs' saliva is said to actually have an even balance of bacteria and contain healing powers for wounds. But still....does that substantiate how unsanitary this action really is? Dogs are notorious for licking their butts, other dogs butts, rolling in dirt, eating poop, sniffing dead animals....need I say more?
Regardless of the viruses I could potentially pick up from my hairy howling brother, he is family, and I will always kiss my family.
Trend #3
Gift giving galore at users convenience. Certain brands across the world are coming up with creative means to help consumers give gifts to their friends. Whether it's buying your friend a Pepsi cola via an SMS code where he/she simply scans the code at a Social Vending Machine, or using an online service that lets users send small "thank you" gifts to other people, you now have no excuse to forget your friends' birthdays.
Anomaly #1
The demise of book stores. The joy of entering a vast empire of endless stories bound in crisp pages is coming to an end. No longer will I be able to grab a latte, cuddle up on the book store's comfy chair, and spend a few hours surrounded by other book nerds aimlessly browsing for their next good read. Thanks to popular businesses such as Amazon and Kindle, large retail book stores like Border's are struggling to survive. Border's has filed for bankruptcy as it hasn't seen a profit in over five years! While I will always love the smell and touch of a book, I can not deny the practicality of virtual books. Not to mention the environmental impact of saving trees. I mean, have you ever passed a paper mill? The billowing smoke and putrid odor can be seen/smelt for miles. Will future generations scoff at hard bound books as we do to cassette tapes and CDs?
Anomaly #2
Youtube, once a method of video sharing and time wasting at the office, has now become and efficient and affordable guerrilla tactic for advertising agencies. Viral videos are made possible through the extensive social networking outlets. It once was really hard to get your film shown. You had to jump through hoops, have multiple hollywood connections, and a fat wallet. Now, if you film a friend who can chug a bottle of syrup, you two might just end up on the Ellen Degeneres show.
Anomaly #3
Smart phones really are smart. Safari, GPS, Facebook, Gmail, Urbanspoon, Pandora, Kindle, Evernote etc. Basically, you're whole word can be compacted into 2.3x4.5 inch - 4.8 ounce device. I used to think how did people live before cell phones, but now, it's how do people function efficiently without smart phones?!! Cell phones have come a long way since their debut in the 1980s, I can't even image what's to come in the future. Will computer chips be embedded in our brains? Will text messages simply be thought and received all mentally? People used to say the future is at your finger tips...well now that has literally become a reality, what's next?
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