World Usability Day happens
on 14th November, and while we have our own plans to mark the occasion (watch this space), the most excellent folks at Flow Interactive have set up the website, Making Life Easy, to showcase examples of good and bad usability from around the world.
I made a guest appearance in “A dim view of the driving experience”, looking at an important usability issue in the Toyota Corolla
Usability: not just on websites
Puppies are not just for Christmas, usability is not just for websites. Web usability is certainly be important but what about usability in more critical environments? Usability goes way further than the interweb. Imagine the software running air traffic control, for example, and how important usability is in that context.
So when it comes to driving a car, you would think the designers had thought of real users in real conditions. Think again. As I pointed out in my post on Making Life Easy, even the smallest oversight can turn out to be potentially perilous. However, the solution, just like with the web, is to user test with real users, in real conditions.
Have your own usability clangers?
Leave a comment here or submit your own example on Making Life Easy for the usability hall of fame (or shame).
November 7, 2006 at 12:12 pm
My number-one real-world usability gripe: handles on doors that need to be pushed!
November 7, 2006 at 1:34 pm
Hi Eoghan, was thinking the same thing myself. Have you read the “Design of Everyday Things” by Don Norman? Definitely worth a look.
January 17, 2007 at 1:45 pm
The level of lighting on the dash of this toyota corolla can be changed by using the dial/button beside the LED that records the milage. Push the button (4 times I think) and the display will cycle thru a few options (total km, trip A, trip B), the next option will be a series of horizontal dashes, I think you twist the button or keep it depressed and the dash lighting can be adjusted up or down. This is also in the car manual
January 17, 2007 at 2:01 pm
Hi Fiona,
thanks a million for the tip. I’ll try that this evening. From your name, I’m guessing you’re in the 50% of the population that read manuals!
While I’m delighted you’ve pointed out how to do it, it’s hardly obvious. In fact, it’s obfuscated to the point of being useless.
In addition, I doubt my own ability to safely perform the operation you describe while driving!