I was planning on writing about something else this week, but this trumped all other topics.
I consider myself a generally intelligent person. And ironcially, while I'm studying a computer-related field, I'm not a gadget geek, and don't necessarily keep up with the newest and greatest technologies. I am somewhat technology savy, however.
So this is my first "blog", and then the only reason I'm writing is because I've been forced to by a professor (sorry, Rachel). I am, however, generally familiar with websites, and can read English.
Which brings me to the problem I'm having. I have spent 10 minutes trying to figure out how to post a new topic to my blog. I remember having a bit of trouble with this last week as well, but apparently did find the right link in the end. Today, for some reason, I can't find it at all (I'm currently typing in a word processor and will paste into blogspot when I figure out where to put it.) Perhaps it's right in front of my face, and I'm just being oblivious? Maybe if I come back in an hour it will jump out at me. But I somehow doubt it.
I can reply to other people's posts without a problem, and can reply to their replies to my posts, but somehow can't find a way to create a new topic on my own site. It seems like this would be a huge button on the page, once I sign on, since how often am I likely to log on to read my own stuff? Generally I'm likely to want to post something new.
So while I'm analyzing their site...I like the little logo inconspicuously in the top left corner to take you back to the blogspot home page. The search function is nice, and clear. The 'flag blog' button to me means that I can flag it for myself to come back to later - like a bookmark. However it is to 'notify Blogger about objectionable content on this page'. Not what I was expecting, but at least they tell you that, and before you click on the link, with a small line of text. 'Next blog' is nice, but I don't know what blog is next after mine, so am not sure where it will take me or how that is decided. What does 'next' mean in this type of setting?
'Create blog' and 'Sign in', on the right side, are clear, although since I've already signed into my page, 'Sign out' would be a better option, and one that is missing on this site entirely. Not good design.
The overall layout of the page is clear, and I like that I can choose the colors, font style, etc. from a set of pre-designed templates to give my blog a bit of character. The archive section on the right is clear and functional. The ability to view my profile or change it also works nicely. (I won't go into those pages or this will get too long.)
Now if only I can figure out how to post this...
...and the mystery is solved. I posted a reply to someone else's site first, which required me to put in my login and password. Which I did. So I assumed I was logged in. And when I went to my own blog, it appeared as though I was, since I could edit my profile - presumably not something I could do unless I'm logged in as me. However, the only way to get to all the other functionality of the site - like posting a new blog entry - is to click on 'sign in'. But I'm already signed in! So why would I do that? I'm not sure, but that seemed to do the trick (although I wasn't asked to re-enter my login or password, so clearly the system did acknowledge that I was logged in). And now I've got all sorts of options for settings and posting new entries. And I do see a 'sign out' button. Excellent. That's what I'm going to do now...
Monday, April 23, 2007
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Beeping
Everything these days seems to make noise. Not just alarm clocks and trucks backing up and car alarms that go off for no apparent reason and stay on for hours. But cell phones, PDA's, regular phones, and microwaves. Everything, it seems, must make noise to alert you to what it's doing.
In my office, we have an all-in-one fax/copier/printer/scanner. Which, of course, beeps. It beeps when there's a paper jam. It beeps when it's out of paper. And for some reason, it beeps when you open the drawer to put more paper in. Now, I understand the first two - assuming you're not sitting right next to the machine, you probably want to be alerted that it's not printing. But why when I open the drawer? And it's not a quick, short beep, either. It continues for probably 20 seconds (which may not seem long, but trust me, it is when you're right next to the machine). If the paper drawer is open, clearly someone opened it, so who is it alerting that the drawer is open? Me? I know it's open - I just opened it! - to put in more paper, which it just beeped to tell me I needed to do!
My other problem with same said copier is that it's default function is fax. Always. Not just when I turn it on, but if I haven't done any copying for a while, it reverts to faxing again. The problem is that this particular machine isn't hooked up to a fax line. So for our office, this is a never used state! Why not leave it on whatever function I did last? With perhaps the fax as the default state after the power is turned on? A nice idea, but I think not well tested.
In my office, we have an all-in-one fax/copier/printer/scanner. Which, of course, beeps. It beeps when there's a paper jam. It beeps when it's out of paper. And for some reason, it beeps when you open the drawer to put more paper in. Now, I understand the first two - assuming you're not sitting right next to the machine, you probably want to be alerted that it's not printing. But why when I open the drawer? And it's not a quick, short beep, either. It continues for probably 20 seconds (which may not seem long, but trust me, it is when you're right next to the machine). If the paper drawer is open, clearly someone opened it, so who is it alerting that the drawer is open? Me? I know it's open - I just opened it! - to put in more paper, which it just beeped to tell me I needed to do!
My other problem with same said copier is that it's default function is fax. Always. Not just when I turn it on, but if I haven't done any copying for a while, it reverts to faxing again. The problem is that this particular machine isn't hooked up to a fax line. So for our office, this is a never used state! Why not leave it on whatever function I did last? With perhaps the fax as the default state after the power is turned on? A nice idea, but I think not well tested.
Monday, April 9, 2007
Cellphones
Welcome to my blog. Here you will find postings relating to Human-Computer Interaction, also known as Human Factors, User Interaction, Interaction Design, Information Architecture, and more. As you can see, there's no standard yet for what it's called. In a sentance, it's basically how technology (computer software, cell phones, PDAs, etc.) is designed, with the goal of making them more easily usable by the average, non-technical, person.
Today's posting is about cell phones. Or rather the options you get when you call someone's phone and they don't answer.
Have you noticed that many services don't just give you the outgoing message of the person you're trying to reach saying "Hi, You've reached Johnny. etc.." This is followed by 5 minutes of instructions from the phone company to not just leave a message after the beep (as if we don't know that's what we're supposed to do), but also how to page the person, how to leave a callback number, and how to get additional options. Is all this really necessary? Do I really need to leave a call back number when it will show up on their called ID? And I can leave my number in my voice mail if I want just in case. I wonder what my 'additional options' are? Maybe it will let me find out where they're located, or listen in on their business meeting. Or find out what they had for lunch? Perhaps next time I'll try that option just to see what it says.
Today's posting is about cell phones. Or rather the options you get when you call someone's phone and they don't answer.
Have you noticed that many services don't just give you the outgoing message of the person you're trying to reach saying "Hi, You've reached Johnny. etc.." This is followed by 5 minutes of instructions from the phone company to not just leave a message after the beep (as if we don't know that's what we're supposed to do), but also how to page the person, how to leave a callback number, and how to get additional options. Is all this really necessary? Do I really need to leave a call back number when it will show up on their called ID? And I can leave my number in my voice mail if I want just in case. I wonder what my 'additional options' are? Maybe it will let me find out where they're located, or listen in on their business meeting. Or find out what they had for lunch? Perhaps next time I'll try that option just to see what it says.
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