1.2.13
Identify a range of usability problems with commonly used digital devices.
Teaching Note:
S/E Students should be aware of usability issues in a range of devices including PCs, digital cameras, cell phones, games consoles, MP3 players and other commonly used digital devices.
Sample Question:
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JSR Notes:
Usability problems with commonly used digital devices:
- Camera (Most of the long list below will apply to almost any other digital device, such as the other examples here.)
- Power issues
- Fragile
- Memory capacity
- Lack of quality
- User interface (not touch vs. touch)
- Too many buttons
- Lack of functionality
- Size
- Weight
- Processing speed
- Phone-specific
- Main feature that is not common to other digital devices:
- Smart phone: 3G - 4G
- Dual screen - multi-tasking (multi-window)
- Lack of good internet etc. access.
- Laptop-specific
- Main feature that is not common to other digital devices:
- TVs-specific
- Main feature that is not common to other digital devices:
- HD
- Display
- Max resolution
- Fridge-specific
- Main feature that is not common to other digital devices:
- Separate into different temperatures
- Appropriate for different foods
- Games Console
- Not backward compatible
- Not cross games console compatible (X-box doesn't work on Wii etc.)
- Small hard drive
- Loud because of cooler
- Quality of controllers in particular
- Battery life of the controller
- Limitation of cord length of controller, and if don't like it must buy a wireless controller
NOTE: Software associated with the digital devices can also be usable to varying degrees, and have problems associated with them. Usability features of software or issues with these things include help menus, graphical user environment, touch screen, and so usability problems could at the very least just be the absence of these features.
Here are Mr Laournal's Compiled "usability problems with commonly used digital devices" per the 6 criteria, a lot of which is copied and pasted directly - the original specific examples below were most likely collated from research his students did.
GENERAL Usability Issues with PCs
Problems with PC Operating Systems
Learnability / Memorability:
- It will take quite a lot of time for users to get used to the system, before being able to use it properly.
- Depending on the OS, most users will be able to figure out how to use the it, but some users will have problems getting used to certain features of the OS.
Efficiency:
- When users are used to using an OS, they will find it easy to perform all sorts of tasks, but they can still encounter errors and problems, though they should be able to find out how to solve them.
Errors:
- Errors from the OS are not at all uncommon, due to the web of complexity that the OS deals with, juggling all the various hardware and software. But as these errors occur, they are reported to the OS developer, and fixes are released, via OS updates.
Satisfaction:
- Overall satisfaction varies from OS to OS; some are easy to use and not overly prone to errors, while other systems may be more difficult to use and more error prone.
Accessibility:
- Also very OS-specific. But some operating systems pay a lot of attention to making their system very accessible to all people, regardless of physical or cognitive disability.
Ergonomics:
Potential Problems with PC Hardware
Learnability / Memorability:
- All computers are similar to use and not very difficult to get used to,
Efficiency:
- PCs have been around long enough that they have become generally efficient devices to use. But older models or cheaper models can reach limits in doing modern processing tasks.
Errors:
- Much attention over the year has gone into the development of the hardware of PCs, in conjunction with the operating systems that work on them. Errors, though not necessarily rare, are limited, as long as the user takes care of the equipment.
Satisfaction:
- Mainly this depends on the quality of the particular PC. Often "you get what you pay for" applies, but not always.
Accessibility:
- Working with the OS, modern PCs do a very good job of being accessible to all people, and there are a wide variety of peripheral devices which can help people with visual, auditory, etc. issues.
Ergonomics:
- There are lots of good ergonomic devices out there, from ergonomic keyboards and mice, to various kinds of chair and tables, which help keep people from physical harm and RSI through the use of PCs.
SPECIFIC Usability Issues with Digital Devices
Cell Phones
Learnability
- For younger users, cellphones are usually quite easy to learn because they see other people who have them, and most phones follow the same basic way of use
- For older users, learnability is more difficult because the interface compared to what they grew up learning is different
Efficiency
- Most phones can perform tasks quite quickly, however the speed of task accomplishment can be affected by the internet, or how the phone is treated and maintained.
Memorability
- Good memorability, especially for younger users; older users might forget how to use certain features after not using the phone for an extended time.
Errors
- Many error handling routines built into the OS.
- Backup of user data helps prevent loss of information.
Satisfaction
- Satisfaction often depends on amounts of RAM, storage, and computational capability
- some applications require large amounts of memory or processing power for graphical support and data processing, which can exceed the device capabilities
- Screen size and screen resolution is another big determinant of overall satisfaction
- to make large amount of information fit into display can be unpleasant for users
- Battery life also a big satisfaction factor
- the continuous period of work of modern cell phones can still today be limited, resulting in users having to charge their phone frequently
Accessibility
- Many accessibility features
- Cost
- Cost of top-of-the-line phones out of reach of many people, but many affordable models and used phones available to help level the digital divide
Ergonomics
- Hand phones are call hand phones for a reason
- RSIs not as much of an issue as with computers/keyboards, due to the strength of the main digit used, the thumb
Sources:
Games Console Example
Xbox
Learnability
Lots of support forums and easy to use interface which allows for easy trial and error learning.
Efficiency
Backwards compatible for older versions of games.
DVD player for multimedia & USB ports.
Wireless connection to internet for easy access.
Memorability
Ergonomic design of controllers allows for muscle memory to form easily. The simple design of the console makes it simple to operate and hard to forget.
Errors
The X-box has support forums dedicated to errors on the official website and many problems can be solved through restarting the console.
Satisfaction
Overall reviews of the X-box are high.
Everything however costs a certain amount of money for access.
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