Category Archives: Real-World Usability

Finally – Usable, Real-World Products!

Posted on July 10, 2009 by Theo Mandel, Ph.D.

Ping Pong Door! Designed by Tobias Fränzel, this innovative door turns into a ping pong table when needed. After the game is finished, it goes back to being a regular door. Everything the techie or apartment-dweller needs! www.toxel.com/tech/2009/07/07/ping-pong-door-by-tobias-franzel/

Posted in Real-World Usability, Technology, User Centered Design (UCD) | Leave a comment

National Federation of the Blind and American Council of the Blind File Discrimination Suit Against Arizona State University

Posted on July 8, 2009 by Theo Mandel, Ph.D.

It was bound to happen soon…Companies and universities implementing new technology that should enable all users to use the technology, yet has not fully addressed accessibility issues…and they are now caught in the act and are rightfully getting sued. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Accessibility, Real-World Usability, Technology, Users | Leave a comment

Healthcare IT: Vested Interest in Inefficiency?

Posted on June 26, 2009 by Theo Mandel, Ph.D.

A Pound of Cure: The federal government is about to spend big on healthcare IT. Too bad the medical industry has a vested interest in inefficiency. Provocative article about the inability of the healthcare industry to move forward with critical … Continue reading →

Posted in Healthcare Usability, Real-World Usability | Leave a comment

Continued Usability Problems in Patient-Doctor Communication

Posted on June 18, 2009 by Theo Mandel, Ph.D.

Yet another stumbling block in the ongoing struggle to build Electronic Medical Records (EMRs), Electronic Health Records (EHRs) and the effort to improve patient-doctor communication – people don’t know their own anatomy!! A study of patients and members of the … Continue reading →

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What makes a “User Experience expert”?

Posted on February 3, 2009 by Theo Mandel, Ph.D.

Good summary of what is a “User Experience” expert. Read the follow-up comments and posts your own comments. http://www.insideria.com/2008/12/what-makes-a-user-experience-e.html

Posted in Real-World Usability, Technology, Usability Consulting, User Centered Design (UCD), Web 2.0, Web Usability | Leave a comment

Solution, or Mess? A Milk Jug for a Green Earth

Posted on July 14, 2008 by Theo Mandel, Ph.D.

Who says you can’t improve on years of well-established tradition? Wal-Mart and Costco have adopted a new gallon-sized milk container that looks to save the companies lots of money. However, there may be some usability issues they’ve overlooked! A New … Continue reading →

Posted in Real-World Usability, Technology, Usability Bloopers, User Centered Design (UCD), Users | 3 Comments

T-Mobile Designs More Usable Phone Bills!

Posted on July 2, 2008 by Theo Mandel, Ph.D.

“Historically phone bills have been as bland as a tin of condensed soup but T-Mobile saw an opportunity to make its bills more valuable as a regular interface between its brand and its customers.” Good article about improving the readability … Continue reading →

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Truth or Fiction? – Microsoft taps brain scan for UI work

Posted on October 28, 2007 by Theo Mandel, Ph.D.

Interesting article on future UI research going on at Microsoft. They are even filing patents on the technology. – Read the article – Microsoft’s Patent application Companies that develop some of the world’s most well-known user interfaces, such as Microsoft … Continue reading →

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