Windows 7 Starter is a slimmed-down version of Microsoft Windows 7, specifically intended for netbooks and tablet PCs. The major flaw in the design of this software is the elimination of features commonly expected from an operating system. The example particular example addressed here is that the desktop background cannot be changed: a seemingly simple feature unlikely to tax the machine computationally. This is a poor design because it offers poor affordances to the user and fails to maintain consistency with other equivalent products - that is, it fails to meet user expectations about the system, and reduces the customizability of the system.
This sliding shower door handle is made up of a simple flat piece of aluminium or a similar metal epoxied in place on the glass. It requires the user to dig their nails into the glue and push against the 1/8th inch-thick edge to slide the door. This also increases the liklihood that damage will occur to the door, as the pressure necessary to slide the door will often derail the sliding door entirely from its track. This reflects poor error-prevention and a difficult learning curve for use.
The android unlock screen tool allows a user to draw simple pattern across nine points in any order instead of entering a password to unlock their device. This affords users a variety of interesting ways to remember their passcode - from drawing simple familiar shapes, to letters (as in the example picture), to the patterns of familiar PIN-style numbers from numeric keypads.
Tabbing in Google Chrome is facilitated by a number of small but important tools - primarily minor graphical improvements over similar products. First, tabs can be dragged into a different order, and react by sliding continuously rather than jumping as in Firefox or IE. Second, the presently open tab is depicted as "on top" of other tabs, like in a hardcopy filing system, lending an intuitive analogy to real-world experience for less computer-savvy users. Third, tabs can be dragged into and out of windows without immediately opening another window, instead waiting for the user to release the tab before determining what window to place it in. These minor improvements combine to make the system consistent with real-world experience AND analogous software systems, as well as affording the user more flexibility in the organization of their tabs and windows.
When people arrive in a waiting room for the first time, they often are unsure of how best to proceed. If a waiting area is busy or crowded, older patients may be hesitant to intrude on seemingly important activities to have their needs addressed. A passive agent could cheerfully provide orientation for first-time patients, directing them on whom to speak to, where to find important facilities, or to prioritize their visit (in case of an emergency).
This interface would simply engage the user in questions about what they do for fun/to stay active. It could ask about what they do for exercise, to socialize, etc., intending to plant ideas about the relative merits of activities through conversation. That is, the agent would respond enthusiastically to conversation about, say, walking as a hobby, but would respond less positively (still positively, but less so) to conversations about television.
The agent could maintain a simple database of user interests, and stay relatively up-to-date by asking about user preferences: e.g., "what is your favorite place to go walking?" "I like to walk in the fens." next user: "have you ever gone walking in the fens? I hear it is very nice."
A frequent activity pursued by those stranded in a waiting room is the completion of paperwork. This task would allow a patient to enter or update their contact information, billing information, and emergency contact information, skipping the need for an intake form entirely.
I hoped to speak to patients or observe patients in the process of conducting their visits to the clinic, but the only patient present during my the hour of my observation left immediately as I arrived. Instead, I spent my time observing the space itself. It is a peaceful and well-decorated room with interesting reading materials, tasteful wall-hangings, comfortable seats and plenty of plants. I also speculated about possible ways the space could affect interactions – especially focussing on two problematic aspects of the room. Those two aspects were a) The kiosk installed for research in Human Computer Interaction, and b) the reception desk.
The kiosk and its solitary accompanying chair sit right by the entrance to the clinic. During my interaction with the kiosk, I experienced many frustrations: discomfort, because the touch screen is awkwardly angled relative to the chair; distraction, because even when the clinic itself is empty, there is a lot of foot traffic passing behind the touchscreen (relative to the user’s seat); and mild claustrophobia – because of the ergonomics of positioning a screen at eye level and within arms reach, the armatrue required to hold it up, and the unfortunate wall-protrusion immediately opposite the armature, there is an unpleasant sensation of being surrounded when using the kiosk.
I was very confused by the arrangement, placement, and design of the Reception desk for the waiting room. First of all, the place where a visitor stands to interact with the receptionist is exactly the place of highest traffic into and out of the rest of the clinic. Second, the desk is high, and crowded – there is a basket of crackers for patients, a plant, and a number of health safety reminders, all of which leaves relatively little room for interaction with the receptionist. The hieght of the desk is conducive to standing interaction if the visitor is tall enough, but otherwise resembles talking over a fence. Since standing for an extended period of time may be challenging for some of the clinics primary visitors, it strikes me as odd that it is literally impossible to engage in face to face conversation with the receptionist from a sitting position. Also, the receptionist has no way of effectively monitoring and managing the waiting room, which I would identify as an important aspect of their duties.