Kreative Minds

User Experience Deliverables

2009-01-28T08:43:00.000-08:00

Peter Morville shares his experience of how two books have inspired him to think differently about discovery, communication and design.

Also he shares the list of twenty user experience deliverables with links to relevant sources and examples.

The list goes on like this:
Stories, Proverbs, personas, scenarios, Content Inventories, Analytics, User Surveys, Concept Maps, System Maps, Process Flows, Wireframes, Storyboards, Concept Designs, Prototypes, Narrative Reports, Presentations, Plans, Specifications, Styleguides and Design Patterns.

Click to view the snapshot and details on the UX deliverables discussed above

All the collections of icons and images used for the article are available @ http://flickr.com/photos/morville/sets/72157612907604234/

3D Human Machine Interface

2009-01-05T12:02:00.000-08:00

The Human Machine Interface (HMI) is where people and technology meet. This people-technology intercept can be as simple as the grip on a hand tool or as complex as the flight deck of a jumbo jet.

HMI effectiveness is measured by a number of components are bound under "usability," and measured by 3 major factors

Effectiveness
Effeciency
Satisfaction

XTR3D developed software that lets users interact with computers and gaming consoles using 3D human motions. XTR3D technology is real-time software analyzes 3D human motions using only one simple web cam, with out any additional accessories. It will allow users to play games and interact in virtual ...

Click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8d9Z92cO_c to view the video or http://www.orkut.com/Main#FavoriteVideos.aspx?rl=ls&uid=3327081270718245312

Popular Social Network

2008-09-02T09:07:00.000-07:00

RoyalPingdom analyzed the most searched keyword for the famous social networks across the world and here are their findings:

LinkedIn is most searched from India
As far as Orkut is concerned, India stands at #3 position (after Brazil and Paraguay)
Facebook is most popular in Turkey and Canada.
Twitter is most popular in Japan.

I personally feel that these social networks are a stop point for all professionals, friends to share their thoughts ideas etc.

Most Used Features in Office

2008-09-02T08:59:00.000-07:00

The Top 5 Microsoft Word Commands

Here are the top 5 Most-Used Commands in Microsoft Word 2003

Paste
Save
Copy
Undo
Bold

More interesting data:

Paste itself accounts for more than 11% of all commands used, and has more than twice as much usage as the #2 entry on the list, Save.
Paste is also far-and-away the number one command in Excel and PowerPoint, accounting for 15% and 12% of total command use, respectively.

What we didn’t know until we analyzed the data was that even though so many people do use CTRL+V and do use “Paste” on the context menu, the toolbar button for Paste still gets clicked more than any other button. The command is so incredibly popular that even though there are more efficient ways of using it, many people do prefer to click the toolbar button.

To read more please click here

Google Chrome

2008-09-02T08:48:00.000-07:00

Google Chrome is an open source web browser developed by Google. It is named after the graphical user interface frame, or "chrome", of web browsers. Google Chrome builds on components from other open source software, including WebKit and Mozilla, and is aimed at improving stability, speed and security with a simple and efficient user interface.^[1]

The beta version is due to be released today, September 2nd.

You can also view the splash images of chrome @ Google Chrome

Keeping reading this space for more updates...

Pencil Project: Firefox 3 add-on for Sketching and Prototyping

2008-07-31T18:11:00.000-07:00

Pencil Project is a unique tool for developers that turns Firefox 3 in to a rapid sketching and GUI Prototyping utility with native Windows and Linux GTK widgets. Install the addon and open a new document to start prototyping. It supports common shapes like Text, rich text, Images, Rectangles etc and Annotation shapes like arrows, bullets, GTK widgets and Windows XP widgets.

Using Pencil is easy just drag and drop the shapes or widgets you want to add to the application and customize them with text and colors etc.

The finished prototypes can be exported to PNG images.

You can view a tour of this @ http://www.evolus.vn/Pencil/Home.html

Spry framework for Ajax

2008-07-21T06:48:00.000-07:00

The Spry framework for Ajax is a JavaScript library that provides easy-to-use yet powerful Ajax functionality that allows designers to build pages that provide a richer experience for their users. It is designed to take the complexity out of Ajax and allow designers to easily create Web 2.0 pages. more...

Automatic IA Tool

2008-07-15T07:58:00.001-07:00

PowerMapper is a site map generation tool for information architects, usability analysts and web developers.
PowerMapper

Web Site Analysis Tool

2008-07-15T07:54:00.000-07:00

SortSite is a one-click web site analysis tool. One click is all it takes to check an entire site against 300 standards based checkpoints.
SortSite

Usability Problems - Item 6

2008-07-15T07:01:00.000-07:00

elderly visitor struggle by smannion

Usability Problems - Item 5

2008-07-15T06:55:00.000-07:00

real-time usability problem by davidking

Usability Problems - Item 4

2008-07-15T06:53:00.001-07:00

by sOOper cOOl Vili

Usability Problems - Item 3

2008-07-15T06:51:00.001-07:00

plastic just bends the plastic face by sOOper cOOl Vili

Usability Problems - Item 2

2008-07-15T06:49:00.001-07:00

Bathroom usability problem by Brett L.

Usability Problems - Item 1

2008-07-14T12:49:00.001-07:00

Elevator usability problem by eszter

Project Case Study

2008-07-11T10:55:00.000-07:00

A critical case can be defined as having strategic importance in relation to the general problem. They are the written summaries or synthesis of real-life cases based upon data and research. It requires you to isolate and think through the key issues involved against both theory and the larget comparitive environment. You have to weigh the pros and cons of the remedial options and recommend a rationale for the best solution.

There are 4 stages to this methodology
1. Design the Case Study
2. Conduct the Case Study
3. Analyze the Case Study evidence and
4. Develop the conclusions, receommendations and implications

Below is the Case Study Format

Step 1: Project / Client Name

Step 2: Overview
Project overview / Description about the current project / process approach

Step 3: Proposed Solution
Describe the research and suggestive solution to the current approach and if possible showcase the qualitative

Step 4: User Benefits
Brief description of the user benefits after the solution is implemented

Step 5: Screen Display of the Application
Snapshot of the application (Before and After)

Step 6: Client Success after Implementation
Brief Description with explanation showcasing numbers

Persuasive Design

2008-07-11T06:22:00.000-07:00

"HFI New 3 Day course on Persuasive Design"

Persuasion, emotion, and trust (PET) are critical factors for creating successful online interactions. The growing reliance on e-channels makes an engaging customer experience more important than ever. more...

Funny Examples...

2006-08-22T14:42:00.000-07:00

Broken: Chinese restaurant sign

Eric Ford submits a picture taken in Globe, Arizona:
This is a picture of a sign I took of a Chinese restaraunt in Arizona.
Since when did Chinese food become "New York Style?"

Broken: Hammersmith Traffic Lights

Paul Adams submits a picture taken in London, England:
The mapping and information design on these traffic lights in Hammersmith bus station in London are broken.?"

Broken: (Just for fun) Rest area sign

Joseph Fuoco submits a picture taken in El Paso, Texas: I saw this sign at a rest stop in El Paso that said "Award winning rest area" and underneath it, a sign that said "Beware of Rattlesnakes."

Broken: KFC "Bowls"

Ben Thoma points out:
I received this direct mail piece from KFC. I don't think that KFC can claim that these bowls are both "New" and "Famous."
Don't new things need some time to become famous?

Can you Intrepret??

2006-08-09T08:05:00.000-07:00

If all the nations in the world are in debt (am not joking. Even US has gotdebts), where did all the money go?
When dog food is new and improved tasting, who tests it?
What is the speed of darkness?
If the "black box" flight recorder is never damaged during a plane crash, why isn't the whole airplane made out of that stuff?
Who copyrighted the copyright symbol?
Can you cry under water?
Why do people say, "you've been working like a dog" when dogs just sit around all day?
why are the numbers on a calculator and a phone reversed?
Do fish ever get thirsty?
Can you get cornered in a round room?
Why do birds not fall out of trees when they sleep?
What came first, the fruit or the color orange?
If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oils made from vegetables, then what is baby oil made from?
What should one call a male ladybird?
If a person suffered from amnesia and then was cured would they remember that they forgot?
Can you blow a balloon up under water?
Why is it called a "building" when it is already built?
If you were traveling at the speed of sound and you turned on your radio would you be ! Able to hear it?
If you're traveling at the speed of light and you turn your headlights on,what happens?
Why is it called a TV set when there's only one?
If a person owns a piece of land do they own it all the way down to the core of the earth?
Why do most cars have speedometers that go up to at least 130 when you legally can't go that fast on any road?
If drink & drive is not allowed why the hell they have parking in Bars?

C'mon Shoot...

Sachin is Fit

2006-08-07T14:17:00.000-07:00

Sachin Tendulkar is "fully fit" and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) believed in the integrity of the batsman and the accuracy of team physiotherapist John Gloster's report, a top BCCI official said on Sunday. Sachin is such a player that if he feels he is not fully fit then he will not take part.The tri-series in Sri Lanka, from August 14 to 29, would be Tendulkar's first competitive assignment since the third and final Test against England in March.