A good user interface is so important
I’ve been thinking a lot about user interfaces recently. There are so many horribly designed things that are pushed on us… from the awful oven thermometer I just paid $25 for at Sur-La-Table… If you want to set the food temperature alarm, simply push the “food” button until the display increments up to the temp you want. To set a lower alarm temperature, keep pushing the button until it goes all the way up to 572 degrees and wraps around back down to 80 degrees. I’ll be returning it shortly.
Marah pointed out her horrid process management experience as a customer at a local deli. They tried to streamline or something in an effort to improve their throughput. Trouble is, they got everything wrong.
I have not read this, but I repeatedly hear very good things about _The Design of Everyday Things_, and it is on the to-read list. Here’s a link : http://www.amazon.com/Design-Everyday-Things-Donald-Norman/dp/0385267746
I’m 1/2 way through The Design of Everyday Things and it is an excellent book.