PUI notes - February 18th


Mid-term is March 4th

No class April 8th or 18th (CHI)

We will be using Flash MX

Useful gadgets - voice recorder and lighted pens


Prototyping tool comparison:

Software ----

functionality
logging
can grow into real thing
more flexible


Cardboard ---

faster
easier 
cheaper

____________

Cost Note: Paper proto-typing is often thought to be expensive since you really should use 3 people - one to test, one to take notes, and one to be the computer. However, when this is compared with the cost of a programmer it really is quite cost effective since it can be done quickly and with many iterations. 

----------------


Constraints: 

Physical - like the 3.5" floppy - you can't put it in wrong. (also sidenote the size was based on the physical constraint of the size of a mans shirt pocket). 

Logical - natural mappings help here - for example you must plug in the toaster before turning it on. 

Semantic - pour something in a jar and then put the lid on the jar. 

----------------

SIMPLICITY

Remove or hide seldom used components 

Don't spread yourself too thin - Jack of All Trades, Master of None

-------------------------

Make the easy things easy and the hard things possible. - 

--------------------------

easy or common possible only if that doesn't ruin the easy or common cases (I'm not quite sure what I meant here in my notes

--------------------------

Don't put in the kitchen sink

-------------------------

Design is hard 

It is your job! (not the user's)

Don't try to pass it off on your users

User test - don't just trust your intuition!!




