Skip to content
Nathan's Possibly Interesting web site

Nathan's Possibly Interesting web site

  • Home
  • History of Computing
  • Miscellany
  • Blog
  • About

Bad design

Don’t forget the Remote Control’s usability!

December 7, 2025March 5, 2008 by nzeldes
Don't forget the Remote Control's usability! 1

When you see an ad for a piece of consumer electronics, you seldom see a close up of its remote control. In fact, most people ignore the lowly R/C when making a buying decision. Yet this little item is the main way we interact with our TVs, VCRs, and so on; and a its usability, … Read more

Categories Bad design, Good design Tags Consumer electronics, usability, User Experience 3 Comments

The ultimate clarity

August 31, 2025March 3, 2008 by nzeldes

Adding clear instructions is part of good product design, right? So: I went to get a flu shot (I still get the flu each winter, but maybe I’d be getting it twice without this?) As the nurse prepared her syringe, I noticed a cardboard box of disposable vinyl gloves on her table. On the side … Read more

Categories Bad design, Design principles Tags Commentary, Documentation 1 Comment

Can’t they hire ONE Englishman to proof their manuals?

August 31, 2025March 2, 2008 by nzeldes

Everyone’s had their laughs with instruction manuals written in Engrish; indeed, they can get quite hilarious. What bugs me, though, is the fact that these are seen not only in low quality products from second-rate or nameless producers. I can understand how a product that costs a couple of bucks would not have a manual … Read more

Categories Bad design Tags Documentation 5 Comments

Invisible buttonware

December 7, 2025March 1, 2008 by nzeldes
Invisible buttonware 5

One evening a neighbor knocks on my door. She just got a new cellular phone, and she has a basic question: which key does she press to accept an incoming call? Now this lady is not a youngster, but she’s used cellphones before; surely she must know that you press the key with the green … Read more

Categories Bad design, Improvement Tags Cellular, Handheld, HFE, User Experience 3 Comments
Newer posts
← Previous Page1 … Page12 Page13
Copyright © 2026 N. Zeldes. All rights reserved.     Legal stuff     Privacy Policy     Contact