Archives for February 2007

I am fascinated by usability.

For those that don’t know, usability is basically the study of the way people use something (that’s oversimplifying it, but it’s pretty close). It’s taking an idea, implementing it, and seeing if it works the way you want. Remember that scene in “Big”, where an executive is telling Robert Loggia’s character that a toy was designed and built specifically on the research, and he responds with, “Yeah, but if the kid won’t play with it, then it won’t sell.” That’s usability (Well, kind of).

The thing about usability is sometimes you don’t see the problems before they happen. Say for example, a man is designing a bra. He knows exactly where the straps need to go, he knows the styles women like, and he knows the right material to use. So he builds his bra and gives it to a friend. Within seconds she says, “I can’t unclasp it. I can’t reach the hook”. He has failed at achieving good usability, and thus has a worthless collection of satin. Plus he saw his friend’s boobs.

Maybe the man could have seen this coming, but he didn’t because he’s a man. He doesn’t bring female life experience to the table, so some details get lost, and ultimately, the bra fails. But hey, these things happen all the time. I’ve produced web sites for seniors where the type is too small and illegible. I’ve written too aggressively in sites for women. You get so wrapped up in your own world, you forget you’re creating for someone else’s.

Because of my past mistakes I try to remember that I’m not always the target audience, and that my preferences may not be the preferences of those who use my end product. When I can, I adjust accordingly. And because of my past mistakes (and the fact that not everyone is as enlightened as I am) I can forgive a lot for errors in usability.

I can forgive people who can’t see the forest for the trees. I can forgive those who don’t fully understand how their target audience thinks and make mistakes that way. Again, these things happen. But I have a hard time forgiving people who forget that they see their target audience in the mirror every morning.

And that’s why I cannot forgive people who cannot design a proper bathroom.

I’m serious. There isn’t a person on the planet who doesn’t use one. No matter what your class, race, or religious affiliation, you have the exact same technique as everyone else. So when I walk into my office bathroom, and I see a urinal next to a door, or too close to a sink, it amazes me. There must have been one man that was in the design meetings. And yet not one man said, “Oh hey, if one guy is using the urinal, it’s going to be crowded for other users. Perhaps we should move the urinals.”

People are idiots my friends. In every usability test, that’s the only data that is proven every time.

Hey all,

Well, it’s been just about a year since I’ve last written. I know, I know. I guess I could have called the two people that read this thing and tell them where I’ve been, but you know what? It’s a new year, and it’s a new blog. Kind of. So, here goes nothing.

Actually, the reason I was inspired to blog is because of “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip”.

Wait. Before I get into that, let me back up for a second.

One of my favorite sitcom templates from the 80’s is the “[Popular character or popular character’s new friend] is on drugs episode”. It often involves a major character or a brand new best friend who has never made an appearance before, sampling an illegal substance. Most times it’s coke (Growing Pains), sometimes it’s weed (Different Strokes, I think), but every so often it’s pills. Not uppers, downers, ludes, valium, aspirin, Lipitor, or even Tic-Tacs. But just pills. And whenever it’s pills, said character just becomes high–no discernible characteristics of being high , although they usually involve general euphoria, and forced laughter at parents/teachers/crossing guards/store clerks. (Although props to Saved by the Bell/Family Ties for at least letting Jessie/Alex react to speed appropriately. Which is mostly in verse)

I’m not totally sure, but I’m fairly certain that the reason pills were left description-less because the network was trying to instill a more global “Stay Away from All Drugs Kids” message, as opposed to, “Let’s have a realistic discussion of how to deal with illegal substances talk” (Although props again to Growing Pains for having Kirk Cameron “relate” to the audience at the end. If nothing else, Boner will never blow lines with Kristy Swanson again). As time went on however, drugs became specific, kids became more knowledgeable, and “Very Special” episodes were toned down to only include issues of racism, obesity, and Blossom’s period.

So that being said, it disappointed me greatly to see Matthew Perry’s character down “pills” on SSOTSS for a few reasons.

One, if you’re going to make a character have a drug dependency, give us a little more to react to. Is he addicted to pain killers? Valium? Antibiotics? Just share with us, we can take it.

Two, between Matthew Perry, Aaron Sorkin, and just about every creative person who’s ever put ink to paper, there are certainly plenty of firsthand experiences to draw from. So why write your character’s drug addiction as if it were part of a 5th grade “Just Say No” school play? (And btw, that is not to belittle or criticize Mr. Perry’s or Mr. Sorkin’s alleged drug dependencies. I just mean that if you’re writing from experience, write from experience. Don’t write from someone else’s perceived experience)

Three, since when has any Aaron Sorkin piece been shy of detail? Previous episodes made reference to Sacco & Vanzetti, Abbott & Costello, and the Bible. We love these references. These reference are fun, entertaining, and are delivered like poetry from the extremely talented cast. So why skimp on the details now?

Four, why just pills? Blow lines! Shoot up! Smoke crack! Drug use isn’t glamorous, so be as nasty as you want to be. Don’t worry, we can take it.

So, that’s my little tirade for now. Again, to the two people reading this, enjoy it. We’ll discuss next time in group.