Moron Alert - Elevator Buttons

Ever watch someone in an elevator in a tall building?

In elevators where the buttons go sideways and then up, you watch people all the time look all over to see where the floor number is that they want.

In some well designed elevators, where the numbers go vertically, the people look for their floor, click it and go.

I've been working in the same building for years and I watch people struggle with the sideways numbering confuse people every day.

Hasn't anyone learned how to do usability testing to see what works and what confuses people?

Nuff said.

Moron Alert - Computers Easy to Use? What Moron Said That?

For twenty plus years now the computer industry has been pushing the dead horse that computers are easy to use.

You still hear that, sometimes subtly, sometimes not. It wasn't true twenty years ago, isn't true now.

Granted, there are some features of computers, Mac or PC, that are easy to use. That has always been the case.

But, having worked designing software for both platforms, and designing web interfaces, and having tested people of all ages, again on both platforms, I can tell you that whoever said they are easy to use is a real Moron.

Yes, I know there are some software applications that are easy to use, but when you watch hundreds of people struggle with Mac and PC it is painful.

By now, simplicity should be a given, not an afterthought. Ease of use should be a standard not a marketing tool.

Watch how often even expert users ask each other, "now how is it that you do ..." and you will see what I mean.

All operating systems are too bloated, too complex, too much.

The average person uses few of any application's myriad features.

Mac and Windows? Give us power, give us beautiful interfaces, make them simple.

Ahhhhh, life could be good.

Moron Alert - Gas Pumps and Credit Cards

Gas pumps that take credit cards without having to go into the building are a great idea.

Most pumps ask you whether you want to pay at the pump or inside. Or, they may ask what type of credit card you want to use.

Whatever they ask, the smart ones, if you just insert your card, recognize the fact that you are paying at the pump, recognize your card and magic, you can pump gas.

The Moron designed pay at the pump forces you to push the button to say you want to pay at the pump, select what type of credit card you want to use, answer from one to many questions, including if you want a car wash, and you diddle around when you just want to gas and go.

Idiots. Idiots and Morons.

Morons give us fits, and the sad part is that we never seem to run out of them.