tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37300918441629406132011-07-07T22:32:25.775-07:00User Experience Design / Information ArchitectureMuthu Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15371329476431836049noreply@blogger.comBlogger641100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-34715896643570638952009-12-25T12:54:00.000-08:002009-12-25T12:59:58.482-08:00Introduction to Android 2.0Thedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-16158807106528584812009-11-21T12:53:00.000-08:002009-11-21T12:55:11.683-08:00Cloud Computing in Plain EnglishMuthu Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15371329476431836049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-44500699828359400752009-10-26T18:50:00.000-07:002009-10-26T18:55:56.673-07:00Eventzilla - Online Event Ticket Sales Management, Box Office Software, Gate Control SoftwareView more presentations from Eventzilla.Thedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-33896453075761748992009-07-18T10:06:00.000-07:002009-07-18T10:28:28.055-07:00A Brand New Travel Planning Experience by Travelocity!I was checking for hotel deals for my recent vacation and found this interesting section at travelocity website called experience finder.Key things I like about this website experience...- Navigation that is super seamless between vacation sections and details.- The way content is organized without you having to search. Yeah no search present Muthu Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15371329476431836049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-54519956756095045302009-07-13T13:18:00.000-07:002009-07-13T13:22:21.287-07:00How to be a better global manager? [Interesting Read from Fortune Magazine]In 1997, with $100 billion in annual sales and 750,000 employees in 8 countries including the U.S., Wal-Mart decided to open 85 stores in Germany, a move Wall Street analysts applauded because it would pave the way for expansion into all of Europe. The retailer bought up a couple of smaller German store chains, and sent Muthu Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15371329476431836049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-25682866178271312902009-07-12T09:27:00.000-07:002009-07-12T09:29:10.061-07:00Discussion about the future of web browsers - 10 years from now!Aurora Panel | UX Week 2008 | Adaptive Path from Adaptive Path on Vimeo.Muthu Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15371329476431836049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-73579336831821017632009-05-08T20:37:00.000-07:002009-05-08T20:39:49.072-07:00The Crisis of Credit VisualizedMuthu Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15371329476431836049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-6852034511667166252009-03-14T13:50:00.000-07:002009-04-12T21:30:51.109-07:00Obama & Citizen centered government - Part 1Citizen centered government in simple terms: Allows citizens to actively participate in government policy making and reduces the gap between what they want and what the government delivers them.How is citizen centered government different from democracy?Democracy = People vote to a candidate - whom they think has the right ideas/vision to run to Thedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-59051707306175318252009-03-07T18:47:00.000-08:002009-04-12T21:30:51.109-07:00Not every big problem require big solution! Here is an real life example: I was working on re-engineering a customer portal and one of the key issues reported was - the customer support team got about x number of calls(in thousands) last year just to reset the password for the online account. This problem was spoken in two different discussions and got to be fixed to reduce the number of calls Thedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-66446997682317925942008-02-27T20:23:00.000-08:002009-04-12T21:30:51.110-07:00Thedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-46260034434802603552008-02-11T19:53:00.000-08:002009-04-12T21:30:51.110-07:00In Brief: VC Business ModelVC firms:Generally comprise a group of partners who do the following:raise investment fundssource dealsperform due diligencemake investmentsprovide support to growing companiesrealize the appreciation in investmentsBusiness: Earn high returns by investing in early stage companiesSources of Investment capital: Pension funds, corporations, banks, endowments (Thedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-29112569782901115642008-02-10T21:21:00.000-08:002009-04-12T21:30:51.110-07:00Johnny bit my finger again!!!Thedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-14042041866405830902008-02-06T11:41:00.000-08:002009-04-12T21:30:51.110-07:00EVOLUTIONThedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-53948488059062694982008-01-08T13:13:00.000-08:002009-04-12T21:30:51.110-07:00Did you know?The first Apple computer was born in Steve Jobs' parents' garage? College students Jobs and his partner Steve Wozniak worked furiously in that garage assembling computers for fellow students and were totally unprepared for their first commercial order for 50 computers.To raise the needed $1300 for parts, Jobs sold his old VW bus and Wozniak sold his Hewlett Packard calculator. The Thedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-22767652990978173142007-12-27T12:17:00.000-08:002009-04-12T21:30:51.110-07:00Usability/User Experience Specialist Listed among the Best Careers for 2008!http://www.usnews.com/articles/business/best-careers/2007/12/19/usabilityuser-experience-specialist-executive-summary.htmlCheersMuthuKumar.RThedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-18439693694726787692007-12-25T17:17:00.000-08:002009-04-12T21:30:51.110-07:00Does 2 different credit cards help in building my credit faster?Selected Answer from Yahoo Answers.com-----------------------------------------------------------------------SPIFIMAN1 (Finance manager for over 7-years.)--- yes the more open lines of credit paid as agreed someone has the better their score is going to be.To have the best score/profile people need 3 credit card accounts (revolving) Thedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-19842822029925591742007-12-25T16:54:00.000-08:002009-04-12T21:30:51.111-07:00Is Usability in products and applications making people dumber?Selected Answers from my Linkedin.com network:-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Garlin Gilchrist IIWeb Developer & Designer, Smart GuyUsability not only improves productivity, it also enhances the positivity of experience and interaction.Processing more things/data/information Thedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-87823063185177734642007-12-21T12:18:00.000-08:002009-04-12T21:30:51.111-07:00CheersMuthuKumar.RUser Experience ArchitectChicago - ILhttp://www.linkedin.com/in/muthukumarThedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-54987299696094337912007-12-13T11:02:00.000-08:002009-04-12T21:30:51.111-07:00Tips for buying used cars!I recently bought a Used car and sharing my learnings and experience here. It is a Nissan Altima - 4 cylinder - 2.4 Litres engine with cool interior and exterior design. Do your homework about the make, model, color and features.Use KBB or Edmunds.com and do some research about the car which you plan to buy for resale values, fuel consumption and unbiased reviews by Thedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-34020707864988721372007-09-17T09:31:00.000-07:002009-04-12T21:30:51.111-07:00Example of Good User Experience in Banking IndustryI recently applied for a credit card online with 2 major banks(Chase and Bank of America here in United States and planning to share my experience here. Since I am moved recently I pretty much don't have a credit score record for my ssn. I understood that you credit score plays a major role in obtaining a credit card pretty much with any bank Thedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-4484189920930238612007-07-05T08:01:00.000-07:002009-04-12T21:30:51.111-07:0011th Annual Webby Awards Nominees & Winners:WebsiteWith nearly 70 categories, Website entries make up the majority of Webby Awards Winners, Nominees and Honorees. Some are beautiful to look at and interact with. Others are a testament to usability and functionality. And a handful excel across the board. To be selected among the best is an incredible achievement worthy of praise -- and perhaps a Thedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-48302712852073574632007-07-02T15:02:00.000-07:002009-04-12T21:30:51.111-07:00Indian IT exports to touch $60 bn by 2010, says NASSCOMExports of the country's software and IT-enabled service industry rose 33 per cent to $31.4 billion in 2006/07 while revenues including domestic business rose 31 per cent to $40 billion. With a sustained global boom in service outsourcing, the country's IT and allied service exports are poised to touch $60 billion by the end of the 2009/10 Thedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-76835361512336996752007-06-23T10:40:00.000-07:002009-04-12T21:30:51.111-07:00Job opportunities with Oracle India, Bangalore for Sr. UI ExpertsJob Title: Senior Member Technical Staff/ Principal Member Technical Staff- UI design/HCI groupLocation: BangaloreNumber of positions: 2Division: Server Technologies (Product development division)Years of work exp: 5+ to 10 yearsSkills and exp desired:1. Design and development aesthetically pleasing enterprise softwareproducts2. Thedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-37474023201104691152007-06-13T02:41:00.000-07:002009-04-12T21:30:51.111-07:00Top 10 Countries with the most AirportsTop Ten Cleanest Countries in the WorldBest Selling Cars in the WorldBest European Cities to VisitTop 10 Nations with the Largest WorkforceThedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-19393893665788230062007-06-08T01:21:00.000-07:002009-04-12T21:30:51.112-07:00When to Use Research ( Interesting Read from Adaptivepath by Dan Saffer )Here are some research guidelines that I use for my projects. Only use design research when:1. You don’t know the subject area well. I’m not an expert in investment banking, so if I had to design a product for investment bankers, I’d need to learn about what they do and why they do it.2. The project is based in a culture Thedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-49497351755027440752007-06-07T00:56:00.000-07:002009-04-12T21:30:51.112-07:00Interesting Definition for Web 2.0 ! (From here )"Web 2.0 is a set of economic, social, and technology trends that collectively form the basis for the next generation of the internet - a more mature, distinctive medium characterized by user participation, openness, and network effects."Share your thoughts here!Thedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-91267080645026724752007-05-28T03:10:00.000-07:002009-04-12T21:30:51.112-07:00Software Review : AXUREI recently started using a new prototyping tool called AXURE (www.axure.com) and wanted to share my experience here.Fast Facts:-------------------------------------------------Launched in Jan 2003Current Version: Axure RP Pro 4Single User License: $589/YearTrial Version: Available for 30 days (Download)Demo available ( Flash Tour )Contact number: +1 (800) 903 4152Axure can Thedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-44060194894530517772007-04-23T02:16:00.000-07:002009-04-12T21:30:51.112-07:00Definition of the Week!Information ArchitectureThe art and science of structuring and organizing information systems to help people achieve their goals.What do Information Architects do?Information architects organize content and design navigation systems to help people find and manage information.Related Links:http://iainstitute.org/ (IA Institute)http://jjg.net/ia/ (Resources Library)http://Thedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-86048870255373057002007-04-09T02:19:00.000-07:002009-04-12T21:30:51.112-07:00Interesting read about Google's Page Rank technology:The software behind Google's search technology conducts a series of simultaneous calculations requiring only a fraction of a second. Traditional search engines rely heavily on how often a word appears on a web page. Google uses PageRank™ to examine the entire link structure of the web and determine which pages are most important. It then Thedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-9480870503463177952007-02-19T19:17:00.000-08:002009-04-12T21:30:51.112-07:00Investment Models for Startups!Folks,I recently posted a question on Linkedin.com enquiring about different venture capital investment models and best among them for a startup business!Here are some great replies:----------------------------------------------------------------------------Robert Berman wrote:There are variations- capital injection of the total amount you are looking for.- capital Thedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-38236682229327688902007-02-03T20:19:00.000-08:002009-04-12T21:30:51.112-07:00New York City - Sky Line PicturePicture shot from: Empire State Building, 86th FloorDate: 28 Jan 2007Time: 5 PM ESTCamera Used: Canon Powershot A520CheersMuthuKumar.RWebsite: http://www.thedfactor.comThedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-38348028961105662432007-01-21T18:44:00.000-08:002009-04-12T21:30:51.112-07:00Running Against Time!!!My Trip to New York from Hyderabad14 Jan 200706:00 AM IST Checked in to Hyderabad Airport for my domestic flight to New Delhi.06:40 AM IST WoW - IA Flight started on time06:45 AM IST Oh NO.....Heard a weird sound from the bottom of the air craft06:50 AM IST Pilot of IA regrets to announce that there is some minor technical problem and drives into workshop07:10 AM IST FlightThedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-14963988559644711962007-01-01T05:57:00.000-08:002009-04-12T21:30:51.113-07:00HCI Professionals Salary Survey 2006 - IndiaConducted by UPA Hyderabad Chapter-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Dear Folks,As we move on to an all NEW 2007, UPA Hyderabad Team Wishes You & Your Family a Very Happy New Year and we are pleased to publish the All India HCI Professionals Salary Survey Report 2006 today.Please download the Thedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-39964241377340599112006-11-24T03:50:00.000-08:002009-04-12T21:30:51.113-07:00List of Web 2.0 Companies in Single Page with meaningful filters :http://go2web20.net Another interesting List of Companies from Techcrunch website:http://www.techcrunch.com/company-index/Thedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-23846130576296565762006-11-14T02:49:00.000-08:002009-04-12T21:30:51.113-07:00All India Human Computer Interaction(HCI) Design Professionals Salary Survey - 2006Dear Folks,On this special occasion of World Usability Day celebrations (14 November 2006) Hyderabad Chapter of the Usability Professionals' Association( http://www.upahyderabad.org ) is pleased to launch a salary survey of HCI professionals practicing in India.Yes - You are invited to take part in the India's Thedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-78367077259010797112006-09-29T00:39:00.000-07:002009-04-12T21:30:51.113-07:00Survey on terms used in Organizations - for referring User ExperienceHere is a interesting survey results done by Adaptive Path recently on - terms used for referring User Experience.Top three terms are - Usability, Consumer Experience and User Centered Design....More on....http://www.adaptivepath.com/blog/2006/09/12/what-term-do-you-use-for-user-experience/CheersMuthuKumar.RThedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-37040833196005309522006-09-19T02:29:00.000-07:002009-04-12T21:30:51.113-07:00Web Mashup = API [A] + API [B]A web mashup is a website or web application that uses content from more than one source to create a completely new service.Content used in mashups is typically sourced from a third party via a public interface or so called API.Mashups, though they have been around since the first API was released, have begun to garner more media attention since the beginning of 2006Thedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-59650322685495820712006-09-19T00:37:00.000-07:002009-04-12T21:30:51.113-07:00Links to intersting reads:Found this Mini-glossary on Project management terms you should know:http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/i/tr/downloads/home/mg_pm.pdfThedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-88118761665873406222006-09-04T00:17:00.000-07:002009-04-12T21:30:51.113-07:00Update on World Usability Day 2006 Planning Meet at Kanbay Hyderabad!Thanks for joining at the World Usability Day 2006 Planning meet at Kanbay on 23 August 2006. All our success relies on professionals like you, getting involved and volunteering your time and talent on raising awareness and visibility of usability engineering and user centered design and we are hoping to make this event much Thedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-40191278567218270842006-08-22T23:57:00.000-07:002009-04-12T21:30:51.114-07:00Location map - for World Usability Day 2006 Planning Meet at Kanbay, Hyderabad on 23 August 2006!Thedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-90301814533081769082006-08-19T23:09:00.000-07:002009-04-12T21:30:51.114-07:00Invitation for the Hyderabad - World Usability Day 2006 Planning meet on August 23, 2006 (5 Pm - Pm) Dear All,Its time to plan for the celebration. Yes - following the success of World Usability Day Celebrations http://www.worldusabilityday.org/ by UMO last year at Hyderabad, we are pleased to invite you to attend World Usability Day 2006 Planning Meet organized at Kanbay(Hyderabad) by UMO-UPA onThedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-21388530333597162712006-08-06T22:10:00.000-07:002009-04-12T21:30:51.114-07:00Future of RIA : Desktop Rich Media Internet ApplicationsRIA(Rich media Internet applications) has been revolutionizing the way, an user use to interact with web applications and now is the time to look beyond them.Adobe is developing on a a cross-OS runtime called Apollo, that allows developers to leverage their existing web development skills (Flash, Flex, HTML, Ajax) to build and deploy desktopThedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-57521839781970976912006-07-30T00:53:00.000-07:002009-04-12T21:30:51.114-07:00Dear All,Presently am conducting a study on user experience design for product development environment and would be great to hear your thoughts on the below mentioned case.How do you think the user experience design methodology offerings for Software Product Development Environment differ from Software Service Companies?Thank you very much for your time and support.Regards & Have a good Thedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-33993725179548029462006-06-21T22:07:00.000-07:002009-04-12T21:30:51.114-07:00High-Tea with Dr. Dinesh Katre at HyderabadDr. Dinesh Katre was in Hyderabad and discussed on "Experience of Ph.D. Research in HCI and the Issues Involved" on a high-tea meeting with the local HCI community.The meeting was hosted by Cordys and was attended by HCI professionals from companies like CA, Convergys, Cordys, Cognizant, Glansa, Hitha, Kanbay, Microsoft, Oracle, Progress, Satyam, SIT, Thedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-28105228339453130822006-06-19T05:41:00.000-07:002009-04-12T21:30:51.114-07:00Technorati ProfileThedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-85997395295159200062006-06-19T04:17:00.000-07:002009-04-12T21:30:51.114-07:00AJAX - illustratedCheersMuthuKumar.RUser Experience Analysthttp://www.thedfactor.comThedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-86832309823530953732006-04-06T02:46:00.000-07:002009-04-12T21:30:51.114-07:00Dear Folks,Please find the route map for the Hyderabad UX Community Meet at Oracle Campus today below.ThanksMuthuKumar.RThedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-2695425498418155732006-03-13T22:45:00.000-08:002009-04-12T21:30:51.115-07:00Snaps from my recent trip to Coimbatore!Coimbatore - also known as the "Cotton City" is one of my fav places. I did my graduation there in Dr. G.R.D College of Science and recently visited the city after 6 years to attend one of my friends wedding!Interesting tidbit about the pics: They were taken from the Coimbatore- Bangalore intercity express at a speed not less than 100 Km/hr.Cheers!Thedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-2326858792942918782006-01-06T00:28:00.000-08:002009-04-12T21:30:51.115-07:00UCD, IA and Usability SimplifiedInteresting read from experiencedynamics.comUser Centered Design:It should be easier to use with the technology than without!Information Architecture:The display should be meaningful and structured for understanding!Usability:If it's not easy to use we don't want it!CheersMuthuKumar.RUser Experience Design Consultanthttp://www.thedfactor.com Thedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-36770656911596305492005-12-29T00:37:00.000-08:002009-04-12T21:30:51.115-07:00Time to say Cheese!Yes - I bought a Canon Poweshot - 520 digital camera (4 mega pixels) Yesterday. It was a quick decision to make this buy - but believe me the endorsement from peers on a product make a lot of sense in purchasing new things.Jayanth(My lead) bought this new camera a day before and I decided to buy the same after seeing the cool features of the camera in live action.My First Thedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-1352084427285544812005-12-26T22:19:00.000-08:002009-04-12T21:30:51.115-07:00Trekking time!Folks - Its been long time wrote here on blog. Yes - Was away from computer for different reasons.Some of my trekking highlights here!-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Name of the Location: Sihangad (Fort)Distance: 20 Kms(approx) from Pune cityHistory: Used by Shivaji(Maratha Emperor) by mid 17th centuryStay: Guest house Thedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-704277895107256622005-12-13T23:52:00.000-08:002009-04-12T21:30:51.115-07:00Folks,Most of us start the UCD(User Centered Design) process with the firm belief that users are the ultimate stars, but often we lose that focus overtime. One of the attributes that contribute to failure in meeting the user needs is BIAS in these methods.I personally experienced this in my past UX assignments where we have to cut short the UCD process or align the recommendations report based onThedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-32365564682483342402005-12-08T21:49:00.000-08:002009-04-12T21:30:51.115-07:00The Future of Customer Care(Jus Hilarious!!!)Operator : "Thank you for calling Pizza Hut .. May I have your..."Customer: "Heloo, can I order.."Operator : "Can I have your multi purpose card number first, Sir?"Customer: "It's eh..., hold on......6102049998-45-54610"Operator : "OK... you're... Mr Singh and you're calling from 17 Jalan Kayu. Your home number is 40942366, your office # is 76452302 Thedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-44010981328132187232005-12-07T02:22:00.000-08:002009-04-12T21:30:51.115-07:00Most important functions in a mobile deviceThought I would share the results of the user survey, regarding the most important and the least important functions in mobile devices done by Park associates.Voice communication and address book functionality lead the list of the most important functions, while PC synchronization and Internet browsing are among least important. 2,112 Internet users wereThedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-90601921879219972932005-12-06T01:30:00.000-08:002009-04-12T21:30:51.116-07:00Bright Smile!Gave a big-smile to all my folks I bump-in at work today. Guess why? Yes, long waited dental cleaning happened today. The electronic cleaning process was quick and funny - and dentist (gud looking lady) was saying not to bring in my tongue close to the electronic cleaner else I may lose my speech after that...Hehehehe!Cheers!Thedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-77784670182327058412005-12-04T21:57:00.000-08:002009-04-12T21:30:51.116-07:00Task Analysis : In Simple TermsMethods of analyzing people's jobs:---> what people do---> includes requirements, actions, results, equipment & materials---> what they must knowWho conducts Task analysis? Used by Information architects and interface developers to get "outside the box" and focusing on underlying operational problems to solve, rather than implementation problems.Why Task analysis? AThedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-39078155717979790452005-11-28T03:14:00.000-08:002009-04-12T21:30:51.116-07:00Requirements Phase:Thedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-32817184976527342492005-11-25T04:44:00.000-08:002009-04-12T21:30:51.116-07:00Applying Keep It Simple - TechniqueOne of the most memorable case studies on Japanese management was the case of the empty soap box, which happened in one of Japan's biggest cosmetics companies.The company received a complaint that a consumer had bought a soap box that was empty. Immediately the authorities isolated the problem to the assembly line, which transported all the packaged boxes of Thedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-11556535919891255182005-11-21T21:38:00.000-08:002009-04-12T21:30:51.116-07:00Today I thought of writing about my fav car - Tata Safari! (Shd buy it on coming years)What I like in this car?-- Sporty Look & Style-- Power-- HUGEnessI see many Politicians(Filthy rich ah!) drving this car than any other segment of users.Does it fit for city driving in India? May not be in the peak traffic hours. But when it comes to long drives - am sure you can feel the real power!Pricing - Thedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-31444079070658299602005-11-08T01:25:00.000-08:002009-04-12T21:30:51.116-07:00Experience DesignRecently, experience design is the most popular buzz word among design professionals. Here is the abstract of few interesting points which I understood about the same.--> Experience design is an approach to the design of products, services and environments based on a holistic consideration of the users' experience.--> The view of a product or service from the entire lifecycle Thedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-29181749985887229092005-11-08T01:05:00.000-08:002009-04-12T21:30:51.116-07:00WorkshopBeyond Usability: Designing the Complete User Experience.New York — Oct. 31-Nov. 1 2005Conducted by: Adaptive PathThis two-day presentation covers the process of user experience design from gathering initial business requirements through developing functional specifications. You will learn how to:- Develop a detailed understanding of your users through task analysis, mental models, Thedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-4398379713597690462005-11-08T00:41:00.000-08:002009-04-12T21:30:51.117-07:00The Pros and Cons of using WireframesPros:----------------------------------------------------------- demonstrates a site concept quickly, allowing clients to react to content placement and rendering.- can provide guidance to visual designers with respect to information priorities.- allows for usability testing early in the project lifecyclecan elaborate on a singular vision for the site.- can Thedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-80556045722912245682005-11-07T20:47:00.000-08:002009-04-12T21:30:51.117-07:00Usability testing often leaves developers out of the loop until it is too late.Developers often have key insights that are left out of usability research projects. For example, a usability test might generate great recommendations that are not technically feasible. So bridging the gap between the user expectations and technical feasibility becomes difficult.Share your thought about how to Thedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3730091844162940613.post-32306859817596119152005-10-03T03:34:00.000-07:002009-04-12T21:30:51.117-07:00Making it EasyFolks,Today am planning to share the "Key principles of user centred design". They are not 'hard-and-fast' and can be tailored to suit specific interaction needs.Key principles of user centred design:---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1. Design for the users and their tasks2. Be consistent3. Use simple and natural dialogue4. Reduce Thedfactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280151589946351331noreply@blogger.com0