For questions involving physical interfaces and interactions with "real world" objects.
6
votes
8answers
337 views
Order of physical controls: volume down, volume up, mute
My speaker has 3 physical buttons in this order:
volume down
volume up
mute
I find the order quite illogical, I would expect:
volume up
volume down
mute
Is there any convention on the ...
6
votes
2answers
245 views
Keyboard shortcuts on non-QWERTY keyboard layouts
I've been using the Dvorak keyboard layout for a few years, and something that's always bothered me is keyboard shortcuts. On a QWERTY keyboard copy and paste are conveniently positioned as Ctrl+C and ...
6
votes
3answers
230 views
Why are AC adapters (wall warts) designed to block adjacent AC outlets?
The AC adapters for a lot of equipment seem to be specifically designed to block the AC outlets around it (this is in the US).
Is this a safety feature to minimize the power to that outlet or just ...
6
votes
5answers
371 views
How useful is this coffee cup “hot contents” warning?
I came across this on Dan Pink's blog.
This caption on a coffee cup is supposed to serve as a warning sign to caution people that the coffee is hot and care must be taken to avoid burns.
The ...
6
votes
3answers
153 views
How to handle settings which can be both set mechanically and via a computer?
I develop a device, which can be configured via a handful of binary settings. These can be set with mechanical switches (of course, internally they are evaluated electronically)
However, optionally, ...
6
votes
2answers
408 views
Is there any research available about the speed of working with a mouse vs. working with a trackpad?
I ask this because of a friend who never hooks up a mouse to his laptop because he claims he can work just as fast with a trackpad as with a mouse.
My personal experience is the other way around. I ...
5
votes
4answers
458 views
One charger for all cell phones
I'm sure you all have experienced the same problem. The scenario is simple. You have forgotten to take your cell phone's charger with you, and your phone is going to be turned off, because it lacks ...
5
votes
4answers
851 views
Should a light switch be small or big, or does this depend on other factors?
Small and big light switch compared:
It's strange that this usually differs by country. The big ones are easier to hit, but the small ones provide better feedback (if you don't immediately see the ...
5
votes
2answers
213 views
Steps on stairs in groups of 8
I have noticed than most buildings with stairs, seem to group into 8 steps or 16 before each break, unless the total of steps are for example 6 or 10 and more/less steps would mean too high or too low ...
4
votes
5answers
278 views
Why do physical keyboards still have built-in numpads?
Normally I use a wireless keyboard without a number pad and a mouse right next to it. Having started a new job, I was finding my right arm somewhat more sore. This was confusing until I realized:
...
4
votes
5answers
390 views
Maximum set of stairs users are willing to climb before needing an elevator
I know this question has many variables related to ones own ambition / physical condition, but I'm wondering if you were to have a multi story building, what would be the maximum set of stairs a user ...
4
votes
5answers
167 views
How can the mode of a car's transmission be made more clear?
In a car, if you press the accelerator it can do one of three things:
make the car go forward.
make the car go backward.
not move the car at all.
The result depends on what gear the car is in, but ...
4
votes
4answers
1k views
Why did Google opt-out of hardware buttons for Nexus devices?
Are there any real UX reasons to remove hardware buttons from Android Nexus devices?
In above Nexus 4 the bottom part is wasted space - won't adding buttons like menu/back/home make it more ...
4
votes
3answers
2k views
Why is the accelerator pedal different
The question is in reference to cars.
The accelerator pedal is more elongated than the other two and usually softer as well. Why?
4
votes
3answers
323 views
Air keyboard - does it exist?
Is there some kinect-like device with an application that lets users type in the air and reads what keys they would have typed, were there a keyboard? Even a prototype or a research effort?
It ...
4
votes
2answers
98 views
Conditioning users
Playing around with my heat in my new vw gti ;), I noticed when you press the heated seats button once, it's starts you off with maximum greatness (3 / 3) press it again it goes down ( 2 / 3) (1 / 3) ...
4
votes
4answers
159 views
Controls on moving controls?
It hit me today when driving home from work turning right in a highly busy crossing. I wanted to lower the music volume but couldn’t find the control without looking. On previous cars I’ve owned, the ...
4
votes
2answers
88 views
Does having WiFi spots and similar equipment visible improve user experience?
Suppose I'm planning an office or a restaurant or a city. I need to plan where I have wireless communication spots installed. Those may be WiFi spots or cell towers or DECT phone spots.
I've planned ...
3
votes
2answers
231 views
Self Service Checkouts [closed]
I have, in the last few months, had to endure these hideous devices. I dislike them because I find them intensely patronising "Invalid item in bagging area" - no it isn't, it is the item you have just ...
3
votes
1answer
145 views
How could you design a dishwasher to always be able to tell whether the dishes are clean or dirty? [closed]
One problem my roommates and I have is figuring out whether the dishes are dirty or clean. How could you design a dishwasher to always tell whether the dishes inside are clean or dirty? How can we ...
2
votes
3answers
162 views
Is this a Mapping or Visibility issue?
I am thinking about whether my faucet has an issue with mapping, or visibility.
I searched for the shower button for 5 minutes! Can you find the mechanism to turn on the shower (rather than have ...
2
votes
3answers
487 views
What is the best user interface you have ever used/seen in real-world or real-world objects? [closed]
Exclude all web/mobile/application/computer software interfaces.
2
votes
1answer
105 views
Is the label orientation on this product a message from the manufacturer?
I posted a question on the DIY SE site, and it was recommended that maybe a part of it would be better asked here.
Consider these two outlets:
The blue WR logo indicates that the outlet is ...
2
votes
2answers
199 views
Wireframing hardware dashboards/control panels - best practice
For an upcoming customer project, I will be dealing with control center UI, including visualization on-screen software, but also hardware control panels and dashboards.
The project emphasizes on ...
1
vote
2answers
132 views
Newspaper design
Why hasn't the traditional newspaper design changed much in years? Wouldn't they be easier to hold and read if newspapers were smaller and more book-like?
I am guessing that the newspapers are ...
1
vote
2answers
83 views
Where are the most optimal places to put laptop speakers?
I got one of these computers for Christmas. Overall, I thought it was a pretty average laptop....
...except for one thing, the speakers. The speakers are placed at the lower left and right hand ...
1
vote
2answers
102 views
Headlight and Indicators on the handlebar OR on the front panel of the Scooter that you drive?
There are 3 designs existing now:
Headlight and indicator lights both on the handle.
Headlight on the handle but indicator lights on the front panel.
Headlight and indicator lights both on the front ...
1
vote
1answer
38 views
Applying research on the ‘signposting’ of categories in a system with a large number of different items - to a physical world environment
Does any body know of either:
1 / Any research which looks at the best ways to categorise and signpost items in a system with a large number of items ? (This could be in a standard software ...
0
votes
2answers
154 views
Designing UX for an In Vehicle Infotainment system
I am working on an In Vehicle Infotainment System. This is one particular use case I am finding difficult to think in terms of UX :
There is an IVI system attached in car which can take commands ...
0
votes
0answers
108 views
Which way makes it hotter? [closed]
There are so many designs of faucets out there, practically all of them quite adequate to use, I just had to raise the question "What were they thinking?" on this one.
Dual-handle faucets are quite ...
0
votes
0answers
63 views
Suggestions for a Building Architecture Book covering the User Experience Perspective [closed]
I'd like suggestions for a building architecture book** covering UX ? (since we've had a few questions recently on aspects of the built environment).
(**not websites - but a reference book - with a ...
0
votes
0answers
112 views
RTU card of SCADA systems [closed]
In most of electrical SCADA systems, RTU (Remote Terminal Unit) panels are very common in power transmission & distribution companies. There are several cards inside each RTU panel, some are ...
-3
votes
2answers
84 views
How to create effective experiences/emotion to change punctured tyres for a car? [closed]
Keeping climate, location and gender into consideration, the mechanism of changing punctured tyres have not seen greater changes? Still it takes energy,effort and time, moreover awful experience ...
