Usability warning …
I just had the following conversation with my son:
Felix: I found this really cool racing game on the computer.
Me: What do you have to do?
Felix: You use the forward and sideways arrows to control the car – but I’m not sure yet whether you’re supposed to ram the other cars or race past them.
Me: Why don’t you read the instructions?
Felix: I never read instructions, I just figure it out for myself.
(Felix is 8 yrs old!)
TAKE NOTE intranet system designers!
Yep, my nephew said just the same when he tried a racing game on my Xbox. Just picked up the controller and started playing – within 5 minutes his score was way better than mine (and I of course had read the manual cover to cover).
calluna55
March 9, 2009
I’d let Felix claim my expenses on-line each month if he didn’t insist on taking such a big cut!
richarddennison
March 9, 2009
The instructions are only the creators opinion on how the thing works, anyway.
James
March 10, 2009
I am 41 and I have the same mindset as Felix (prob in more ways than one
. I NEVER read the instructions. It’s like torture. My wife gets so aggravated with me. But for the record, this is not a guy thing. My 14-yr old doesn’t play anything without first reading the instructions. I am obviously not setting a good example for him in this respect (LOL!).
Eric Wilbanks
March 16, 2009
Hello!
Very Interesting post! Thank you for such interesting resource!
PS: Sorry for my bad english, I’v just started to learn this language
See you!
Your, Raiul Baztepo
RaiulBaztepo
March 29, 2009