Wouldn't it be easier...

Wouldn't it be easier to place the BLUE window over the (BLUE) month, and then the BLACK window will show the (BLACK) replacement month?

What does "deluxe" really mean?

Should I ask for my money back?

Genius

How is it that kids who can't remember to brush their teeth, where their shoes are, or to say, "thank you" can remember every single Pokémon character and intimate details of its powers?

Has someone done a psychological study of the genius of Pokémon?

Honestly.

User Instructions (Child in Training) II

Today's holiday gift request:

I also want a book bundle; Jedi academy training manual, you can draw Star wars, and how to draw the Clone Wars. How to get to the training guide and you can draw star wars, go to starwars.com and go to shop at the top then go to star wars at the top again and click on star wars. then look on the LEFT side and scroll down until you find BOOKS & COMICS then search on that bar for SOURCE/GUIDE BOOKS then click on that and search for it. to find the clone wars how to draw book do the same except click on clone wars at the top.
Love,Joe
thanks!

It's helpful to have all the instructions for accessing the gifts.

User Instructions (Child in Training)

I got this in my e-mail today, from some child I know:

Your friend Joseph has sent you an email about StarWarsShop.com.

*Comment:
I want at least a $30.00 gift certificate for Christmas. Oh and I want it from starwarsshop.com. Just go to Starwars.com and click on the top bar there is a shop button click on that. Then there will be a side bar scroll down on the mouse until you see a button that will say gift certificates click on it. Then select $30.00 or more. For the name select Obi-wan Kenobi. May the force be with you, Obi-wan Kejoebi

I suspect Obi-wan Kejoebi is related to Obi-wan Kenobi, and I'm very happy to have received such detailed instructions for how to accomplish the specific task (of $30.00 or more).

Signage

I saw a stairwell recently with a sign posted clearly at the top: "Warning: Slippery Stairwell". I wonder how much it cost to find and post a sign, versus simply making the stairwell less slippery.

So often we do the same thing when developing applications: present warnings and errors rather than designing to eliminate the errors to begin with.

Usability Testing: Quotable Quotes

My colleague and I recently conducted one-on-one usability tests over several days for an internal project. The tests were very productive and revealed findings that helped our client make some informed design decisions.

During the week, we had many "quotable quotes" from the participants. One of my favorites was the following helpful tip: "You know what you should do? You should talk to a bunch of different people about how they would use this, because everyone is going to have a different perspective."

Say...wish we had thought of that!