Interactive TV not Suitable for Government Services, warns Analysts

Computer Weekly reports that analysts have criticised the Government's investment in digital television as an unsuitable medium for the vast majority of public services.

Bringing 'UK Online' to digital TV is part of the Government's aim to have public services available online by 2005. The citizens' portal has already been launched on Sky will be offered on cable channels NTL and Telewest.

Chris Tant, managing analyst at research firm Datamonitor, told Computer Weekly the Government should not be focusing on iTV platforms at all.

'I do not think iTV is a suitable medium for the vast majority of government services,' he told them. 'Firstly, there are a number of technical limitations, such as the extremely limited bandwidth of DTT, and secondly, iTV is all about leisure and entertainment, not factual, dry public service programming.'

A spokesman for the Office of the E-envoy, which is in charge of the UK Online initiative, disagreed and insisted there was demand for government services on iTV. 'It is appropriate for UK Online to be delivered on a range of platforms and devices,' he replied.

'We have been overwhelmed by feedback from thousands of members of the public who said they rate the service and like getting access to government services where they might not have been able to do so online.'

However, Tant questioned whether there would be any demand from non-internet users. 'Even if you do not have the Internet at home you can get online in public libraries or Internet cafes,' he said. 'If someone does not want to access the internet at all you have to question whether they will want to check social security information or book a GP via iTV.'

His concerns correspond with others who have questioned how to bring those most needing public services into contact with them in mediated forms.

All change at the top for System Concepts
Source: System Concepts Ltd, 3 July 2009
 
Leslie Fountain has been promoted to joint Managing Director of leading usability consultancy System Concepts.

Life in UCD immortalised in fiction: you couldn't make it up
Source: UN, 2 July 2009
 
Sarah Herman's fictitious book on life in a user-centred design company has hit the shelves and The Guardian's book pages...

Interfaces Magazine - Issue 79: The Education Issue
Source: Interaction Group, 1 July 2009
 
The latest issue of Interfaces is now available as a free download from the Interaction Website.

Two new Behavioural research Tools from Noldus
Source: UN, 30 June 2009
 
Tool updates make on-site behavioural data collection easier.

Cell Phones that Listen and Learn
Source: MIT Technology Review, 29 June 2009
 
New software tracks a user's behavior by monitoring everyday sounds.

Top Six Don’ts for Usability Testing
Source: FutureNow Inc., 27 June 2009
 
Six tips for creating quality usability tests to ensure useful feedback from testers.

Usability: ‘Lovely software. But I can’t work it’
Source: FT.com, 26 June 2009
 
In a recent survey by Global Graphics, 77 per cent of office workers estimate they lose up to one hour a week because business software is difficult to use.

And what do you do?
Source: Dexo Design, 25 June 2009
 
How do you describe your job role? Here are the results of a recent 'Preferred UX/UI Title' Poll.

Most Doctors cite Usability as critical to Electronic Health Record Adoption
Source: TMCNet, 24 June 2009
 
It's all about 'meaningful use'.

Glossy monitors look good but can hurt
Source: QUT, 23 June 2009
 
A new advisory cites research which suggests high gloss monitors make users sit awkwardly.