Media: Constraining the User to the System

The article "Consumers' rights given little respect" by Dan Gillmor on SiliconValley.com takes readers through the battle between digital entertainment manufacturers, in particular the console-makers, and the producers of chips to modify the functionality of the hardware.

At the moment, the action is in the courts of Hong Kong, having already been in Australia where the console-makers lost.

As Gillmor says: 'Suppose all the companies that manufactured cars informed customers, in the fine print of the purchase contract, that they could only have the car serviced and repaired at a company-owned dealership. Suppose, further, that the automakers enforced this rule by installing electronic hood-locks that could be opened only by dealers with authorized hardware and software keys - and then sued out of existence anyone selling an unauthorized key. You'd call your member of Congress to complain. And Congress would pass a law prohibiting such a blatantly anti-competitive, anti-customer practice.' I'm not sure the whole world would call Congress, but the point is a good one.

Associated Link: SiliconValley.com: Consumers' rights given little respect

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
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Tool updates make on-site behavioural data collection easier.

Cell Phones that Listen and Learn
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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?
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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.