Monday, February 18, 2002
The truth about Mobile Usability
Posted by Tycho Morgan in "THOUGHT" @ 12:22 PM
When people talk about the usability of mobile technology, and in fact of computers in general, it seems that an undue focus is placed on the capabilities of the software and hardware solutions. This I find often paints a rather unrealistic view of the real world usability. The best method for exploring usability is to examine your usage patterns with Pocket PCs (or any other form of technology for that matter), and compare these patterns to usage of other devices (paper, desktop computers, etc.). This is also the best way to work on improving usability: evaluate your usage patterns to determine what needs to be improved or enhanced.
For example, allow me to take a look at my usage patterns. Here's what I do in a notebook or on my desktop computer that I don't do with my Jornada:
•Compose weblog entries
•Make lists of Tasks and Future web log entries.
•Post Weblog entries
•Write fiction
•Edit/Revise Writing
•Web Design
I use my Jornada to:
•Compose weblog entries
•Organize my Schedule
•Read and Write email
•Take Notes
I'd like to be able to do more of my writing and editing on the Jornada, as well as really get some web design work done when I'm not at home. But the truth is that I don't care all that much about Pocket Excel or mobile connectivity because the truth is that I don't really have any use for either.
In order to make my Pocket PC more usable I would need a more effective method for entering data on the run (Thumb keyboard possibly?), coupled with more effective list making, and web design software; as well as a beefier version of Pocket Word. To enhance anything more than that would be overkill (for me). In the area of services, I'd like to see viable content management systems (CMSs) become more PDA friendly. Again, I don't really need streaming video, or any other whiz-bang this or that.
At the heart, this is what usability is. Making the equipment and software that you use day in and day out perform all of the tasks that you need it to without hassle, obscure work around solutions, and with sufficient reliability.
What is your opinion of the usability of your Pocket PC?
For example, allow me to take a look at my usage patterns. Here's what I do in a notebook or on my desktop computer that I don't do with my Jornada:
•Compose weblog entries
•Make lists of Tasks and Future web log entries.
•Post Weblog entries
•Write fiction
•Edit/Revise Writing
•Web Design
I use my Jornada to:
•Compose weblog entries
•Organize my Schedule
•Read and Write email
•Take Notes
I'd like to be able to do more of my writing and editing on the Jornada, as well as really get some web design work done when I'm not at home. But the truth is that I don't care all that much about Pocket Excel or mobile connectivity because the truth is that I don't really have any use for either.
In order to make my Pocket PC more usable I would need a more effective method for entering data on the run (Thumb keyboard possibly?), coupled with more effective list making, and web design software; as well as a beefier version of Pocket Word. To enhance anything more than that would be overkill (for me). In the area of services, I'd like to see viable content management systems (CMSs) become more PDA friendly. Again, I don't really need streaming video, or any other whiz-bang this or that.
At the heart, this is what usability is. Making the equipment and software that you use day in and day out perform all of the tasks that you need it to without hassle, obscure work around solutions, and with sufficient reliability.
What is your opinion of the usability of your Pocket PC?
