Bad usability usually leads colossal losses for product manufacturers. This seemingly basic concept is the key to enhancing user experience and increasing product sales. The point being: if it isn’t easy to use, why should anyone use/buy it?
Let’s take a few examples to understand what usability is and why it is important. Do you know what the following sign depicts?
You probably got it right without much thought. This is one of the goals of usability: Complete the task or tasks without making the user think too much. This is an example of high usability. Now let’s look at another example, do you know what the following sign is trying to communicate?
It’s obvious that the designer of this signage is trying to convey, “When there is a fire, do not use the elevators, rather use the stairs”. Now, imagine you are in a building which is on fire and you see this sign. As it takes more time to read, you’d probably use the drawings to understand the message.
The top and middle drawings are self-explanatory. However, the stairs image is where you, a person trying to escape, might take a while to decipher. Why? Well…the sign doesn’t tell you which way to go. It shows a person going downstairs, while there is another person going upstairs. In a real fire situation, this would lead to chaos and a safety nightmare! This is an example of low usability and the consequences it can lead too can be drastic.
What is Usability?
Usability refers how easily a user can interact with a product to perform a certain task. Considering how broad this definition is, it is not surprising that usability is applicable to many products and processes, such as signage, software, books, web sites, and household products.
Usability is very common in everyday life. For example, do you remember how difficult it was to record your favorite programs by using a VCR or how easy it can be to purchase a product from a web site that has no usability errors? I’m sure you’ve had your fair share of usability related issues.
Before you read on, take a minute to list your favorite products and web sites. Three each will do.
When is a Product or Web Site Usable?
There are several factors that can be considered for gauging the usability of a product. The key factors are:
Easy to learn: Users should intuitively know how to use the product and its features. The last thing you want is to have a user read through pages and pages of a user manual.
Memorable: After using the system, users should be able to re-use the system without going through the manuals again.
Satisfaction: Users should appreciate using the system. It should be a pleasurable experience.
Now, look back at the list you created. Odds are that the items you’ve listed excel at the factors listed above.
Usability is the key to making successful products and web sites.
~Rupen Sharma
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See Right Through
Ever find yourself trying to create a "cut-out" or frame effect for a PowerPoint slide? (One shape inside another with the inside shape "see thru" to the slide's background).
Maybe something like this?
If this is something you've wished you could do then I've got good news for you - you can and it's easier than you may have every imagined.
Obviously, the first step is to create the shapes you're going to use for your cutout.
Since it's the inside shape we're looking to make into the cut-out it's the one we must direct out attention to.
To create this "see thru" effect we simply need to set the shape's fill to the background fill. Fortunately, this doesn't mean trying to match colors or search out patterns… we simply tell PowerPoint to use the background and it will.
So, here's where we find the setting for background fill.
Older versions of PowerPoint:
Right-click on the shape and choose Format AutoShape.
On the Colors and Lines tab of the Format AutoShape dialog box you need the Fill section.
Click the down arrow to the right of the current fill color.
At the bottom of the list you should find Background… choose it.
Click OK to exit to your presentation.
PowerPoint 2007:
Right-click on the shape and choose Format Shape.
You'll be presented with this Format Shape dialog box. Go to the Fill category (chosen from the list on the left side.)
Choose Slide background fill and click Close to return to your presentation.
And that's it… when you place this shape over another it will appear to be see thru.
Oh… and one more really cool thing… if you move the shape around you'll find that the fill will "move" too. It really is a fill of the background behind the shape exactly as the background appears at any given location.
~ April
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I know our more experienced web users are maybe giggling to themselves at this point, but I tell ya, I get this question a lot. When you come across a link you can't click, copy & paste it into your web browser, then hit Enter . You should be zipped away to the site in question.
But..but...why do I get links I can't click in the first place?
In most cases it has more to do with your e-mail client (program) than the person who sent you the message. For example, AOL won't show a clickable link unless the link is written in HTML code. Older versions of some browsers won't show the link as clickable unless it starts with http://, and the list goes on.
To be sure of reaching your destination, use the above method. Copy the link and paste it into your web browser. No fuss, no muss!
~ Andrew
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How to Change your Power Supply Unit
The Power Supply Unit, or PSU, is the most important part of any PC, powering each section of your computer, it is essential to make sure it is running smoothly.
There might be multiple reasons for you to change your PSU, but the most common would be that you want to upgrade, as some higher range graphics cards need more wattage than your current PSU can supply. Another reason would be that your old PSU has died. If you are here, you'll be relieved to hear it's also one of the easiest components to replace.
What you will need to change your PSU:
- One Screwdriver (Generally a phillips head screwdriver, depending on your setup)
- Some Cable Ties (To keep the new PSU's wires together to increase better airflow and minimize the mess)
- One new PSU, and in some situations, a good amount of patience.
How to change your PSU:
- First, what you need to do is disconnect your PC from all of the wires going into the back and unscrew or unlatch your case in order to access the innards
- At this point you'll want to lay your case on its side and get the static electricity out of your body by either touching the bottom of the case or having an Antistatic band available. The reason you need to do this is because under the circumstances there's a high chance you'll be touching some of the computer chips. If the static from your body is released upon the chips it could greatly damage them, so always be sure to get the static out of you before touching anything inside your PC!
- Now here comes the fiddly part, first let's start off with the CD or DVD drives (optical drives).
+ Depending on how many you have you'll want to pull on the cord coming from the PSU going into the back of the drive until it pops out, if you have an older computer, they might be rather hard to pull out but keep pulling at it and eventually they'll come free.
+ What you'll want to do is remember what sort of connector came out of where. It will generally be either a Molex or a SATA connector. Keep this in mind for when you need to reconnect everything. Below are some examples of Molex and SATA connectors.
Molex Connector
SATA Connector
- With the optical drives done, you should move on to the HDD (Hard Disk Drive).
+ And just as with the optical drive, you'll want to pull out the PSU cord going into the back of it.
- OK so far so good, optical and hard disk drives done, so lets go for the floppy disk drive. Like the other components, just pull it out.
- Almost done, now look to the biggest chip in the computer, known as the motherboard. It should have one large connection on it coming from the PSU, this one will have a small latch on it, so before trying to take it out, pull on the small latch until its free and then pull the connector up.
+Depending on your PC, there might another four point connection near the fan on your PSU, this one will also have a latch on it. So like the one before, push on the latch and pull it out.
- With all the connections taken out take your screwdriver and take out the 4-5 screws at the back of your PC case that are holding the PSU in place, it's generally found at the top of the case. It's now safe to remove your PSU from the case.
- Now you'll want to place your new PSU into place, screw it into place. And now connect all the all the connections back into place, you'll want to use your cable ties to keep order inside of your PC.
- Once you have connected everything back up put your case back on and you're ready to go!
~Natasha Shepherd
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Shrink to Fit
Ever have data in MS Excel that's just a bit too long for the cell?
What happened?
Did the column widen to accommodate? Or, maybe you got the infamous ##### to let you know that the number didn't fit. Oh, and let's not forget everyone's favorite: the old "convert the number to scientific notation."
If the results of Excel's attempt to accommodate the large data are not to your satisfaction, here's an alternative you can try to see if you like it any better. (After all, too many columns with extra width may cause problems for printing later on in your day).
Excel has a cell formatting option called "shrink to fit." Its effects on data look like this:
What it does is reduce the font size for the data piece that's too long for the column. (Of course, there are limits and if the data is too long, Excel will also make some of the usual changes).
Also, should you increase the column width, Excel will automatically adjust the font size back up, maxing out at the original font size.
So, how do we "shrink to fit"?
That's a good question, so let's get to that part.
You need to begin by highlighting the cell(s), column(s) or row(s) that need this setting.
Next, we need to open the Format Cells dialog box. (Older version of Excel would use the Format menu, Format Cells choice; Excel 2007 users would need to click the dialog box launcher in the bottom right corner of the Font section on the Home tab of the Ribbon; or... everyone will find that either a Right-click, Format Cells choice or Ctrl + 1 will do just fine.)
At this point, you need to select the Alignment tab.
In the Text Control section, select the Shrink to fit choice.
Click OK.
That's it. Just one more tool to add to your toolbox when you're handling long data in Excel!
~ April
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Q:
How do I record over a CD-RW? I tried to record over it, but that didn't work it says to make it a blank CD first.
A:
We all know the difference between a CD-R and a CD-RW right? Once you fill up a CD-R, that's it, but a CD-RW allows you to re-write data and use the disk over and over again.
Keep in mind, though, that unlike a floppy or Zip disk, you cannot erase just one file from a CD-RW, but must reformat the entire disk to re-use it. The disk makers claim you can do this up to 1000 times (like any of us are gonna try it ;-)
The process for reformatting varies according to your CD burning software, but most programs will have an "Erase Disk" button somewhere.
In addition, as we often mention, Windows XP and Vista have built-in CD burning. If you put in a CD-RW that you want erased, double-click the CD recording drive, then under "CD Writing Tasks", click "Erase this CD-RW". The CD Writing Wizard will walk you through an easy 2-step process giving you a blank CD-RW to use.
REMEMBER: This will delete all files from the CD-RW, you cannot erase single files. There are, however, products out there that make your CD-RW's act like really big floppies.
Oh, did I mention that this tip also applies to DVD-Rs? Well, it does!
~ David
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Core 2 and Core 2 Duo?
Back in the day buying a processor was as simple as looking at the megahertz or gigahertz and purchasing based on the bigger number. I know there's more to it than that like onboard cache and what-not, but in comparison to what we've got to work with today, life seemed simpler back then.
So, for example, what's the difference between Core 2 and Core 2 Duo?
Let's explore!
Core 2 is the successor to Intel's Pentium D line of processors, which was basically two Pentium 4 “Prescott” processors duct-taped together and called Dual Core. Core 2 is this, only with a more refined construction, making it more efficient in terms of both power and consumption of power. This design is perfect for laptops.
Core 2 Duo, on the same hand, is the successor to the Core 2 architecture, but is designed for desktops and laptops. Once again, more powerful and more energy efficient than previous models.
It's just a matter of variants at this point, with the familiar “gigahertz” numbers buried deep within the processor's specifications sheet. You'll see something like Core i7 950, which just so happens to have multiple processors running at 3.06ghz. The next model up, the 965 Extreme, clock in at 3.20ghz per processor. Remember to search the manufacturer's website for more info, and if you're still confused, Wikipedia has some decent information on all of the current processors on the market.
~Andrew
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