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Alastair Campbell | 2 Jun 2003 12:41
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Re: JavaScript

> The issue about the voice browser not coping with js is a
> significant one. Does anyone know if it is likely to be
> compliant in the future, or even if it's possible?

Um, which voice browser is that?  If you mean screen reader, they tend
to use whatever version of IE is on the system. (That covers JAWS,
Windows Eyes and others. IBM's HAL is the only popular speech browser,
but since it doesn't cover the whole computer system it isn't used by
blind users as much.)

Therefore javascript works for screenreaders, so long as it is not
dependent on the use of a mouse. "Device independence" is the aim, so
the law isn't going to crack down on not making a site work with a voice
browser, but it might if you use platform specific functions.

The worst case scenario for well coded javascript is that you have to
add an "onkey" event to the "onmouse" event, and even that is unlikely
because focusing on an element and pressing enter serves the same
function as clicking with the mouse.

-Alastair

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Omar Vasnaik | 16 Jun 2003 18:07
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'Workflow' terminology

Hello,
I am designing a portal which has a portlet called 'My Workflows'. When I
use the word Workflows. I'm trying to make it descriptive about the
following:

The automation of a business process, in whole or part, during which
documents, information or tasks are passed from one participant* to another
for action, according to a set of procedural rules.  *participant =
resource (human or machine)

When I did a cognitive walkthrough of my prototype with users, one out of
12 users understood the term Workflow. Obviously the term 'Workflow' is non-
descriptive. I was wondering if someone can help me provide alternatives.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Omar

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David Heller | 16 Jun 2003 18:21

Re: 'Workflow' terminology

Hi Omar,

What you receive is not the entire workflow. A user only receives the tasks
of a workflow that itself contains the artifacts that are being passed
through that workflow.

In Documentum we put workflow tasks in an "Inbox", but I could easily see
putting it in an area called "My Tasks" (actually I think I have a prototype
w/ that idea.)

How this helps.

-- dave

-----Original Message-----
From: Omar Vasnaik [mailto:ovasnaik <at> VT.EDU]
Sent: Monday, June 16, 2003 9:07 AM
To: UCD <at> listserv.SYNTAGM.CO.UK
Subject: 'Workflow' terminology

Hello,
I am designing a portal which has a portlet called 'My Workflows'. When I
use the word Workflows. I'm trying to make it descriptive about the
following:

The automation of a business process, in whole or part, during which
documents, information or tasks are passed from one participant* to another
for action, according to a set of procedural rules.  *participant = resource
(human or machine)
(Continue reading)

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Vanessa Wolfe-Coote | 17 Jun 2003 15:07
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Re: 'Workflow' terminology

Hi Omar / David

I have had 2 experiences with a similar problem...

In one case, the users were very happy with the concept of an 'Inbox' and
'Outbox', being familiar with the like of Outlook.

In the other, they were not very familiar with email tools and English was
their 2nd language. These users worked in a call centre, where they had to
track calls. The phrase that was chosen in the end and was most understood
by the users was 'Things to track'.

Hope this helps!
Vanessa

Vanessa Wolfe-Coote
Information Architect

_________________________________________________________________
Find a cheaper internet access deal - choose one to suit you.
http://www.msn.co.uk/internetaccess

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William Hudson | 20 Jun 2003 17:12
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Value Network Model

I stumbled on this article from New Media Daily about how current
approaches in product development don't really take the needs of
consumers into account:
http://www.newmediazero.com/nmz/story.asp?id=242343
(you may have to register to get access, for which I apologize in
advance).

The author goes on to talk about using a value network model as a
solution and the "ongoing needs of the consumer". It sounds almost
user-centred! Does anyone know anything else about this? Are there
better sources of information? (The article includes no illustrations so
it is a little tricky to visualize at some points.)

Regards,

William Hudson
Syntagm Ltd
Design for Usability
US Toll Free 1-866-SYNTAGM
UK 01235-522859
World +44-1235-522859
mailto:whudson <at> syntagm.co.uk
http://www.syntagm.co.uk

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Peter Boersma | 20 Jun 2003 18:26

Re: Value Network Model

William wrote [about: http://www.newmediazero.com/nmz/story.asp?id=242343]
> The author goes on to talk about using a value network model as a
> solution and the "ongoing needs of the consumer". It sounds almost
> user-centred!

Quote: "Being referred to as the end user or the end consumer implies that
these users have no place in the development process except at the very end
when the product is presented to them."

As far as I can tell, the article explains that companies that develop and
market products can do WITHOUT user centered design by putting the end-user
somewhere far away in a corner and relying on intermediaries to sell and
resell the products. Each intermediary has its own system for adding value,
most of which are not focussed on end-user needs.

Quote: "Redefining the model as the value network is an initial step towards
realising how the component elements of the pyramid structure can work more
effectively. This requires greater emphasis on the ongoing needs of the
consumer and how mobile technology can be used to satisfy them. The value
network is essentially a networked group of companies centred on the
consumer."

At my former company we developed The Mobile Value Web(TM), which did indeed
maps consumer needs against added value for different parties in the web (in
the mobile world: handset manufacturers, access suppliers and services
suppliers). I'm sure they can tell you more abou that if you ask ;-)

Peter
--
Peter Boersma, Senior Information Architect, EzGov
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