Episodes

  • WTF is usability anyway?
    Jul 15 2018

    Andrew & David discuss what we mean by usability, user experience (UX), & talk about norman doors & the importance of an easy website checkout.

    The Unusable podcast is presented by Andrew Waite & David Ball, who discuss the importance of user experience (UX) in technology & the world around us, & talk about great design that just works - or moan about it when it doesn't. Here's the link to the episode: https://podcast.theunusable.com/podcasts/001-unusable-podcast-usability.mp3 Music is by [Gold5472](https://gold5472.newgrounds.com/)
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    22 mins
  • Killed by bad usability
    Jul 22 2018

    In this episode Andrew & David discuss when bad usability or UX has had horrible consequences, like misdiagnosis, accidents & radiation leak. Also Andy's annoying coffee machine & David's useless microwave.

    Here's the link to the episode: 002-unusable-podcast-killed-by-bad-usability.mp3

    Links to things we talked about: https://medium.com/tragic-design/how-bad-ux-killed-jenny-ef915419879e https://www.quora.com/What-are-some-examples-of-bad-design-that-killed-someone

    Music is by Gold5472

    The Unusable podcast is presented by Andrew Waite & David Ball, who discuss the importance of user experience (UX) in technology & the world around us, & talk about great design that just works - or moan about it when it doesn't. Here's the link to the episode: https://podcast.theunusable.com/podcasts/002-unusable-podcast-killed-by-bad-usability.mp3 Music is by [Gold5472](https://gold5472.newgrounds.com/)
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    51 mins
  • Unusable measurements
    Sep 1 2018

    In this episode Andrew & David discuss units of measurements (including time & length) and how unnecessarily complicated they are. Also there's a brief discussion about how babies should be measured, David talks about how showers should work, and Andy talks about touchscreen drinks dispensers.

    Links to things mentioned:

    • A shower with only a "stop" button, but no "start"
    The Unusable podcast is presented by Andrew Waite & David Ball, who discuss the importance of user experience (UX) in technology & the world around us, & talk about great design that just works - or moan about it when it doesn't. Here's the link to the episode: https://podcast.theunusable.com/podcasts/003-unusable-measurements.mp3 Music is by [Gold5472](https://gold5472.newgrounds.com/)
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    49 mins
  • Road signs are confusing
    Sep 23 2018

    In this episode of the Unusable Podcast, Andrew & David discuss road signs and instructions that are confusing, and cause more problems than they solve. They also discuss:

    • Should roadsigns be replaced by emojis?
    • Andy’s bad experience ordering at KFC using a touchscreen
    • None pizza with left beef
    • The complications of imperial vs metric (again)
    • A terrible conversation with a Tomtom

    Links mentioned:

    • Young drivers understand emoji roadsigns better
    • Andy can't get corn
    • None pizza with left beef
    • Photos of our own pizza on Twitter
    • Photos of the "stay in lane now" sign on Twitter
    The Unusable podcast is presented by Andrew Waite & David Ball, who discuss the importance of user experience (UX) in technology & the world around us, & talk about great design that just works - or moan about it when it doesn't. Here's the link to the episode: https://podcast.theunusable.com/podcasts/004-road-signs-are-confusing.mp3 Music is by [Gold5472](https://gold5472.newgrounds.com/)
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    52 mins
  • History of computer graphical interfaces & the future of natural UI
    Nov 1 2018

    In this episode of the Unusable Podcast, Andrew & David talk about the history of computer user interfaces and early computers, where UI is heading in the future with natural interfaces, and Andy has a frustrating experience with a parking machine.

    Other things we discussed:

    • The Bombe
    • Why keyboards are QUERTY
    • Amiga Workbench GUI
    • The difficulty of having 2 Google Homes in the same room
    • Not all voice interface is natural UI
    • Mercedes' voice control joke

    Links mentioned:

    • The Bombe
    • Natural User Interfaces – What are they and how do you design user interfaces that feel natural?
    • Photos of the Xerox Alto computer with a portrait screen
    • Photos of the Amiga workbench GUI
    • A Short History of Computer User Interface Design
    The Unusable podcast is presented by Andrew Waite & David Ball, who discuss the importance of user experience (UX) in technology & the world around us, & talk about great design that just works - or moan about it when it doesn't. Here's the link to the episode: https://podcast.theunusable.com/podcasts/005-graphical-user-interface-history.mp3 Music is by [Gold5472](https://gold5472.newgrounds.com/)
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    57 mins
  • Getting tricked online by UI dark patterns
    Nov 22 2018

    In this episode of the Unusable Podcast, Andrew & David discuss "dark patterns" which are tricks that get customers to buy more in websites & apps. We talk about actual examples & get distracted on Wish.com by all the cheap tat from China.

    Other things we discussed:

    • Ryanair insurance deception
    • GDPR banner buttons
    • Advert banners that try to trick you
    • The cheap tat on Wish.com
    • Dodgy sales tactics
    • Xbox One updates
    • TV with progress bar

    Links mentioned:

    • Dark Patterns some examples to watch out for (YouTube video)
    • 5 Naughty Conversion ‘Dark Patterns’ to Avoid in 2018 (+ What To Do Instead!)
    • Wish.com
    The Unusable podcast is presented by Andrew Waite & David Ball, who discuss the importance of user experience (UX) in technology & the world around us, & talk about great design that just works - or moan about it when it doesn't. Here's the link to the episode: https://podcast.theunusable.com/podcasts/006-dark-patterns.mp3 Music is by [Gold5472](https://gold5472.newgrounds.com/)
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    42 mins
  • Do cultural differences affect usability?
    Dec 16 2018

    Cultures differ around the world - does that mean user interfaces should differ too? We talk about how companies have failed to reach international audiences & some funny cultural blunders!

    Other things we talk about:

    • Right-to-left language translation
    • Ebay’s inconsistent user interface
    • Bad product name translation fails
    • Using chip & pin and contactless payments in America
    • Andy reviews the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H9i, & the Sony WH-1000XM3
    • Physical shops are failing at the single advantage they have over online shops

    Articles we mentioned: International Usability Testing - https://www.nngroup.com/articles/international-usability-testing/

    Products we talked about:

    • Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H9i Noise cancelling headphones https://amzn.to/2QX6EJN
    • Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones https://amzn.to/2Qx21H0
    • Bose QuietComfort 35 (Series II) Wireless Headphones https://amzn.to/2PE1IVL
    The Unusable podcast is presented by Andrew Waite & David Ball, who discuss the importance of user experience (UX) in technology & the world around us, & talk about great design that just works - or moan about it when it doesn't. Here's the link to the episode: https://podcast.theunusable.com/podcasts/007-cultural-differences.mp3 Music is by [Gold5472](https://gold5472.newgrounds.com/)
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    38 mins
  • Design Crimes From 2018
    Jan 11 2019

    Bad design from 2018, plus other usability problems, dark patterns, how a computer forced David into an encounter with a naked man & the origins of the PlayStation buttons.

    Other things we talk about:

    • Dongles
    • Bad usability prevents Americans from voting
    • How the hamburger menu is horrible
    • A urinal game
    • A building that injures people
    • A terrible robot shop assistant
    • A computer forces David into an encounter with a naked man
    • The origins of the PlayStation buttons
    • Inclusive design

    Links mentioned:

    • The worst design crimes of 2018)
    • T-Mobile Slapped With A $40 Million Fine For Its Deceptive Design)
    • Banish the Hamburger Menu, Adopt Pizza Menus
    The Unusable podcast is presented by Andrew Waite & David Ball, who discuss the importance of user experience (UX) in technology & the world around us, & talk about great design that just works - or moan about it when it doesn't. Here's the link to the episode: https://podcast.theunusable.com/podcasts/008-design-crimes-from-2018.mp3 Music is by [Gold5472](https://gold5472.newgrounds.com/)
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    49 mins