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

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

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"

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

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

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

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

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