I design embedded systems. These are the tiny computers that run pretty much everything these days. Often times (although, not always), they will need to interact with humans through some type of display and input devices, like buttons or touch screens. I try to make my devices easy to use and logical in their operation, and as non-irritating as possible. So, when I see devices that are widely deployed (hence, big budget) that have stupid UI bugs, it makes me a bit crazy. Here are two examples:
- I go up to the gas pump, and the first item on the screen is a payment-type choice: 1 for Credit, 2 for Debit.
I choose 1. - The next screen asks me insert my credit card, and I do so.
This takes me to… - A screen that says “1: Credit, 2: Debit”
:smack:
I mean… Really - didn’t anyone even test the UI before it shipped?
#2
I often see credit card acceptors that have both a keypad and a touchscreen. It seems that the UI was designed by different teams, because there are often cases where a sequence of touch-driven events will then ask for a yes/no answer that only works from the hard buttons. It confuses me every time, and it’s obvious from the cashier’s reaction that every single person has the same problem.
Anyone else have stories of flawed UI design?