With the Instructors at HFI
From (L) to (R) Bhooshan, Hemal Gathani and Hitesh Agarwal from HFI
Continue Reading October 23rd, 2005
Usability Workshop - Concluding Day 3
The last day was good in the sense that we got to learn a few concepts about accessibility, internationalization (better known as ‘l18n’), localization and globalisation of websites. The idea of localization is quite exciting wherein one develops websites for an audience of a particular country or region. Coke for instance has developed local websites for India, Japan, Nigeria and UK and all the websites, despite maintaining the branding value of Coke looked different in their content and visuals. They were appealing more towards the local audience of that respective country.
Since today was the last day of the seminar, we had bought out cameras and were merrily clicking some of the final moments of the day and joting down each other’s email IDs. Let’s hope we write to each other frequently and discuss the usability problems which we face in our everyday lives. Also it was time to revisit whatever we did in the past days and a short paper was given to us to solve. Aadesh and myself spent some time with Hemal discussing some websites and the future of usability engineering. This technology, as we all agreed has alreayd found its roots in India and in the coming days more usability engineers would be required to support the IT industry. Meanwhile I had a wonderful at Pizza Hut where Aadesh and I have been going everyday after the seminar gets over. Later also went to Planet M to pick up some DVDs of my favorite hindi movies - Dil Chahta Hai and Hum Tum.
As a parting gift we all decided to stay in touch by starting a group on YAHOO! Groups. I would be happy to moderate such a group which would look at usability objectively. At present though I am thinking about what to call it. Suggest something in the comments if you can :-)
» For pictures of the seminar click here
October 22nd, 2005
Usability Workshop - Day 2
The day was supposed to have been a lengthy one. Some of the outstation participants had to go early tomorrow and hence a huge chunk of the portion had to be completed today. Today’s topics were quite interesting - Writing Content for the Web, Typography, Using Web Controls, Design for Web Applications, Use of Graphics and Colours. The discussions are always conjoined with an exercise and it helps to remember things. We also take time out and review some website in conjunction with whatever is being taught currently.Since the workshop was now 24 hours old we had the opportunity to know about each other in the lunch time. Shalaka and Sanjyoti both work for Cognizant at Pune. Shalaka is a multi-faceted personality and has done a lot of study in numerous fields inlcuding painting landscapes. She’s working for Cognizant’s Banking domain as a designer and was here to know more about usability. Sanjyoti is an HTML developer for the insurance practice and it was a pleasure talking to her. Abhijeet Gore works for Microsoft in India as a project manager and we invariably hurl some potshots at each other in the name of our businesses. He was kind enough to show us all the new Internet Explorer 7 Beta on his trendy Toshiba ’swiveltop’ (a laptop with a swivelling screen). Cool machine I must say. Another set of wonderful people are a couple from Hyderabad Bhavin and Deeptha Doshi. I told Bhavin he’s a ‘corrupted’ gujju because his english is very pure and the typical accent is not there and he laughed. Both Deeptha and Bhavin work for Singularity for the past 5 years. I plan to take some pictures of the participants tomorrow and let’s hope for the best.
The only logical complaint that I would have about the workshop is the venue which is Powai. Yesterday it took nearly 2 and a half hours to reach Borivli and today was the same story again. The manuals which I have got at the course as curriculum are pretty extensive and heavy and hence I have kept them at the venue itself. I would bring them tomorrow as the workshop ends itself.
October 21st, 2005
Usability Workshop - Day 1
The seminar that I am thankful I am attending is titled “The Science and Art of Web and Application Design”. It is arranged by Human Factors International at their Powai office. The entire 3 day workshop is conducted by 2 lively instructors Hitesh Agrawal & Hemal Gathani (who refused to be called as ‘instructors’).The workshop started on a very light note and the basic rule which was to be followed throughout the course was to have fun. That, according to Hitesh would be the only way we all wil remember the course teachings. After a round of introductions we finally began the course. There are in all 15 participants which makes the course really intuitive and interactive in real sense. Out of the designers there are a few people who are not from the profession but are handling day-to-day creative jobs and have attended the course to get an idea of what usability is all about. People from companies like Microsoft, CIngular, Patni, ICICI, Mastek, FCB-Ulka, etc. have been attending this workshop.
The course material is extensive and we all are given exercises to complete after one set of instructions are taught. I am now familiar with a lot of terminologies which weren’t heard by me and I am going to physically apply these to my work when I return.Certain navigation systems which are actually named and the difference between na page type and a template. We were also shown some good and bad examples of usability in websites and I was quite happy to participate in the reviews. It will be a new era of sorts for me now that I have learnt the science of application and web design. The courseware as I said is extensive and I will try and share with you some of the good principles of usability that I learnt at the workshop which ends on Saturday.
October 20th, 2005
SurfUnion’s Greatest Challenge Ever
When we started out on a small scale we had fewer people with fewer expectations. That was because we were the first Indian Designer’s forum to rise on the indian internet horizon. The admins were focussed and dedicated and everyone was passionate about their new invention. I was personally involved with every decision making proces and ensured the smooth running of the boards along with the rest of the admins. That was then.Today as newer boards spring on the scene we are faced with newer challenges to upgrade and diversify, introduce newer topics and categories to pull in members. develop webpages to keep everyone interested & informed about the latest happenings on SurfUnion. Members who were once loyal to us have gone into hibernation and those who have settled down are posing a threat to our very existence by creating impedements. The other admins (LimeIce, Ryche, Kreativ, FlashKid, RanTen, Bane, Buttclencher) have undergone huge changes in their personal and professional lives and they can’t be blamed for their absence from SurfBoard.
We were able to stem the discontent amongst the members to some extent. MegaMeets were a platform for people to exchange ideas and network. That however changed when the MegaMeet 3 bombed miserably. We couldn’t muster even 25 members to hold a seminar/workshop. My only concern is the lack of manpower to carry forward the initiatives set by the members. I must honestly confess to not possessing the required skillsets and without a collective effort I don’t see this thing moving forward.
The challenge ahead of us is tough and gruelling. We have to rub off the sluggishness which we have got into and start afresh. Let’s see if we can redefine SU in the coming days.
October 18th, 2005
