mumbai

Usability Workshop – Concluding Day 3

October 22, 2005 Design

Bhooshan with Hemal Gathani from HFIThe 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 jotting down each others 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 already 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 :-)

Usability Workshop – Day 2

October 21, 2005 Design

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.

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Usability Workshop – Day 1

October 20, 2005 Design

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 a 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 course-ware 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.

SurfUnion’s Greatest Challenge Ever

October 18, 2005 General

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.

‘Flights’ of Fancy

October 16, 2005 Movies

FlightplanYesterday I had an opportunity to see capitalism at its best. Being in the commercial capital Mumbai, one would say that money & prosperity can be seen everywhere but not to me. I still miss HK pretty much and I am lucky to have gone there at the right time of my life. It pretty much changed the way I think about my lifestyle.

And my appointment with this mall changed the way I would think about Mumbai now. I am talking about InOrbit which is located on the Link Road between Malad & Goregaon. It’s got the very best in entertainment, books, cuisine, cosmetics, clothes & other accessories and a lot more. Talking about entertainment I couldn’t believe it when I found the FAME multiplex (probably 5 screen) theatre bang in the middle of the mall! The convenience of a shopping experience coupled with some entertainment and food.

Well now coming back to our main discussion which is the movie FlightPlan which I saw yesterday at FAME. It’s a wonderfully gripping drama of Kyle Pratt (played by Jodie Foster) who loses her 6 year old in an airplane and the drama unfolds to some wonderful surprises. Sean Bean (Agent 006 from Goldeneye) was another actor I could recognise, whose playing the aircraft captain. The interiors of the aircraft, to my knowledge must be a set and not the actual plane but it looks fantastic. You might want to see this movie this weekend.