PODCAST · technology
Unusable podcast (UX & usability)
by Andrew Waite & David Ball
Discussions about the importance of usability & UX in technology & the world around us.
Episodes
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It's not always a technical solution
Sometimes you have to do things manually if automation fails Other things we talk about: Martin Lewis sues Facebook over scam ads Posh pasta instructions Android's useless button Links mentioned: Facebook still claims it's not a publisher – but Martin Lewis's court action could be set to change...
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Solving EV charging problems
Cars are transitioning rapidly from fossil fuels to being battery powered. In this rapidly growing market, UX has the power to differentiate products and accelerate adoption. Equally, bad design has the power to put people off switching to a greener alternative. In this episode Andrew interviews...
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Unsupported eyeballs
We discuss the consequences of companies that stop supporting their products, Andrew has a fridge delivered and David introduces his "most infuriating website of the podcast". Other things we talk about: David takes signs way too literally Things Killed By Google Ads on file download sites Links...
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A large glass of Jakobs Law
We talk about Jakob's Law, by usability advocate Jakob Neilson. Andrew tells a story about how he scammed an expensive car park. Other things we talk about: Separate audio channels on Android Weird headphone problems with Microsoft Teams Learned expectations & progressive enhancement The…
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Doug Collins
Andy interviews prominent UXer and all-round nice-guy Doug Collins. Other things we talk about: David's scare in the middle of the night Printing out a fake ID Links mentioned: Doug Collins' Book - The UX Design Field Book The Oatmeal - Printers Were Sent from Hell The Unusable podcast is…
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Is Gamification evil?
Is gamification evil? Apple laptop gripes. What is bullshitification? Other things we talk about: Facebook's endless newsfeed of infinite suprise Audi's virtual training programme game thing David spills beer Apple's natural scrolling Pressing delete on an iMac Links mentioned: Gamification —...
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The UX of music players
We talk about record players with modern(ish) controls, & confusing cloud storage Other things we talk about: 1980s 'Stranger danger' adverts SanDisk's slotMusic & slotRadio Children listening to Hitler speeches backwards Facebook's confusing file browser Eating megabytes Links mentioned…
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Wireframing & Ikea prison
Andy angers IKEA, & we talk about wireframing & prototyping Other things we talk about: Website with an embedded app creates a phone-in-a-phone Risky & annoying two-factor authentication A restaurant ordering app with inappropriate options Andy's headphones do something weird Links mentioned:...
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Github Copilot
Github Copilot is an exciting new tool to accellerate developer productivity. But has it been thought through? Could it be racist, and could it kill someone? Other things we talk about: Ordering a mattress How long is 0.6 inches? The Unusable podcast is presented by Andrew Waite & David Ball, who...
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Common UX mistakes
We talk about some common UX mistakes that people make on websites that we hope will go away. Other things we talk about: Treadmill touchscreens confuse an old man Dentist form fiddling The Unusable podcast is presented by Andrew Waite & David Ball, who discuss the importance of user experience...
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The Decline of UX
We talk about the article 'Why I'm losing faith in UX' by Mark Hurst, tech ethics & horrible cancellation processes. And toilets. Other things we talk about: Andy gets a humorously ironic app notification Logic puzzles at the gym Bad cancellation processes (including Amazon Prime's) Mark Hurst's...
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Product Led Growth
We talk about 'Product Led Growth' whilst getting drunk. Other things we talk about: Skype answering video calls unexpectedly Andy's battery charger will definitely cause a housefire Google Wave We get more drunk than the Drunken UX podcast Andrew's new printer The Unusable podcast is presented…
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Lockdown upsides
David asks Andrew what changes we should keep after the Coronavirus pandemic lockdown, & how some websites can be really slow on mobile. Other things we talk about: Giant inflatable penguin TV audiences at home One-way systems in shops Contactless payments Local shops pivoting to stay profitable...
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Occams Razor
What is Occam's razor? In this episode we discuss simple solutions often being the best. Other things we talk about: Dieter Rams KISS Programmers predicting & abstracting Andy is "thinly spread" Leaky toilets with a drop valve system Simplicity of the iPhone, compared to older phones Camera...
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Hick's Law
What is Hick's Law? In this episode we discuss static website generators, & keeping things simple. Other things we talk about: Wizards Martial arts A rigmarole logging into the student loans website Annoying Britbox app issues Links mentioned: Pressing a button to expose yourself on the toilet…
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How UX affects SEO
How does UX influence SEO? In this episode of The Unusable Podcast, we discuss how Google takes into account loading speed, mobile optimisation and other factors when deciding what to show first. Other things we talk about: ASCII art porn David's new kettle isn't an improvement Apple disregards...
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Planned obsolescence
David & Andrew discuss planned obsolescence, the practice of designing products to need replacing sooner to net the manufacturer more money. Is it a devious plot to get us all to spend more & pollute the environment, or just technology progressing? In our Bad Usability Nightmare, Andrew collects...
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Drinking Whisky & Working From Home
Being forced to work from home due to coronavirus, Andrew & David discuss video chatting using Zoom & Skype, & then the rigmarole of getting things delivered. It gets a bit silly towards the end, because Andrew has been drinking whisky. Other things we talk about: Asynchronous communication...
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Security is pointless
Security is a hugely important topic. David and Andrew share their look on what makes for good and bad security, talk about their own experiences in building web apps, and come to the realisation none of it matters anyway. Other things we talk about: Bad actors - apparently it's a security term 2...
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The internet is terrible now!
Andrew & David discuss what makes the internet terrible now, like slow websites, browser inconsistencies, monopolisation & people. Other things we talk about: Are URLs are too confusing for some people? Average size of a webpage (compared to Sonic the hedgehog)s Andy's old crap Acorn computers…
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UX writing & microcopy
David and Andrew talk about UX writing and try to answer why it's different to copywriting, and what microcopy is. They also discuss annoying browser notifications, a more sensible way for asking to set cookies, and why opening a japanese soda is difficult. Other things we talk about: Geocities...
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Sound design in UX
David and Andrew look at the role of sound in usability. From deliberately loud vacuum cleaners to the crunch of a Pringle, sound is an important but often forgotten aspect of user experience. Also, David almost gets punched, and Andrew bum-shuffles on a water slide like a dog with worms. Other...
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Self-checkouts & online shopping
We discuss the Queen going shopping & being shown how self-checkouts work, & we discuss their advantages & annoyances. Also Andy has a story about a lame practical joke on a teacher using his Tesco club card. Apologies for the terrible German at the beginning! Other things we talk about: Online...
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Accessibility benefits everyone
We discuss using technology with different types of disabilities, what the term "accessibility" really means, and how designing for accessibility benefits everyone. Other things we talk about: Accessibility as an afterthought vs Inclusive design Screenreaders & how blind people use the internet...
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Designing for failure
David & Andrew discuss the importance of designing for failure & making sure the problem is communicated to the user. Other things we talk about: The chaos monkey Chrome's dinosaur game, service workers, BSOD & Twitter's "fail whale" Creating the best error message Facebook's annoying "chat…
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Design Crimes From 2018
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...
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Do cultural differences affect usability?
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…
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Getting tricked online by UI dark patterns
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…
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History of computer graphical interfaces & the future of natural UI
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…
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Road signs are confusing
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…
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Unusable measurements
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....
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Killed by bad usability
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...
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WTF is usability anyway?
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, &...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Discussions about the importance of usability & UX in technology & the world around us.
HOSTED BY
Andrew Waite & David Ball
CATEGORIES
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How many episodes does Unusable podcast (UX & usability) have?
Unusable podcast (UX & usability) currently has 33 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Unusable podcast (UX & usability) about?
Discussions about the importance of usability & UX in technology & the world around us.
How often does Unusable podcast (UX & usability) release new episodes?
Unusable podcast (UX & usability) has 33 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
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Who hosts Unusable podcast (UX & usability)?
Unusable podcast (UX & usability) is created and hosted by Andrew Waite & David Ball.
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