Today, I had what D.A. Norman, in his book The Design of Everyday Things, would call a “description error.” I entered the office of our secretary at work, and holding out a manila folder that wouldn’t stay closed, I asked, “Do you have an umbrella I can wrap around this?” Umbrella? My first thought was, … Read more
My day was consumed with my Google Website Usability Report. I administered my ME Project website usability test to Dr. Dicks, as a second academic “targeted user,” and then Michelle Corbin as a technical communicator hiring manager. At 6:30, I met E-Ching and Will in the Caldwell Hall Lounge, and we usability tested the Bill … Read more
I got to campus at 3:45, in time to find a parking spot and allow for anything unexpected, so as not to be late to my appointment with Dr. Miller for 4:30, whom I’d never met, and as I understand it, is quite influential in the English program. Okay, can we talk about these parking … Read more
Joe came over at 10:30, and I did my Google Usability Test on him, which was fun and interesting. We went to Quiznos for lunch, my treat. I had no word from Kathryn after leaving two voice mail messages, so called Steve to ask him if he could help me out. He could. He asked … Read more
Today my focus was in getting my usability test materials completed, so that I can conduct the tests tomorrow. Right now my plan is to test Joe, Robert, and Kathryn. If Kathryn doesn’t work out, Steve is my backup. I can’t wait for this semester to be over. I thought about it being “Tax Day,” … Read more
Gross, gross, and triple gross! Today in the cafeteria, one of the entrées was “Pot Roast Stew & Biscuits.” In the pan, the biscuits were lined up on top of the stew in such a way that every time the server scooped out a portion of the stew, he got a biscuit with it. Grossery … Read more
My voice mail light was blinking when I arrived at work this morning. On it was the following “message,” presumably from an older man at some kind of medical facility. His are the first words I hear, and they’re in blue. She is the administrative person, responding in green. The man sounds very “country.” Some … Read more
Book club met today, sans Mary, who is home moving furniture around and just generally preparing for the painters, who are coming tomorrow. Topics covered: the book (which we’re not starting until May), Sharon’s party last Saturday, Nutrifood, the effects of estrogen, Christopher’s upcoming court appearance, and Beth’s introvertedness. Oh yeah, there was some, very … Read more
I’ve been a boring blogger lately, and operating in catch-up mode, which I don’t like. I worked from home today, as it was time for my quarterly exterminator service. The exterminator (the real one, not Ah-nold) was expected between 8:00 and 10:00, and showed up at about 8:30. I told him about the either hornet’s … Read more
I got up at 10:00, and rushed to the grocery store to get stuff for the party at my house at 1:00. I so needed to be doing homework all day today. I got back, cut up some of the veggies for my salad, cut up tomatoes and onions for the hamburgers, straighted up downstairs, … Read more