[Sigia-l] NYC Metrocard Vending Machines

[Duich McKay]

Dorelle Rabinowitz wrote

> More to the point, does anyone think that the machines are geared most towards
> regular users, who, over time, learn to operate the interface quickly? Because
> for me, the first time was a teeny bit tricky, but now I barely have to look.

Is this not the issue architects and designers have to face in the real
world. Does the rest of the world care that we see a systems design faults
"on sight" because we're trained to analyse a system quickly when the rest
of the world knows that one can get used to anything eventually?

We know that use of a system is facilitated by recognition, repetition and
habit. Is not the affordance of the interface the lack of choice about using
it? 

At 5.6m transactions a day I'm sure more energy went into the stability of
the system for its repeating users than first time users. People will
tolerate clumsy or haphazard system design as long as it's stable (and saves
your legs).

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Duich McKay
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