Page 69 -

38 Chapter 2 Understanding and conceptualizing interaction

Based on this analysis, a set of assumptions about the user needs for supporting
this activity more effectively were then made. These included:
If the bookmarking function was improved users would find it more useful
and use it more to organize their web addresses.
Users need a flexible way of organizing web addresses they want to keep for
further reference or for sending on to other people.

A framework for explicating assumptions

Reasoning through your assumptions about why something might be a good idea
enables you to see the strengths and weaknesses of your proposed design. In so
doing, it enables you to be in a better position to commence the design process. We
have shown you how to begin this, through operationalizing relevant usability
goals. In addition, the following questions provide a useful framework with which
to begin thinking through the problem space:
Are there problems with an existing product? If so, what are they? Why do
you think there are problems?
Why do you think your proposed ideas might be useful? How do you envi-
sion people integrating your proposed design with how they currently do
things in their everyday or working lives?
How will your proposed design support people in their activities? In what
way does it address an identified problem or extend current ways of doing
things? Will it really help?

At the turn of the millennium, WAP-enabled (wireless application protocol) phones came
into being, that enabled people to connect to the Internet using them. To begin with, the
web-enabled services provided were very primitive, being text-based with limited graphics
capabilities. Access was very restricted, with the downloaded information being displayed
on a very small LCD screen (see Figure 2.2). Despite this major usability drawback, every
telecommunication company saw this technological breakthrough as an opportunity to cre-
ate innovative applications. A host of new services were explored, including text messaging,
online booking of tickets, betting, shopping, viewing movies, stocks and shares, sports events
and banking.
What assumptions were made about the proposed services? How reasonable are these
assumptions?

Figure 2.2 An early cell phone display. Text is restricted to
three or four lines at a time and scrolls line by line, making read-
ing very cumbersome. Imagine trying to read a page from this
book in this way! The newer 3G (third generation) phones have
bigger displays, more akin to those provided with handheld
computers.