Computer Support, Services, and E-Articles

Geek Dependency and who designs these things anyway?

By admin • January 3, 2010 • Filed in: Technology Design

As consumers we are ever more dependent upon geeks to maintain, install, and upkeep our technology. The 60 minute video report embedded below makes Geek Squad look pretty good, but they aren’t complaining about lack of business either!

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Food for thought

Why ARE electronics so unnecessarily complicated? It is nothing new that every day objects are designed with little thought for the user and with much more emphasis on FEATURES. The Design of Everyday Things is a book written by Donald A Norman. The book was was written in the 1980’s before the technology boom, but is no less insightful about the good and bad of design and how it pertains to everyday things. The 60 minute video showed the interviewer trying to use a simple remote control and how it was not so simple. The placement of buttons and features are not universal and made no sense design-wise. The consumer who was trying to hook up his new HDTV was unable to decipher the poorly written instructions and diagrams that came with his new TV. Not only are the devices complicated, but the user manuals that come with these high-priced electronics are near impossible for an everyday consumer to follow.

Our society is becoming increasingly dependent upon the computer and electronic professional. Consumers need choices when it comes to customer service and shouldn’t be forced to deal with bored incompetent call center agents. Your local independent computer and electronic business owner can help guide you in making good choices about what to buy, where to buy it, how to repair/install/setup, and often times will even deal with unfriendly customer service for you!

 

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