From the monthly archives:

April 2008

Ergonomics for kids

by Richard Pak

Ergonomics for kids is a relatively recent area of research.  This new paper addresses childhood ergonomics during computer usage.
A new study by human factors researchers in Australia suggests that students’ posture is affected by the height at which they view classroom learning materials. The researchers cited computer screen displays positioned at mid-level as causing less musculoskeletal strain than high- and [...]

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Report: OLPC may eventually switch from Linux to Windows XP

by Richard Pak

Update on the usability of educational laptops: Interesting news about Sugar from Computer World:
OLPC founder Nicholas Negroponte also told The Associated Press on Tuesday that an insistence upon using only free, open-source software had hampered the XO’s usability and scared away potential adopters.
The article doesn’t make it clear what about the usability of Sugar was problematic.
Report: OLPC may [...]

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Trust in Automation

by Anne McLaughlin

I’ve heard a great deal about trust and automation over the years, but this has to be my favorite new example of over-reliance on a system.
GPS routed bus under bridge, company says
“The driver of the bus carrying the Garfield High School girls softball team that hit a brick and concrete footbridge was using a GPS navigation system that [...]

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A suit that simulates the physical effects of aging used by Nissan

by Richard Pak

Carmaker Nissan Motor is using a specialized driver’s suit and goggles to simulate the bad balance, stiff joints, weaker eyesight and extra five kilograms (11lbs) that may accompany senior citizenry.
Associate chief designer Etsuhiro Watanabe says the suit’s weight and constriction help in determining functionality and accessibility within cars by putting young designers not only in the minds of the mobility-challenged, [...]

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Senior-friendly mobile phone

by Richard Pak

Verizon Wireless shows no shame in revealing that its Coupe by UTStarcom ($39.99 with a two-year contract) is aimed at retirees. And when you open this clamshell, you’ll know why. Besides its large, easy-to-read screen, the device has a large numeric keypad.Though the phone has these “senior” features, it still has the mobile utilities we all demand, including a built-in [...]

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Back to pencil and paper for 2010 census – CNN.com

by Richard Pak

The computers proved too complex for some temporary workers who tried to use them in a test last year in North Carolina. Also, the computers were not initially programmed to transmit the large amounts of data necessary.
Back to pencil and paper for 2010 census – CNN.com

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Changing behavior via awareness of energy consumption

by Richard Pak

There is an episode of the television show Seinfeld (“The Dealership“) where Kramer is test driving a car. During the test drive, Kramer notices the fuel gauge is empty and he wants to know how far he can drive before he really runs out of gas.
While I haven’t gone that far I like to see how fuel efficiently I [...]

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