Last night, I had the pleasure of downloading an extremely sweet plug-in for Microsoft Outlook called Xobni (yes, it really took me several hours to realize that this strange word is “inbox” backwards - check it if you don’t believe me).

Xobni essentially is an ultra-fast Outlook contacts indexer, content searcher, inbox organizer and social media hunter.  I must say, I like it a lot.

This tool is extremely usable.  It integrates itself nicely with Outlook and requires no learning or tutorials.  You’ll be using it effectively within seconds.

Instead of using the search window provided by Outlook, the user types their search query in the Xobni column (or the user can simply highlight an email from the person in question).  Within it’s slick interface, Xobni pulls data from their LinkedIn or Facebook profiles.

I find this especially nifty for adding business contacts to my LinkedIn network without actually having to leave my inbox and venture out on the web (I’m lazy, so the chances of me actually logging on to LinkedIn a are rare).

However, the feature I like best is searching for attachments.  A lot of us use our inbox as an overflowing pool of information - our very own electronic storage system.  However, searching for a particular attachment from a specific person can sometimes be time consuming.

This is not the case when using Xobni.  I simply search for the person in questions and ka-pow - Xobni can pull up all received attachments from that individual in a flash.  This way, I don’t have to search for Stewart, then click on the paperclip thingy and manually sort through emails to find the document I should have read days ago.

Xobni also does a good job of demonstrating networks between email contacts by figuring out relationships and interactions between myself and my contacts.

Oh yeah, the add-in also pulls out phone numbers from emails, so even if I haven’t added their number to their contact details, Xobni can figure it out.

The only downfall I have encountered so far is that I don’t know how to pronounce Xobni.

I’d recommend trying out this slick bit of kit.  Download it now.

I recently conducted a great set of usability labs.

Why were they great?  The client I was working with was extremely hands-on and reactive.  They were developers and engineers but realized that they lived in a different world to their users - everyday regular consumers.

For two days, the developers sat behind a screen watching the groups and taking notes.  Every few labs, we’d speak about our findings and how we could counter any usability issues - it really was an interactive process.

By keeping the labs flexible, we were able to maximize our findings.  After three or four labs, we were able to determine (logically) that certain issues were a big deal and needed to be fixed.

From that point on, we could comfortably steer the focus of the labs to other areas of the website in order to uncover issues that might have been overlooked and overshadowed by a problem we were abundantly aware of.

I recently watched an American Marketing Association webcast about website usability.  An interesting point was made:

If having a Flash animation does not improve conversion rates, is it really needed?

It’s a great point - and one with which a usability purist might agree.  However, I’m all about integrating good, professional looking design with usability so my viewpoint is a little different.

Careful use of Flash can result in vibrant and slick looking websites - it can make an organization stand out from the crowd.  If the Flash piece does not interfere with the user completing their desired action, then shouldn’t the question really be:

If having Flash animation does not interfere with conversion rates, is there any need not to keep it?

Of course, this isn’t a black and white matter.  Here, we are assuming that conversion=good usability, which isn’t necessarily correct.  I’ve bought products online from nasty websites (i.e. very unusable) before - I’m still counted as a conversion despite the my poor usability experience (I haven’t returned to half of those websites, though).  

To add more gray/grey to the issue - when designing for usabilty, there must be goals for the website (e.g get people to sign up for service).  Each part of the website needs to be assessed as to how it contributes to the goals.  

The purpose of Flash needs to defined.  

• Does Flash execute core functionality of the website - if so, how does this affect users who may not have the latest version of Flash or who are viewing on mobile devices?
• Is the purpose of Flash to compliment the design - is Flash nothing more than a tool to make the site look good?
• Is the purpose of Flash to grab attention - is it being used to divert the user to an important feature of the website?

There is more to defining the role of Flash than that, and the “correct” answer varies by industry, audience and website goal.  Of course, the only true way to answer the Flash/No Flash debate is to conduct user testing.  Asking typical users of your website about their experience should ultimately help you settle the argument.  If they don’t like it, cut it. 

What do you think?

Usability is all about enabling the user to what he or she wants to do easily, quickly and with confidence.  This applies to any medium, including automated telephone lines.

Over the last few months, I’ve noticed an increase in telephone usability faux pas, and I am sure you guys have had your own frustrating experiences with telephone menus.  Here are a few of my usability no-no’s:

• “Please tell me what you want to do” - Don’t rely on voice-only driven systems.  If you are in a loud environment or possess any hint of an accent, the telephone system will not understand you.  Always give a keypad alternative.  Please.
• Don’t ask unanswerable questions - Obvious, right?  Yesterday I was asked, “Are you calling about product A or product B?  Please say yes or no.”  Am I saying “yes” to product A or product B?  That’s confusing.
• Don’t make user repeat themselves - This is probably one of my biggest gripes.  The automated system will ask the user to input account numbers, verification details, etc, only to be delivered to an operator who asks the exact same questions.  Couldn’t we have just removed one of these components to make the process move along more quickly?

What irks you?

The Enable Usability blog is going through a makeover. 

In true Ty Pennington style, we have completely bashed-in the old website, and we are rebuilding this one from the ground up.

While we don’t need bulldozers, back-hoes and a slew of workers to get this thing up and running, we do need a little bit of time to get the site all shiny and working perfectly.

So, thanks for stopping by and see you on the flip side.

Kevin

I think I deserve an award for the crummiest blog post title ever.  That’s what happens when one doesn’t update their webste in 2 months.  Won’t happen again.

Over the last few months, I’ve been using a rather wonderful Twitter application called Tweetdeck.  The application channels your Twitter feed and organizes your information rather nicely - something which the original web host doesn’t do well at all.

For example, at a glance I can follow my friends Tweets (why, oh why, must I say that!), look at all my direct messages and the Tweets of selected individuals.  I can group certain folk and send messages to these people only.  I can even view the current Twitter buzzwords in real time.

The layout is decent - Tweetdeck separates information into columns which helps with all the above.  My only gripe is that they don’t have any preset color schemes.  Some people may find it tricky to read white text on a black background with gray hyperlinks.  However, if you can be bothered you can customize all of the colors - but you must do this manually.

The technology uses Adobe Air as the platform, which may not be familiar to many users.  Downloading the Air client may cause some users to bail out of installing the technology.

I would LOVE to be able to switch between my Twitter profiles.  I have two, evolve_research for work and shiftgorden for my music and social stuff, and I’d really like to be able to hotswap the profiles.  Incidentally, the Twitterlator Pro app for the iPhone does this perfectly.

Although I have a few concerns, they are outweighed by the applications brilliance.  Plus, the software is still in beta, which means that it can only get better once it’s fully released.

Give it a go, tell me what you think

Today, Microsoft took a revolutionary step with their XBox 360 console by giving gamers a brand new dashboard.

The NXE, New Xbox Experience, rolled out this morning and is the first time a console manufacturer has ever taken such a radical step by not only updating features to the existing “OS,” but by completely redesigning the interface.  Essentially, they’ve given users a brand new console.

Since the release of the original Xbox in 2001, Microsoft’s goal was to build a community of gamers.  Back then I laughed, I probably even LOLed.  The whole idea was obsurd to me.  Forward-wind seven years, and I am toally involved in a community based upon Microsoft’s vision.  Who’s LOLing now?  Well, still me - but this time with my good buddies who I met on Xbox Live.

The NXE is expanding on Microsoft’s vision for community based gaming.  This time, Microsoft are appealing to more casual gamers (something which is pretty much Nintendo’s territory).  They have expanded the community vision beyond gaming, and are encouraging more casual and social interactions.

The new 360 dashboard allows users to come together in groups of several people, shoot the breeze, chit-chat about whatever, and then (as a group) dive into some Gears of War or a far less bloody game of Uno.  You can even watch movies together while in a party (which I must admit, I don’t entirely undestand - but I didn’t want to figure it out at 6:00am this morning).

I must admit, I haven’t given the NXE much time.  But over the next several days I will spend a lot of time with it.  I’ll try to post a more usability-focused review early next week.

My ever-so-brief 45 minutes with it this morning has led me to the following conclusions:

• Netflix subscriptions are about to rocket.   Netflix will stream movies directly to the 360 - pretty amazing.  The instant stream catalogue will expand over the months, but for 8.99 a month (which includes regular Netflix membership) is a bargain.  Can’t wait for the HS stuff!
• People will be getting bigger hard drives.  The old 20 gig drive users are going to want to upgrade.  With the ability to install games onto the 360’s hard drive, space is going to run out fast.  As a side note, this is an extremely easy install.  About 8 mins for an entire game.  Nice.
• Regular gamers will unite!  Now, you don’t have to just meet your buddies within a game.  You can meet up with them on the dashboard.  Purely social interactions will increase, and bonds between gamers will become closer.  Chatting and jumping from game to movie to game while remaining in contact with your party is genius.

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, I don’t care.  Microsoft’s community vision is top banana in my book.  All I can say to Microsoft is “keep on keeping on, nerds.”

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That’s one sweet book cover

Over the past several months I, and 236 other bloggers from all over the globe (from 29 US States and 14 countries), wrote chapters for the book, Age of Conversation 2.  

The book is obviously unique since it involves connections between people all around the world who have never met each other.

What’s the book about?  Well, let the marketing spiel roll forth:

“This book is a daring challenge to the business community. Gone are the top-down, command and control messages that held sway through the 20th Century. In are a raft of new techniques that start with listening, responding and action that set the scene for a continuing and evolving dialog about brands, experience, business and community.”

Of course you are eager to buy it, but let me just put this out there to turn a definitely maybe into a definitely definitely.  All profits go to the children’s charity, Variety.

Puchase the hard copy, soft copy or e-book here.

Mad props go to Drew McLellan and Gavin Heaton.  Both worked tirelessly to organize and execute this project.  Many virtual gold stars, high fives and man hugs are being directed your way.

Oh yeah, just in case you don’t believe me about the number of bloggers involved in this project, here they all are:

Adrian Ho, Aki Spicer, Alex Henault, Amy Jussel, Andrew Odom, Andy Nulman, Andy Sernovitz, Andy Whitlock, Angela Maiers, Ann Handley, Anna Farmery, Armando Alves, Arun Rajagopal, Asi Sharabi, Becky Carroll, Becky McCray, Bernie Scheffler, Bill Gammell, Bob LeDrew, Brad Shorr, Brandon Murphy, Branislav Peric, Brent Dixon, Brett Macfarlane, Brian Reich, C.C. Chapman, Cam Beck, Casper Willer, Cathleen Rittereiser, Cathryn Hrudicka, Cedric Giorgi, Charles Sipe, Chris Kieff, Chris Cree, Chris Wilson, Christina Kerley (CK), C.B. Whittemore, Chris Brown, Connie Bensen, Connie Reece, Corentin Monot, Craig Wilson, Daniel Honigman, Dan Schawbel, Dan Sitter, Daria Radota Rasmussen, Darren Herman, Dave Davison, David Armano, David Berkowitz, David Koopmans, David Meerman Scott, David Petherick, David Reich, David Weinfeld, David Zinger, Deanna Gernert, Deborah Brown, Dennis Price, Derrick Kwa, Dino Demopoulos, Doug Haslam, Doug Meacham, Doug Mitchell, Douglas Hanna, Douglas Karr, Drew McLellan, Duane Brown, Dustin Jacobsen, Dylan Viner, Ed Brenegar, Ed Cotton, Efrain Mendicuti, Ellen Weber, Eric Peterson, Eric Nehrlich, Ernie Mosteller, Faris Yakob, Fernanda Romano, Francis Anderson, Gareth Kay, Gary Cohen, Gaurav Mishra, Gavin Heaton, Geert Desager, George Jenkins, G.L. Hoffman, Gianandrea Facchini, Gordon Whitehead, Greg Verdino, Gretel Going & Kathryn Fleming, Hillel Cooperman, Hugh Weber, J. Erik Potter, James Gordon-Macintosh, Jamey Shiels, Jasmin Tragas, Jason Oke, Jay Ehret, Jeanne Dininni, Jeff De Cagna, Jeff Gwynne & Todd Cabral, Jeff Noble, Jeff Wallace, Jennifer Warwick, Jenny Meade, Jeremy Fuksa, Jeremy Heilpern, Jeroen Verkroost, Jessica Hagy, Joanna Young, Joe Pulizzi, John Herrington, John Moore, John Rosen, John Todor, Jon Burg, Jon Swanson, Jonathan Trenn, Jordan Behan, Julie Fleischer, Justin Foster, Karl Turley, Kate Trgovac, Katie Chatfield, Katie Konrath, Kenny Lauer, Keri Willenborg, Kevin Jessop, Kristin Gorski, Lewis Green, Lois Kelly, Lori Magno, Louise Manning, Luc Debaisieux, Mario Vellandi, Mark Blair, Mark Earls, Mark Goren, Mark Hancock, Mark Lewis, Mark McGuinness, Matt Dickman, Matt J. McDonald, Matt Moore, Michael Karnjanaprakorn, Michelle Lamar, Mike Arauz, Mike McAllen, Mike Sansone, Mitch Joel, Neil Perkin, Nettie Hartsock, Nick Rice, Oleksandr Skorokhod, Ozgur Alaz, Paul Chaney, Paul Hebert, Paul Isakson, Paul McEnany, Paul Tedesco, Paul Williams, Pet Campbell, Pete Deutschman, Peter Corbett, Phil Gerbyshak, Phil Lewis, Phil Soden, Piet Wulleman, Rachel Steiner, Sreeraj Menon, Reginald Adkins, Richard Huntington, Rishi Desai, Robert Hruzek, Roberta Rosenberg, Robyn McMaster, Roger von Oech, Rohit Bhargava, Ron Shevlin, Ryan Barrett, Ryan Karpeles, Ryan Rasmussen, Sam Huleatt, Sandy Renshaw, Scott Goodson, Scott Monty, Scott Townsend, Scott White, Sean Howard, Sean Scott, Seni Thomas, Seth Gaffney, Shama Hyder, Sheila Scarborough, Sheryl Steadman, Simon Payn, Sonia Simone, Spike Jones, Stanley Johnson, Stephen Collins, Stephen Landau, Stephen Smith, Steve Bannister, Steve Hardy, Steve Portigal, Steve Roesler, Steven Verbruggen, Steve Woodruff, Sue Edworthy, Susan Bird, Susan Gunelius, Susan Heywood, Tammy Lenski, Terrell Meek, Thomas Clifford, Thomas Knoll, Tim Brunelle, Tim Connor, Tim Jackson, Tim Mannveille, Tim Tyler, Timothy Johnson, Tinu Abayomi-Paul, Toby Bloomberg, Todd Andrlik, Troy Rutter, Troy Worman, Uwe Hook, Valeria Maltoni, Vandana Ahuja, Vanessa DiMauro, Veronique Rabuteau, Wayne Buckhanan, William Azaroff, Yves Van Landeghem

[digg=http://digg.com/business_finance/Huge_blogger_collaboration_to_benefit_charity]

Everyone knows that automated phone directories and ordering systems are mildly annoying at best, and oftentimes horrendously frustrating.

Mazzio’s, a pizza chain (sorry, “Italian eatery” chain), is no exception.  Theirs suffers from a significant usability issue, one which is tied directly to customer satisfaction.

We had a coupon from Mazzio’s, four dollars off our next pizza on account of them delivering late last time.  

We order our pizza via telephone and are subject to an automated ordering service.  Interesting, at checkout there are no options to enter a coupon code.  So, we order the pizza anyway thinking that we can simply give it to the delivery guy.

Upon delivery, we hand the coupon to the delivery guy only to be told that he can’t accept it - we have to tell the person on the other end of the phone when we order.  Are you kidding me?  What dude on the other end of the phone - it’s an automated telephone system!

So, the coupon was given to us to rectify a customer service issue on Mazzio’s end, yet the next time we order we can’t actually use it.  Needless to say, this usability issue has lowered my confidence in Mazzio’s as a brand who can deliver upon what they promise, and the net result is for me to bitch about it on the Internet for all to see.

The effects of a simple usability oversight can be devastating to a brand - especially if it ties in with the mighty $.  That is, the customer’s mighty, or not so mighty, dollar.

Mazzio’s, free advice for you:

• At the check-out stage, before asking for billing information, ask, “do you have a coupon?”  
• If yes, ask the customer to enter the unique coupon code with their keypad.
• Apply the discount and move on to the billing stage.

I’ve been testing Mozilla’s Ubiquity prototype for the last hour (thanks to Scott Watkins for putting me on the case).  It’s freaking awesome.

Essentially, Mozilla is trying to address flaws with how the Internet is used, and make the experience more cohesive and natural for the user.  For example, typically when telling a buddy about a restuarant and how to get there, you have to open a seperate Google Maps window, enter the address, select the restuarant and paste the link into your email.  Kind of long winded, huh?

How much easier would it be to simply select the name of the restuarant within your email, hit a simple command button and get Ubiquity to map the restaurant, place the map in your email, and look up some Yelp reviews at the same time?  Oh yeah, you don’t have to open another window.  

The app isn’t limited to directions and reviews.  Translations and definitions are all par for the course, too.

The build is early prototype, so expect limitations, but the idea is solid.  

Ubiquity is limited to Firefox - but I’d suggest you try it.  It’s really cool.  This truly could be an app that changes how we use the Internet.

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