Usability for Older Web Users (Full Version)

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Nicole -> Usability for Older Web Users (4/26/2006 4:42:05)

Found this article today and found it interesting. No real surprises and I'm unsure of the numbers surveyed but they seemed from reading to be rather small.

http://www.sitepoint.com/article/improve-usability-older-users



womble -> RE: Usability for Older Web Users (4/26/2006 4:57:48)

That's interesting Nicole. I wonder if the 'assigning blame' thing is linked with the 'weaker mental model'? The vertical scrolling was particularly interesting.

I've noticed with my parents that if they can't see instantly what they want it's either the website's fault or it's just not there (and then 9 times of out 10 if I suggest 'Have you tried...?' they find it was there after all. It seems like the idea of how the web works is fundamentally different in some cases.

What's interesting in that article though is there's no mention of previous computer/internet experience. As we all know, having some pretty aged web designer types around here [:D], some older people know their way round the web as well as, if not better than, younger people.

Interesting read though.



Nicole -> RE: Usability for Older Web Users (4/26/2006 5:07:32)

My Mum hates the Internet!

She spends time writing letters to places she hears on the radio, enquiring about products etc, she goes to the library to look for information on subjects when she needs to, yet her craft shop had a website, and so did one of the shops she makes things for, so of course I had to look them up for her! Last time she was here she couldn't help herself, she bought me her friend's business card to look up the website address that was on it. Needless to say it was an email address!

She loved Google Earth though!

I think it's more a fear of computers than the internet, and doing something wrong and crashing the whole computer!

On the other hand my partner's 90yo Uncle is writing his life story on the computer, sending emails and the like!



Tailslide -> RE: Usability for Older Web Users (4/26/2006 5:33:41)

quote:

ORIGINAL: womble

I've noticed with my parents that if they can't see instantly what they want it's either the website's fault or it's just not there (and then 9 times of out 10 if I suggest 'Have you tried...?' they find it was there after all. It seems like the idea of how the web works is fundamentally different in some cases.



That's not limited to the older generation - my husband does that and he's in his early 30s.



jaybee -> RE: Usability for Older Web Users (4/26/2006 6:28:08)

For people who grew up with gas lights, washboards and dollies, no TV and cars you had to start by winding a crank handle at the front, the internet is a completely alien concept.

Unless they've been closely involved with the march of technology throughout their working career or they're the dogged type who are determined to keep up then yes, they're terrified but mask it as disinterest.

I taught adults IT skills for 4 years. Most were over 50 and even those who wanted to learn were initially terrified of the things. You have to try and devise a method to show them pressing the wrong button won't suddenly disintegrate £1k worth of equipment.

My own mother (78) now surfs the web. Mostly the same sites over and over it has to be said, but she is getting to grips with it. However, she's still convinced that using a Microwave will fry her brain cells and wipe her bank cards. [&:]



womble -> RE: Usability for Older Web Users (4/26/2006 6:34:24)

quote:

ORIGINAL: jaybee

I taught adults IT skills for 4 years. Most were over 50 and even those who wanted to learn were initially terrified of the things. You have to try and devise a method to show them pressing the wrong button won't suddenly disintegrate £1k worth of equipment.


That's just the problem I have with my mother, who won't use the internet unless I'm there 'incase she breaks something'. She's getting pretty good at Solitaire though! [:D]



traveler98 -> RE: Usability for Older Web Users (5/9/2006 9:55:35)


quote:

ORIGINAL: jaybee

she's still convinced that using a Microwave will fry her brain cells and wipe her bank cards.


You mean that's just an urban myth???[:D]



Donkey -> RE: Usability for Older Web Users (5/9/2006 20:10:09)

quote:

using a Microwave will fry her brain cells and wipe her bank cards
She's right, take the seals off the door and hold your head near it and you'll be off to ga ga land before you know it. Before you do try putting your credit cards inside and giving them 3 minutes at full power. They'll not only be wiped but they will never fit into a chip & pin reader again.



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