uxgems

Patterns and algorithms for healthier user experiences

Pseudo and real code when possible. Quantify whenever possible (e.g. 3 beeps, not 2, not 4 and pref none).

Describe why and how an anti-pattern doesn't work.

Attention pollution. Design outside of the confines of the object - it exists in many contexts. e.g. airline app used both casually at home and urgently while in line.

Good video on debouncing. Shows 7 different approaches with code. Includes oscilloscope traces for what is going on electrically.

https://youtu.be/fyejkPCFCqk

• Notifiers

  • Sounds
  • typical frequencies and durations=
    • examples
    • algorithms
  • Haptic vibrations
    • typical frequencies and durations
    • examples
    • algorithms
  • Visual
    • use of red/yellow/green
    • cultural differences
  • Are there patterns to what makes something annoying across domains?

• General for now:

  • Ambiguity when control has 2 states (which is on?)
  • moving a ui element as user trys to select
  • algorithms for pointer movement
  • palm cancellation
  • reflow around user obscuring the screen (like thumb over content)
  • snapping a dragged component to an alignment object (how does dragging a window to the side and having it snap there work?)

• Naming and language (maybe out of scope? maybe is it's own thing?)

  • other languages not only read right to left they process right to left e.g. the next arrow should point left, not right.
  • word research. Let's say I want to name my product or feature "cinq". How do people pronounce it? Is it a real word? Does it mean something in another language
  • slang and idiom checking for docs
  • Google's domain name finder is a useful tool for that context and gives lots of AI like insights.

• Urgency patterns

• Thresholds

  • simple smoothing algos such as kalman
  • dealing with absolute cutoffs (e.g. the slot is 100mm wide vs we only accept 100mm wide items)

• Chart of typical times and durations

  • Ex: startle and recover
  • Ex: how many questions in a row with "ok" as the answer everytime
  • holding dragged items over another item before it "opens". Like dragging files to a new folder - how long to wait on hover before expanding target? what constitutes intention?
  • how is hover intent determined? can you move mouse 1 pixel and the timer doesn't change?

• Time and dates

  • friendly times
  • intention to specifics, e.g. what does "set an alarm for 11" translate to?

• Large stuff:

  • UX flow for signup/login/forgot with business conditionals

• Breakdowns and analysis of good vs OK design. Maybe some bad design where it should have been good but didn't work for reason X.

• Unpatent:

  • Area where users can document an idea so as to disclose and establish prior art

• Mechanical:

  • Doesn't belong here? = https://youtu.be/NVtsrisYtUE