Category Archives: Usability

Machine learning and units of measurement can affect your content

“OK, Google, how long does it take to blanch broccoli?”

“For florets that are approximately 1 1/2 across, cook for about three minutes”

Google’s voice AI ignored the inch mark. As I was breaking up my broccoli for lunch, I looked on my phone’s screen and confirmed the inch marker was there.

Google Now's results for blanching broccoli. The audio interface left out the inch mark
Google Now’s results for blanching broccoli. The audio interface left out the inch mark

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Microsoft Office and the amazing shrinking help icon

I wanted to create an Outlook 2013 email rule to respond to emails sent to a specific account. The rule requires an email template. Not knowing how to create one, I looked for the help icon. And kept looking. I felt old. And as a tech writer, I almost, almost yearned for the days of Clippy.

Then, in the top-right corner, it appeared. Sort of. Now don’t get me started about the ALL CAPS MENUS in Office 2013 (and also Adobe’s Creative Suite), but it’s surprising how the help icon is almost an afterthought.
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A News Site for Content Professionals – Contentcontent.info

Tooltips appear that contain the opening sentence and date published when you hover over a link.
Tooltips appear that contain the opening sentence and date published when you hover over a link.

I’m proud to announce a site I developed for content and communication professionals is live, called contentcontent.info. It’s a site that aggregates news from the most popular blogs and news sites for content professionals. You can currently get content and design news from 30 sites and counting. You can add your blog or your favorites today!

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