On Thu, 9 Nov 2000, Rick Froman wrote:
> You don't have to suspect. Check it out for yourself at:
>
> http://www.sun-sentinel.com/elections/palmbeachballot.htm
Very revealing, Rick. Thank you.
'Tis true. You would definitely not be the sharpest knife in the
drawer to ignore those arrows and vote for the wrong person.
And yet. That ballot violates two of Norman's principles as I
recall them. The first is that controls should map appropriately
to the device they control (or names should map appropriately to
the holes to be punched). (Another example: the controls for
my stove burners!)
The second principle that the ballot violates is that form should
indicate function. According to Norman, and I agree with him, if
you have to put a sign on a door saying "push", that's a design
failure. And if you have to put an arrow to indicate where you
should punch your choice, that's a design failure too.
Serves 'em right for not listening to him.
-Stephen
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Stephen Black, Ph.D. tel: (819) 822-9600 ext 2470
Department of Psychology fax: (819) 822-9661
Bishop's University e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Lennoxville, QC
J1M 1Z7
Canada Department web page at http://www.ubishops.ca/ccc/div/soc/psy
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