Foolproof blog

We work tirelessly to find the next big thing: technology, software, business models, ways to sell more, get faster… But it doesn’t matter how far or fast we go, there is always one consideration which is permanent: humans.

With Apple dominating the market in handheld touch-screen mobile devices in the form of the iPhone and iPod touch I cannot help but think back to the early days of video players/recorders and the war between Betamax and VHS.

Original blog by former Foolproofer Jemma Green.

In the UK, comparison sites are an important part of the consumer landscape. We’ve watched their increasing influence over the six years of our online shopping surveys in financial services, travel and energy.

I finally got a chance to read a book called ‘Neuro Web Design’ over Christmas. I’d heartily recommend it to anyone involved in buying, planning or executing user research.

You can’t fail to have missed Google’s introduction of web 2.0 code in its search functionality. As my colleague Jemma pointed out, type in the search field and it’s not too long before it’s second guessing what you’re looking for. Not a bad addition and research respondents definitely like it.

While trying to book a ferry using www.ferrysavers.co.uk I discovered a UX problem which left me scratching my head. My dilemma was deciding which vehicle category my small Camper would fit within – or more so, those which it wouldn’t.

(Reproduced from the ‘User Experience Directory 2009′ produced by New Media Age)

Each day, it seems more brands are trying to convince us that their services and interactions are designed around our needs as customers. But how many companies can demonstrate that they are truly customer-orientated?

We took some clients out for dinner to a restaurant in central London called inamo. The restaurant’s unique offering is a table with a fun and usable interface allowing patrons not only to order their food and drink at any time but to customise their table design, play games (I had a hard fought victory on Battleships!) and view Chef-cam.

2009 is the tenth anniversary of the Cluetrain Manifesto. If you’ve never come across it before (or if it’s been a while since you read it) take a look. Follow my link then scroll down the page a bit to find the 95 ‘theses’ about the future of the internet as imagined in 1999.

Merry Christmas everyone!

This awesome infographic from Wired is more chock full of fun than Santa’s sack. Just the ticket if too much seasonal partying has left you in a less-than-productive state.

How did I ever live without the Fail Blog, which has rocketed into my list of all-time favourite sites? Enjoy!