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Entry bubble Good Usability – Not an Accident, a Decision!

By: Joanne | November 12, 2008 | Category: General

Today, in celebration of World Usability Day on Thursday, Nov. 13, we welcome Nicole Burton as our guest blogger. Nicole is a usability specialist at the General Services Administration on the USA.gov Web Best Practices Team, where she helps web teams makes their websites easy to use. Nicole is a playwright, publisher author, and certified usability specialist.

potato peeler

Why are some websites are easy to use and others drive you crazy? Why do some kitchen gadgets feel so good in your hand while others lead straight to the first aid kit?









confusing street signs Why do some city street signs guide you while others cause crashes?

The answer: Good user experiences are planned. Twelve years ago, I discovered usability while working as a tech writer at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. At a conference, the presenter showed us how to test a computer system design with real users using nothing but paper! I realized that doing several rounds of testing and design early on was the key to making a system or website easy to use. I’ve never looked back.

On Thursday, November 13, 2:00-3:00 pm ET, the National Institute of Standards and Technology is offering a free webinar on how to write great usability requirements. It’s part of World Usability Day, an international event to draw the public’s attention to the benefits of good usability.

Usability engineers (yep, it’s a real job title) help build ease of use into websites and other products. We usually earn at least a masters degree or certification, but experience is the best qualification, and lots of people master usability basics. For tips to get started and usability guidelines, check out Usability.gov and Webcontent.gov.

Be warned: Once you start looking for good and bad usability, your world will never be the same. TV remote controls, doorways, websites will all announce whether they’re easy or hard to use.

Actually, usability awareness is good. As consumers, we send a powerful message to government and industry when we choose to use websites that are easy to use and avoid or critique those that waste our time.

Remember, good usability isn’t an accident, it’s a decision!

| View Comments [1] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: day   experience   nicole   usability   user   world  

 

Entry bubble Read the Fine Print

By: Nicole | August 29, 2008 | Category: General

Mouse DetectiveHave you ever wondered about the full page of microscopic text that flashes for .02 seconds at the end of a car commercial? Well, the folks behind MousePrint.org certainly have. In fact, they have taken the time to review lots of ads to see what information is hidden in the fine print, and they’re willing to share their discoveries.

The website doesn’t just cover car ads either. Their retail section can keep you up-to-date on which companies are downsizing their products to hide rising costs, and their sweepstakes section can give you the skinny on unlikely giveaways.

If you have a complaint about a misleading advertisement, you should contact the company first. If that doesn’t work, there are steps you can take to resolve the issue.

And while we’re on the topic, I have some fine print to share about myself. I’ve accepted a new position at the Federal Trade Commission. Don’t worry. I will still be hard at work empowering consumers, and I will be leaving you in very capable hands. Our new Friday blogger, Ginger, is sure to keep you on your toes.*


*Nicole cannot be held accountable for Ginger's ability to keep you on your toes. All previous claims from Nicole expire as of August 29, 2008. Sorry, no refunds.

| View Comments [4] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: ads   advertisements   cars   claims   complaints   consumer   nicole   retail   shopping   sweepstakes  

 

Entry bubble The Pitfalls of Payday Lending

By: Nicole | August 22, 2008 | Category: Money

CashThe Gov Gab comment box has recently been flooded with spam promoting payday loans. Fortunately, we don’t post spam, but these messages gave me an idea for today’s topic.

If you gather more than five consumer advocates in any one location for more than five minutes they will commiserate about the pitfalls of payday lending. For cash-strapped consumers, a payday loan is one of the most treacherous ways to borrow money.

Here’s an example. A person borrows $100 until payday. The lender charges $15. The borrower cannot repay the loan on time, so the loan is "rolled over" for another two weeks with an additional fee of $30. Already, this person has spent $45 to borrow $100, and the borrower is not out of debt yet.

Most payday lending models actually intend to keep the borrower in debt indefinitely. More than 90 percent of these loans are given to borrowers who use more than five payday loans per year.

Payday lending is illegal in some states. Use this map to determine if your state has laws that protect you from payday lenders.

If you find yourself short on cash, look for alternatives to payday loans.

For more information about managing debt, read our publication on Financial Fitness.

Have you ever been solicited by a payday lender?

| View Comments [20] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: bankruptcy   debt   finance   lender   lending   loan   loans   money   nicole   payday   predatory_lending  

 

Entry bubble Avoid Foreclosure Rescue Scams

By: Nicole | August 15, 2008 | Category: Home and Family

Mortgage PaymentsA few weeks ago, I wrote a post about avoiding mortgage foreclosure. I know that topic resonated with a lot of folks. In addition to other worries, homeowners must now be more guarded than ever against foreclosure rescue scams. The fear of losing their homes can make even the savviest consumers susceptible.

The Federal Trade Commission and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency both provide general descriptions of the most common foreclosure rescue scams:

  • Lease-back or repurchase scams happen when someone offers to pay your mortgage and rent your home back to you. This scheme often involves signing over your deed to a con artist.
  • Refinance Fraud occurs when people pose as mortgage brokers and offer to refinance your loan so you can afford the payments. Con artists may trick you into signing over the ownership of your home by saying that you are signing documents for a new loan.
  • Bankruptcy Schemes attempt to abuse the bankruptcy laws. The con artist may even file a bankruptcy case in your name, without your knowledge.

Here are some general tips to help you avoid these scams:

  • Read and understand everything you sign.
  • Don’t sign blank or partially completed documents.
  • Make payments directly to your lender or mortgage provider.
  • Contact your lender directly to discuss payments and options.
  • Never sign over the deed to your house without consulting a lawyer.
  • Report suspicious activity to the FTC or your state consumer protection office.

For more information about housing, visit the USA.gov Homes and Housing Page. Do you have any other tips for avoiding foreclosure scams?

| View Comments [3] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: bank   foreclosure   fraud   home   housing   lending   loan   money   mortgage   nicole   scams  

 

Entry bubble State Sales Tax Holidays

By: Nicole | August 01, 2008 | Category: Money

Gold sandalsA few days ago, I was browsing through one of our many local malls and found a hot deal on a fabulous pair of new shoes. I try to limit my shoe collection to a reasonable amount (which is relative, of course), but I couldn't pass up this sale. So, I bounced up to the counter with a smile and a credit card. Unfortunately, I had forgotten that Maryland recently raised its sales tax to 6 percent. Dude, that can totally add to the cost of new shoes (and most other consumer purchases).

The good news is that many states offer a sales tax holiday. In fact, 14 different states have a tax holiday in August, many beginning today. That should help for those of you who have back-to-school shopping to do.

If you're not sure about your state’s sales tax or its sales tax holiday, be sure to check them out. Most states have rules about which purchases will be tax-free during the holiday, so do a little research before you go. The money you save could help you buy an extra pair of shoes... guilt-free! Happy shopping.

| View Comments [2] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: buy   money   nicole   purchase   sales   sales_tax   spend   tax  

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