I am going to evaluate my microwave oven against Nielsen’s ten heuristics.
Visibility of system status: The oven has a little lcd display that informs the user what is going on at any time. It also has this beeping sound that goes off when its task is complete. So this product passes from the first elimination point.
Match between system and the real world: Although it does not follow visual conversation trough its lcd screen, this oven has a display on the side that allows the user make sellections, such as E-Z choice, auto defrost, start, stop etc. Because it could not follow real-world conversation this product fails in this category.
User control and freedom: This product has off /cancel button on the right bottom corner with red line marked. The off button doesn`t clearly states “emergency exit” but most of the users would escape the unwanted state by pushing off button. Therefore the microwave gives the user control and freedom.
Consistency and standards: This product does not use different words and actions for the same operation. It follows the same routine every time, delivering consistency and same standards.
Error prevention: This is a pretty good designed product to prevent errors. The user needs to shut its door in order to get it runing. It displays the operation that is in trough the lcd display.
Recognition rather than recall: It does minimize the user’s memory load by making objects, actions, and options visible. On the control panel, to the right of the product, every option is clearly marked by the manufacturer. Because of that user does not have to remember the information dialogue from one part of the conversation to another.
Flexibility and efficiency of use: Because this product is a kitchen appliance, it is operateble by experienced and inexperienced user at the same time. Inexperinced user might need extra second or two to get a task done.
Aesthetic and minimalist design: The product does not contain information which is irrelevant or rarely needed, such as outside temperature, humidity etc. Therefore it passes aesthetic and minimalist design criteria.
Help users recognize, diagnose, and recover from errors: Although the microwave does not display an error message, it lets the user recover from an error by pushing off cancel button.
Help and documentation: The product does come with users manual from manufacturer, but it can be used without the manual. It does not supply a selection menu on the lcd display. All the selections are visually displayed on the right side of the oven.
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Hi Mehmet!
I agree that when you look at a can opener you can not exactly tell what I it is meant to do if you have never use it before. Also I agree with the fact that the user of the can opener can have control and freedom over the object because the can opener will not do anything until you actually touch it and move it somewhere.