Custom Research http://weblogs.jupiterresearch.com/analysts/custom/ en-us Copyright 2008 Tue, 17 May 2005 13:39:20 -05:00 Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:52:51 -05:00 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.121 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Is Technology Accessible? (How Do You Increase the Font?) http://weblogs.jupiterresearch.com/analysts/custom/archives/2005/05/is_technology_a.html My Mom just got an iMac. Most of it was up and running before I stopped by (except AOL). I wanted to show her some AAA rates on a hotel site, so while I was there she installed AOL - didn't need any help there.

.....but, as soon as she opened the browser she said, 'I need to make the font bigger'

We tried to find out how to increase the fonts (after searching for AAA rates unsuccessfully - another blog topic). The only thing we could find easily was the magnification tool on the iMac (we spent maybe 10-15 minutes).

So, where are the initiatives around accessibile technology... If an issue today, it will most certainly be an issue in the future at home and in the office....

Anyone interested in talking about accessibility technology agendas, email me: marciajup@gmail.com


]]> 2282@http://weblogs.jupiterresearch.com/analysts/custom/ Tue, 17 May 2005 13:39:20 -05:00 Text chat didn't work for me http://weblogs.jupiterresearch.com/analysts/custom/archives/2005/03/text_chat_didnt_1.html To my utter disappointment my 7-year-old IBM computer’s quirks have caused me to purchase a new machine. Usually I buy from IBM, but this time I was drawn to Dell (sorry IBM). Dell’s product customization, weekly specials, and clear site navigation made the purchase appealing and smooth.

The only problem I experienced was with their online text chat tool to chat with a support representative. Over the course of a few days I asked the same series of questions during multiple chat sessions and got different answers every time. I even got different answers from the same rep on 2 different occasions. Obviously this led to some confusion on my part. As my colleague Zachary McGeary points out in “Consumer Survey Understanding Customer Service Behavior” less than 60% of consumers have been happy with their experience with text chat support in 2004. This means everyone’s still got a long way to go, including Dell.

All in all though, the online purchase was a good experience and I love the machine (especially the 19” flat panel that came bundled with it)

]]> 2280@http://weblogs.jupiterresearch.com/analysts/custom/ Mon, 14 Mar 2005 14:51:14 -05:00 WiFi for Entertainment? http://weblogs.jupiterresearch.com/analysts/custom/archives/2005/03/wifi_for_entert.html I was recently asked about some data, “So why people aren’t using it (Wi-Fi) for entertainment today – they have all the equipment they need if they already have a wireless network at home?”

Piggybacking on some work that Julie’s team conducted, we recently took a deeper look at Wi-Fi and interference for a client.

It is amazing to see the numerous ad-hoc ways that people deal with interference symptoms (and Wi-Fi) at home. Think about using Wi-Fi as a vehicle for watching TV or listening to music if you were making the following adjustments to make it work:

"I have a multi-level house and I only use Wi-Fi in the middle level."
"I wait 'til my neighbor is done using their microwave."
"I wait 'til my wife is done using the microwave."

Would you turn off your stereo so you can cook? Not me…music is always part of the cooking experience.

(OK – maybe ‘microwaving’ is not cooking…but you get my point.)

Julie can speak more on this.

]]> 2279@http://weblogs.jupiterresearch.com/analysts/custom/ Wed, 09 Mar 2005 09:46:02 -05:00