Guerrilla Usability: iPods are batting a thousand
By Eddie Lopez. Friday, 2. February 2007, 03:09:15
Guerrilla Usability is what I call it when we take existing systems and use them in unexpected ways to create a more "usable" solution. Often, it's forcing something to be more usable via glue/tape, or the diagnal path of worn out grass between buildings when the sidewalks just aren't quick enough. If there's a right way and an easy way, Guerrilla Usability is choosing the easy way (inspired by Gerry Gaffney).
That's why I thought this ESPN article was a good example of G.U. It's about how the iPod has become a much sought after gadget for Major League Baseball, and although we're still talking about watching video on iPod (what the system is designed to do), I still want to classify this as G.U. because it's just an interesting twist on technology to accomplish a user's goal. Instead of watching video in a "projection room" (I'm sure they don't have them anymore, but you have to admit that's what you thought of right?) or on DVD, they are loading every hit against every team and pitcher up on their iPods and reviewing them at any time: while on the plane to play the next team, in the locker room, etc... of note is the effort being put into a "playlist" for each player to have all the appropriate videos on hand at any given time.
I'm not sure exactly how motivated players are to watch video of themselves and opponents all day, but from this article it would seem that having the video on hand any time of the day is the real killer experience. I'm always fascinated when people find new ways to accomlish goals with existing tools.
The system is working out so well that all sorts of teams are looking into the how they can set up the same kind of system.
(via Slashdot)
That's why I thought this ESPN article was a good example of G.U. It's about how the iPod has become a much sought after gadget for Major League Baseball, and although we're still talking about watching video on iPod (what the system is designed to do), I still want to classify this as G.U. because it's just an interesting twist on technology to accomplish a user's goal. Instead of watching video in a "projection room" (I'm sure they don't have them anymore, but you have to admit that's what you thought of right?) or on DVD, they are loading every hit against every team and pitcher up on their iPods and reviewing them at any time: while on the plane to play the next team, in the locker room, etc... of note is the effort being put into a "playlist" for each player to have all the appropriate videos on hand at any given time.
I'm not sure exactly how motivated players are to watch video of themselves and opponents all day, but from this article it would seem that having the video on hand any time of the day is the real killer experience. I'm always fascinated when people find new ways to accomlish goals with existing tools.
The system is working out so well that all sorts of teams are looking into the how they can set up the same kind of system.
(via Slashdot)
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