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Written by Daniel Leiderman-Gueller
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Tuesday, 02 September 2008 00:00 |
When working in support, I leaned that there are several types of users according to two different parameters: the actual knowledge and the self perceived knowledge.
Using these two parameters there are four user types:
- user who doesn't know, and knows he doesn't knows - this user has low understanding of how things work and has knows that, so he ask references for each and every action, while trying to keep a detailed record of how each action is performed. This type of user is easy to satisfy as it wont have a lot of expectations from the computer.
- User who knows and knows he knows - this user is easy, it's a power user with actual knowledge who can actually be a local guru in his vicinity. From support point of view he can be cooperative and actually be a helping hand for his surroundings or there can be animosity where he is seen as negative influence.
- User who knows but he thinks he doesn't knows - this user is a normally someone with some knowledge but who is unsure of it. This user can be guided, his confidence built and he can actually provide very important hints on real user needs.
- User who doesn't know but thinks he knows - this is a fake power user, he will try to have to looks and uses of a real power user by mimicking but he doesn't have the actual knowledge of the reasons and the concepts. This user is the most difficult to treat as he wont accept authority and ask for reasons but lacks the foundation for actually understanding the situation. When presented with an option to learn, the user refuses on the ground of being un-appreciated.
Each of these type of users can be handled, some easier and some not so, but each one can teach you on human nature and the interactions between user and the computer.
In my experience, having an open mind for finding the right way of interacting with each user is a very enriching experience, who as provided me tools for creating valid communication with many types of persons. In a sense, support work was the first step in learning system engineering - learning communication skills.
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Last Updated on Friday, 09 January 2009 13:32 |
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Written by Daniel Leiderman-Gueller
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Saturday, 23 August 2008 00:00 |
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I am involved in a workgroup on software architecture organized by ILTAM.
ILTAM is an organization for maturing new technologies in existing industries and provide a ground for intellectual cooperation.
I was invited to present the issue of when architecture is discussed, as part of the product lifecycle and whether it is related to other tasks.
The first problem I have is researching software architecture. I have formal education in electronics, not in software, so I have to find the sources for information. Additionally, I have to understand where software architecture fits in the product development phase.
So I have two weeks and I'm starting to find out how difficult is to find academic references when you don't have a lead.
I will update on the research status.
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Last Updated on Friday, 09 January 2009 13:30 |
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Written by Daniel Leiderman-Gueller
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Saturday, 16 August 2008 00:00 |
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While travelling to a customer, I had the chance to see the movie 21. The movie itself wasn't very remarkable, and was very predictable. You can see the synopsis here
The reason this movie caught my attention was the predictability of it, you could from the beginning see where it was heading, what would be the major turning points and what would be the end. This reminded of a stencil for a movie where you just have to put in the names, the area and some plot elements.
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Last Updated on Friday, 09 January 2009 13:27 |
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Read more... [Predictability - good and bad]
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Written by Daniel Leiderman-Gueller
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Thursday, 07 August 2008 00:00 |
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Sometimes just having the right way of finding the solution is more helpful than knowing the way to solve it, this story just proves it.
A friend of mine bought a new computer to replace an older laptop plagued with viruses. The computer she bought is a Dell Inspiron 1525 which can be purchased preloaded with vista or without operating system. Since she can use a site license for the computer, she bought it without OS and asked for a technician to install the new computer.
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Last Updated on Friday, 09 January 2009 13:23 |
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Read more... [Google the problem]
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