I was ecstatic that I made it through this unbelievably tricky “game” in just 9 minutes on my first try, but after looking through others’ Task 10 posts, it seems others were even faster than I was!
Unpopular opinion: I really enjoyed this task! Knowing that the interface was trying to trick me helped a lot in my problem-solving process, and it was fun to see the strategies that were used to confuse the player. With that being said, some sections really tripped me up.
Without ruining this task for anyone else, the aspects of this activity I found most difficult were:
- Closing pop-up boxes (took me a few too many clicks to find the “Close” button!)
- Making it through the last “Are you a human?” step. I kept thinking I completed it correctly, but each time I was forced to re-check the boxes and try again. It took me awhile to realize where my mistake was made, and it was not what I expected!
This game made me feel like I was viewing a website how my Grandma might see it. Each pop-up was overwhelming, the screen was cluttered with an assortment of media messages all screaming for your attention, and each error was painfully frustrating because you don’t know where you’re going wrong. This task was certainly eye-opening as to the techniques interface designers use to help web users know where to click, and how these techniques can be strategically manipulated to lead users astray (especially when advertisements are involved!).
Emily
July 17, 2020 — 7:56 am
Hey Alanna,
Unlike you, I did not enjoy the experience, however, it did also remind me of my Grandmother. I wonder when or if I will become like her, as I find myself wanting to use technology much less because of the surveillance of personal data and social media. Does this mean I will lose touch with how to navigate online and look to younger generations to help me? I am not yet 30, but at the rate things change it seems imminent. Oh no!
Alanna Carmichael
July 24, 2020 — 9:19 pm
I have the same worries! I am also under 30, and I can’t imagine what technology will look like when I reach the age of my grandmother.
MargaretNash
July 20, 2020 — 10:45 pm
Hi Alanna!
I totally agree with your comment about viewing a website like your grandma would! I think that it’s a tactic that many companies may use – praying on the inexperience of many online. Do you think it’s ethical for companies to “trick” people into clicking on these things? Just like we hear regularly about phone scams and elderly people being convinced to send money to someone they don’t even know … it’s a sad world in some ways …
Alanna Carmichael
July 24, 2020 — 9:22 pm
Hi Margaret!
I am completely against the trickery of advertisers and web designers. I am not sure what they are gaining when they successfully “trick” someone into accidentally clicking an advertisement or link – I know that when I accidentally click something, I immediately close the pop-up as fast as I can! But, as you state, others certainly do fall victim to the unethical behaviours of some people online.
Rebecca Hydamacka
July 22, 2020 — 9:42 pm
I am an almost grandma . . . okay I am a step-grandma and a digital immigrant as well as a minimal gamer so this was really hard for me. And yet after finally meeting the challenge, I actually enjoyed it also. So much that I went back for more punishment finally getting my time down to 6 something and will probably try again. Your opinion is not that unpopular, Alanna. The “are you human” thing that I cannot spell is hilarious! The game really draws attention to how we do become accustomed (or perhaps complacent) to the design of a website or game.
PS -This grandma does not get sucked in too easily. 😀 I was so suspicious that it interfered with my time as I read the bogus “terms and conditions” Yikes!
Alanna Carmichael
July 24, 2020 — 9:34 pm
Haha – you are certainly a tech-savvy step-grandma, Rebecca! I worry about where my technology skills will be at 30 or so years from now. At this rate, it seems that falling behind is almost inevitable!
I completely agree with your comment that the game draws attention to how accustomed we are to common web design tricks. This is one of the reasons why I enjoyed this activity so much – I felt like I was seeing web design in a new way after!
And hey, “question everything” isn’t a bad motto with this type of activity. 🙂
SASHA PASSAGLIA
August 11, 2020 — 9:25 am
I loved how you used the “Grandma” analogy! I think about this all the time and how susceptible our elderly can be. They are often the easiest prey for companies, especially those who ask for CC cards with a promise of not charging it…then in the little notes it says they will get charged later on. I like that you enjoyed this task – as many others, and myself did not! It definitely makes us think that we take for granted many aspects of great user interfaces 😉