Interaction Design

System name: SmartDraw 2007

This application lets you create all types of graphics using a huge catalogue predefined templates. Even though the software addresses the pain point of having a template for a document when are willing to develop, it has some interaction design issues.

Interface Design flaws.

1. Scrolling down a document using the drop down tab on the right expands the document instead of actually scrolling it down.

2. Choosing to open a new document while working on another document actually freezes the interface, and it takes some time for it to be reloaded and displayed properly (we have to minimize the window, then maximize it again.)

Recommended changes:

These two interaction design flaws could be resolved by re-doing some product testing involving the developers in it, to let them know the issues to be resolved. A simpler interface design approach along with a more rigorous testing phase should effectively fix these issues

Critique

Windows Picture and Fax Viewer

Overview

Image viewer built in Windows XP that is capable to view basic picture formats.

Key weakness

The Image viewer is known to have difficulty rendering PNG (Portable Network Graphics) images correctly.

Root cause

Even though PNG images are acceptably displayed, it sometimes causes entire lines to not be rendered at a high zoom level, making it confusing when examining critical image data. This is most likely due to a poor implementation of the PNG compression algorithm.

Suggested improvements

1. Review the quality requirement in order to fix the file rendering problem
2. Re-implement the decompression algorithm with a quality and efficiency driven objectives (rather than poor and dashed off implementation)
3. Test the feature before finalizing it
   

Suggestions for Improvement

Product: RegCleaner 4.3.0.780



Actors and key pain points

Primary user:

• Little or no knowledge of the Windows Registry File
• User cannot manually delete a Registry entry without challenging Windows OS integrity

Functions

• Upon execution, checks the Registry and shows all the dead or useless entries that canbe safely removed
• Lets the user delete specific entries
• Various registry cleanup methods available
• Saves and logs modifications and deleted files for backup and restoration purpose

Form

• Graphical User Interface
• Checkboxes to delete only selected entries
• Support for multiple languages
• Very simple to use
• Requires few memory and CPU processing
• Table layered presentation of the information
  
• Runs on Windows based Operating Systems only

This product is designed to clearly address user pain points. Apart from REgistry cleaning, it also gives to the user the ability to change the Windows startup program list, change the default program for a specific file extension, or remove/uninstall programs from the computer.

Suggestion for Improvement

The actual system can be improved by adding a task scheduler, which would allow the user to plan an automatic Registry cleaning on a regular basis.
Another useful feature could be an automatic deletion done by the software for non-system files (system running in the background and filtering registry entries based on file extension and file location), thus reducing the need to perform repetitive Registry cleanings.

Vision Statements

Vision Statement #1: Ubuntu 7.04

For people with low income, who need a complete computer working environment, the Ubuntu 7.04 Feisty Fawn is a Linux based Operating System that offers a very complete software suite along with a nice graphical user interface (GUI). Unlike Microsoft Windows XP, the Ubuntu OS is free.


Vision Statement #2: FireFox 2.0

For people using the Internet daily, who look for a safe online experience, Mozilla FifeFox is a web browser that has been developed with security in mind. Unlike Internet Explorer, FireFox is faster, secure, and fully customizable using add-ons.

Software Review: McAfee

This is a little review on a security software regularly used by me. This software is the McAfee Personal Firewall Plus, by McAfee. It has been released in 2005, and the version reviewed is v7.1.113 ( http://www.mcafee.com)

This software basically acts as a firewall and protects you and your computer from actual Internet threats such as viruses, Trojan horses, and other exploit-oriented worms and malwares.

It is part of the McAfee Security Center Suite 2005.
It targets daily home and office users concerned about their online security.

Pros:

• Simple and intuitive user interface
• Summary of main information on start page
• Ease of use, as the firewall adds the connection rules based on each program used

Cons:

• Uses lot of memory and CPU processing, mainly during the Signature file updates.

One of the interesting features of the McAfee Firewall is the possibility for the user to view a summary of the recent traffic volume across his Internet connection. He gets current and total statistics on both incoming an outgoing connections. The user also has a graphical view of the online traffic usage on a per program basis.

Another cool feature of this software is its Visual TraceRouting tool. Indeed, the user can simply click on an IP address (either blocked or not), and initiate a "visual" trace route on that address.

Overall Rating: Good!

This firewall is really easy to use, even for people having little/no knowledge of firewalls work. Easy and on-the-go configuration.

Product Classification: Security software