ABSTRACT
Modern gadgetry, ranging from automatic dispensing machines to video telephony, is supposed to be able to make life easier. As a matter of fact, the elderly might profit especially from many of these developments—for example, the medical care call—if the sets are usuable. But, all too often, interfaces and manuals of those sets are so confusing that they cannot be operated. In two research projects (ALTEC, LUSI) we studied, in both an observational and experimental setting, how people cope with ticket machines, video-recorders, ISDN telephones and a video-conference system (a type of video telephony). These projects have been conducted to test how difficult it really is, particularly for the elderly, to operate such sets successfully. After having explored the degree of the difficulties and the reasons underlying them, it is now possible to develop improved interfaces which should allow users—especially elderly users—to use modern technology more easily. From 1989 to 1991, the research project ALTEC was conducted. ALTEC stands for 'Aging and Techonology', and was funded by the state of North Rhine Westphalia. Furthermore, we are conducting the EU Project LUSI together with English, Spanish and French partners. LUSI is an abbreviation for Likable and Usable Service Interfaces. The aim of LUSI is development of likable and usable service interfaces for modern telecommunications services in Europe.
