3 ms·

Digitization Puts Many at a Disadvantage

20 points by zdw 3y ago

caesil 3y ago
Okay? What's the takeaway? This is just a list of assertions that technology is hard for some people to use.
- savolai 3y ago
  It’s data about our users that could fuel design if there was incentive. The system has forgotten about these particular ones. the measure of society is how it treats the weakest members Thomas Jefferson https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/7499429-the-measure-of-society-is-how-it-treats-the-weakest https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/7499429-the-measure-of-soci... https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38094970 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38094970 Why are the needs of gamers more important than those of the elderly, for example?
  - ag2998 3y ago
    [flagged]
  - marcus_holmes 3y ago
    > Why are the needs of gamers more important than those of the elderly, for example? Because in a capitalist society we allocate resources using money and market forces. And gamers are willing to spend more on technology than the elderly.
- Dalewyn 3y ago
  If nothing else, the takeaway here is you will suffer the same way elders are suffering today when in a couple decades you too grow old and become forgotten on the wayside by your kids' and grandkids' generations. And when you speak of your plight then, you too will be handwaved away as you are doing right now to your elders. If you aren't interested in bettering the lives of your elders, at least take away that bettering the lives of your elders today will also improve your own life when you too become an elder one day. What goes around comes around.
oliverulerich 3y ago
Many challenges older or disabled individuals face with digital devices are due to design issues, not the technology itself. I've seen that when devices or systems are convoluted, it's often due to business interests prioritizing revenue over user experience. This is not an inherent flaw of digital technology but a result of corporate strategies that can be changed through better regulation and consumer demand for user-friendly designs. Considering the specific issues highlighted in the article, it's curious why there hasn't yet been the development of an accessible, user-friendly operating system featuring large buttons and straightforward menus. Such an OS could then be paired with more accessible versions of websites, like a flight booking service, which would present plain text and essential functions in the clearest possible manner... (dreaming in a dream)
- funcDropShadow 3y ago
  > Considering the specific issues highlighted in the article, it's curious why there hasn't yet been the development of an accessible, user-friendly operating system featuring large buttons and straightforward menus Because no app is using buttons provided by the operating system or even a widget library anymore. Since they want to be pixel perfect, low contrast, bla bla of the week.
- coffeedan 3y ago
  My mom has a mobile flip phone that was “designed for the elderly”. Big buttons, big labels, etc. The “Volume Down” button is also giant and is on the side. It’s also strategically located so every time she picks up the phone, tightly gripped, she unknowingly turns the ringer volume all the way down. Sigh…
jacknews 3y ago
It does not only affect older people; everyone now has to use digital services (which often have appaling or onerous UIs or security requirements). For example, I recently opened a new bank account, and essentially to be able to do anything with the account, I had to 'activate' it. From the bank's mobile phone app. Even though I was sitting right there in the bank, with my passport and other documents, I had to 'verify' myself by installing their app and using it to respond to a 2FA SMS text - no other way. Another problem is with uber type services. I used to be able to hail a ride taxi-style (hand in the air) pretty much from anywhere at almost any time. Now, using an app is almost the only way, as anything moving is carrying a ride-hailing app passenger, or on it's way to one. A smart-phone has become essential to modern life, not just a convenient luxury or toy, and usability generally sucks for everyone, and especially for older of physically challenged people.
- ssss11 3y ago
  Many things are “almost digital-only” these days it’s incredible that companies making these decisions couldn’t see what they’re doing, I think you do see it, but it’s cheaper to not use human staff. Imagine doing everything offline and how much longer it would take you even if it was possible - nobody has the time. My elderly parents don’t bank online, can’t purchase plane tickets/hotels online confidently, tried to request a senior citizen card from the government but I had to do it and we had to provide some rediculous ~10 scanned documents to do it… the list goes on…

20 points by zdw 3y ago

caesil 3y ago

Okay? What's the takeaway? This is just a list of assertions that technology is hard for some people to use.

savolai 3y ago
It’s data about our users that could fuel design if there was incentive. The system has forgotten about these particular ones. the measure of society is how it treats the weakest members Thomas Jefferson https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/7499429-the-measure-of-society-is-how-it-treats-the-weakest https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/7499429-the-measure-of-soci... https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38094970 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38094970 Why are the needs of gamers more important than those of the elderly, for example?
- ag2998 3y ago
  [flagged]
- marcus_holmes 3y ago
  > Why are the needs of gamers more important than those of the elderly, for example? Because in a capitalist society we allocate resources using money and market forces. And gamers are willing to spend more on technology than the elderly.
Dalewyn 3y ago
If nothing else, the takeaway here is you will suffer the same way elders are suffering today when in a couple decades you too grow old and become forgotten on the wayside by your kids' and grandkids' generations. And when you speak of your plight then, you too will be handwaved away as you are doing right now to your elders. If you aren't interested in bettering the lives of your elders, at least take away that bettering the lives of your elders today will also improve your own life when you too become an elder one day. What goes around comes around.

oliverulerich 3y ago

Many challenges older or disabled individuals face with digital devices are due to design issues, not the technology itself. I've seen that when devices or systems are convoluted, it's often due to business interests prioritizing revenue over user experience. This is not an inherent flaw of digital technology but a result of corporate strategies that can be changed through better regulation and consumer demand for user-friendly designs. Considering the specific issues highlighted in the article, it's curious why there hasn't yet been the development of an accessible, user-friendly operating system featuring large buttons and straightforward menus. Such an OS could then be paired with more accessible versions of websites, like a flight booking service, which would present plain text and essential functions in the clearest possible manner... (dreaming in a dream)

funcDropShadow 3y ago
> Considering the specific issues highlighted in the article, it's curious why there hasn't yet been the development of an accessible, user-friendly operating system featuring large buttons and straightforward menus Because no app is using buttons provided by the operating system or even a widget library anymore. Since they want to be pixel perfect, low contrast, bla bla of the week.
coffeedan 3y ago
My mom has a mobile flip phone that was “designed for the elderly”. Big buttons, big labels, etc. The “Volume Down” button is also giant and is on the side. It’s also strategically located so every time she picks up the phone, tightly gripped, she unknowingly turns the ringer volume all the way down. Sigh…

jacknews 3y ago

It does not only affect older people; everyone now has to use digital services (which often have appaling or onerous UIs or security requirements). For example, I recently opened a new bank account, and essentially to be able to do anything with the account, I had to 'activate' it. From the bank's mobile phone app. Even though I was sitting right there in the bank, with my passport and other documents, I had to 'verify' myself by installing their app and using it to respond to a 2FA SMS text - no other way. Another problem is with uber type services. I used to be able to hail a ride taxi-style (hand in the air) pretty much from anywhere at almost any time. Now, using an app is almost the only way, as anything moving is carrying a ride-hailing app passenger, or on it's way to one. A smart-phone has become essential to modern life, not just a convenient luxury or toy, and usability generally sucks for everyone, and especially for older of physically challenged people.

ssss11 3y ago
Many things are “almost digital-only” these days it’s incredible that companies making these decisions couldn’t see what they’re doing, I think you do see it, but it’s cheaper to not use human staff. Imagine doing everything offline and how much longer it would take you even if it was possible - nobody has the time. My elderly parents don’t bank online, can’t purchase plane tickets/hotels online confidently, tried to request a senior citizen card from the government but I had to do it and we had to provide some rediculous ~10 scanned documents to do it… the list goes on…