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From: jtchew@csa2.lbl.gov (JOSEPH T CHEW)
Newsgroups: comp.human-factors
Subject: Re: Yucky ATM interfaces (WAS Re: Touchscreens)
Summary: Human factors remains an insufficiently practiced discipline
Message-ID: <14450@dog.ee.lbl.gov>
Date: 18 Jun 91 22:02:56 GMT
References: <8435@awdprime.UUCP> <6460@ns-mx.uiowa.edu> <1991Jun17.062203.1381@sq.sq.com> <80373@eerie.acsu.Buffalo.EDU>
Reply-To: jtchew@csa2.lbl.gov
Organization: Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory - Berkeley, CA, USA
Lines: 19
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X-Local-Date: Tue, 18 Jun 91 14:16:07 PDT

{Description of Satan's own ATM deleted}

I'm surprised at the requirement to insert your card and enter your PIN
multiple times.  Eats processor and datacomm time, eh?

Where I live, Safeway and Lucky (two supermart chains) have installed
different kinds of point-of-sale card readers.  The more amusing of
the two offers _no_ clue of any kind as to which way to orient the card
or which direction to swipe it, although it _does_ care about both.
It also has "eraser" keys that only a kung fu disciple can actuate
on the first try every time. 

Their competitor has much better user human factors, but also requires
the checker's intervention at a second keyboard on the other side.

It's enough to make the most dedicated cyberphile pay in cash.

--Joe
"Just another personal opinion from the People's Republic of Berkeley"