Comments on: Spear’s Spellmaster: Poka-yoke in the classroom http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/2008/01/07/spears-spellmaster-poka-yoke-in-the-classroom/ How do people use products, systems and environments? How can designers influence interaction? How can we design for sustainable behaviour? Sat, 22 Nov 2008 21:53:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Brian http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/2008/01/07/spears-spellmaster-poka-yoke-in-the-classroom/#comment-140898 Brian Thu, 10 Jan 2008 00:51:52 +0000 http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/2008/01/07/spears-spellmaster-poka-yoke-in-the-classroom/#comment-140898 "The ’snap’ of a correctly positioned letter is actually pretty satisfying" this phrase took me straight back in a vivid flashback. I really had forgotten about these sets. Nostalgia aside I quite agree with the point you're making, that there are physical interfaces out there that have qualities beyond the HCI/electronic efforts we might initially assume to be the answer. I suspect you might be anticipating the design trends which come after the wave of physical/ubiquitous computing currently buzzing around dies down. “The ’snap’ of a correctly positioned letter is actually pretty satisfying”

this phrase took me straight back in a vivid flashback. I really had forgotten about these sets.

Nostalgia aside I quite agree with the point you’re making, that there are physical interfaces out there that have qualities beyond the HCI/electronic efforts we might initially assume to be the answer. I suspect you might be anticipating the design trends which come after the wave of physical/ubiquitous computing currently buzzing around dies down.

]]> By: Dan http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/2008/01/07/spears-spellmaster-poka-yoke-in-the-classroom/#comment-140164 Dan Tue, 08 Jan 2008 11:50:47 +0000 http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/2008/01/07/spears-spellmaster-poka-yoke-in-the-classroom/#comment-140164 Thanks Matt, that's a good point. Indeed, right in front of me on the desk is a library book with a punched index card. <img src="http://www.danlockton.co.uk/research/images/punchedcard.jpg" alt="Punched card from Brunel University Library" /> To some extent most of the examples of 'behaviour-controlling' technology and design could be thought of as 'programming' the interaction between user and system, even where the result isn't 'guaranteed' (most methods which rely on persuading the user rather than forcing him/her). Is design basically woolly programming? But are they all 'computers'? I'm not sure. Do they manipulate data according to a set of instructions/criteria? Maybe the difference comes down to the extent to which different outcomes can be produced based on selected criteria. The Spellmaster came with one backing board, twenty cards each with five words on, and eighty letter tiles, and the 'programmed' aspect only works when the system is used together as intended. If you use the tiles without the word cards, you can spell anything. But with the cards in place, you are given potentially 100 words to spell, and correct spellings work and wrong ones don't. Compared to, say, the cut-off corner on a SIM card or 3½" floppy disk - which, despite also working on a principle of 'form-based physical interference to ensure correct positioning and orientation of a component' - it seems that one system (the Spellmaster) is far closer to being a computer than the other. Thanks Matt, that’s a good point. Indeed, right in front of me on the desk is a library book with a punched index card.

Punched card from Brunel University Library

To some extent most of the examples of ‘behaviour-controlling’ technology and design could be thought of as ‘programming’ the interaction between user and system, even where the result isn’t ‘guaranteed’ (most methods which rely on persuading the user rather than forcing him/her). Is design basically woolly programming?

But are they all ‘computers’? I’m not sure. Do they manipulate data according to a set of instructions/criteria?

Maybe the difference comes down to the extent to which different outcomes can be produced based on selected criteria. The Spellmaster came with one backing board, twenty cards each with five words on, and eighty letter tiles, and the ‘programmed’ aspect only works when the system is used together as intended. If you use the tiles without the word cards, you can spell anything. But with the cards in place, you are given potentially 100 words to spell, and correct spellings work and wrong ones don’t.

Compared to, say, the cut-off corner on a SIM card or 3½” floppy disk - which, despite also working on a principle of ‘form-based physical interference to ensure correct positioning and orientation of a component’ - it seems that one system (the Spellmaster) is far closer to being a computer than the other.

]]> By: Matt Platte http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/2008/01/07/spears-spellmaster-poka-yoke-in-the-classroom/#comment-139934 Matt Platte Mon, 07 Jan 2008 22:30:35 +0000 http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/2008/01/07/spears-spellmaster-poka-yoke-in-the-classroom/#comment-139934 <blockquote><em>we might consider a computer-based solution to this kind of design brief today</em></blockquote> What you meant: we might consider <strong>an electronic</strong> computer-based solution to this kind of design brief today... Because the Spellmaster is, indeed, a computer as was Mr. Jaquard's programmable looms. Somewhere in my attic is a wooden box that holds a couple hundred cards, each card with various tabs and holes along the top. Poking a metal rod across the top of the box would select different sets of cards. Should I find it anytime soon, I'll send a photo or three.

we might consider a computer-based solution to this kind of design brief today

What you meant: we might consider an electronic computer-based solution to this kind of design brief today…

Because the Spellmaster is, indeed, a computer as was Mr. Jaquard’s programmable looms.

Somewhere in my attic is a wooden box that holds a couple hundred cards, each card with various tabs and holes along the top. Poking a metal rod across the top of the box would select different sets of cards. Should I find it anytime soon, I’ll send a photo or three.

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