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Sometimes you have to do things manually if automation fails Other things we talk about: Martin Lewis sues Facebook over scam ads Posh pasta instructions Android's useless button Links mentioned: Facebook still claims it's not a publisher – but Martin Lewis's court action could be set to change that UK journalist is suing Facebook for defamation over fake ads Martin Lewis Is Fired Up About Suing Facebook for Fake Ads Using His Image The Unusable podcast is presented by Andrew Waite & David Ball, who discuss the importance of user experience (UX) in technology & the world around us, & talk about great design that just works - or moan about it when it doesn't. Here's the link to the episode: https://podcast.theunusable.com/podcasts/033-not-always-a-technical-solution.mp3 Music is by [Gold5472](https://gold5472.newgrounds.com/)

Cars are transitioning rapidly from fossil fuels to being battery powered. In this rapidly growing market, UX has the power to differentiate products and accelerate adoption. Equally, bad design has the power to put people off switching to a greener alternative. In this episode Andrew interviews Wolfgang Bremer, Head of Design at Elli - an EV charging brand that's part of the Volkswagen Group. Other things we talk about: David picking a new toilet A doctor's surgery sending an unfortunate "Merry Christmas" text message Links mentioned: Wolfgang Bremer on Twitter The Hot Bertaa Kettle by Philippe Starck BBC News - Doncaster surgery sends cancer text instead of festive message The Unusable podcast is presented by Andrew Waite & David Ball, who discuss the importance of user experience (UX) in technology & the world around us, & talk about great design that just works - or moan about it when it doesn't. Here's the link to the episode: https://podcast.theunusable.com/podcasts/032-ev-charging.mp3 Music is by [Gold5472](https://gold5472.newgrounds.com/)

We discuss the consequences of companies that stop supporting their products, Andrew has a fridge delivered and David introduces his "most infuriating website of the podcast". Other things we talk about: David takes signs way too literally Things Killed By Google Ads on file download sites Links mentioned: Their Bionic Eyes Are Now Obsolete and Unsupported Killed by Google The Unusable podcast is presented by Andrew Waite & David Ball, who discuss the importance of user experience (UX) in technology & the world around us, & talk about great design that just works - or moan about it when it doesn't. Here's the link to the episode: https://podcast.theunusable.com/podcasts/031-unsupported-eyeballs.mp3 Music is by [Gold5472](https://gold5472.newgrounds.com/)

We talk about Jakob's Law, by usability advocate Jakob Neilson. Andrew tells a story about how he scammed an expensive car park. Other things we talk about: Separate audio channels on Android Weird headphone problems with Microsoft Teams Learned expectations & progressive enhancement The selectmenu HTML tag Links mentioned: Jakob’s Law of user experience: Don’t make users think Get running with Couch to 5K Say Hello to selectmenu, a Fully Style-able select Element The Unusable podcast is presented by Andrew Waite & David Ball, who discuss the importance of user experience (UX) in technology & the world around us, & talk about great design that just works - or moan about it when it doesn't. Here's the link to the episode: https://podcast.theunusable.com/podcasts/030-jakobs-law.mp3 Music is by [Gold5472](https://gold5472.newgrounds.com/)

Andy interviews prominent UXer and all-round nice-guy Doug Collins. Other things we talk about: David's scare in the middle of the night Printing out a fake ID Links mentioned: Doug Collins' Book - The UX Design Field Book The Oatmeal - Printers Were Sent from Hell The Unusable podcast is presented by Andrew Waite & David Ball, who discuss the importance of user experience (UX) in technology & the world around us, & talk about great design that just works - or moan about it when it doesn't. Here's the link to the episode: https://podcast.theunusable.com/podcasts/029-doug-collins-interview.mp3 Music is by [Gold5472](https://gold5472.newgrounds.com/)

Is gamification evil? Apple laptop gripes. What is bullshitification? Other things we talk about: Facebook's endless newsfeed of infinite suprise Audi's virtual training programme game thing David spills beer Apple's natural scrolling Pressing delete on an iMac Links mentioned: Gamification — exploring the Octalysis Framework Gamification is Manipulative. Is It Ethical? The Octalysis Framework for Gamification & Behavioral Design Smack Agency Gamification Examples The Unusable podcast is presented by Andrew Waite & David Ball, who discuss the importance of user experience (UX) in technology & the world around us, & talk about great design that just works - or moan about it when it doesn't. Here's the link to the episode: https://podcast.theunusable.com/podcasts/028-gamification.mp3 Music is by [Gold5472](https://gold5472.newgrounds.com/)

We talk about record players with modern(ish) controls, & confusing cloud storage Other things we talk about: 1980s 'Stranger danger' adverts SanDisk's slotMusic & slotRadio Children listening to Hitler speeches backwards Facebook's confusing file browser Eating megabytes Links mentioned: Forgotten memory? slotMusic & slotRadio|Techmoan The Unusable podcast is presented by Andrew Waite & David Ball, who discuss the importance of user experience (UX) in technology & the world around us, & talk about great design that just works - or moan about it when it doesn't. Here's the link to the episode: https://podcast.theunusable.com/podcasts/027-music.mp3 Music is by [Gold5472](https://gold5472.newgrounds.com/)

Andy angers IKEA, & we talk about wireframing & prototyping Other things we talk about: Website with an embedded app creates a phone-in-a-phone Risky & annoying two-factor authentication A restaurant ordering app with inappropriate options Andy's headphones do something weird Links mentioned: Wireframe vs Mockup vs Prototype: What is the Difference and Why Your App Needs it? How To Succeed In Wireframe Design The Unusable podcast is presented by Andrew Waite & David Ball, who discuss the importance of user experience (UX) in technology & the world around us, & talk about great design that just works - or moan about it when it doesn't. Here's the link to the episode: https://podcast.theunusable.com/podcasts/026-wireframing.mp3 Music is by [Gold5472](https://gold5472.newgrounds.com/)

Github Copilot is an exciting new tool to accellerate developer productivity. But has it been thought through? Could it be racist, and could it kill someone? Other things we talk about: Ordering a mattress How long is 0.6 inches? The Unusable podcast is presented by Andrew Waite & David Ball, who discuss the importance of user experience (UX) in technology & the world around us, & talk about great design that just works - or moan about it when it doesn't. Here's the link to the episode: https://podcast.theunusable.com/podcasts/025-github-copilot.mp3 Music is by [Gold5472](https://gold5472.newgrounds.com/)

We talk about some common UX mistakes that people make on websites that we hope will go away. Other things we talk about: Treadmill touchscreens confuse an old man Dentist form fiddling The Unusable podcast is presented by Andrew Waite & David Ball, who discuss the importance of user experience (UX) in technology & the world around us, & talk about great design that just works - or moan about it when it doesn't. Here's the link to the episode: https://podcast.theunusable.com/podcasts/024-common-ux-mistakes.mp3 Music is by [Gold5472](https://gold5472.newgrounds.com/)

We talk about the article 'Why I'm losing faith in UX' by Mark Hurst, tech ethics & horrible cancellation processes. And toilets. Other things we talk about: Andy gets a humorously ironic app notification Logic puzzles at the gym Bad cancellation processes (including Amazon Prime's) Mark Hurst's Tech ethics Toilet flush buttons Smart motorway signage creating problems Links mentioned: Why I'm losing faith in UX No, an exploitative product is not "great" A simple tech ethic The Unusable podcast is presented by Andrew Waite & David Ball, who discuss the importance of user experience (UX) in technology & the world around us, & talk about great design that just works - or moan about it when it doesn't. Here's the link to the episode: https://podcast.theunusable.com/podcasts/023-decline-of-ux.mp3 Music is by [Gold5472](https://gold5472.newgrounds.com/)

We talk about 'Product Led Growth' whilst getting drunk. Other things we talk about: Skype answering video calls unexpectedly Andy's battery charger will definitely cause a housefire Google Wave We get more drunk than the Drunken UX podcast Andrew's new printer The Unusable podcast is presented by Andrew Waite & David Ball, who discuss the importance of user experience (UX) in technology & the world around us, & talk about great design that just works - or moan about it when it doesn't. Here's the link to the episode: https://podcast.theunusable.com/podcasts/022.mp3 Music is by [Gold5472](https://gold5472.newgrounds.com/)

David asks Andrew what changes we should keep after the Coronavirus pandemic lockdown, & how some websites can be really slow on mobile. Other things we talk about: Giant inflatable penguin TV audiences at home One-way systems in shops Contactless payments Local shops pivoting to stay profitable during the pandemic lockdown Perspex screens in shops Theatre productions broadcasting online The Unusable podcast is presented by Andrew Waite & David Ball, who discuss the importance of user experience (UX) in technology & the world around us, & talk about great design that just works - or moan about it when it doesn't. Here's the link to the episode: https://podcast.theunusable.com/podcasts/021-lockdown-upsides.mp3 Music is by [Gold5472](https://gold5472.newgrounds.com/)

What is Occam's razor? In this episode we discuss simple solutions often being the best. Other things we talk about: Dieter Rams KISS Programmers predicting & abstracting Andy is "thinly spread" Leaky toilets with a drop valve system Simplicity of the iPhone, compared to older phones Camera shutters on old phones Henry hoover "With greater functionality comes greater complexity", quote by Spiderman Links mentioned: The water-saving device wasting billions of litres every week Laws of UX The Unusable podcast is presented by Andrew Waite & David Ball, who discuss the importance of user experience (UX) in technology & the world around us, & talk about great design that just works - or moan about it when it doesn't. Here's the link to the episode: https://podcast.theunusable.com/podcasts/020-occams-razor.mp3 Music is by [Gold5472](https://gold5472.newgrounds.com/)

What is Hick's Law? In this episode we discuss static website generators, & keeping things simple. Other things we talk about: Wizards Martial arts A rigmarole logging into the student loans website Annoying Britbox app issues Links mentioned: Pressing a button to expose yourself on the toilet The Unusable podcast is presented by Andrew Waite & David Ball, who discuss the importance of user experience (UX) in technology & the world around us, & talk about great design that just works - or moan about it when it doesn't. Here's the link to the episode: https://podcast.theunusable.com/podcasts/019-hicks-law.mp3 Music is by [Gold5472](https://gold5472.newgrounds.com/)

How does UX influence SEO? In this episode of The Unusable Podcast, we discuss how Google takes into account loading speed, mobile optimisation and other factors when deciding what to show first. Other things we talk about: ASCII art porn David's new kettle isn't an improvement Apple disregards what we all know about AA batteries Andrew fails to use Duck Duck Go & Bing Links mentioned: Google Lighthouse Google PageSpeed insights Google Core Web Vitals report Our shop The Unusable podcast is presented by Andrew Waite & David Ball, who discuss the importance of user experience (UX) in technology & the world around us, & talk about great design that just works - or moan about it when it doesn't. Here's the link to the episode: https://podcast.theunusable.com/podcasts/018-ux-affects-seo.mp3 Music is by [Gold5472](https://gold5472.newgrounds.com/)

David & Andrew discuss planned obsolescence, the practice of designing products to need replacing sooner to net the manufacturer more money. Is it a devious plot to get us all to spend more & pollute the environment, or just technology progressing? In our Bad Usability Nightmare, Andrew collects meat from a pub car park. Other things we talk about: 100 year old lightbulb - the "Centennial Light" HP ink cartridges not working after time TV upgrades, & the pointlessness of 8K Links mentioned: Sonos speaker update sparks anger Boring Wikipedia definition of Planned Obsolescence The Phoebus cartel Our shop Our Patreon The Unusable podcast is presented by Andrew Waite & David Ball, who discuss the importance of user experience (UX) in technology & the world around us, & talk about great design that just works - or moan about it when it doesn't. Here's the link to the episode: https://podcast.theunusable.com/podcasts/017-planned-obsolescence.mp3 Music is by [Gold5472](https://gold5472.newgrounds.com/)

Being forced to work from home due to coronavirus, Andrew & David discuss video chatting using Zoom & Skype, & then the rigmarole of getting things delivered. It gets a bit silly towards the end, because Andrew has been drinking whisky. Other things we talk about: Asynchronous communication Journaling on Slack Privacy flaws with Zoom Google Nest's camera outage Unnatural delay on Hermes' chat-bot Comixology only has US vouchers Links mentioned: Nest camera outage Resources for working from home Our shop Our Patreon The Unusable podcast is presented by Andrew Waite & David Ball, who discuss the importance of user experience (UX) in technology & the world around us, & talk about great design that just works - or moan about it when it doesn't. Here's the link to the episode: https://podcast.theunusable.com/podcasts/016-working-from-home.mp3 Music is by [Gold5472](https://gold5472.newgrounds.com/)

Security is a hugely important topic. David and Andrew share their look on what makes for good and bad security, talk about their own experiences in building web apps, and come to the realisation none of it matters anyway. Other things we talk about: Bad actors - apparently it's a security term 2 factor authentication Kanye West's iPhone password Wifi-enabled locks & voice recognition Hacking smart speakers with a laser beam Biometrics Logging in on a TV David's security camera spotted Santa! Nicolas Cage could steal Andrew's daughter Andrew annoys a coffee company A bad shopping experience Links mentioned: How good UX leads to great security Password guru regrets past advice Man hacks wireless baby monitor, makes vulgar threats to family The Unusable podcast is presented by Andrew Waite & David Ball, who discuss the importance of user experience (UX) in technology & the world around us, & talk about great design that just works - or moan about it when it doesn't. Here's the link to the episode: https://podcast.theunusable.com/podcasts/015-security-is-pointless.mp3 Music is by [Gold5472](https://gold5472.newgrounds.com/)

Andrew & David discuss what makes the internet terrible now, like slow websites, browser inconsistencies, monopolisation & people. Other things we talk about: Are URLs are too confusing for some people? Average size of a webpage (compared to Sonic the hedgehog)s Andy's old crap Acorn computers are more efficient than todays Flash was fun but websites are more usable without it Parking machine app Crap digital school attendance register Hospital alarm fatigue & Andy's favourite song is ruined Constant flood updates Links mentioned: The Spirit Of The Internet Browser engine diversity The Revenge of the IE Box Model? False Alarms & Alert Fatigue: The Tragic Design of Hospital Alerts The Unusable podcast is presented by Andrew Waite & David Ball, who discuss the importance of user experience (UX) in technology & the world around us, & talk about great design that just works - or moan about it when it doesn't. Here's the link to the episode: https://podcast.theunusable.com/podcasts/014-internet-is-terrible-now.mp3 Music is by [Gold5472](https://gold5472.newgrounds.com/)