I have several new calculators in the works and could use a few guinea pigs to help test them. A few days ago I sent an e-mail to a select few of this website’s users asking them to participate. As a result of their testing and feedback, I’ve made a few changes to these new calculators.
However, I’d also appreciate the help of anyone interested in testing. If you are willing to provide feedback and want to try out these new calculators, please send me an e-mail.
I recently launched a new social security verification tool. One user raised some very important issues – privacy and security. ((Photo courtesy of hyku)) The commenter pointed out that the Verify!® social security number lookup tool did not appear to utilize a secure connection – and could permit the unintended dissemination of private information.
To this, I make the following statements/suggestions:
Thanks Zeke!
As promised! A new calculator!
Well, check out my new social security number online search tool, powered by Verify.com. It has some pretty cool features. You can Verify!®:
I’m working on several more workers compensation calculators. I’m really excited about one of them in particular. ((Photo courtesy of Wal mink))
I’ve been working to develop calculators and search engines that are easier to use, easier to understand, and make them available to everyone for less than my competitors. One benefit to doing it all myself is that I can innovate faster than anyone else. For instance, my wildly popular Ogilvie calculator was available to beta testers just days after the Ogilvie case came out.
But, this new calculator is something entirely new. Tantalized? Titilated? Tremulous?
Stay tuned!
The Division of Workers’ Compensation has posted a link to an EAMS survey. I noticed a lot of fliers around the Oakland District office of the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board for this survey in the last few weeks.
Having taken the survey, I’m not optimistic its going to do anyone any good. My problem with the survey is the inherent question bias.
Several of the survey questions deal with the availability and efficacy of EAMS training resources. Take it from someone who actually designs software user interfaces – if people don’t like the user interface or the way your software works, they will either not use it or try to find ways around it. The only viable solution is to design a system that doesn’t need a lot of training and explanation.
This is really shows the engineering perspective on the problem. Once engineers have designed the system, its up to the user to read the manual and figure it all out. The problem is not sufficient education, training, and understanding. People are not suddenly going toembrace EAMS because now they understand how it works.
While its more work to comb through open ended responses from users, at least those answers will be more representative of their opinions. Take the final question, for example: “Please identify the top 3 improvements that you would like to see in EAMS . Please choose three and rank them in order of priority.” Your only choices are:
This can’t possibly be an exhaustive list of user concerns with EAMS. What other EAMS related issues do you perceive?
