Comments on: Web App Design Lesson from Our Coffee Machine

By: kamran

kamran — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 03:11:01 +0000

4168756240 kamran

By: Fortunate Customers

Fortunate Customers — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 21:35:01 +0000

[...] In magazines and most other kinds of product development, it is awfully hard to have a tight feedback loop and get the customer feedback you need. It is often harder to convince management to let users have what they want – especially if there is no quantifiable business case for it. [...]

By: Markus Latzel

Markus Latzel — Sat, 02 Dec 2006 21:29:44 +0000

Michael, I had the same observation as Rob and noticed that the old machine has no gauge at all – your second post makes this clear.

So what I get out of this is that while each individual design change (a: gauge outside, b: hotter coffee) is a good one, the sum of both is a detriment.

This problem can definitely be applied to software design as well. Someone at Cuisinart clearly did not see the big picture here…

By: Mike McDerment

Mike McDerment — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 18:07:32 +0000

Here is the kicker…the new model does not even include a coffee pot! The idea is the coffee stays inside the machine to keep it as hot as possible (hot is why we upgraded) and you put your cup under the machine (where the pot normally goes), press a lever, and fill up one cup at a time. As I said, not sure it’s going to stay…

By: Rob Drimmie

Rob Drimmie — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 17:39:48 +0000

The coffee pot from the new model doesn’t have the level indicators on it? An indicator on the carafe is probably as basic a design element for coffee makers as exists for coffee machines.

Definitely a bad decision.

By: Mike McDerment

Mike McDerment — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 16:32:19 +0000

Rob great point. I omitted the gauge on the old machine because I don’t find anyone uses it. Instead they take the coffee pot iteself – which includes lined markings like a measuring cup – to the water source. There they fill it with the correct amount of water (very easy – even with over filling which the new set up handles poorly). Once full you can just pour it into the machine. In a nutshell I find the gauge is not necessary or relevant in the old design, where as it is mandatory in the new one (unless you start using a measuring cup, which if you ask me is an unrealistic expectation).

By: Rob Drimmie

Rob Drimmie — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 16:25:46 +0000

It’s interesting that you don’t mention where the water gauge in the old machine is. I have the same model, and agree that it is a fantastic machine and have recommended it many many times.

But the water gauge in the old model kind of sucks too. The gauge is inside the machine itself, which is an absolutely terrible spot. Anything below the 8 cup indicator is very difficult to see unless there is a light pointing directly into the machine itself.

Maybe it’s just that mine isn’t in as well-lit a location as yours, but it seems to me that having an external gauge is an improvement in usability. It’s not optimal, I agree the front is the best spot for that information, but from the pictures, it is better.