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Why some apps use fake progress bars (2017)

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Re: Why some apps use fake progress bars (2017)

#91
post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I feel like this really isn't deception but actually solving the problem which is that passengers didn't want to stand around.

Except they had to spend the same amount of time walking. If presented as a choice I'd usually choose standing.

It's not like they tore up all of the parking/loading/unloading areas. They just moved the baggage claim to the farthest point along which everyone had to walk anyways.

Re: Why some apps use fake progress bars (2017)

#92
post #88

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Except they had to spend the same amount of time walking. If presented as a choice I'd usually choose standing.

Not me. Walking feels productive, standing is boring. Same with driving - my brain would rather feel like it’s making forward progress even if the route I take is longer.

I have a cell phone to eliminate the standing is boring problem. (Before that it would have been a book)

Re: Why some apps use fake progress bars (2017)

#93
post #16

I had a report in Microsoft Access that took about five minutes to run - and the users hated it. I had the application throw up a fake dialog with fake messages about "Collating data, Cross checking, Sorting" and other such nonsense. The report now took eight minutes to run because I had to abuse the "On Timer" event for it to work. The users were delighted with the improvement.

Visual confirmation that it isn't hung, I'd be happy too.

I am reminded of a webcomic, that i fail to locate at this moment, that reminded me of the practice of placing something next to a progress bar, like say during a Windows 95 install, to check if anything is actually happening.

Re: Why some apps use fake progress bars (2017)

#94
post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I feel like this really isn't deception but actually solving the problem which is that passengers didn't want to stand around.

Except they had to spend the same amount of time walking. If presented as a choice I'd usually choose standing.

Even if you actually would make that choice doesn’t mean that you would be happier than if the airport implemented the other option and didn’t give you the choice. That may sound counterintuitive, but there’s no particular reason to think it’s contradictory.

Re: Why some apps use fake progress bars (2017)

#95

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Except they had to spend the same amount of time walking. If presented as a choice I'd usually choose standing.

It's not like they tore up all of the parking/loading/unloading areas. They just moved the baggage claim to the farthest point along which everyone had to walk anyways.

That’s a slightly different example then, because that actually does save time. Parallel vs. serial.

Re: Why some apps use fake progress bars (2017)

#96

I learned that on my first programming job in 1996. They said the job was taking too long and I was printing periods every 100 transactions. I started printing periods every 50 transactions and they complemented me on how I sped up the program.

If that's not a psychology hack; I don't know what is.

Re: Why some apps use fake progress bars (2017)

#97

I had a report in Microsoft Access that took about five minutes to run - and the users hated it. I had the application throw up a fake dialog with fake messages about "Collating data, Cross checking, Sorting" and other such nonsense. The report now took eight minutes to run because I had to abuse the "On Timer" event for it to work. The users were delighted with the improvement.

That is one thing I dislike about sites that show no loading bar. On a slow connection it's impossible to tell if the page is still loading or already failed.

It's also one of the irritating things about "Material Design" websites, where responses to clicks are artificially delayed before speeding out with unnatural acceleration. "Nothing is happening. JUST KIDDING!" I'm not sure if that is to mask the slowness of mobile devices or if it's the cause of them. It's the animation spam[1] of the current generation of UIs.

* [1] "Let's make our website sparkle. It will be 'delightful'." http://dynamicdrive.com/dynamicindex3/snow.htm

Re: Why some apps use fake progress bars (2017)

#98
In my humble experience the impact of this issue is multiplied on mobile; given the mobile context the user expectation is in amplified and the need for clear communication made more relevant. A simple “spinning wheel of death” is often not enough. However, I’m not bought in on the term ”benevolent deception”. Where I’m from we differentiate this by differentiating being honest with being earnest. “The importance of being earnest” (forgive the pun) is that the earnest person has your objectives/priority in mind regarding the outcome for the recipient. An honest persons is an indifferent to the outcome or result. The earnest person is looking out for you.

Re: Why some apps use fake progress bars (2017)

#99

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"reticulating splines" I guess the lesson to be learnt here is that people are more understanding if you appear to be transparent but you don't have to ACTUALLY be transparent to get the affect.

Reminds me of the loading screen for The Sims (an obvious parody of the above mentioned tactic) (You might want to mute it. The loading messages are at the bottom) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpMiI2QooKQ

Makes me think of the loading screen from Don't Starve

Re: Why some apps use fake progress bars (2017)

#100
post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Visual confirmation that it isn't hung, I'd be happy too.

I am reminded of a webcomic, that i fail to locate at this moment, that reminded me of the practice of placing something next to a progress bar, like say during a Windows 95 install, to check if anything is actually happening.

I do that whenever I have to wait on a progress bar. I zoom in with whatever accessibility options there are, then when a pixel is 3-5mm I put my mouse cursor at the end of the bar and wait.
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