Task Analysis - Maureen Smith

Task 1: Connect Netbox
Connect the Netbox product to your tv/monitor and successfully get the product working.

A breakdown of the the processes performed by Maureen in her attempt to achieve the specified goal is as follows:

• Opens Netbox product box
• Removes all contents and places to one side
• Checks that box is empty
• Removes packaging from each component
• Briefly looks at instruction booklet and rapidly places back in product box
• Places Netbox main unit on top of television
• Identifies power cable and plugs into correct input on back of Netbox unit (by sliding cable along back of unit in order to find the correct fit).
• Plugs power cable into nearest socket (does not switch power on)
• Picks up cable labeled 'TV Input' and places to one side
• Picks up cable labeled 'Telephone Input' and place to one side
• Retrieves instruction booklet from box and turns to 'installation instructions' page.

Task took approximately 30 minutes and ended here. Maureen stated that "it's all very confusing", adding that she wasn't entirely sure as to how she should connect the remaining cables.

Task 2: Using the Internet
Use the internet function to access a specific website ('surf the web').

• Presses power button located at top left (front) of Netbox
• Switches TV on
• Presses '5' to select a channel
• Walks away from TV and Netbox and sits in armchair
• Notes menu options and selects 'Surf the web' by pressing button '1' on the remote
• Presses 'down' arrow on controller (highlights 'enter keywords to search' field)

At this point the task was ended by Maureen as she explained that she was unable to use the keypad. Following Maureen's attempts at the remaining tasks, a demonstrator explained how the keypad should be used. Maureen then commenced the task from the beginning, choosing to enter 'BBC UK' in the search field, followed by the selection of 'search'. This resulted in successful completion of the task and only took about 5 minutes

Task 3: Sending an E-Mail
Send an email to a specific email address.

• Presses power button located at top left (front) of Netbox
• Switches TV on
• Presses '5' to select a channel
• Walks away from TV and Netbox and sits in armchair
• Notes menu options and selects 'View your email' by pressing button '2' on the remote
• Places remote on arm of chair and rubs right hand for approximately 1 minute
• Picks controller back up
• (Notes menu requesting that she enters her email address and password
• Presses button '6' on remote (screen input reads 'm')
• Presses button '2' on remote (screen input reads 'ma')
• Presses button '8' on remote (screen input reads 'mat')
• Presses 'Select' button on remote
• (Presented with 'Email Address already taken' message, and prompted to select from several available email addresses by using the arrow buttons)
• Selects the first address in the displayed list by pressing 'Select'
• (Prompted to enter a password)
• Presses '1' button on remote (input reads '.')
• Presses '2' button on remote (input reads '.a')
• Presses '4' button on remote (input reads '.ad')
• Presses '4' button on remote (input reads '.adg')
• Presses '5' button on remote (input reads '.adgj')
• Presses 'Select' button on remote
• (Notes that 'Sign-in' is automatically highlighted)Presses 'Select' button on remote
• Notes highlighted (blue) 'To' field in chat interface

Task took approximately 20 minutes and ended here. Maureen stated that she didn't know how to input some of the characters when using the remote. She admitted that she was entering anything that would enable her to progress to the next step but that, when it came to entering an actual email address, acknowledged that this strategy would not work. As with the previous task however, once Maureen had been shown how to use the keypad, she was able to successfully complete the task.

Task 4: Participating in Chat
Access 'Chat', participate in a conversation and exit to the main menu.

• Presses power button located at top left (front) of Netbox
• Switches TV on
• Presses '5' to select a channel
• Walks away from TV and Netbox and sits in armchair (approx 2 meters from Netbox/TV)
• Notes menu options and selects 'Chat and Socialise' by pressing button '3' on the remote
• (Presented with prompt to enter a name to be used in chat) Presses button '6' on remote (screen input reads 'm')
• Presses button '2' on remote (screen input reads 'ma')
• Presses button '8' on remote (screen input reads 'mat')
• Presses 'left' arrow button on remote (in an attempt to delete text)
• Text deleted (screen input reads 'ma')
• Presses button '8' on remote (screen input reads 'mat')
• Presses 'Select' button on remote
• (prompted to enter a password) Presses '1' button on remote (input reads '.')
• Presses '2' button on remote (input reads '.a')
• Presses '4' button on remote (input reads '.ad')
• Presses '4' button on remote (input reads '.adg')
• Presses '5' button on remote (input reads '.adgj')
• Presses 'Select' button on remote
• (Notes that 'sign-in' is automatically highlighted)Presses 'Select' button on remote
• Notes highlighted (blue) 'compose' field in chat interface
• Presses button '4' on remote (input in 'compose field reads 'g')
• Presses 'left' arrow button on remote (deletes previous input)

Task took approximately 20 minutes and ended here. Maureen stated that she didn't know how to input characters using the remote.Again ,once Maureen had been shown how to use the keypad she was able to successfullu enter the text she wished to, therefore completing the task. Navigating icons/menus did not seem to be a problem for Maureen, as she rapidly grasped this concept.