Task Analysis - Derek Wilkins

Task 1: Connect up netbox

We asked Derek to attempt to connect the netbox device to his tv.

• Derek first unpackaged the device and found the main netbox unit. He examined this and found the power and input connector on the back of the device.
• He inserted the power cable into the power socket and found the tv input cable and connected this like-wise.
• He tried to put the device under his television, however, it was too big, so he placed it at the side of the tv next to his vcr.
• He plugged the device into a power socket and then connected the tv input cable to an empty scart socket on the back of his tv.
• He attempted to turn the netbox on at this point, but the error message no connection made him quickly realise that he hadn't connected his modem.
• He examined the modem and found the telephone cable.
• He unplugged his telephone and plugged this cable into his phone socket (n.b. he forgot to reconnect his telephone to the netbox modem).
• He connected the power cable to a power socket.
• He then turned on netbox and managed to see the netbox menu screen.

The whole process took around an hour. Derek commented that it was fairly easy to connect this up and there wasn't too many cables that he had top worry about, and the ones he did were very clearly labelled.

Task 2: Using the internet

We asked Derek to access the internet fom the menu and connect to the bbc website (www.bbc.co.uk) and navigate to the news section.

• Derek selected the internet option from the start up menu.
• He commented that the navigation around the screen was not as good as his computer mouse.
• He moved to the address bar and clicked on that.
• He then realised that the keypad on the remote was the same as his mobile phone.
• After a few expletives, he decided to give his grandchildren a ring to find out how to use the keypad.
• He realised that the phone was still disconnected so after a couple of minutes, figured out wher the phone connector goes.
• After obtaining a set of instructions from his grandchildren, he managed to type in 'www'.
• He was unable to type in full stop, so had to make another phone call.
• After obtaining further instructions, he managed to type the full address and get to the desired website.
• He easily managed to scroll down the screen and select the news hyperlink to get to the correct page.

The whole process took about 45 minutes. Derek commented that the remote control was very difficult to use, particularly navigating around the screen and especially typing text. He said that he wouldn't buy a netbox in it's current state because of how difficult he found it to type text.

Task 3: Sending an email


We asked Derek to send an email to one of his grandchildren, and then when they replied, read that email response.

• Derek selected the email option from the startup menu.
• He quickly recognised how to compose an email and selected that option.
• He managed to type the first part of the email until he got to the @ character. It took him about 2 minutes to work out how to type the @ character.
• He finished typing the email address and began typing a message.
• He became very frustrated typing a message and so ended the message fairly quickly. His message was comprised of the test "Hello peter can you reply to this message from grandad".
• He was able to send the message with no problems.
• After checking the email about 3 times, he found that there had been a reply sent and it was in his inbox.
• He was able to select inbox and read the message with no problems.

The whole process took about 30 minutes. He again commented on how awful the process of typing was for him and said that "If I don't have to type another message on that remote control it will be too soon". However, he said that the email function was the same as his computer and he would use it if he had a better way to type text.

Task 4: Participate in Chat

Derek was asked to access 'Chat', participate in a brief conversation and exit to the main menu.

• Derek switched on his netbox and then selected the 'Chat and socialise' option from the main menu.
• He was prompted to enter his chat name, so typed in 'Derek' using his remote control. He then entered his password and selected the sign in option.
• He was then a little confused as to what to do next, but then a message appeared on the screen saying 'Hello' from someone called Norman.
• Derek navigated to the compose window and typed 'Hello Norman'.
• He commented on how strange it felt talking to strangers over the internet.
• After a couple of minutes, another message came back saying 'Hello Derek. Are you using netbox too?'.
• Derek then typed "Yes. At least, I am trying too".
• He commented that it was taking him ages to type into the remote control.
• After about 5 minutes another reply came back "I am too. I do not like this this zapper. I want to chat properly."
• Derek said that he couldn'y be bothered to type another long reply so he just typed 'Likewise'.
• A reply came back after a couple of minutes 'OK. Cheerio'.
• Derek turned off his netbox.

The whole process took about 30 minutes. Derek said that he might be interested in using that function again, however, if it took him that long just to say a couple of sentences, then there would be little point. 'I may as well just phone somebody up' he commented.