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Adding Artificial Delays to Make Stuff Appear More Convincing and Valuable

posted by martyb on Saturday September 03 2016, @12:45AM   
from the don't-add-no-genuine-delays dept.

https://www.fastcodesign.com/3061519/evidence/the-ux-secret-that-will-ruin-apps-for-you

companies introduce what Kowitz calls an "artificial waiting" pattern into their interfaces. These are status bars, maybe a few update messages, to construct a facade of slow, hard, thoughtful work, even though the computer is done calculating your query.

[...] "My guys built this tool—it took single digit milliseconds to get the results back. And it was giving [accurate] results, not just some plan we wanted to sell them," Hoober says. "But when we tested with people, they assumed it was all marketing bullshit because it was instantaneous. They'd say, 'This was obviously a canned result, I'm just gonna shop myself.'"

http://www.90percentofeverything.com/2010/12/16/adding-delays-to-increase-perceived-value-does-it-work/

"Coinstar is a great example of this. The machine is able to calculate the total change deposited almost instantly. Yet, during testing the company learned that consumers did not trust the machines. Customers though it was impossible for a machine to count change accurately at such a high rate. Faced with the issues of trust and preconceived expectations of necessary effort, the company began to rework the user experience. The solution was fairly simple. The machine still counted at the same pace but displayed the results at a significantly slower rate. In fact, the sound of change working the way through the machine is just a recording that is played through a speaker. Altering the user experience to match expectations created trust and met the customers expectation of the necessary effort to complete the task."

Not long ago I removed a delay in some old software that didn't seem to do anything (it still works and works faster). Perhaps I should add the delay back...

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Original Submission

• I want to punch programmers in the face I want to punch programmers in the face (Score: 3, Insightful) by shortscreen on Saturday September 03 2016, @05:52AM

  by shortscreen (2252) on Saturday September 03 2016, @05:52AM (#396925) Journal

  and then set them on fire. To make it appear more convincing and valuable.

  Starting Score:	1		point
  Moderation		+1
  Insightful=1, Total=1
  Extra 'Insightful' Modifier		0
  Karma-Bonus Modifier		+1
  Total Score:		3

• Re:I want to punch programmers in the face Re:I want to punch programmers in the face (Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday September 03 2016, @07:03AM

  by Anonymous Coward on Saturday September 03 2016, @07:03AM (#396931)

  >look
  Sauna
  You are in a sauna.  There is nothing in the room except for a dial
  on the wall.  A door leads out to west.
  It is normal room temperature in here.
  >inventory
  You currently have:
  A lamp
  An RMS statuette
  >examine statuette
  The statuette is of the likeness of Richard Stallman, the author of the
  famous EMACS editor.  You notice that he is not wearing any shoes.
  >turn dial clockwise
  It is now luke warm in here.  You are perspiring.
  >turn dial clockwise
  It is pretty hot in here.  It is still very comfortable.
  >turn dial clockwise
  It is now very hot.  There is something very refreshing about this.
  You notice the wax on your statuette beginning to melt, until it completely
  melts off.  You are left with a beautiful diamond!
  >turn dial clockwise
  As the dial clicks into place, you immediately burst into flames.
   
  You are dead.
  You have scored 0 out of a possible 90 points.

  Parent

  • Re:I want to punch programmers in the face (Score: 2) by isostatic on Saturday September 03 2016, @10:21PM

    by isostatic (365) on Saturday September 03 2016, @10:21PM (#397157) Journal

    There should be laws against lisp

    Parent