Caroline Jarrett

Screenshot of part of an email. It's on a dark teal/green background. At the top, the text says 'ble A - Proof of identification' in a reasonably legible white font that contrasts adequately with the dark background. The rest is painfully illegible as it is in red text that creates an optical illusion of pulsating text against the background.

In today's episode of #FixTheForms, I got this in a long email about how to do a complex app form. The 'ble A' is not a screenshot error - that's what the email actually says'.

Do we have an abbreviation for 'too illegible / did not read'?

Whole email useless: app had adequate instructions.

I really hate to praise Thames Water, but I decided to pay a bill by phone and debit card for <reasons> at 18:10 and by 18:14 it was all done. All automated response.

Contrast Ovo Energy. Have to wait until their phone lines open 09:00 tomorrow. Even though automated.

#RobotsNeedRest

The Bite, the Snack and the Meal Writing good Web content is a lot like planning a big dinner party. You're looking forward to inviting lots of guests, but you're not sure when they'll

Ginny Redish introduced me to the concept “bite, snack, meal” from Leslie O’Flavahan which is a handy description of the same approach

www.inc.com/articles/200...

We designed the UK Self Assessment tax return using this principle.

Most common: Hint text next to questions
Next level: in the notes sent as standard
Rarest: in extra sheets that had to be ordered separately, inaccurately (in my view) called “help sheets”.

Got it - I think I jumped into your thread too early, sorry

Definitely related personal anecdote: when Mum became bedridden, I counted 21 different phone numbers I had to use across healthcare and social services, and it seemed to me I was expected to know the exact remit of each one by telepathy. Some were easy, some absolutely not.

Don’t entirely agree.

Most of us rarely use government services so we perceive these uses as one-off events.

But. If you’re living in poverty / disabled / carer then these things are constant and the lack of joined-up can get wearing quickly.

Interesting job here for a UK-based user researcher who wants to work on something that matters led by the wonderful @cathydutton.co.uk
#GovDesign

Or managing someone else’s illnesses or ongoing conditions so there’s little or no bandwidth for their own health.

I know this isn’t news to you but it really pinged out at me for <reasons>.

Very interesting.

One phrase jumped out: “how do people feel about reducing their risk of illness?”

Because for so many, it’s “more illness” or “extra illness” or “even worse illness”. Or “managing their illnesses”. Or ongoing conditions and disabilities that aren’t exactly the same as illness.

A pencil drawing depicting the 1650 Newcastle witch trials, where 15 women were hanged. 4 have already met their fate on the gallows, while another 3 are bound waiting in line to be next. 3 more women look out of the tower window in horror. Men exchange money in the background while horseman, bell ringers and armed men surround the scene. Drawn by Ralph Gardiner in 1655.

On International Woman’s day i’d like to celebrate the 16 Newcastle witches* killed in one day 375 years ago.

* women who were strong willed, single, queer or catholic.

#IWD2020 - Scenes of 'women's work'

Here’s something I wrote for #IWD a few years ago, on women’s unrecognised work. The scene about the shoes is absolutely true.
makingworkvisible.engender.org.uk/news/stories...

+lots for a lot of ground to cover. Roads are often very wiggly and slow, can take quite a a while to get from A to B when they look quite close on a map.

We ended up driving for hours one day due to misunderstanding a railway timetable and booking from the wrong end compared to our accommodation

I also have loved visiting Conwy Castle. It’s a bit pricey but it’s a proper castley castle with battlements and views across the river.

I also especially enjoyed the funicular in Aberystwyth, as we lucked into a day with amazing visibility.

Seemed to be quite a lot of families with kids enjoying both trips.

We had a fab holiday based in Tywyn a couple of years ago to go on all the preserved railways, which were great but the best of all was the cheapest - the ordinary train from Machynlleth to Pwllheli between sea and mountains. Next time I’d skip Pwllheli and get off at Porthmadog.

Thanks - I’ve got a conference thing this week

(Autocorrect actually suggested “this eek”)

Shows considerable world view compared to the corporations that divide the globe into USA and ROW (Rest Of World)

Screenshot of BBC News headline reading Red Bull can DNA helps jail bungling pub burglar

Had to read this headline about three times before it made sense

“Cut out the short words” hmm

The other day one of them was wearing ancient shorts with assorted rips that were a bit beyond …

Our builders have discarded their t-shirts

We often have lunch at 10:30 or 11, and then our evening meal about 5:30.

This is definitely true. By far the most used service in local government.

The bin lorry that’s collecting recycling from us today is called Bin Hur which makes me feel very happy

done

Thank you. Maybe when it comes to an actual date, that will sort us out.

Do I count? I’ve got a talk that needs practice. London Bridge is easily accessible for me.

Blimey - good to see that there’s some money there but I wonder what proportion of the overall project / service budget that might be?