1. The meeting was held at 3M with Peter Eisenberg hosting the event. After getting a bite to eat, the group was led into an auditorium for the night's speaker. Sue Chrysler, 3M Traffic Control Materials Division, gave a talk on "Human Factors Evaluations of Traffic Control Devices, or '3M Makes Stop Signs?!?'" We saw the evolution of reflective materials and what a difference reflective tape has on our ability to see traffic signs from a distance. The audience was able to get some hands-on experience when a magnifier was passed around with some of the reflective tape. We were also shown what traffic signs look like at different times of the day from a distance using mirror effects and controlled lighting. A rain machine was included in the presentation to demonstrate what happens to the road's white and yellow lines during a storm. One participant, Deborah Friese, was quoted as saying, "I feel like I'm at Disney World!"
2. After the traffic presentation, the group moved to a different room where we saw the prototype evolution of a book scanner. This is a new device that 3M has developed to help libraries scan their books on the shelves. It aids in ensuring that all books are in the right order as well as helping them locate lost books. Briefly, it works this way: each book has a microchip adhered to the inside cover and the scanner has an antenna that can read the coding from the chip. Ergonomics played a big part in the design of this new tool. It saves time in the shelving process and money in the location of previously marked "lost" books.
3. The tour ended in the usability lab that 3M is in the process of updating. They are currently working with Alpha Video and researching how to create a fully digital lab (i.e., recording straight to DVD). If you have any information on this, 3M would like to hear from you!
1. Caryn Zange-Josephson, the Vice President of our Chapter, talked about some ideas she and Richard Sit have been discussing for getting involved in the community. Some examples include doing school visits to talk about usability, putting together a list of national lab resources for public use, and getting involved in Habitat for Humanity as a chapter group. Due to time constraints, there was no discussion on these items and the idea is tabled for a future meeting.
2. Be sure to pay for your UPA membership. There is a $75 annual fee to the National Chapter and $15 for our local chapter. Locally, we might use the money to do things like sponsor speakers or support our holiday party. As soon as you pay your local dues, your name will be updated on our website (http://mouseworksmedia.com/UPA/index.html). How to pay:
National: http://www.upassoc.org/html/join_upa.html
Local: bring your check to a meeting made out to "MN UPA" and give it to Andrea Halverson, the treasurer. Another alternative is to send it to the MN UPA Chapter President: Richard Sit Dept. XTN IBM Corporation 3605 Highway 52 N. Rochester, MN 55902
3. Currently, our website URL is http://mouseworksmedia.com/UPA/index.html --> where "UPA" must be capitalized. The person responsible for this has been thoroughly chastised. ;-)
Marc Duisenberg, one of the Web Developers, is checking to see if this can be changed.
4. Hope to see everyone at the next meeting! Date: Thursday, April 12 Time: 6 pm - 8 pm Location: Minneapolis Institute of Art. Other info: We will have 2 tours one on environmental design, the second on interactive media kiosks. The tours will be from 6:00-8:00 PM. People are welcome to bring friends or family. They can tour the museum for free before our tours and after as well, until 9:00 PM. FYI, we probably won't have a business meeting on April 12th due to the inconvenient set up.
Libby Cecchi Secretary, MN UPA
Target Corporation Usability Consultant
www.target.com 612-304-0758