Christchurch Usability Professionals Association Chapter

Met with the new CHCH UPA Chapter tonight. Interesting bunch of people. It seems usability is in its early stages of being recognised around here, and perhaps in NZ as a whole.

Someone pointed out that one aspect of Kiwi attitudes is set against usability work. Kiwis have a very much do-it-yourself, and fix-it-yourself attitude. So, why would they pay someone to design a user interface when they can just do it themselves cheaper? I think there is perhaps something in this observation. It seems that similar attitudes dominate certain aspects of advertising - why pay someone to produce a radio advert when you can do it yourself. I may be reading this wrong though, many radio ads are so bad it's quite funny - perhaps it's the humour that is the intention!

Interesting night, meeting up in Mainstreet Cafe and eating there later. Food is all veggie though it is not quite perfect - can't quite put my finger on it.