Embarrassment of Product Choices 2

Embarrassment of Product Choices 2

by Michel Millot
Released April 2019
Publisher(s): Wiley-ISTE
ISBN: 9781786303448

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Book description

Product information is excessively commercial and technical. There is no single best product for all, and the price/quality ratio can be deceptive. Word of mouth is growing with opinions shared on the internet. This book calls for the reinvention of a new economy based on real requirements, not only for profit or “technology” but for qualities of use and the environment.

A product’s use is its purpose. An innovation must always be an improvement to qualities of use. The emergence of new technologies, such as connected objects and the autonomous car, form a new trap for innovation, and progress has been limited to the perfection of technique. Marketing must no longer confuse the consumer (the customer) and the user. Complete with methodology for the reader to follow, this book describes how the ecology of use can become the main wealth of an economy based on quality of life and well-being.

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. Preface
  3. Introduction: The So-called Consumer Society
    1. I.1. A few overused terms
    2. I.2. Suitability for use
    3. I.3. Needs
    4. I.4. Design
    5. I.5. Durability
    6. I.6. Environment, eco-friendliness
    7. I.7. Ergonomics
    8. I.8. Reliability
    9. I.9. Function
    10. I.10. Quality
    11. I.11. Use value
    12. I.12. Utility
    13. I.13. Connected devices and home automation
    14. I.14. Self-driving cars
    15. I.15. Robots
  4. 1 Understanding the Economic World
    1. 1.1. A consumer society pushed to its limits
    2. 1.2. Economic and political approach
    3. 1.3. Desirable development
  5. 2 Cultural Approach
    1. 2.1. Cultural facts
    2. 2.2. The desire for products
    3. 2.3. The image society and the virtual society
    4. 2.4. Qualities of life
  6. 3 What Information Do We Need to Pick the Right Product?
    1. 3.1. Choice of products
    2. 3.2. What is usage?
    3. 3.3. The indispensable: usage and environmental factors
    4. 3.4. Evaluating the usage requirements and performances for choice
    5. 3.5. Proposals for product information
  7. Conclusion: Proposals to the Government
    1. C.1. Government management
    2. C.2. Management of scientific research on usage
    3. C.3. Education management
  8. Appendices
    1. Appendix 1: Information Sheet on Toys
    2. Appendix 2: Information System for Products – CCI
      1. A2.1. SIP files
      2. A2.2. Selection of items
    3. Appendix 3: The Risks of Domestic Accidents Related to Products and Equipment
      1. A3.1. Death statistics
      2. A3.2. The cost of these accidents
      3. A3.3. Problems due to products
      4. A3.4. Aches
      5. A3.5. Disabilities
      6. A3.6. Children
      7. A3.7. Dangerous substances
      8. A3.8. Dangerous products
      9. A3.9. The elderly
      10. A3.10. Road accidents
      11. A3.11. Falls
      12. A3.12. Accidents during household activities
      13. A3.13. Fires in homes
      14. A3.14. Drowning
      15. A3.15. Sports
      16. A3.16. Home improvement work and gardening
      17. A3.17. Toys and walkers
      18. A3.18. Quad bikes
      19. A3.19. Waves
    4. Appendix 4: User Impairment: Risks and Difficulties
      1. A4.1. Visual impairments
      2. A4.2. Hearing impairments
      3. A4.3. The household environment in general
      4. A4.4. In the kitchen
      5. A4.5. In the bathroom
      6. A4.6. Outside of the house
      7. A4.7. Public places and travel in urban areas
      8. A4.8. Sports and recreation
    5. Appendix 5: Information Sheet on Products
    6. Appendix 6: Interior Space for Showering while Standing Up or Sitting Down
    7. Appendix 7: Information Sheet on Products
      1. A7.1. Admissible power of speakers (also referred to as “nominal” or simply “power”)
      2. A7.2. Performance of the speakers (efficiency or sensitivity)
      3. A7.3. Can we make judgments according to technical features?
    8. Appendix 8: Study on Vacuum Cleaners
      1. A8.1. Ease of use in preparing the system prior to removing dust
      2. A8.2. For removing dust from floors
      3. A8.3. For removing the dust from edges and under furniture
      4. A8.4. To change operations
      5. A8.5. To put down, pick up or move while vacuuming
      6. A8.6. To transport, store or leave the device ready to use
      7. A8.7. To turn the machine on or off, or to remove or store the power cord
      8. A8.8. To reduce bothersome effects around the area of use
      9. A8.9. Extracting dust from the device
    9. Appendix 9: Facades of Appliances (Case Study)
      1. A9.1. Meaning of symbols
      2. A9.2. Evidence of the functions and meaning of lighted indicators
    10. Appendix 10: Shower Heads: What Sprays and Handles to Choose?
      1. A10.1. Excerpts from recommendations for selecting the type of spray
      2. A10.2. What comfort and security of grip should be chosen in a handheld shower head?
      3. A10.3. Usage analyses made by Michel Jullien, usagist designer; Dominique Royer, designer; Michel Millot, project manager
  9. References
  10. Index
  11. End User License Agreement

Product information

  • Title: Embarrassment of Product Choices 2
  • Author(s): Michel Millot
  • Release date: April 2019
  • Publisher(s): Wiley-ISTE
  • ISBN: 9781786303448