Discussion ( User Interface Engneering) Suppose you need to design a system for users in both the United States and Japan. Present a list of cultural differences that you should be aware of so that a successful design can be made. Solution 1.) Japanese has two phonetic alphabets and a script (character-based) writing system as well that requires lots of changing and editing each word, whereas English only has one phonetic alphabet that easy to input. (just to clarify first point) 2. If this is writing on a computer--Punctuation is different--use of periods, quotations, etc.--There is punctuation is Asian languages that English doesn\'t have and vice versa. 3. Culture point--an average Japanese consumer has much more experience (younger generation) using cell-phones for texting, surfing the net, and playing games, whereas US consumers are more comfortable with the tradition computer layout. Internet on PCs hasn\'t blown up in Japan thanks to cell phones with 3G that are much cheaper and easier to use. 4. Another culture thing--The number (percentage) of aging people in Japan--or of presently elderly people in the country is much higher--that means you need more easy stuff--like a button to push to bring up their email screen or something, and also options for expanding display/print/character size, and whatever modifications you need to make for disabilities (blind/deaf/etc.) temples, gates) to be stylistic or for historical reasons, but i think your number three should not be listed since on a user interface, it would be odd to have it any other way. one cultural difference related to language; however, is that the computer will have to address japanese as Name + sama, and in english, Mr./Ms. + Name. I am inferring so someone should correct me if i am wrong, i just remember that on all my official documents it wrote my name + sama at the end (e.g.. banking documents/cards) .

1. Discussion ( User Interface Engneering)
Suppose you need to design a system for users in both the United States and Japan.
Present a list of cultural differences that you should be aware of so that a successful design can
be made.
Solution
1.) Japanese has two phonetic alphabets and a script (character-based) writing system as well that
requires lots of changing and editing each word, whereas English only has one phonetic alphabet
that easy to input.
(just to clarify first point)
2. If this is writing on a computer--Punctuation is different--use of periods, quotations, etc.--
There is punctuation is Asian languages that English doesn't have and vice versa.
3. Culture point--an average Japanese consumer has much more experience (younger generation)
using cell-phones for texting, surfing the net, and playing games, whereas US consumers are
more comfortable with the tradition computer layout. Internet on PCs hasn't blown up in Japan
thanks to cell phones with 3G that are much cheaper and easier to use.
4. Another culture thing--The number (percentage) of aging people in Japan--or of presently
elderly people in the country is much
higher--that means you need more easy stuff--like a button to push to bring up their email screen
or something, and also options for expanding display/print/character size, and whatever
modifications you need to make for disabilities (blind/deaf/etc.)
temples, gates) to be stylistic or for historical reasons, but i think your number three should not
be listed since on a user interface, it would be odd to have it any other way.
one cultural difference related to language; however, is that the computer will have to address
japanese as Name + sama, and in english, Mr./Ms. + Name.
I am inferring so someone should correct me if i am wrong, i just remember that on all my
official documents it wrote my name + sama at the end (e.g.. banking documents/cards)