Years ago there was a big hoo-ha about the Odeon cinema's totally inaccessible web site. The eventual line from the cinema was that they were coming up with a new version which would solve all of the usability problems. However they didn't actually do this for a number of years. Their web department was a national joke.
I've just used the Odeon website (which, alongside everything else, doesn't render correctly in Firefox) to book some tickets. The interface to do so is in Flash. Seriously.
They do have a "plain text" version, except that it isn't just plain text, and it should be their default interface - other than a graphic showing you where standard and superior seats are it's exactly the same, but written in HTML rather than a proprietary, inaccessible, poorly written Flash interface. There is nothing stopping them using this as their primary booking interface - it would increase usability, accessibility, improve visual consistency and create a more streamlined, efficient way to book tickets.
Let's make this clear: whoever is in charge of the Odeon website is an utter incompetent. Because of their atrocious booking system this will be my first visit in years. With the thought that I might have to use their website again, it will also be my last for years. If I'd worked on that website I would be absolutely ashamed of myself.
No comments:
Post a Comment