Flashes of Panic

How do you get in to writing ATM software?

Because the user interface on those things, frankly, stinks.

I’m not talking about the hardware. Touch pad, buttons, whatever, that’s for the hardware people. I’m talking about the series of choices you’re presented with, and the inputs you need to provide. For example, it’s cool that they have a FAST CASH $60 option in the transactions menu, but why can’t I set a universal preference for a different sum and make that the Fast Cash amount every time? A few others:

• Why am I asked where I’m withdrawing money from if I only have one account at this bank? (And, if I only had two, why should I be shown more than two options?)

• If you can only withdraw money in increments of $20, why does the input require you to put in the full amount, including cents? That’s four key-presses for a hypothetical $60 transaction, and three of them are chances to generate invalid input. How about just two key-presses for 6 and ? Or how about a field showing the Fast Cash amount ($60 by default) with “up” and “down” arrows to increase or decrease the amount in increments of $20?

I’d try to patent these ideas, but I think the time I’d save at the ATM if someone implemented them would be worth more than I’d ever earn. ATM designers, rip off these ideas! Think of them as my gift to the world.

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