Out-Of-Box Experience
Encyclopedia
The term out-of-box experience (OOBE) describes the experience a user has when installing and/or performing initial configuration on a piece of hardware
or software, which usually involves computers.
For software, this often means easy installation and "Welcome" or "Initial Configuration" wizard
screens that simplify elaborate set-up. The OOBE can also include the complete lack of such wizards.
The process of installing Microsoft Windows
is a common example for OOBE. While the installation is largely automatic, the user must proceed through multiple screens to acknowledge software license terms, specify partition
settings for the hard disk
, enter the "product key", select international settings, a time zone
, and also configure network settings. After the installation is complete, Microsoft Windows launches the "out-of-box experience" application that presents a full-screen wizard
to assist the user with critical first steps of using Windows, such as creating a user account, registering the software with Microsoft (optional), configuring Internet
connectivity, and activating the software
. Although this Microsoft application is named after OOBE, the real OOBE began when the user first turned on a new computer and was taken through the initial set-up.
(OOBF or OBF) has been coined to describe immediate product failures.
Computer hardware
Personal computer hardware are component devices which are typically installed into or peripheral to a computer case to create a personal computer upon which system software is installed including a firmware interface such as a BIOS and an operating system which supports application software that...
or software, which usually involves computers.
Definitions
Out-of-box experience is the interactions and first impressions a user has with a product when opening its packaging and taking it into use, as opposed to the point-of-sale experience or the interaction experience of an expert user.Example
The out-of-box experience is typically the first impression a product creates, such as the ease with which a buyer can begin using the product. For hardware products, a positive OOBE can be created with logical easy-to-follow instructions and parts that have a low likelihood of failure.For software, this often means easy installation and "Welcome" or "Initial Configuration" wizard
Wizard (software)
A software wizard or setup assistant is a user interface type that presents a user with a sequence of dialog boxes that lead the user through a series of well-defined steps. Tasks that are complex, infrequently performed, or unfamiliar may be easier to perform using a wizard...
screens that simplify elaborate set-up. The OOBE can also include the complete lack of such wizards.
The process of installing Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
is a common example for OOBE. While the installation is largely automatic, the user must proceed through multiple screens to acknowledge software license terms, specify partition
Disk partitioning
Disk partitioning is the act of dividing a hard disk drive into multiple logical storage units referred to as partitions, to treat one physical disk drive as if it were multiple disks. Partitions are also termed "slices" for operating systems based on BSD, Solaris or GNU Hurd...
settings for the hard disk
Hard disk
A hard disk drive is a non-volatile, random access digital magnetic data storage device. It features rotating rigid platters on a motor-driven spindle within a protective enclosure. Data is magnetically read from and written to the platter by read/write heads that float on a film of air above the...
, enter the "product key", select international settings, a time zone
Time zone
A time zone is a region on Earth that has a uniform standard time for legal, commercial, and social purposes. In order for the same clock time to always correspond to the same portion of the day as the Earth rotates , different places on the Earth need to have different clock times...
, and also configure network settings. After the installation is complete, Microsoft Windows launches the "out-of-box experience" application that presents a full-screen wizard
Wizard (software)
A software wizard or setup assistant is a user interface type that presents a user with a sequence of dialog boxes that lead the user through a series of well-defined steps. Tasks that are complex, infrequently performed, or unfamiliar may be easier to perform using a wizard...
to assist the user with critical first steps of using Windows, such as creating a user account, registering the software with Microsoft (optional), configuring Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
connectivity, and activating the software
Product activation
Product activation is a license validation procedure required by some proprietary computer software programs. In one form, product activation refers to a method invented by Ric Richardson and patented by Uniloc where a software application hashes hardware serial numbers and an ID number specific...
. Although this Microsoft application is named after OOBE, the real OOBE began when the user first turned on a new computer and was taken through the initial set-up.
Negative experiences
For poor out-of-box experiences, the specific term out-of-box failureOut of Box Failure
The term Out of Box Failure usually refers to computer hardware. It describes a negative experience a user has when installing and/or performing initial configuration on a piece of hardware that exhibits an immediate failure mode.-Definitions:...
(OOBF or OBF) has been coined to describe immediate product failures.
External links
- IBM ease of Use - Out-of-box experience - guidelines and insights to help other software and hardware companies design out-of-box experiences
- UsabilityFirst.com's Definition
- Frontend.com article on OOBE