Archive for February, 2008

Over time open source software grew in popularity, attracting a diverse population of users beyond developers. When new users who were less technically savvy began using developer-centered software, it became the tipping point at which open source software went from having an “advanced user interface” to a “bad user interface”. However, software development continued to focus on functionality and features instead of improving the user interface.
Usability in Open Source Software

I ditched Ubuntu the first time I used it because it wasn’t user-friendly enough. That was 2 years ago.

Now I tried and installed it on 2 computers and planning to install v6 on my old iMac because they actually made a lot of usability improvements.
The interface looks nice, the installation process went through without any problems, and they have all the software I need (a browser: Firefox, word-processing and spreadsheets: OpenOffice, mediaplayers:VLC, Songbird … )and I can install them without (too m)any problems.

There is really no reason not to use Linux/Ubuntu for home use.

The usability newsletter at usabilitynews.com came up with a list of items that could improve usability for POS systems: cashier systems at fastfood restaurants, retailer stores and the like.

The first thing on the list is FAILING TO CONSIDER THE END USER.

This sounds like an obvious one and it is, but still, it’s the first step to take.
I work at a Corporate HQ far away from the people who actually use the systems I create, and I experience this all the time. If I don’t take the time to go over and have a look, talk to them and see what they actually want, it always results in a merely functional rather then a usable and functional system.

1. FAILING TO CONSIDER THE END USER
When I’m hired to design a Point of Sale system, I always start with Field Studies—visits to actual sites where the cashiering system will be used. I nearly always find that the system doesn’t match employee processes, and that the employees have developed ways to “get around” the system and/or make up for system limitations.

Observing employees and conducting interviews at representative business sites are a critical first step in designing a quick and efficient POS system that reduces both errors and training time. Site visits also help ensure a redesign that considers the employee environment, including physical space constraints, distractions, etc.
How to Design a System that Everybody Hates

From Webcredible:

The Ecommerce Usability for Valentine Etailers report evaluates the websites of 20 of the leading Valentine’s ecommerce websites. Based on our experience of usability testing with over 1000 people on a variety of ecommerce sites, we devised 20 essential guidelines that all ecommerce websites should adhere to, evaluating each site against these guidelines.
Ecommerce Usability for Valentine Etailers