http://www.usabilityhq.com UsabilityHQ - for all the latest news in usability, accessibility, user experience design, and user research. 60 en-us Copyright: (C) UsabilityHQ Sat, 19 Apr 2008 03:45:56 GMT http://www.usabilityhq.com/news/feed/logo.png http://www.usabilityhq.com http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/usability/helping-buyers-round-the-maze.html Constructing a great site is pointless if users can’t find their way around it. Studies show regular analysis is key to repeat and extended visits. http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/usability/helping-buyers-round-the-maze.html Usability, User Research http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/ux-design/interactive-is-a-meaningless-word.html Making your websites more interactive is a meaningless strategy. Make your website more useful instead. http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/ux-design/interactive-is-a-meaningless-word.html UX Design http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/user-research/were-all-guinea-pigs-in-googles-search-experiment.html Google uses a method called split A/B testing to measure exactly what changes it should make to its main search Web site–both to its famously Spartan search box and to the results it produces. With the approach, Google shows different versions of the pages to users and measures how they respond, said Marissa Mayer, vice president of search products and user experience, in a speech at the Google I/O conference. http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/user-research/were-all-guinea-pigs-in-googles-search-experiment.html User Research http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/usability/web-users-getting-more-selfish.html Web users are getting more ruthless and selfish when they go online, reveals research. http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/usability/web-users-getting-more-selfish.html Usability, User Research http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/usability/the-future-of-usability-testing.html Peter Abrahams, from IT Director, chaired a round table on the Future of Usability Testing, and discussed how to make usability design and testing business as usual in IT systems. http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/usability/the-future-of-usability-testing.html Usability http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/accessibility/ajax-accessibility-for-websites.html AJAX or Asynchronous JavaScript and XML, is an innovative way of using existing technologies to create highly interactive web applications. AJAX allows portions of the page to be updated without having to refresh and reload the entire page. It can increase site performance significantly and provide cutting edge user interfaces. Unfortunately it can also be a source of concern for delivering fully accessible web sites. http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/accessibility/ajax-accessibility-for-websites.html Accessibility http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/usability/enterprise-applications-good-design-is-key-to-usability-and-user-productivity.html Dan Matthews, CTO at IFS, the global enterprise application company, published a report on the increasing importance of usability in enterprise applications. http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/usability/enterprise-applications-good-design-is-key-to-usability-and-user-productivity.html Usability, User Research http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/usability/annoying-software-a-rogues-gallery.html Which software is guilty of annoying us the most? Here’s an identity parade of the chief suspects. No gain without pain? http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/usability/annoying-software-a-rogues-gallery.html Usability http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/usability/study-business-software-apps-complex-and-hurt-productivity.html A recent survey found that the majority of end users (60 percent) find enterprise applications somewhat difficult, very difficult or almost impossible to use, hampering employee productivity. http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/usability/study-business-software-apps-complex-and-hurt-productivity.html Usability, User Research http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/seo/seo-checking-your-page-size.html With today’s high Internet connection rates webmasters don’t think they should bother much about their web page size and load time. Still this parameter remains essential both for SEO and usability http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/seo/seo-checking-your-page-size.html SEO http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/accessibility/microsoft-expands-commitment-to-accessibility-and-high-quality-education-across-asia-pacific-region.html Chairman Bill Gates announced several new programs, partnerships and offerings that strengthen Microsoft’s commitment to and investment in delivering accessible technology and transforming education for citizens across the Asia Pacific region and around the world. http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/accessibility/microsoft-expands-commitment-to-accessibility-and-high-quality-education-across-asia-pacific-region.html Accessibility http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/usability/how-little-do-users-read.html We’ve known since our first studies of how users read on the Web that they typically don’t read very much. Scanning text is an extremely common behavior for higher-literacy users; our recent eyetracking studies further validate this finding. http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/usability/how-little-do-users-read.html Usability, User Research http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/accessibility/digitalchalk-partners-with-ibm-to-produce-accessible-flash-videos.html DigitalChalk, a learning delivery platform serving independent training professionals and University instructors, announced today that they have reached an agreement with Hunter College in joint cooperation with IBM’s research labs to produce the first ever automated transcription service for video based online learning. http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/accessibility/digitalchalk-partners-with-ibm-to-produce-accessible-flash-videos.html Accessibility http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/accessibility/british-cios-adjust-to-laws-covering-disabled-workers.html Disabled people have so far lost out on many of the benefits that technology has brought. But changes are on the way. http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/accessibility/british-cios-adjust-to-laws-covering-disabled-workers.html Accessibility http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/usability/uk-government-websites-criticised-for-lack-of-usability.html A new study has been critical of the quality and accessibility of UK government websites. The report, by the Public Accounts Committee, finds that the public sector has some work to do on the usability of its websites - which it says have barely improved since 2001. http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/usability/uk-government-websites-criticised-for-lack-of-usability.html Fri, 2 May 2008 06:23:10 GMT Accessibility, Usability http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/usability/what-seosem-professionals-should-know-about-website-usability-2.html In part 1 of What SEO/SEM Professionals Should Know About Website Usability, usability experts Peter Morville and Susan Weinschenk answered the question, “What should SEO professionals know about usability?” For this installment, website usability guru Jakob Nielsen and Kim Krause Berg share their observations and perspectives. Enjoy! http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/usability/what-seosem-professionals-should-know-about-website-usability-2.html Fri, 2 May 2008 05:02:15 GMT SEO, Usability http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/accessibility/internet-explorer-80-is-going-to-be-a-big-win-for-accessibility-microsoft.html Want Accessibility Features? Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1 has them. I’ve been waiting for this one. Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1 is out, and it has features that will make it much easier for Web developers to make their pages accessible. http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/accessibility/internet-explorer-80-is-going-to-be-a-big-win-for-accessibility-microsoft.html Thu, 1 May 2008 03:40:45 GMT Accessibility http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/accessibility/microsoft-developing-seniorpc.html Microsoft UK is developing a SeniorPC, which will have a simple interface and be aimed at older users. The PC will come with software that allows users to manage prescriptions as well as simplified tools for everyday use, such as managing photos. http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/accessibility/microsoft-developing-seniorpc.html Thu, 1 May 2008 03:37:01 GMT Accessibility http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/accessibility/att-introduces-new-iphone-text-accessibility-plan-for-customers-with-disabilities.html The iPhone is now even more accessible for Americans who are deaf or have a hearing or speech disability. Today, AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) announced a new Text Accessibility Plan (TAP) for iPhone, designed to give iPhone customers with disabilities the choice of unlimited text messaging, Web browsing and easy access to e-mail for $40 a month. http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/accessibility/att-introduces-new-iphone-text-accessibility-plan-for-customers-with-disabilities.html Thu, 1 May 2008 03:20:39 GMT Accessibility http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/usability/usability-factor-for-outwardly-mobile.html APPLE’S much-hyped iPhone is not even legally available in Australia yet but publicity about its release overseas is already making people demand much more “usability” for their mobile phones, according to an international telecommunications survey. http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/usability/usability-factor-for-outwardly-mobile.html Sun, 20 Apr 2008 01:54:47 GMT Usability http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/usability/study-booking-travel-online-is-no-vacation.html The Flight Online Study looked at the flight search and booking process on 20 of the top travel agent and airline websites. http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/usability/study-booking-travel-online-is-no-vacation.html Sun, 20 Apr 2008 01:53:15 GMT Usability http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/accessibility/chicago%e2%80%99s-2016-olympic-bid-emphasizes-accessibility.html Chicago promises to make the 2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympics accessible, spectacular and user-friendly if awarded the right to host the games. http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/accessibility/chicago%e2%80%99s-2016-olympic-bid-emphasizes-accessibility.html Sun, 20 Apr 2008 01:51:50 GMT Accessibility http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/accessibility/enabling-disabled-shoppers.html In a global retail economy where customers can research, compare and shop for the best deals on products and services anytime and from anyplace, should a retailer ignore a market of more than 50 million people in the U.S. alone, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, with aggregate annual income of more than $1 trillion and $220 billion in discretionary spending power? http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/accessibility/enabling-disabled-shoppers.html Sun, 20 Apr 2008 01:50:05 GMT Accessibility http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/accessibility/accessibility-an-interview-with-vicki-hanson-ibm.html Vicki Hanson (IBM) received this week at CHI 2008 the Social Impact Award, for her 30-years work concerning people with disabilities (for example, deaf children, dyslexic kids, and more recently older adults). This is Luca Chittaro's interview with her. http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/accessibility/accessibility-an-interview-with-vicki-hanson-ibm.html Sun, 20 Apr 2008 01:47:39 GMT Accessibility http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/accessibility/blind-users-still-struggle-with-maddening-computing-obstacles.html Welcome to the world of the 1.3 million Americans who are blind. For them, the world of personal computers, office automation and the Internet offers mixed blessings. That world wasn’t designed for them, but with the right assistive technology, they can take part in it. When everything works well, they have access to an ocean of information vastly greater than anything previously available to the blind. But pitfalls and maddening frustrations are a constant reality. http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/accessibility/blind-users-still-struggle-with-maddening-computing-obstacles.html Accessibility http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/accessibility/radio-new-zealand-interviews-shawn-henry.html Shawn Henry talked with Bryan Crump for Radio New Zealand National while in New Zealand for Webstock 08. They talked about the potential for the Internet to enable people with disabilities to participate more actively in everyday life and business; the work of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI); and including accessibility from the begriming when developing technology. http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/accessibility/radio-new-zealand-interviews-shawn-henry.html Accessibility http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/usability/what-seosem-professionals-should-know-about-website-usability-1.html For the past two to three years, I have been watching SEO/SEM firms increasingly focus on the user, specifically offering website usability services. Although I laud the evolution of SEO/SEM firms to increasingly focus on the user, I admit that I find some of their conclusions and methodologies rather troubling. http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/usability/what-seosem-professionals-should-know-about-website-usability-1.html SEO, Usability http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/usability/career-sites-fail-job-seekers.html Career Web sites such as Dice.com and Monster.com could be making the search for work more difficult for job seekers and causing potential employers to leave positions unfilled, according to Forrester Research, which this week reported the majority of online job sites failed to pass usability and performance tests. http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/usability/career-sites-fail-job-seekers.html Usability http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/usability/put-yourself-in-their-shoes.html Designing more aesthetic and easy-to-use products can prove your success—and intuition—as a design engineer. http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/usability/put-yourself-in-their-shoes.html Usability http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/accessibility/accessibility-and-business-value-study.html A new study by The Customer Respect Group finds that companies strategically invested in removing barriers to customer interaction are deriving significant hard and soft benefits from accessibility initiatives. http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/accessibility/accessibility-and-business-value-study.html Accessibility http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/usability/usability-roi-declining-but-still-strong.html The average business metrics improvement after a usability redesign is now 83%. This is substantially less than 6 years ago, but ROI remains high because usability is still cheap relative to gains. http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/usability/usability-roi-declining-but-still-strong.html Usability http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/user-research/elearning-disaster-ignored-users-needs.html Sometimes there is a huge disconnect between the people who make a product and the people who use it. The creator of a Web site may assume too much knowledge on the part of users, leading to confusion. Software designers may not anticipate user behavior that can unintentionally destroy an entire database. Manufacturers can make equipment that inadvertently increases the likelihood of repetitive stress injuries. http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/usability/the-usability-industry-helps-make-new-products-work.html Usability http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/user-research/elearning-disaster-ignored-users-needs.html Public and private sector executives must use the example of the UKeU fiasco to help them understand that technology is only a very small part of an effective elearning system. http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/user-research/elearning-disaster-ignored-users-needs.html User Research http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/usability/misconceptions-about-usability.html Misconceptions about usability's expense, the time it involves, and its creative impact prevent companies from getting crucial user data, as does the erroneous belief that existing customer-feedback methods are a valid driver for interface design. http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/usability/misconceptions-about-usability.html Usability http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/usability/usability-101-introduction-to-usability.html How to define usability? How, when, and where can you improve it? Why should you care? This overview answers these basic questions. http://www.usabilityhq.com/blog/usability/usability-101-introduction-to-usability.html Usability