Transcript Usability Challenges - lawrence

Usability Challenges for
Newer Technologies
Lawrence Najjar
[email protected]
http://mime1.gtri.gatech.edu/imb/people/larry.html
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Najjar Background
• 19 years design experience
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US air traffic control system
Wearable computers
Home Depot online store
NASCAR.com
Accessibility
• Ph.D. engineering psychology
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What is “Usability?”
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Usability Benefits
• Annual savings when a company used iterative
design-test-redesign method to build a
timekeeping application used biweekly by 54,500
employees: $6,000,000.
• After improving usability, IBM.com got 400%
increase in sales
• After improving usability of order application,
Digital got 80% increase in revenue
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Newer Technologies
• New technologies being introduced very quickly
• Rush to market may sacrifice ease of use
• Newer technologies often have user interface
challenges
• Examples:
– Web
– Cellular telephones
– Wearable computers
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Web Usability Challenges?
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Web Usability Challenges
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Slow download times
Broad user population
Impatient users
Different user languages & cultures
Disabled users
Wide variety of hardware/software
Many application choices
Limited interaction options (e.g., no dragand-drop)
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Web Usability Suggestions?
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Web Usability Suggestions
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Minimize graphics
Limit page size to 40K
Use simple, consistent navigation
Test for cross-browser and cross-machine
compatibility
• Tailor for language and culture
• Design for accessibility
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Cellular Telephone Usability
Challenges?
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Cellular Telephone Usability
Challenges
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Tiny display
Generally monochrome display
Small number of common keys
Slow download time
Broken connections
Usually touch input
Disabled users
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Cellular Telephone Usability
Suggestions?
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Cellular Telephone Usability
Suggestions
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Design extremely simple user interface
Consider voice input
Provide tiny applications
Exploit user profiles entered on Web
Nib on “5” key
Help mode that reads keys, logged calls,
etc.
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Wearable Computer Usability
Challenges?
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Wearable Computer Usability
Challenges
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Small size
Light weight
Small display
Often hands-free input (e.g., voice
recognition)
• Mobile users
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Wearable Computer Suggestions?
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Wearable Computer Suggestions
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Provide voice input/output
Design simple, customized user interface
Use rechargeable batteries
Provide tailorability
Use wireless network connection
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Conclusions
• Keys to designing user interfaces for newer
technology:
– Focus on needs and preferences of users
– Keep it simple, stupid (KISS)
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Lawrence Najjar
[email protected]
http://mime1.gtri.gatech.edu/imb/people/larry.html
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