usability Resources

ZDNet Dictionary Definition

Usability: How easy something is to use. Both software and Web sites can be tested for usability. Considering how difficult applications are to use and Web sites are to...; Full Usability Definition >>

ZDNet Resources

How do you benchmark real-world work?: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes and I have been focusing lately on a tiny aspect of PC performance. He ran two sets of file management benchmarks on a test PC in his lab, I performed similar tests on a machine in my lab. Results? Inconclusive. But are both of us...; Tags: Usability, PC, Microsoft Windows Vista, Usability Professional, Microsoft Windows Vista (Longhorn), Desktops, Microsoft Windows, Operating Systems, Software, Hardware, Ed Bott; Blog posts 2008-02-20
What Microsoft does well: I asked the question yesterday: what does Microsoft do well? The question is predicated on the assumption that every company with a reasonable degree of success has something it does that is unique, and that was instrumental in its success. In Apple's case, it is their design skills in both hardware...; Tags: Usability, Software, Microsoft Corp., Identity, Tools & Techniques, Management, John Carroll; Blog posts 2008-02-12
Would a Microsoft/Yahoo! deal mean more junk and OS bloat? Probably: The web is on fire with news that Microsoft is interested in acquiring Yahoo! for some $44.6 billion. Whether this goes through or not remains to be seen, but I for one hope that if it does go through, Microsoft doesn't overload applications with Yahoo! related links and bloat...; Tags: Usability, Web, Operating System, Yahoo! Inc., Microsoft Windows Live, Microsoft Corp., Microsoft Windows, Operating Systems, Software, Adrian Kingsley-Hughes; Blog posts 2008-02-01
Cambio (exe): Cambio is an application for Windows Mobile devices that converts US units to decimal units. Example: Miles to Kilometer and vice versa. This application is very useful when traveling for example between Europe and the USA. Usability is a plus. This application is very easy to use and fast. You...; Tags: Usability, Application, Cambio, Microsoft Windows, Operating Systems, Handhelds, Advertising & Promotion, Software, Hardware, Marketing; Software downloads 2007-11-13
Healthcare focus of World Usability Day: Thursday is World Usability Day! Never heard of it? It's a corporate-powered set of events meant to "put people at the center of usability." The nearest event to my Atlanta home is a four-hour Charlotte trade fair, with seven booths, sponsored by some company...; Tags: Usability, Health Care, Usability Channel, Healthcare, Vertical Industries, Benefits, Enterprise Software, Software, Human Resources, Dana Blankenhorn; Blog posts 2007-11-05

Universal Search and Google Experimental launched today: Today, Google rolled out some new features that update the most sacred and least played with asset of the company -- their look and the results you get back when you really want to find information.For years, Google has secretly been trying experimental designs that required a special cookie to...; Tags: Google, Usability; Blog posts 2007-05-16
Google Analytics kicks into high gear: Just when you thought Microsoft was going to compete with Google, Google rolls out drastic changes to their own analytics service. The changes are large and good enough to potentially steal the thunder from Gatineau. The new version is basically a complete overhaul that bears almost no resemblance to...; Tags: Google Analytics, Usability; Blog posts 2007-05-08
Try another Google prototype: There is a brand new prototype that appears to build on the last one we talked about a few days ago. The new one looks similar, but it has an added sidebar that makes it easier to view results for other types of Google searches. The last time a...; Tags: Usability; Blog posts 2007-05-05
Google Gadget Designer still sucks: When it was first launched last June, I wasnt a huge fan of the Google Gadget Designer -- it seemed to defy all convention when it came to user experience. Properties werent sorted alphabetically, tabs had to be closed through an awkward menu item, and several other things. The...; Tags: Usability, Google Gadgets, Google Desktop; Blog posts 2007-05-03
Test the new Google result page: There is a brand new design being tested for Googles result pages. My opinion? I love it. Everything is where it should be, and it has a more modern feel with the subtle gradient effect in the title and footer bar. The best part is that...; Tags: Usability, Google; Blog posts 2007-04-23
Google to Calendar users: Read the instructions: In the wake of risky Google Calendar use by corporate staff within enterprises, Google wants to make one thing clear: Google takes user privacy very seriously, especially the Calendar team.In Google Office enterprise security snafu I discuss how sensitive information about private corporate events is being shared, unwittingly or not,...; Tags: Google Software Applications, Usability, Google Apps, Google; Blog posts 2007-04-18
Google Engineering: The REAL story: Who said Google equals Chaos? Besides a Fortune cover story hook, that is? I heard Leland Rechis, Google User Experience Designer, give a methodical presentation last evening of the methodical Google Engineering development process, at a methodically run event at the NYC Googleplex in downtown Manhattan. Despite the...; Tags: Mobile, Usability, Google Software Applications, Google, Cell Phones; Blog posts 2007-04-11
Word 2007: Lessons on usability: Although Microsoft says that the radical interface changes in Word 2007 are aimed at enhancing usability, not everyone is convinced that the goal has been met. Justin James analyzes several aspects of the redesign and offers a case in support of the changes. This download is also available as...; Tags: Usability, Microsoft Word 2007, Justin James, Microsoft Word, Word Processors, Microsoft Office, Office Suites, Software; Download resources 2007-03-06
Web 2.0: Are Cisco, News Corp., Viacom, Gannett really clueless?: In the Web 2.0 social networking “users are in control” world, mega corporations must be feeling we’re damned if we do, damned if we don’t! I polled a few weeks back “Poor Google?,” noting a string of setbacks and a underwhelming 2007 beginning. Google, of course, is “everyone’s favorite...; Tags: Newspapers, Social Software, Social Networking, Social Media, Print, Video, YouTube, Content, User-Generated Content, MySpace, Social Web, Culture, Google, Enterprise, Web 2.0, Usability, Media; Blog posts 2007-03-05
Google: Who needs Yahoo Finance?: Step by Google Finance step, Google is intensifying its battle against Yahoo Finance. Google is gearing up to provide “real-time, last-sale prices across all Google properties.” What is Google’s stock game plan? Google is inspired by the Yahoo Finance play book!SERP results for keyword searches on public company names...; Tags: Google, Google Software Applications, Internet Data, Metrics, Search, Search Advertising, Usability, Yahoo; Blog posts 2007-03-02
Why Google click fraud is NOT 0.02%: It is no wonder Shuman Ghosemajumder, Google Business Product Manager for Trust & Safety, invests in lengthy and frequent public missives on how Google “protects you against click fraud,” his almost every Google backed word tends to be cited and reinforced in the media as irrefutable truth!Perhaps the most misinterpreted...; Tags: Search Advertising, Metrics, Google Software Applications, ROI, Marketing, Blogs, Click Fraud, Google, Legal, Search, Media, Web 2.0, Usability, Business Models; Blog posts 2007-03-01
IceBreaker social mobile software: Crush or Flush CEO exclusive interview: Did you ever want an ice breaker, a mobile one? Crush or Flush to the rescue, a new social mobile service from IceBreaker, Inc., a mobile software company that “helps people stay connected through mobile software that is engaging and easy to use.” What is Crushin’ and Flushin’?Tag...; Tags: Social Software, Wireless, Cell Phones, Software, Mobile, Social Media, Social Networking, Social Web, User-Generated Content, Culture, Usability, Web 2.0, Business Models; Blog posts 2007-02-26
Social Capital Theory Meets Web 2.0, by Donna Bogatin: SOCIAL CAPITAL THEORY MEETS WEB 2.0by Donna BogatinInteractive Presentation Authored by Donna BogatinFor presentation at IBM Research Center, Tuesday, February 6, 2007, 11am I am invited to share my Web 2.0 thoughts with T.J. Watson Research Labs. In Web 2.0 and blogosphere fashion, my presentation to IBM will...; Tags: Business Models, Web 2.0, Usability, Enterprise, Blogs, User-Generated Content, Social Web, Brands, Self-Promotion, Social Networking, Social Media, Wikipedia; Blog posts 2007-02-05
Google's Adam Bosworth to NYC technologists: Speed rules: I took Google up on its invitation to hear Adam Bosworth, Vice President of Engineering, speak on “Physics, Speed, and Imprecision: What Works and What Doesnt in Software, and Why," at the New York City Googleplex this evening. Bosworth has held senior management positions at Microsoft, including serving as General...; Tags: AJAX, XML, Microsoft Office, Adam Bosworth, Google Inc.; Blog posts 2007-01-29
Google YouTube video search mash?: Google’s world-famous mission is to organize “the world’s information,” all of it. Its “news” last week that “YouTube video results will appear in the Google Video search index” was not unexpected: Google search results already include links to content thats hosted on YouTube. Starting today, YouTube video results...; Tags: Business Models, Web 2.0, Usability, Advertising, Search, Google, Google Software Applications, ROI, Metrics, Search Advertising, Google Inc., YouTube Inc., video; Blog posts 2007-01-28