If you don't read UX Matters frequently, you should. Otherwise, you are missing little gems like this answer to a questions in Janet Six's Ask UXMatters column:

... my initial usability testing has found that the concept of views is escaping most people, and I think it often boils down to the term itself. Even if I show users what the software does—and they pretty much always like it when they see it—they still often cannot get over the initial hurdle of the naming convention. When we say Click here to view your views, we see eyes glazing over and drool forming at the corners of the mouths of even the most competent users.

Our own Whitney Quesenbery says:

“Is it the label Views that is confusing people or the actual implementation? I can easily see how eyes might glaze over on being told to View your views, but when users see what’s behind that door, does it make sense to them? Before you can get anywhere with this problem, you need to figure out if it’s the terminology, the learning curve for the software, or if the entire approach is wrong for the types of tasks and information people will be working with.”

Labels: interface, words

Everything about doing good lab or observation usability studies can be learned by a conscientious student of the practice, but the hardest to learn might be interacting with the participant. Garry Higgins, editor of UserFocus (A UK newsletter) offers his tips for being a good moderator - starting with listening.

Labels: methods

Paul Sherman of the Sherman Experience Group has shared slides on his presentation on Usability for Strategic User Experience via Slideshare on LinkedIn. If you are not on LinkedIn, you may need to register to see them.

Labels: publications

The Journal of Information Architecture has launched its first issue of this Web-only scholarly journal. Once the sole domain of librarians and archivists, the practice of information architecture - categorizing, labeling, indexing, and organizing large volumes of data - has become a common practice in the Web publishing industry. This journal is peer-reviewed and will focus on research reporting as well as reporting events and opinion.

Labels: information architecture, publications

May 10 is the deadline to submit the application for the undergraduate or graduate scholarships available from the STC Technical Editing Special Interest Group. Go first to the information page to learn who is eligible and what you need to gather to send in an application. And good luck!

Labels: UUX business