UN Survey Results: Using the Newsletter (if you know about it)

We asked you 'Do you subscribe to the UsabilityNews electronic newsletter?'

The UNAP survey on accessibility resulted in 151 responses from all over the world. The majority of responses were from the UK (45%), America (26%) and Europe (18%). Other responses were received from Canada, Asia, Australia as well as Finland, Egypt and China. Read more about these accessibility findings in UN story: Accessible Update to UN creeps In. This story deals with some of the other things we found out in conducting the survey.

Of respondents, 80 had signed up for the newsletter that goes out roughly once a fortnight (that's every two weeks) and 67 hadn't, while 4 chose not to answer.

Various reasons were given for this. Of the options that people could choose, the breakdown went as follows: 25 'do not wish to add to the amount of email' they get, while 5 say they are worried about spam and 2 prefer not to give out their email address. Another 22 prefer to view the website and a further 9 subscribe to the HCI mailing list and 'assume the information is the same' (It's not, actually). Rather more rejected the categories on the questionnaire and put their own reasons. Clearly there should have been a section to tick if you were one of those who had never heard of it for that accounted for another 14 answers – so much for our promotional abilities! Another group all added 'not got round to it'.

If you want to subscribe, follow the 'subscribe' link on the website. You will get a mailing no more often than once every two weeks and it is always a summary of the last few days' news to the site, as well as a short editorial note from the editor, and events, jobs and call for papers listings.

Of those who did know about it, an overwhelming majority felt that once a fortnight to three weeks was the right frequency for receiving it, with about an equal number wanting it more often and less often.

And there was a lobby from overseas that picked up on the occasional use of 'fortnight' and 'fortnightly' – that cropped up in the survey meaning 'every two weeks'. Yes, it's a regional (ie British) term but I am loathe to give it up because it's succinct.

Six Metrics for Managing UI Design
Source: Russell Wilson, 28 August 2008
 
A proposal of six metrics to be used for managing a user interface design department.

Don't Judge a Form by its Cover
Source: Formulate Information Design, 27 August 2008
 
The saying "don't judge a book by its cover" reminds us that looks are deceptive. It turns out that this idiom applies to forms too.

Beijing Olympics - special State of the eNation report
Source: www.abilitynet.org.uk, 26 August 2008
 
In this special report AbilityNet asked disabled users to try out the Beijing Olympics website in our interaction lab.

It's Who You Know (Or Don't)
Source: Stanford Magazine, 23 August 2008
 
Online social networks are powerful and ineffectual all at once.

Winning Considerations for Interactive Content
Source: UXMatters, 22 August 2008
 
Rich options for interactively presenting content also come with a challenge.

Microsoft sees end of Windows era
Source: BBC, 20 August 2008
 
Microsoft has kicked off a research project to create software that will take over when it retires Windows.

News you can Use
Source: Gerry McGovern, 18 August 2008
 
When the homepage is dominated by news you are not necessarily communicating more.

Feeling Through your Computer
Source: Discoveries and Breakthroughs Inside Science, 16 August 2008
 
A newly designed device lets computer users feel the texture and movement of what they are seeing in front of them.

User interviews - A basic Introduction
Source: Webcredible, 15 August 2008
 
It's surprising how few people have a real understanding of who's using their site.

Helping Visitors find Information
Source: UN, 13 August 2008
 
A new report outlines the key findings from surveys that explored factors which influence the quality of online experience.