Media: MercuryNews on Voting Machines with a Difference

"Electronic voting alternative offered" reports on the launch of a new, cheaper and open source- based electronic voting system that shows up how inappropriate the machines being considered in the US for elections actually are.

The article warns that computer security experts who have examined existing voting machines found them 'susceptible to fraud and programming errors': 'Critics say that a paper receipt - also known as a voter-verified paper ballot - would help protect votes. However, none of the main voting equipment companies has yet incorporated such a feature.' The prototype being shown off in Santa Clara County last week have this facility and other safeguards.

'A key concern of opponents of touch-screen voting machines is that the computer code that records and tallies votes is considered a closely guarded corporate secret. Often, the automated script used to test the accuracy of a voting machine before an election is also treated as a trade secret. "We are not in favor of having a public process run by private companies that want to keep everything a secret,"' the article continues.

Associated Link: MercuryNews: Electronic voting alternative offered

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.