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

All change at the top for System Concepts
Source: System Concepts Ltd, 3 July 2009
 
Leslie Fountain has been promoted to joint Managing Director of leading usability consultancy System Concepts.

Life in UCD immortalised in fiction: you couldn't make it up
Source: UN, 2 July 2009
 
Sarah Herman's fictitious book on life in a user-centred design company has hit the shelves and The Guardian's book pages...

Interfaces Magazine - Issue 79: The Education Issue
Source: Interaction Group, 1 July 2009
 
The latest issue of Interfaces is now available as a free download from the Interaction Website.

Two new Behavioural research Tools from Noldus
Source: UN, 30 June 2009
 
Tool updates make on-site behavioural data collection easier.

Cell Phones that Listen and Learn
Source: MIT Technology Review, 29 June 2009
 
New software tracks a user's behavior by monitoring everyday sounds.

Top Six Don’ts for Usability Testing
Source: FutureNow Inc., 27 June 2009
 
Six tips for creating quality usability tests to ensure useful feedback from testers.

Usability: ‘Lovely software. But I can’t work it’
Source: FT.com, 26 June 2009
 
In a recent survey by Global Graphics, 77 per cent of office workers estimate they lose up to one hour a week because business software is difficult to use.

And what do you do?
Source: Dexo Design, 25 June 2009
 
How do you describe your job role? Here are the results of a recent 'Preferred UX/UI Title' Poll.

Most Doctors cite Usability as critical to Electronic Health Record Adoption
Source: TMCNet, 24 June 2009
 
It's all about 'meaningful use'.

Glossy monitors look good but can hurt
Source: QUT, 23 June 2009
 
A new advisory cites research which suggests high gloss monitors make users sit awkwardly.