Media Context Special: UIE on why Context matters

"Putting Context Into Context" is the kind of title I wish I'd written. Jared Spool beat me to it with this neat summary of the practitioner view of context:

'Three underlying elements contribute to whether a user will succeed with a design:
* The attributes specific to the user - if you substituted a different user, you would get different results.
* The attributes specific to the interface - if you substituted a different interface, you'd also get different results.
* The attributes specific to the current context - attributes independent of the specific user and tool.'

Spool operationalises context by breaking it down into: goals; process; inputs and outputs; experience; constraints; physical environment; and tools in use. Each section is accompanied by relevant questions.

Contrast this approach with the other piece featured this week that explores the role of context, linking to an article penned by Paul Dourish: Re-evaluating the Relationship between Context and Action.

Associated Link: UIE: Putting Context Into Context

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
 
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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
 
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