Linux gets Usability Support

The Better Desktop initiative from Novell is a new component of the openSUSE project that provides open source developers with usability testing data and resources they can use to improve the quality of the Linux desktop.

Novell has released primary desktop research, including video footage and analysis of usability tests (see link below). Instructions for constructing and operating a low-cost usability lab will also be provided.

This initiative means that open source developers will be able to see for themselves the types of desktop software designs that are succeeding with end users. As a result, open source developers will have the resources to build applications that better meet the needs and expectations of users, which may see a rise in the adoption of Linux on the desktop.

Gary Barnett, research director at technology consultants Ovum says that: 'Usability is a key requirement in order to drive the Linux desktop into the mainstream. Novell's focus on usability, and this contribution to the worldwide community of Linux developers, will help break down some of the barriers.'

Open source developers now have more information to refine applications, including adjustments to menus, screen layouts, dialog boxes, and even icons and colours.

Nat Friedman, vice president of collaboration and desktop engineering for Novell, said: 'As a programmer, it's sometimes difficult to know how ordinary people with no technical experience are reacting to your software. Linux people tend to know other Linux people. In these usability tests, we selected test subjects who were experienced with Windows, but who had never heard of Linux, and asked them to perform basic tasks using the Linux desktop. We expect that developers from a variety of projects will come to betterdesktop.openSUSE.org and review these results to see first hand how they can improve the design of different applications, desktops and distributions.'

The Better Desktop initiative is the latest addition to the fast-growing openSUSE project, a community-based effort that involves developers worldwide in the review, testing and development of SUSE(TM) Linux with the goal of making it accessible to end users, not just developers. In the first eight weeks alone, more than 4M page views have been logged at the project site, 7,000 Linux users have registered and beta editions of SUSE Linux 10.0 have been installed more than 30,000 times.

Associated Link: Better Desktop initiative

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