Media: Alertbox gets back to Research, on Newsletters and on Flash

The most significant finding from our recent usability testing of ten email newsletters is that users have highly emotional reactions to newsletters' says Jakob Nielsen, reporting a new study. 'This is in strong contrast to studies of website usability, where users are usually much more oriented towards functionality. Even a website that you visit daily will feel like a tool where you want to get in and get out as quickly as possible and not connect with the site.' He contrasts this 'tool' perspective with the personal feeling as newsletters arrive in your inbox and the 'ongoing relationship' established with them.

This is an interesting Alertbox, after a few less research-based topics. The next, on Flash and designing for users with disabilities, also offers findings, though very preliminary ones. By publishing on this, Nielsen is reminding everyone that he is now working for Macromedia as consultant, and hackles may rise again (see Flash Critic Nielsen turns Macromedia Advisor).

He reports that Flash sites are easier for those with disabilities to use 'when designers combine visual and textual presentations, minimize incessant movement, decrease spacing between related objects, and simplify features'. Of course, the term 'disabilities' covers many types of issue and just which are being addressed in not made clear on site, but a report is downloadable.

Associated Link: Alertbox

Study: Mobile Web sites need Improvement
Source: CNET, 13 October 2008
 
A new study suggests that the usability of many mobile Web sites still needs improvement.

Better Usability makes Online Backup more Appealing
Source: UN, 11 October 2008
 
Repeat after me: "Backup via the Internet is for everybody."

IBM Task Modeler version 6 now Available
Source: Unknown, 10 October 2008
 
The latest release of IBM Task Modeler is now available for download. This includes many new features to support efficient and collaborative task analysis and synthesis.

Caroline's Corner: Design to Read - Designing for People who do not Read easily
Source: Caroline Jarrett, 9 October 2008
 
Reading is a skill many of us take for granted. Chances are that if you’re reading this, you’re one of the lucky ones who read easily.

Bill Buxton to change Microsoft from within
Source: The Register, 8 October 2008
 
"Last year Steve Ballmer said to 85,000 employees 'If you don’t change and you don’t go in this direction, we’re dead, and I don’t want to die.' I wanted to go hug him when he said that."

New Report: Innovative Marketing in the Digital World
Source: E-consultancy, 7 October 2008
 
A new report from E-consultancy provides a distillation of ideas and suggestions provided by digital marketing experts.

Linking Industry with Academia
Source: unknown, 6 October 2008
 
Customer experience research consultancy, fhios, based in London, has just launched an innovative internship programme, aimed primarily at postgraduate students.

Online Travel Booking: What influences Consumers?
Source: Webcredible, 4 October 2008
 
What influences consumers when booking a holiday? How can travel companies offer the best user experience?

Getting the Word out
Source: UN, 3 October 2008
 
I SAID, I'M ON THE TRAIN... Voice recognition technology can now translate all those pesky garbled voicemails into manageable text messages.

Mobile hardware outpaces Software and User Capabilities
Source: ComputerWorld, 2 October 2008
 
The main issue dissuading users from employing all the capabilities of their mobile devices is the complexity involved in operating them.