Review: 'Usability is not Everything' declares Site

This is another site that questions the value of usability and whether it knows its place in the world. See also Chris McEvoy's Usability Must Die for an alternative view.

The front page declares that 'some people consider usability a scientific discipline that uses tests, measurements and factor analysis. others call themselves "usability gurus" and "interface evangelists" and preach usability like a religion. this manifesto questions the jihad of usability and tries to bring usability back from its lofty realms to the solid ground of planet earth.'

The result is a proposal for holistic usability: 'our approach is more demanding than orthodox usability. there are no ready-made heuristics, no one-size-fits-all solution. instead, each site must be seen as a new world, reaching out to the visitors, touching them'. There is an interesting diagram to accompany this and also some worthwhile words on inclusive design under a section called 'what about disabilities?'.

Lots of visitor comments appear in the forum to argue with or be amused by. The site's purpose has caused a lot of confusion. Perhaps the wisest is the writer who points out that the absence of capitals in the text on the site damages readability.

A final point: when I visited the site, the voting indicator on the homepage had it that only 49% found the site useful. How can you not love a site that advertises less than half its visitors were impressed?

Associated Link: Usability is not Everything

'Internet addiction' linked to Depression
Source: BBC, 9 February 2010
 
There is a strong link between heavy internet use and depression, UK psychologists have said.

Could *You* be more Usable?
Source: UN, 8 February 2010
 
Bet you could.

Stowe Boyd on 'Steampunk' thinking about the Future of Computing
Source: Stowe Boyd's blog via Experientia, 6 February 2010
 
Are established metaphors of user experience holding us back from new ways of structuring our interaction through computers?

Nokia's User Experience Programme
Source: UN, 5 February 2010
 
Nokia has put together a rich and informative website covering the key elements of user experience.

Interfaces magazine: latest issue available now
Source: HCI News Service, 4 February 2010
 
The latest issue of Interfaces is now available in pdf format, free from the Interaction Website.

A Lighter Brigade of Chargers
Source: UN, 3 February 2010
 
Lots of gadgets, one charger. At last.

Mobile Touch Screens could soon Feel the Pressure
Source: MIT Technology Review, 2 February 2010
 
A quantum switch could add pressure sensing to mobile screens.

Usability, Usability, Usability: why the iPad will Succeed
Source: Econsultancy, 1 February 2010
 
The tech critics love it, hate it, love it again, shrug it off. What do usability experts say?

British Airways - at last some good news
Source: Loop11, 30 January 2010
 
In a recent website usability study for the world's leading airlines, the British Airways website proved to be the most user friendly, with Malaysia Airlines and Virgin Atlantic having the lowest user experience rating.

Computation of Emotions in Man and Machine
Source: Royal Society, 29 January 2010
 
Advances in computer technology now allow machines to recognise and express emotions, paving the way for improved human-computer and human-human communications.