Past Issues
| Volume 11 Issue 2 | Past Issues | A-Z List |
Usability News is a free web newsletter that is produced by the Software Usability Research
Laboratory (SURL) at Wichita State University. The SURL team specializes in software/website user interface design, usability testing, and research in human-computer interaction.
Barbara S. Chaparro, Editor
October 2009 (Vol. 11 Issue 2)
- Trick or Tweet: How Usable is Twitter for First-Time Users?
by J. Owens, K. Lenz, & S. Speagle - Pushing the Right Buttons: Design Characteristics of Touch Screen Buttons
by A. Smith - Using Repertory Grid Interviews to Capture First Impressions of Homepages
by V. Hinkle - Know Your Typefaces! Semantic Differential Presentation of 40 Onscreen Typefaces
by A.D. Shaikh - Visual Appeal vs. Usability: Which One Influences User Perceptions of a Website More?
by. C. Phillips & B. Chaparro
- Usability Evaluation of Three Social Networking Sites
by D. Fox & S. Naidu - Using Tag Clouds to Visualize Text Data Patterns
by V. Hinkle - Eye Movement Analysis of Text-Based Web Page Layouts
by S. Shrestha & J. Owens - The Personality of Terms and Concepts Used in Online Material
by A.D. Shaikh, B. Chaparro, & D. Fox
October 2008 (Vol. 10 Issue 2)
- Examining the Critical User Interface Components of First-Person Shooter (FPS) Games
by K. Lenz & D. Fox - Card Sorting: What You Need to Know About Analyzing and Interpreting Card Sorting Results
by V. Hinkle - How Do Users View a Portal Web Page? An Examination of User Eye Movements
by J. Owens S. Shrestha - Usability Evaluation of a University Portal Website
by B. Chaparro
- Does the Typeface of a Resume Impact Our Perception of the Applicant?
by A. D. Shaikh & D. Fox - The Effects of Input Device on Video Game Performance
by K. Lenz - Eye Movement Patterns for Single and Dual-Column Web Pages
by S. Shrestha & J. Owens - Examining the Legibility of the Number "1" and the "รท" Symbol
by D. Fox, B. Chaparro, & E. Merkle
- The Effect of Website Typeface Appropriateness on the Perception of a Company’s Ethos
by A.D. Shaikh - Examining the Legibility of the Letter "e" and Number "0" Using Classification Tree Analysis
by D. Fox, B. Chaparro, & E. Merkle - Top Ten Mistakes of Shopping Cart Design Revisited: A Survey of 500 Top E-Commerce Websites
by S. Naidu & B. Chaparro - A Review of MoraeTM 2.0 for Usability Testing
by S. Shrestha
- The Effect of Typeface on the Perception of Email
by A.D. Shaikh, D. Fox, & B. Chaparro - Eye Gaze Patterns while Searching vs. Browsing a Website
by S. Shrestha & K. Lenz - Comparing the Usability of Three Dual Language School Websites
by S. Naidu, V. Hinkle, & S. Shrestha - Summer Internship @ Google, Inc.: Accessibility Experiences
by A.D. Shaikh & P. Strain - A Review of MoraeTM for Usability Testing
by S. Shrestha
February 2006 (Vol. 8 Issue 1)
- Perception of Fonts: Perceived Personality Traits and Uses
by A.D. Shaikh, B.S. Chaparro, & D. Fox - The Legibility of Two New ClearType Fonts
by B.S. Chaparro, A.D. Shaikh, & A. Chaparro - Where's the Search? Re-examining User Expectations of Web Objects
by A.D. Shaikh & K. Lenz - Does the Intrusiveness of an Online Advertisement Influence User Recall and Recognition?
by S. Shrestha - Password Security: What Users Know and What They Actually Do
by S. Riley - Searching the University Course Schedule Using a Digital FlipBook
by S. Hull - Usability Analysis of a Computer-Based Avionics System
by C. Hamblin, S. Naidu, & C. Miller
- Effects of Line Length on Reading Online News
by A.D. Shaikh - Is Multiple-Column Online Text Better? It Depends!
by J.R. Baker - Hotspots and Hyperlinks: Using Eye-tracking to Supplement Usability Testing
by M. Russell - Evaluating the Usability of Educational Websites for Children
by S. Naidu - Online Flipping: Examination of the Digital FlipViewer®
by S. Hull - Smooth or Textured: Does Mouse Pad Surface Impact Performance?
By J. Slocum & S. Thompson
February 2005 (Vol. 7 Issue 1)
- Reading Online Text with a Poor Layout: Is Performance Worse?
by B.S. Chaparro, A.D. Shaikh, & J.R. Baker - Metaphors and Website Design: A Cross-Cultural Case Study of the Tide.com Stain Detective
by A.D. Shaikh, B.S. Chaparro, W.T. Nelson, & A. Joshi - Using Eye-tracking Data to Understand First Impressions of a Website
by M. Russell - Ergonomic Mice: Comparison of Performance and Perceived Exertion
By D. Scarlett - A Breakdown of the Psychomotor Components of Input Device Usage
by J. Slocum - A Comparison of Two Evaluation Techniques for Technical Documentation
by B. Rogers, C. Hamblin, & A. Chaparro - Evaluation Toolbox for Aviation Technical Publications
by B. Rogers, C. Hamblin, & A. Chaparro
- The Effects of Contrast and Density on Visual Web Search
by D. Weller - Reading Online Text: A Comparison of Four White Space Layouts
by B. Chaparro, J.R. Baker, A.D. Shaikh, S. Hull, & L. Brady - Paper or Pixels: What Are People Reading Online?
by A.D. Shaikh - Online Banking: Why People Are Branching Out
by M. Bayles - Global Examination of Users' Mental Models for E-Commerce Web Layouts
by M. Bernard & A. Sheshadri - Comparing Data Input Methods on Handheld Computers
by G. Copas & L. Elder - The Role of Interactivity in Web-Based Educational Material
by L. Brady - Technology in the Classroom: How Important is the Student-Teacher Interaction?
by C. Gilmore & C. Halcomb - Blackboard™ Gets A Global Review
by G. Copas, T. Witherspoon, & K. Reynolds
February 2004 (Vol. 6 Issue 1)
- What's the Skinny on Weight Loss Websites?
by D. Shaikh, R. Baker, & M. Russell - Influence of Training and Exposure on the Usage of Breadcrumb Navigation
by S. Hull - Does Background Music Impact Computer Task Performance?
by C. Phillips - Evaluation of Websites for Older Adults: How "Senior-Friendly" Are They?
by T. Hart - The Effects of Perceptual Grouping on Text Entry Performance
by C. Hamblin, M. Bohan, & A. Chaparro - Evaluating the Combimouse™: An New Input Device for Personal Computers
by J. Slocum, S. Thompson, B. Chaparro, & M. Bohan - Usability of Mobile Devices in the Cockpit
by C. Hamblin
- Measuring Online Experience: It's About More than Time!
by B. Lida Rogers - A Comparison of Two Computer Fonts: Serif versus Ornate Sans-Serif
by S. Morrison & J. Noyes, University of Bristol, UK - Breadcrumb Navigation: Further Investigation of Usage
by B. Lida Rogers & B. Chaparro - RSVP in Review: A Comparison of Programs for the PC and Handheld Devices
by M. Russell & S. Riley - Examining First-Time Use of the RollerMouse™
by J. Slocum, D. Shaikh, M. Bohan, & B. Chaparro - Where's My Clicker? Bringing the Remote into the Classroom
by G. Copas - CADUCEUS: Using the Web to Share Student Misconceptions and Solutions
by R. Langrall - A Comparison of Face-to-Face and Computer-Mediated Student Project Teams
by M. Russell
February 2003 ( Vol. 5 Issue 1)
- The Impact of Paging vs. Scrolling on Reading Online Text Passages
by R. Baker - Breadcrumb Navigation: An Exploratory Study of Usage
by B. Lida, S. Hull, & K. Pilcher - Cascading versus Indexed Menu Design
by M. Bernard & C. Hamblin - Examining Web Design Conventions Across Site Types
by M. R. Patel - Can Internet Shoppers Be Described by Personality Traits?
by G. Copas - Aesthetics and Usability: A Look at Color and Balance
by L. Brady & C. Phillips - Can Expanding Targets Make Object Selection Easier for Older Adults?
by M. Bohan & D. Scarlett - Examining Tolerance for Online Delays
by P. Selvidge
- Reading Online News: A Comparison of Three Presentation Formats
by R. Baker, M. Bernard, & S. Riley - Examining the Effects of Hypertext Shape on User Performance
by M. Bernard - Determining Cognitive Predictors of User Performance within
Complex User Interfaces
by M. Bernard, C. Hamblin, & B. Scofield - The Effects of Line Length on Children and Adults' Online Reading Performance
by M. Bernard, M. Fernandez, & S. Hull - Fortune 500 Revisited: Current Trends in Site Map Design
by M. Russell - Can Personality Be Used to Predict How We Use the Internet?
by B. Lida - Online Shopping for Office Supplies: Factors Impacting User Satisfaction
by B. Chaparro, V. Pereira, & S. Padgett - Are You in Good Hands With Allstate?: A Comparison of Three Auto-Insurance Websites
by R. Baker & C. Gilmore - Top Ten Mistakes of Shopping Cart Design
by B. Chaparro - Using Technology to Foster a Student-Centered Classroom
by C. Halcomb & N. Rogers - Bringing the Chat Room to the Classroom
by M. Russell & C. Halcomb
January 2002 ( Vol. 4 Issue 1)
- A Comparison of Popular Online Fonts: Which Size and Type is Best?
by M. Bernard, B. Lida, S. Riley, T. Hackler, & K. Janzen - Designing Online Banner Advertisements: Should We Animate?
by M. Bayles - Where Should You Put the Links? Comparing Embedded and
Framed/Non Framed Links
by M. Bernard & S. Hull - Paging vs. Scrolling: Looking for the Best Way to Present Search Results
by M. Bernard, R. Baker, & M. Fernandez - User Expectations for the Location of Common E-Commerce Web Objects
by M. Bernard - Planning Your Next Vacation: Orbitz, Expedia, or Travelocity?
by B. Chaparro & A. Gibson - Internet Purchasing Attitudes: Does It All Come Down to Cost?
by B. Lida & G. Copas - Reading from a Palm Pilot™ using RSVP
by M. Russell, M. James, & A. Cohlmia - Menu Design: To Adapt, or Not to Adapt?
by P. Selvidge
- A Comparison of Popular Online Fonts: Which Is Best and When?
by M. Bernard, M. Mills, M. Peterson, & K. Storrer - What is the Best Layout for Multiple-Column Web Pages?
by M. Bernard & L. Larsen - Where Should You Put the Links? A Comparison of Four Locations
by M. Bernard, S. Hull, & D. Drake - Satisfaction Survey by Web or by Paper? A Case Study at a
Fortune 500 Company
by B. Laughlin - Online Groceries & Textbooks: Is E-Shopping the Answer for
Today's College Student?
by B. Chaparro, T. St. Romain, & R. Hacker - E-Commerce, the Consumer Decision Process, and the Theory
of Reasoned Action
by F. Volk - Balancing Image Quality and Speed: How to Shave Seconds off Your
Download Time
by L. Larsen & C. Phillips
January 2001 ( Vol. 3 Issue 1)
- Developing Schemas for the Location of Common Web Objects
by M. Bernard - Designing a Touch Screen Kiosk for Older Adults: A Case Study
by B. Chaparro & L. Stumpfhauser - Which Fonts Do Children Prefer to Read Online?
by M. Bernard, M. Mills, T. Frank, & J. McKown - Determining the Best Online Font for Older Adults
by M. Bernard, C. Liao, & M. Mills - Online Shopping: TV's, Toasters, and Toys! Oh My!
by B. Chaparro, S. Childs, Y. Praheswari, & A. Rappard - Practicing What We Preach? A Usability Evaluation of the HFES
Proceedings CD-ROM
by R. Baker - Reading with RSVP on a Small Screen: Does Font Size Matter?
by M. Russell, J. Hull, & R. Wesley - Should You Check In Your Textbooks and Check Out an eBook?
by P. Selvidge, A. Fryman, & S. Riley
- Is RSVP a Solution for Reading from Small Displays?
by M. Bernard, B. Chaparro, & M. Russell - Just How 'Blind' Are We to Advertising Banners on the Web?
by M. Bayles - So, What Size and Type of Font Should I Use on my Website?
by M. Bernard & M. Mills - Male and Female Attitudes Toward Computer-Mediated Group Interactions
by M. Bernard, M. Mills, & C. Friend - Two Years and Six Hand-Held Devices Later: What I Have Learned
by M. Bohan - Before and After: How Can You Show Your New Website is Better?
by P. Selvidge - Randomize and Test (RAT): A Program to Randomize Conditions
by G. Bender - Constructing User-Centered Websites: Design Implications
For Content Organization
by M. Bernard
January 2000 ( Vol. 2 Issue 1)
- Data Collection in the Palm of your Hand: A Case Study
by K. Spain & C. Phipps - Entering Text into Hand-Held Devices: Comparing Two Soft Keyboards
by M. Bohan - E-books: Are We Going Paperless?
by P. Selvidge & C. Phillips - How Important is Visual Feedback When Using a Touchscreen?
by M. Deron - Computer and World Wide Web Usage of WSU Undergraduates
by B. Chaparro, M. Bernard, P. Moseley, & B. Bartelloni - Finding Information on the Web: Does Whitespace Matter?
by M. Bernard, B. Chaparro, & R. Thomasson - Does Computer-Mediated Collaboration Really Improve Group
Communication? Our General Findings
by M. Bernard, T. Chuang, & S. Ali - Constructing User-Centered Websites: The Early Design Phases of
Small to Medium Sites
by M. Bernard
- How Long is Too Long to Wait for a Website to Load?
by P. Selvidge - Sitemap Design: Alphabetical or Categorical?
by M. Bernard - Mouse-Over vs. Point-and-Click: It Depends!
by B. Chaparro, G. Minnaert, & C. Phipps - Exploring How the Elderly Use the Web
by L. Groff, C. Liao, B. Chaparro, & A. Chaparro - Searching on the Web: Who Uses the Advanced Search Options?
by M. Bayles & M. Bernard
January 1999 ( Volume 1, Issue 1)
- How Usable are the Airline Websites?
by P. Selvidge - What is the Best Way to Wrap Links?
by K. Spain - Using a Site Map as a Navigational Tool
by M. Bernard - Do We Need the "Go" Button?
by B. Chaparro - Mouse-Over vs. Point-and-Click: Which is Better?
by G. Bender, M. Bohan, & A. Chaparro
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