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I seem to be the most productive immediately after a conference or community event. Post-KDE4 Release Event was no exception, and I’ve spent the past week taking a look at the KDE-Windows installer.

I recently completed an expert interface review of the KDE for windows installation dialog version 0.8.5.  Overall there are a lot of very minor interface issues that should be quick and easy to fix.  There were a few more major issues which may take more effort in fixing, such as how the progress dialog appears and some bugs(?) in the package list.  The report provides suggestions on how to fix these issues, but discussion on alternatives is welcome.

KDE for Windows Installer Expert Review (PDF 885KB)

seele :: Jan.28.2008 :: General, KDE/Kubuntu, Usability :: 17 Comments »

I have posted some of the 2007 KDE usability reports. These are usability projects completed and documented by various people (usability engineers, developers, users) in the KDE Usability Project.

There are a few more on the way, which will make about 6 usability reports for 2007 (that I know of). This is not quite as many as the project has had in the past few years. Let’s try to make 2008 a good year for KDE usability! If you know of a usability report which is not listed but would like it included, please send a link to the document and a short summary to the kde-usability mailing list.

seele :: Jan.28.2008 :: Asides, KDE/Kubuntu, Usability :: Comments Off

If you were free of the logistics of planning a usability test (money, moderators, recruiting, creating the script, equipment, etc.), what KDE software would you want to see tested?

Applications can be tested by themselves or as part of a suite of applications, but I think you get more from testing workflows such as printing a document or emailing an image. This is especially useful for an environment like KDE, because many of the applications are interconnected and work together. It also gives us the opportunity to test more peripheral elements such as system messages and application switching.

Here are some of my ideas for possible studies:

• Install a printer, find a document and print it (System Settings, Dolphin, KPrint)
• Take a picture, upload and edit it, and send it to a friend (Digikam, Kmail)
• Work on homework problems or school report (KDE Edu, Konqueror)

Any one have any additional ideas or comments for a KDE usability test?

seele :: Jan.22.2008 :: General, Open Source, Usability :: 27 Comments »

Waking up this morning and experiencing the excitement of everyone else in the community made today feel like Christmas. KDE 4.0 has been released! Thank you to everyone who has put in so much hard work. Kubuntu also has KDE4 packages available.

seele :: Jan.11.2008 :: Asides, KDE/Kubuntu :: Comments Off

The schedule for the Southern California Linux Expo (February 8-10, Los Angeles, California, United States) has been updated. My session on user centered design in open source will be Saturday, February 9th at 11:30.

seele :: Jan.03.2008 :: Asides, Design, Open Source :: Comments Off