November 2004 Contents

Articles

Cleaning up for the housekeeper
Once in a while a client will tilt their head and look at me with one of those smiles. “You want to do expert review and then also usability testing?” they say. “Is this one of those consulting tricks? Why would I need to do both?”
By Kathleen Straub

Criticizing Our Colleagues: Tough, But Kind
I’m not used to writing editorials, but lately I’ve heard complaints from more than a few usability professionals about reviews of their work that were snide, hostile, and lacking in reasonable suggestions and this has moved me to speak out. These complaints deal with a primary activity of our profession: constructive criticism.
By Chauncey E. Wilson

Project Summary: Punch-Card Voting Instructions for Low-Literacy Voters in the Ohio 2004 Presidential Election
Using the list of Usability and Design Consultants prepared by the UPA's Voting and Usability Project, a leader from the Greater Cleveland Voter Registration Coalition found a consultant to help develop usable punch-card voting instructions for low-literacy voters. The usability consultant and the non-partisan citizens' group developed a mailer format for the instructions and a flyer (handout) format. After testing, these were distributed to prospective voters.
by Naomi A. Kleid

Projects and Events

EDUCAUSE launches new web site
EDUCAUSE has launched a redesigned Web site, with significantly improved functionality and access to resources.
EDUCAUSE, 6 October 2004

uiGarden
uiGarden is a bilingual on-line magazine that provides an opportunity for researchers and practitioners who work in the user interface design (including user experience, information architecture, GUI, and usability) field in the Chinese and the English speaking worlds to publish their thinking and exchange views with each other.
By Christina W.J. Li

UPA Chapter News

UPA Chapter News
New chapters formed - learn about the latest additions to the family!