Easy technology: UOW hosts World Usability Day

Nov 04, 2005

Have you ever asked the question 'why doesn't this work better?' or 'why can't they make this easier?'.

These questions and many more regarding ever-changing technology and the benefits of usability engineering were answered yesterday (Thursday 3 November) when the University of Wollongong's School of Economic and Information Systems hosted a World Usability Day 'Open House' to demonstrate the facilities of its Activity Theory Usability Laboratory (ATUL).

The lab's purpose is to make computers easier for people to understand and use.

The open was one of many worldwide events planned in more than 70 cities in 35 countries, starting with a breakfast in New Zealand and ending at around 10pm on the west coast of the United States. The focus of the event was to make technology easy.

"ATUL is both a facility and a group of experts that takes a holistic approach to the practical yet complex activities that are supported by the use of changing information and communications technologies," said event organiser Dr Helen Hasan.

"The services offered by ATUL promote a better understanding about the use of technology. The lab provides technological tools and personal knowledge to help business and communities reach their goals."

World Usability Day at UOW allowed the campus and community to participate in guided tours of the ATUL and view ongoing demonstrations which aimed to answer a number of questions about the usability of websites, software and e-commerce applications.

"Everyone knows how useful computer systems are and yet how often we get frustrated when they get in the way of what we want to do," said Dr Hasan.

"By focussing on what users want to achieve when using an application, our methods of usability evaluation determine the users needs and record how these pan out."

Dr Hasan said that the lab's clients are generally businesses and research students who need their systems made more user-friendly and web designers who want to check their product.

"We're trying to be the interface between the technology and the people who use it," she said.

The ATUL Open Day also provided information on the usability of dynamic systems modelling, collective learning modules and research tools for academia and industry.

Highlights included a visit from the owner/creator of Zing Technology to demonstrate a computer-based groupware tool, demonstrations of Go*Team -- a computer-based team strategy simulation tool developed for the military and demonstrations of how to engage in dynamic systems modelling with the application Stella.

ATUL is in Building 117 on Northfields Avenue (next to Wollongong University Postgraduate Association bldg). Anyone interested in speaking to staff or visiting the lab should contact Dr Helen Hasan on 4221 3757 or Mr Craig Peden on 4221 5407.