USABILITY CASE STUDY
The Usability Testing Problem

Usability* is the measure of a product's potential to accomplish the goals of the user. In information technology, the term is often used in relation to software applications. Some factors used in determining product usability are ease-of-use, visual consistency, and a clear, defined process for evolution.

Usability testing is a method by which users of a product are asked to perform certain tasks in an effort to measure the product's ease-of-use, task time, and the user's perception of the experience. Usability testing can be done formally in a usability lab with scan converters or video cameras, or informally, with paper mock-ups of an application. Changes are made to the application based on the findings of the usability tests. Whether the test is formal or informal, usability test participants are encouraged to think aloud and voice their every opinion.

The capture during the test of all the information pertinent to usability is the challenge. Although a video camera will retain the subject’s reaction and voice, it is not a complete solution, as neither a scan converter nor video camera captures screen data well. The resulting screen data is not clear and often fuzzy.

* The above definition of usability comes from whatis?com.

ScreenWatch: The Software Usability Testing Answer
ScreenWatch with its resultant clarity of the screen and perfect quality is an excellent solution for capturing the interactions that show on the desktop, picking up the voice (audio) of the user and the video display of the reactions of the user.  Besides the computer applications that appear on the screen, the user has full access to all the software that can be displayed on the desktop.  An easy-to-use Wizard steps you through setup – then click on the button to start the recording and proceed with the usability test. When you are finished with the test, stop recording and ScreenWatch will automatically publish with no post-production or programming the recording for your analysis.

Capabilities

• ScreenWatch is the first software application capable of capturing computer screen activity, recording it, and streaming across the Internet with industry-standard technologies. It’s the perfect solution for usability testers who need to capture computer activity for later playback and reviewing.
  
  
• Anybody can use it – a simple Wizard walks you through the steps needed to setup and start recording screen content, audio, and video. Sharing the results of your efforts is also easy with one-button publishing that automatically places your work on a web server. ScreenWatch meets the needs of formal testing, but it also is easy to use informally.



• It satisfies the usability tester’s requirement for high quality screen recording results. ScreenWatch provides the highest quality screen recordings available. It accurately captures screen colors, mouse movements and application animations exactly as they appeared when recorded. Even better, unlike alternative solutions, ScreenWatch requires no special player or system software – anyone with a RealPlayer or Windows Media Player can begin reviewing the test immediately.



• You are not restricted to a single location or a lab. The usability may be performed in multiple locations. ScreenWatch with seamless integration in many computing environments provides you native streaming support with industry standard RealNetworks and Microsoft Windows Media software.

     Top        Usability Testing Problem       Usability Testing Answer      Capabilities