Exploratory inspection-a user-based learning method for improving open source software usability

2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 653-675 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luyin Zhao ◽  
Fadi P. Deek ◽  
James A. McHugh
Keyword(s):  
Open Source ◽  
Open Source Software ◽  
Learning Method ◽  
Software Usability

Strategies for Improving Open Source Software Usability

2011 ◽  
pp. 218-232
Author(s):  
Luyin Zhao ◽  
Fadi P. Deek ◽  
James A. McHugh
Keyword(s):  
Open Source ◽  
Open Source Software ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Source Model ◽  
User Acceptance ◽  
Fundamental Characteristic ◽  
Learning Method ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Software Usability ◽  
Usability Problems

The Open Source Software (OSS) movement has had enormous impact on how software is created and continues to attract interest from researchers, software developers and users. A factor that may be inhibiting OSS from achieving greater success is usability, a fundamental characteristic to user acceptance of software. Motivated by the uniquely user-driven nature of the open source model and the extensive user base that participates in OSS projects, the authors propose an exploratory learning method and an associated web-based inspection environment that enables non-experts to contribute to open source usability inspection. This tool uses pattern-based usability guidelines to help identify usability knowledge during inspection. The method emphasizes outlining and exploration features which the authors have formally evaluated and the results of which are described. Data collected from a qualitative study indicates positive impact of the proposed method in helping end-users inspect software and achieve better results in discovering usability problems.

scholarly journals Improvement of Open Source Software Usability: An Empirical Evaluation from Developers' Perspective

2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arif Raza ◽  
Luiz F. Capretz ◽  
Faheem Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Open Source ◽  
Open Source Software ◽  
User Satisfaction ◽  
Empirical Investigation ◽  
Empirical Evaluation ◽  
Research Model ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Software Usability ◽  
The Impact

User satisfaction has always been important for software success whether it is Open Source Software (OSS) or closed proprietary software. Even though we do not presume that OSS always has poor usability, as there are examples of good usable open source software, it would still be agreed that OSS usability has room for further improvement. This paper presents an empirical investigation to study the impact of some key factors on OSS usability from developers' points of view. This is one of the series of four studies that we are conducting regarding improvement of OSS usability from OSS developers, users, contributors, and industry perspectives. The research model of this empirical investigation studies and establishes the relationship between the key usability factors from developers' perspective and OSS usability. A data set of 106 OSS developers from 18 open source projects of varied size has been used to study the research model. The results of this study provide empirical evidence that the studied key factors play a significant role in improving OSS usability.

scholarly journals An Empirical Study of Open Source Software Usability

2011 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arif Raza ◽  
Luiz Fernando Capretz ◽  
Faheem Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Study ◽  
Open Source ◽  
Open Source Software ◽  
Research Model ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Software Developers ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Software Usability ◽  
Novice Users ◽  
The Relationship

Recent years have seen a sharp increase in the use of open source projects by common novice users; Open Source Software (OSS) is thus no longer a reserved arena for software developers and computer gurus. Although user-centered designs are gaining popularity in OSS, usability is still not considered one of the prime objectives in many design scenarios. This paper analyzes industry users’ perception of usability factors, including understandability, learnability, operability, and attractiveness on OSS usability. The research model of this empirical study establishes the relationship between the key usability factors and OSS usability from industrial perspective. In order to conduct the study, a data set of 105 industry users is included. The results of the empirical investigation indicate the significance of the key factors for OSS usability.

scholarly journals Contributors Preference in Open Source Software Usability: An Empirical Study

2010 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 45-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arif Raza ◽  
Luiz Fernando Capretz
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Study ◽  
Open Source ◽  
Open Source Software ◽  
Software Usability

An Empirical Study of Open Source Software Usability

2013 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Arif Raza ◽  
Luiz Fernando Capretz ◽  
Faheem Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Study ◽  
Open Source ◽  
Open Source Software ◽  
Sharp Increase ◽  
Research Model ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Software Usability ◽  
Novice Users ◽  
The Relationship

Recent years have seen a sharp increase in the use of open source projects by common novice users; Open Source Software (OSS) is thus no longer a reserved arena for software developers and computer gurus. Although user-centered designs are gaining popularity in OSS, usability is still not considered one of the prime objectives in many design scenarios. This paper analyzes industry users’ perception of usability factors, including understandability, learnability, operability, and attractiveness on OSS usability. The research model of this empirical study establishes the relationship between the key usability factors and OSS usability from industrial perspective. In order to conduct the study, a data set of 105 industry users is included. The results of the empirical investigation indicate the significance of the key factors for OSS usability.

Strategies for Improving Open Source Software Usability

2009 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 49-64
Author(s):  
Luyin Zhao ◽  
Fadi P. Deek ◽  
James A. McHugh
Keyword(s):  
Open Source ◽  
Open Source Software ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Source Model ◽  
User Acceptance ◽  
Exploratory Learning ◽  
Software Developers ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Software Usability ◽  
Usability Problems

The Open Source Software (OSS) movement has had enormous impact on how software is created and continues to attract interest from researchers, software developers and users. A factor that may be inhibiting OSS from achieving greater success is usability, a fundamental characteristic to user acceptance of software. Motivated by the uniquely user-driven nature of the open source model and the extensive user base that participates in OSS projects, the authors propose an exploratory learning method and an associated web-based inspection environment that enables non-experts to contribute to open source usability inspection. This tool uses patternbased usability guidelines to help identify usability knowledge during inspection. The method emphasizes outlining and exploration features which the authors have formally evaluated and the results of which are described. Data collected from a qualitative study indicates positive impact of the proposed method in helping end-users inspect software and achieve better results in discovering usability problems.

Open-source software

AccessScience ◽  
2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Open Source ◽  
Open Source Software

Practical Open Source Software for Libraries

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole C. Engard
Keyword(s):  
Open Source ◽  
Open Source Software

Open Source Software: A Survey from 10,000 Feet

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanos Androutsellis-Theotokis
Keyword(s):  
Open Source ◽  
Open Source Software
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