Improving the User Experience of Online Gaming Registration: A Comparative Study of X-Box and PS2

This paper offers two main areas of interest within the rapidly expanding field of online gaming. First it describes an heuristic evaluation of the registration process of two of the leading games consoles: the Sony PS2, and Microsoft’s X-Box. We highlight areas of the registration process where the PS2 and X-Box outperform each other from a usability perspective, and identify the reasons why they do so. From this study we infer a set of heuristics and best practice techniques for online gaming interface design.

Ben Weedon and Michael Lewis, February 2004.

The Complexities of Good Intentions: An informal ethnographic study of free public internet kiosks

Free electronic internet kiosks are appearing in many places throughout the UK and the world. In this study, we used ethnographic techniques to study why and how kiosks were being used, and considered whether they may be useful in attempts to bridge the digital divide.

Andrew Swartz, 2003.

Usability Issues in Web Site Design

Unless a web site meets the needs of the intended users it will not meet the needs of the organization providing the web site. Web site development should be user centred, evaluating the evolving design against user requirements. This paper highlights usability issues in web site design and provides general guidelines.

Dr Nigel Bevan, 2001.

Usability Issues and User Perceptions of a 1st Generation WAP Service

In January 2000, Serco Usability Services carried out an independent usability evaluation of WAP services available in the UK using a Nokia 7110. This paper reports the findings of the evaluation including consumer reactions to the WAP service, and the implications of the findings for the uptake of mobile commerce (m-commerce).

Vincent Helyar, 2000.

Navigating your TV: The usability of Electronic Programme Guides (EPGs)

EPGs are intended to provide access to a wide range of content on digital TV platforms. However, little is publicly known about the best way to design these new types of interactive service. To address this, we conducted usability tests, using four different EPGs to plan an evening’s viewing. Main usability issues, relating primarily to navigation, and potential for future research are discussed.

Owen Daly-Jones and Rachel Carey, 1999.