Abstract

With the recent dramatic fall in prices for consumer electronic equipment, a fully functional usability lab is within any company's budget. It will take some elbow grease, but any do-it-yourselfer can now build a lab with video and screen capture for under $1000. Learning Objectives Attendees will walk away with a grasp of how the equipment in a usability lab functions harmoniously to produce usable results. They will understand the role each piece plays in the process as well as be able to make a qualified decision as to what pieces of equipment they need. And most importantly, attendees will walk away with the knowledge and information necessary to build a standard video lab for under $1000.

Introduction

Usability testing is one of the most fundamental methods at our disposal. Not only can it reveal a significant amount of usability problems, but it also helps to create a culture of usability at an organization as managers and developers pile around the television to watch real people wrestle with real products.

Usability labs can be used to test web sites, software applications, and a variety of devices and equipment. While the room specifications may vary quite dramatically, the equipment required remains very much the same for testing these different devices. With the recent dramatic fall in prices for consumer electronic equipment, a fully functional usability lab is within any company's budget. It will take some elbow grease and a willingness to learn, but any do-it-yourselfer can now build a standard lab with video and screen capture for under $1000.

This tutorial will help attendees to learn what goes into building a usability lab, what equipment to use, and how to purchase it at rock bottom prices. Attendees will walk away with a grasp of how the equipment in a usability lab functions harmoniously to produce usable results. They will understand the role each piece plays in the process as well as be able to make a qualified decision as to what pieces of equipment they need. And most importantly, attendees will walk away with the knowledge and information necessary to build a standard video lab for under $1000.

This tutorial is a repeat of the highly rated tutorial of the same name that was offered at UPA 2002. It will include important updates and new developments in this everchanging world of electronics.

Topics To Be Covered

All-in-one Labs vs. Do-it-yourself Labs

We will discuss the purchase of all-in-one labs that come with every piece of equipment you need, software to run it, and support. While these labs are out of the budget of this tutorial, it is important to discuss their benefit. Clearly, this is an appropriate path for many.

One-way Glass Pros and Cons

How important is the formidable one-way mirror? These days, carving a hole in the wall of an, often, leased office building can cost thousands if it's even allowed. We will discuss the pros and cons of having a one-way mirror.

Local Vendors vs. Mail-order houses

Local audio/video dealers charge a higher price for the same piece of electronic equipment than mail-order dealers. Continuing along the do-it-yourself theme, much of this is because local vendors offer some support. One can recognize significant savings if they consider mail order, and we'll discuss how some mail-order houses do offer some support if you know how to ask.

Software or No Software

There is software available that will log usability errors and quickly display the video associated with those errors. We will discuss the pros and cons of this type of software.

Equipment list

The equipment list will include recent models and prices (updated for the June 2003).

Equipment demo and hook-up instructions

Know the difference between a quad box and a mixer? What is a shuttle control? And how about all those different cables? Included with the tutorial is a guide to hooking up the equipment used for a usability lab, including pictures.

Video editing

We will discuss different methods of video editing including on a computer and the onthe- cheap method of using two different VCRS. We will also discuss a method of recording usability tests to make this process much faster and easier.

Getting help when you need it

Desperate times call for desperate measures. When you're stuck (an we all have been), you need someone to help you. We will discuss ways to obtain that help at a reasonable price.

Credit cards vs. PO's

See that $100 video camera shining in the window? Tempted to pull out your credit card for the good of your employer even though you know you can't get reimbursed? Employees at some companies know the pain of only being able to purchase things with Purchase Orders. We will discuss how even you can obtain reasonable prices *and* still pay with a PO.

Audience participation: comments on their own setups and good deals

Attendees will trade ideas, talk about what they have used and what works. This discussion will help to generate a follow up deliverable for the tutorial that includes audience ideas and advice (or past good experiences they have had).

Discussion of specific vendors

Discussion of specific vendors will be limited, although attendees will be shown how to find satisfactory vendors quickly and easily. Commercial vendors of audio-visual equipment and of usability equipment are welcome to sign up for this tutorial but, because of potential bias and conflict of interest, will not be permitted to discuss solutions in which they have a financial interest.

Schedule

The tutorial will consist of a detailed treatment of the above issues, an equipment demonstration and discussion amongst attendees.

Presentation (1.5 hrs.)

The topics above will be presented to attendees along with a case study

Equipment Demonstration (1 hr.)

There will be some equipment set up for demonstration purposes. We will also take this time to discuss individual set-ups with attendees.

Discussion and Debate (.5 hr.)

This will be the time for attendees to ask questions, suggest alternative solutions and discuss some of their own experiences

Wrap-up (.5 hrs.)

Review of main points from presentation and main ideas brought up during discussion session.

Disclaimer

The presenters are in no way affiliated with any organization that sells audio or visual equipment, a/v consulting services or usability labs. I have no financial interest in any entity that provides any of these products or services. I recommend items based solely on price and quality as I experience it myself or as I research it using established quality sources like Consumer Reports.

Instructors' Biographies

Dave Mitropoulos-Rundus (Dave MR) defines strategic usability initiatives to standardize and improve usability across Compuware products. Dave MR has designed Windows applications, hand-helds, kiosks, and web sites. He’s conducted evaluations in the lab, field, and homes of consumers. This range of products and test situations brings a unique perspective to the position and value of usability testing and the utilization of usability labs.

Sumanth Muthyala has been with Compuware Corporation’s Usability and Interaction Design team since Feb 2001. He has been involved with the design of Web based applications and windows Applications, which includes the creation, navigation, look and feel, and negotiating trade-offs and compromises that, at this time, must be made to achieve a reasonable design. Sumanth has conducted extensive usability testing in the controlled environment of the Usability Lab.