Re: [IxDA Discuss] Setting a usability lab on a budget
We use an Intel iMac w/a built in camera. To record, we use SnapZ Pro ($69) to record the video and iChat to capture the participant's face. OS X has built in screen sharing now, so if the participant is on OS X, we put them on OS X and stream to another machine using remoting. If they're on Windows, we fire up Parallels, run Windows and the built in screen sharing in OS X still works to stream to the other machine. This is not only an inexpensive model, but allows us to reliably test both Mac and Windows participants. On Jun 13, 2008, at 3:29 PM, Scott Klein wrote: Can someone please recommend the basics required to set up a usability lab on a budget? Or the aspects that I should consider to figure out the equipment that I could possibly need? Thanks, Oliver Cheers! Todd Zaki Warfel President, Design Researcher Messagefirst | Designing Information. Beautifully. -- Contact Info Voice: (215) 825-7423 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] AIM:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Blog: http://toddwarfel.com Twitter:zakiwarfel -- In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are not. Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Setting a usability lab on a budget
I tend to be a minimalist when it comes to user testing -- a good laptop with a display resolution similar to your target users and a quiet area are all that's needed. As for software, I use a pretty old version of Camtasia. I don't use it as a substitute to note taking - it's a good way to jog my memory as I'm doing the analysis. The built in laptop mic works pretty well -- just make sure to make sure to set the correct sensitivity prior to the session. Using the speaking aloud protocol, I typically sit at an angle next to the person such that I can read body language, facial expressions as well as the screen. The best part is you can take the whole thing with you if you are able to visit customers at their site... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=30224 Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Setting a usability lab on a budget
To add to Dante's recommendations, with a simple inexpensive webcam, you can record the user's video and audio through either of those software packages. You can also stream the feed to observers in other locations (pending firewall situations) using Morae. I'm not that familiar with UserVue these days, so I'm not aware of it's full feature set. Scott UX Research Manager - hotels.com - Original Message From: Dante Murphy [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: oliver green [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: IxDA Discuss [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, June 13, 2008 9:17:25 AM Subject: Re: [IxDA Discuss] Setting a usability lab on a budget With UserVue and Morae, all you really need is a quiet and comfortable conference room and a couple of computers. Everything beyond that is gravy. Dante Murphy | Director of User Experience| D I G I T A S H E A L T H 229 South 18th Street | Rittenhouse Square | Philadelphia, PA 19103 | USA Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.digitashealth.com -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of oliver green Sent: Friday, June 13, 2008 12:03 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [IxDA Discuss] Setting a usability lab on a budget Hi Everyone, Can someone please recommend the basics required to set up a usability lab on a budget? Or the aspects that I should consider to figure out the equipment that I could possibly need? Thanks, Oliver Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Setting a usability lab on a budget
We've just rebuilt our Usability Lab into a Design Lab. It still has lots of expensive glass and camera's etc, but it's been designed to work as two team design spaces as well. One important part of this upgrade though was to enable testing/evaluations to be done easily elsewhere in the organisation. Having lots of good MacBooks makes good screen and user recording easy and cheap (Silver Back / Screen Flow / iShowU). We also have two floating camcorders to use for interviews, mobile or paper testing. Prior to this job, I've never had a dedicated lab space, and I have to say having a well set up lab is fantastic %u2013 we can run sessions quickly and efficiently. Most importantly for us, it lets us get lots of people in the observation room to see how our users actually use our products. That said, the ability to run effective sessions out of the lab is a critical skill for our team. Partly because the lab is often fully booked, and sometimes because it's better to run sessions elsewhere for lots of other good reasons. My best advice is to design your sessions to suit your needs and your products needs. Effective sessions can be run in so many ways, and always practice makes perfect :-) Chris -- Chris McLay. Designer. [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://eeoh.com.au/chris/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=30224 Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Setting a usability lab on a budget
Formal usability labs seem to be like focus groups, they don't get too much respect in the literature nowadays with so many tools like Morae around. Usability labs are often strongly associated with usability testing, but labs (that are not tiny anyway) can be used for many things including focus groups, participatory design, design walkthroughs, war rooms that exhibit artifacts for projects, brainstorming rooms and many other purposes. I think that the ROI for a lab where all you do is testing occasionally might not be too great, but a lab can serve as a foundation for a team and if used for many purposes, have a good return. With modern tools, you don't necessarily need a one-way mirror though that is still useful if you are testing consumer products or conducting a focus group. If you are doing testing in your organization's facilities, you can get frustrated with sharing conference rooms, have problems with privacy and many other problems that a formal lab can minimize. Now, testing in the field with laptops and remote testing is fine too. Both have their strengths. Chauncey On Fri, Jun 13, 2008 at 5:26 PM, Nasir Barday [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I'm with Jared on this one ... My opinion: Usability labs are a senseless waste of glass and furniture. http://www.uie.com/articles/streamlining_usability/ The linked article says it all, but in short: -) A formal lab seriously freaks some users out, especially Type A finance folks -) Same for webcams, though those are useful for documenting facial reactions (grimacing, confusion, smiles, surprises) -) Having the observers in the room makes everyone feel more comfortable and connected. The end-of-test feedback session is a lot more effective as a result -) My usability lab fits in my pocket Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Setting a usability lab on a budget
I should have added that we have a table set up in our design space for usability testing, so yeah, I agree that the testing and design spaces can be somewhat dual-purposed. In our case we use our space primarily for collaboration and to do our own work off in a corner (literally!). I've found that people are most comfortable when you do the test at their desk-- especially useful when you're doing a contextual inquiry, as you get to see all those lovely pinups of frequently used info, postits (almost a fetish in this circle), and other useful tidbits. A separate testing space is still useful for answering those lower-level questions: can they find this widget? is the information categorized in an understandable way? But for the higher-level stuff, e.g. Does this product effectively meet the user's needs? Does it give 'em a warm-and-fuzzy feeling? it's better to test in the field. We're starting to veer away from the original question, tho-- Oliver, is there enough info for you in this thread? Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Setting a usability lab on a budget
So, back to the original point of the first email. What can you use for a discount lab? 1. Screen recording software like Morae. The next version of Morae has some excellent features that make it a much stronger usability tool for more than just 1-1 testing. 2. Several good types of microphones. A good omnidirectional microphone, a few lapel mikes, and possibly a semi-directional mike. 3. Extra batteries for any battery powered equipment. 4. A small videocamera that is compatible with your editing software. 5. A full-size portable tripod and a small portable tripod that you can put into your camera case or briefcase. 6. Adapters for international travel. 7. Subscription to a remote collaboration tool that has the requisite performance for your studies. 8. A loaded laptop or desktop (lots of memory and fast CPU to handle screen recorders, remote tools, and your application or Web pages. 9. A digital camera for capturing history and artifacts. 10. A portable disk drive to hold large video files that you might have using a videocamera or Morae. 11. A plug in tablet that you can use for design session and sketching. 12. A good color printer and a portable printer for field work. 13. Some basic analysis software (StatistiXL). 14. A very good miniature tape recorder that uses a format that you input into your PC. 15. A box of cables and connectors. 16. Some qualitative analysis software (for example, I like HyperResearch) 17. Some sketching software and prototyping software. 18. Laptop for notetaker 19. A set of templates for all the common documents you need: consent forms, NDAs, reports, project plans, proposals, best practices, ... 20. A set of small tools for minor repairs. 21. A toolbox full of basic supplies like Post-Its, tape, scissors. 22. A small set of amplified speakers for presenting audio data in a room that doesn't have a sound system. Chauncey We're starting to veer away from the original question, tho-- Oliver, is there enough info for you in this thread? Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Setting a usability lab on a budget
With UserVue and Morae, all you really need is a quiet and comfortable conference room and a couple of computers. Everything beyond that is gravy. Dante Murphy | Director of User Experience| D I G I T A S H E A L T H 229 South 18th Street | Rittenhouse Square | Philadelphia, PA 19103 | USA Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.digitashealth.com -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of oliver green Sent: Friday, June 13, 2008 12:03 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [IxDA Discuss] Setting a usability lab on a budget Hi Everyone, Can someone please recommend the basics required to set up a usability lab on a budget? Or the aspects that I should consider to figure out the equipment that I could possibly need? Thanks, Oliver Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Setting a usability lab on a budget
We used a web-cam and mirrored monitor, ran cables through the ceiling to the next room. Total cost: $150. (well, we already had the computer and we borrowed a monitor from the CEO's house) jd On Jun 13, 2008, at 9:17 AM, Dante Murphy wrote: With UserVue and Morae, all you really need is a quiet and comfortable conference room and a couple of computers. Everything beyond that is gravy. Dante Murphy | Director of User Experience| D I G I T A S H E A L T H 229 South 18th Street | Rittenhouse Square | Philadelphia, PA 19103 | USA Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.digitashealth.com -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of oliver green Sent: Friday, June 13, 2008 12:03 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [IxDA Discuss] Setting a usability lab on a budget Hi Everyone, Can someone please recommend the basics required to set up a usability lab on a budget? Or the aspects that I should consider to figure out the equipment that I could possibly need? Thanks, Oliver - - Jeffrey D. Gimzek | Senior User Experience Designer http://www.glassdoor.com Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Setting a usability lab on a budget
Interesting article. It focuses on in-person testing. I'm wondering what kind of experience you have had with remote testing? This is pretty easy to do with UserVue and a telephone. We have done it with the test moderator in one location, observers in another and the test participant at his or her home or work computer. It worked fairly well except that the observers tended to goof off after a bit. They were listening in on a conference call and watching the user's screen on a monitor. Brett On Jun 13, 2008, at 1:01 PM, Jared Spool wrote: On Jun 13, 2008, at 12:03 PM, oliver green wrote: Can someone please recommend the basics required to set up a usability lab on a budget? Or the aspects that I should consider to figure out the equipment that I could possibly need? My opinion: Usability labs are a senseless waste of glass and furniture. Streamlining Usability Testing by Avoiding the Lab http://www.uie.com/articles/streamlining_usability/ Jared Jared M. Spool User Interface Engineering 510 Turnpike St., Suite 102, North Andover, MA 01845 e: [EMAIL PROTECTED] p: +1 978 327 5561 http://uie.com Blog: http://uie.com/brainsparks Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Setting a usability lab on a budget
I'm with Jared on this one ... My opinion: Usability labs are a senseless waste of glass and furniture. http://www.uie.com/articles/streamlining_usability/ The linked article says it all, but in short: -) A formal lab seriously freaks some users out, especially Type A finance folks -) Same for webcams, though those are useful for documenting facial reactions (grimacing, confusion, smiles, surprises) -) Having the observers in the room makes everyone feel more comfortable and connected. The end-of-test feedback session is a lot more effective as a result -) My usability lab fits in my pocket If you really need to capture screen movements and audio, Morae and UserVue tend to be the tools to use; you can usually spare a laptop or other machine on which to perform the tests. Otherwise, the most stuff you need is a pad of paper, something to pay users with, and stakeholders to observe and have their minds blown :-). - Nasir Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
Re: [IxDA Discuss] Setting a usability lab on a budget
I'm wondering what kind of experience you have had with remote testing? For remote tests, even a simple tool like Windows NetMeeting, GoToMyPc, WebEx, etc. does the trick. It's best if the facilitator and observers are in the same room to minimize the goofing off you mentioned. WebEx has the advantage of being able to record the screen and any audio from the phone. You may even be able to get it to capture video. You don't necessarily need recorded footage get the point across, since the observers see what you see, but they can help when you have people that don't attend who need proof in the pudding that there is, indeed, a problem with a product. - N Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .. http://www.ixda.org/help
