Comments on: The Hudson River usability test

By: February UX Roundup | UX Booth

February UX Roundup | UX Booth — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 14:33:35 +0000

[...] The Hudson River usability test [...]

By: David Hamill

David Hamill — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 19:31:08 +0000

I agree Stacia. If you have a look at some of the other posts on this site, you’ll see how important I think writing is in usability.

By: Stacia

Stacia — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 18:49:21 +0000

Right – I realize that interfaces are only part of usability. But tech writing/documentation is also part of usability. As a former tech writer who wishes writers were more involved in usability, I like to make sure people realize what a writer’s job is.

By: David Travis

David Travis — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 18:23:52 +0000

Did you know that the pilot, Chesley Sullenberger, has a degree in human factors? You can see his LinkedIn profile here: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/5/209/118. I’m sure he’s passing on the results of his real life usability test to the Airbus designers!

By: David Hamill

David Hamill — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 17:34:49 +0000

Hi Stacia, I’m not trying to critique the interface of a cockpit. The point I’m making is that, until you test something, you don’t know how it will really be used. This is true for a manual as much as it is for an interface.

Only when someone uses an item for its given purpose can you tell if its going to work. In this instance it was the manual that didn’t work, not the button.

By: Stacia

Stacia — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 15:31:02 +0000

Sounds like this article was meant to focus on documentation and tech writing, not UI design. The control panel or button placement isn’t even mentioned.