#10094
Reducing Reliance on Superstition
Probably the most well-known article in the fields of usability, user interface design and user experience is Miller’s 1956 paper entitled 'The magical number seven, plus or minus two.' It is incredible how this article has lasted for over 40 years, and still seems to influence many design decisions. More recent, better research is available, but not being used.
Bailey, Robert. Human Factors International (2000). Articles>Human Computer Interaction>Research>Cognitive Psychology
#30447
In the fields of HCI and interaction design the term is however most often used as 'making something material from something abstract.' In other words 'thingifying' something abstract (like an idea, a work practice, a social relationshiop) or at least making a representation of it.
Soegaard, Mads. Interaction-Design.org. Articles>Human Computer Interaction>Interaction Design
#14501
Relieving Computer-Induced Headaches 
A thorough discussion of why some users get headaches when working at the computer.
Ray, Deborah S. TECHWR-L (1999). Articles>Human Computer Interaction>Ergonomics
#14502
Repetitive Stress Injury Prevention
I received a lot of email following my post asking about writing-specific ergonomics and wrist-strengthening exercises. A lot of people wanted to know what they can do to avoid several common work-related injuries, including: repetitive strain injuries; carpal tunnel syndrome; sore hands, arms, necks, backs; and mousing strain.
Hart, Rowena. TECHWR-L (1999). Articles>Human Computer Interaction>Ergonomics>RSI
#25675
A Report on Human Factors Career Issues and Answers: Planning A Career in an Uncertain Market 
The following paper was inspired by presentations at the career panel present at the 46th annual meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. The panel consisted of eight human factors professionals from a variety of environments and backgrounds. During this session, panelists were asked to make recommendations to those seeking information about career advancement in human factors and responded to a variety of specific questions about navigating the human factors job market. This paper provides the essence of the opinions and advice of the panelists and the questions from the audience. It is not meant to serve as a transcript of the discussion. Three key recommendations emerged from the panelists’ discussion: (1) be prepared for your search by developing a skill set you can use to market yourself to an employer, (2) be open to change and take advantage of opportunities as they arise, and (3) network. Each recommendation is discussed in its own section, followed by examples of how these recommendations helped the panelists in their own job searches.
Clamann, Michael. HFES (2002). Careers>Human Computer Interaction
#26438
RusCHI serves as an inter-disciplinary group for the exchange of ideas and experience in the field of usability and human-computer interaction (HCI) by bringing together people working on the design, evaluation, implementation, and study of interactive systems.
ACM SIGCHI (2004). (Russian) Organizations>Human Computer Interaction>Regional>Russia
#14488
A Scalable Method for Deductive Generalization in the Spreadsheet Paradigm 
In this paper, we present an efficient method for automatically generalizing programs written in spreadsheet languages. The strategy is to do generalization through incremental analysis of logical relationships among concrete program entities from the perspective of a particular computational goal. The method uses deductive dataflow analysis with algebraic back-substitution rather than inference with heuristics, and there is no need for generalization-related dialog with the user. We present the algorithms and their time complexities and show that, because the algorithms perform their analyses incrementally, on only the on-screen program elements rather than on the entire program, the method is scalable. Performance data is presented to help demonstrate the scalability.
Burnett, Margaret, Sherry Yang and Jay Summet. ACM TOCHI (2002). Articles>Human Computer Interaction
#20887
ScienceDaily Magazine: Human-Computer Interaction Resources
A collection of HCI resources provided as part of ScienceDaily Magazine.
ScienceDaily. Resources>Directories>Human Computer Interaction
#26641
Despite posing well-known risks, websites continue to feature poorly designed scrollbars. Among the ongoing problems that result are frustrated users, accessibility challenges, and missed content.
Nielsen, Jakob. Alertbox (2005). Articles>Web Design>Human Computer Interaction>Usability
#27377
Whenever I hear someone making a general statement about what older people can or cannot do I think of my father-in-law. He's 80 years old and regularly runs marathons and competes in triathlons. He wins too. So I'm always suspicious about stereotypes involving technology and older users.
Weinschenk, Susan. Human Factors International (2006). Articles>Human Computer Interaction>Usability>Elderly
#13999
The scope of Special Interest Group on Computer-Human Interaction (SIGCHI) is the study of human factors in the human-computer interaction process, including research, design, development, and evaluation of interactive computing systems. The focus is on human communication and interaction with computer systems. SIGCHI provides a forum for the exchange of ideas among computer scientists, behavioral and cognitive scientists, system designers, and end users, and it serves as a clearing house of information for the field of human factors and user psychology research and development. The SIGCHI Bulletin is SIGCHI's membership newsletter. It is published six times per year and sent to all members of SIGCHI as a supplement to interactions magazine. The Bulletin publishes SIGCHI news, columns and short articles on a variety of topics, book reviews, announcements of and reports from conferences, workshops, and events of interest to SIGCHI members, and letters to the editor. SIGCHI Bulletin does not accept advertisements; prospective advertisers should consider interactions magazine.
#25742
The SIGCHI International Advisory Task Force
SIGCHI has established an International Advisory Task Force to help address issues of the internationalization of the organization. The task force has 20 members, from Europe, Asia, Latin America and North America.
Boy, Guy and David G. Novick. SIGCHI Bulletin (1997). Articles>Human Computer Interaction>International
#13991
Het doel van deze website is om leden van en geïnteresseerden in de vereniging SIGCHI.NL een platform te bieden om op de hoogte te blijven van de stand van zaken op HCI-gebied.
ACM SIGCHI. (Dutch) Organizations>Human Computer Interaction>Regional>Netherlands
#22005
La interfaz entre humanos y computadoras adolece todavía de muchas deficiencias. Los sistemas multimodales, que utilizan elementos multibiométricos, interfaces multimodales y sistemas multisensoriales están empezando a paliar muchas de ellas.
Dursteler, Juan Carlos. InfoVis (2004). (Spanish) Articles>Human Computer Interaction>User Interface
#27531
Smooth or Textured: Does Mouse Pad Surface Impact Performance?
This study examined the effects of mouse pad usage on performance of a target acquisition task. Results indicated no performance difference between three specialized mouse pads, a traditional mouse pad and no mouse pad. In addition, no significant differences were found between each of the mousing surfaces based on kinematic data. The results suggest that manufacturer claims of increased performance cannot be supported by empirical evidence.
Slocum, Jeremy and Shelby Thompson. Usability News (2005). Articles>Human Computer Interaction>Usability
#31875
Over the past three decades of computer/human interaction, we’ve seen digital technology evolve from a curiosity to a convenience to an integral part of our everyday lives. For UX professionals, the demand for our skill sets and the opportunities to practice seem only to grow, whether we be designers or developers, usability specialists or information architects, working in fields as diverse as Web, mobile, desktop, and embedded software systems. The UX professions are at a stage that could very well be a tipping point—where the rapid rise of digital devices, services, and connectivity converge to create a massive need for UX professionals. The mobile space alone could generate demand that we can only begin to imagine.
Follett, Jonathan. UXmatters (2008). Articles>User Experience>Human Computer Interaction>Community
#25672
Students on the Road to Somewhere
Students are always asking what they can do to position themselves for a professional career in human factors. The following article summarizes some of my thoughts on the subject, along with advice I have received over the year.
Andre, Anthony D. HFES (1995). Careers>Human Computer Interaction
#26553
Studio Design in Human-Computer Interaction
In this course, students work on collaborative projects to design innovative human-computer interactions (HCIs) aimed at transforming the way people do things in their everyday lives at work, in the home, and at play. Students work with activity analysis to observe and analyze everyday practices, with object-oriented modeling to represent and transform those practices, and with UI prototyping for selected implementation. The course serves as the capstone in the HCI MS Certificate but is open to any junior or senior with technical skills seeking an opportunity to engage in an extended design studio leading to an HCI design. Prerequisites: In general: at least one course in one of the following areas: web design, database design, graphics design, document design, or software engineering design. For those completing the MS Certificate in Human-Computer Interaction: Fundamentals of HCI Usability, Electronic Coaching Systems, and Communication Design for the Web.
Carter, Kellie Rae and Cheryl Geisler. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (2003). Academic>Courses>Human Computer Interaction
#28191
The Synergy between Human Factors and Technical Communication
The human factors specialist and the technical communicator find themselves making similar decisions or weighing similar issues. For example, often it is difficult to decide when to use symbols versus words. Sometimes you cannot shortcut and use pictures because pictures do not convey enough information.
Blackwelder, Meredith. Carolina Communique (2003). Articles>TC>Human Computer Interaction
#21297
Teaching Information Architecture to the Design Student
What the design student needs is a design course that stresses usability, human factors, and clarity, instead of the typical branding and interpretation problems they usually encounter in their other design classes. James Spahr recounts a year of teaching at Pratt Institute that attempts to cross those boundaries.
Spahr, James. Boxes and Arrows (2002). Articles>Education>Human Computer Interaction>Graphic Design
#10433
Technical Communication in an Altered Technology Landscape: What Might Be
Technical communicators create support products that mediate between people and their computers. However, human-computer relations of the future may not require the reading of manuals or even direct manipulation of the interface. These relations may be delegated to agents, computer surrogates that possess a body of knowledge about something and about the user in relation to that something. A new class of applications may suggest information relevant to the user's situation, proactively offering advice that the user didn't know to ask for. Technical communicators will have continuing roles in enabling users because of their knowledge of the ways that people want to learn from machines. The skills required for technical communicators in the next computer revolution will change at least as much in the next 5 years as they have in the past 5 years.
Zimmerman, Muriel. Technical Communication Online (2001). Design>Human Computer Interaction
#29356
Tips for Using Eyetrackers in HCI Experiments
This is a summary of a talk on eyetracking for HCI students at Lancaster University in the UK. Feedback showed that students felt more able to conduct eye tracking research after attending the session.
Poole, Alex. Alex Poole (2005). Presentations>Human Computer Interaction>Usability>Eye Tracking
#18818
Tools and Trade-Offs: Making Wise Choices for User-Centered Design
How can we choose among customer data collection methods when limited staff and financial resources must be spread across the whole development cycle? This tutorial helps participants understand the tradeoffs, so they can make effective choices among methods at different points during product design and development. It focuses on early user-centered intervention to gain cost-effective, reusable end-user information.
Rosenbaum, Stephanie L., Judee Humburg, Judith A. Ramey and Anne Seeley. ACM SIGCHI (1995). Design>User Centered Design>Human Computer Interaction>Usability
#31916
Top-10 Application-Design Mistakes
Application usability is enhanced when users know how to operate the UI and it guides them through the workflow. Violating common guidelines prevents both.
Nielsen, Jakob. Alertbox (2008). Articles>User Interface>Human Computer Interaction>Usability
#13478
Ever wonder why we find graphical user interfaces, hypertext, and multimedia so appealing? Some of the appeal has to do with language itself which is the basis of human transactions, and some of it has to do with our conditioning as a literate society. Literacy builds on visual as well as verbal skills. This paper traces the roots of language to the ascendancy of print technology to explain how visualization is the foundation of literacy.
Hawkes, Lory. STC Proceedings (1993). Presentations>Human Computer Interaction>Multimedia
