World Usability Day is returning for the third consecutive year. The event celebrates usability, when technologies or procedures make sense to us and when we can learn–and remember–how to use them, make few errors and feel satisfied with our experiences.
Last year, the annual, international celebration involved 150 events held in more than 43 countries around the world.
World Usability Day in the UP (WUDUP) takes place on campus, Wednesday through Friday, Nov. 10 to 12. This year’s theme is communication, and, according to the World Usability Day website, the hope is to create “greater awareness for designs, products and services that improve and facilitate communication.”
Three official events are planned at Michigan Tech.
Brown Bag Lunch
Wednesday, Nov. 10, noon to 1 p.m.
Memorial Union Ballroom B
“Does Sustainable Design Make Us Behave More Sustainably?”
Speaker: Professor Christa Walck (School of Business and Economics)
In this interactive session, Walck will discuss how sustainable design of the things we use in our lives can change our behavior, but can also lead to increased consumption and waste. The participants will look at the thinking behind a series of sustainably designed items and then try to design something that they would want to use and make them act more sustainably.
A Library2Go Demonstration
Thursday, Nov. 11, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Van Pelt and Opie Library lobby, in front of the information wall
Library2Go, a new, easy and fast way to find library information using mobile devices and smart phones, is now available. Users can quickly search the library’s catalog, view floor plans, find out what services the library’s staff offers, identify contact info, and more. During the session, library staff will demonstrate the new technology and help participants add the Library2Go service to their iPhone, iPod Touch or Android.
Interactive Webinar
Friday, Nov. 12, 4:30 p.m.
Walker 134
Sponsored by the Michigan Tech Chapter of the Society for Technical Communicators
Tim Kauffold, director of operations at Oneupweb, will discuss how attention to usability helps him in fraud detection, trademark monitoring, ad testing and keyword permutation. Kauffold’s ability to speak “techie” to clients and the public has made him a valuable asset to the client management team, working with some of the world’s leading brands. He is also a critical player in Oneupweb’s successful strategic partnership program and a sought-after speaker.
Some events are still in the planning stages, so, for late-breaking news, check the WUDUP website: www.mtu.edu/usability .
Or, for more information, contact Karla Kitalong at 487-3254 or at kitalong@mtu.edu .
Published in Tech Today.