Analysis of Windows XP and SUSE Linux 9.1 Operating Systems—A Usability Study
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Transcript of Analysis of Windows XP and SUSE Linux 9.1 Operating Systems—A Usability Study
Analysis of Windows XP and SUSE Linux 9.1 Operating Systems—A Usability Study
John StubbeAdvanced UsabilityINF 385GDr. Randolph Bias
Content
Introduction Methodology Results and Analysis Conclusions
Introduction
Origin of the Project Evolution of the Project Goals of the Project
Methodology
Six participants installed both Windows XP Professional and SUSE Linux 9.1 Professional operating systems. Ultimate task was to open the word processing application.
Participants were presented with the boxed versions of the operating systems and asked to install the OS and open the word processing application.
Participants were encouraged to dialog with the computer and talk aloud about what they were doing.
Methodology, cont'd
As a counterbalancing measure, 3 participants installed Windows then Linux, and 3 installed Linux followed by Windows
Phone was located next to computer in case participant needed to call the 'help desk'
Participants were observed. Participants completed questionnaires
before and after installations.
Methodology, cont'd
Equipment 2 Dell OptiPlex computers on loan from
iSchool computer lab.• System: Dell Computer Corporation - OptiPlex GX240• Processor: Intel(R) Pentium® 4 CPU 1.80GHz• Main Memory: 256 MB• Monitor: Dell Computer Corporation - E153 15-inch Flat
Panel Color LCD• Keyboard: Dell Quietkey® Keyboard• Mouse: Dell 2-button Scroll Mouse
Results and Analysis
About the Participants (Pre-test) About the Software (Post-test) Miscellaneous (Observations)
About the Participants
Sex Male 4 Female 2
Age Under 18 0 18-25 2 26-35 0 36-45 3 45-55 1 Over 55 0
About the Participants
Computer Use
Every day2
3-5 days/week 4
Most frequently used operating system
Windows4
Mac OS1
Both 1
About the Participants
Installed Windows OS?
Yes 2 No 4
Installed Linux OS?
Yes 0 No 6*
*2 participants had never heard of Linux
About the Software
Windows XP
Avg. Install Time:
1 hour, 21.33 mins.(81.33 mins)
SUSE Linux
Avg. Install Time:
57.66 mins
About the Software
"I found Windows XP easy to install." Strongly agree 2 Somewhat agree 2 Undecided 2 Somewhat disagree 0 Strongly disagree 0
About the Software
"I found SUSE Linux easy to install." Strongly agree 0 Somewhat agree 3 Undecided 2 Somewhat disagree 1 Strongly disagree 0
About the Software
"I found the amount of time needed to install Windows XP acceptable."
Strongly agree 0 Somewhat agree 3 Undecided 1 Somewhat disagree 2 Strongly disagree 0
About the Software
"I found the amount of time needed to install SUSE Linux acceptable."
Strongly agree 0 Somewhat agree 4 Undecided 2 Somewhat disagree 0 Strongly disagree 0
About the Software
"Overall, I was satisfied with the installation for Windows XP."
Strongly agree 2 Somewhat agree 2 Undecided 2 Somewhat disagree 0 Strongly disagree 0
About the Software
"Overall, I was satisfied with the installation for SUSE Linux."
Strongly agree 0 Somewhat agree 3 Undecided 3 Somewhat disagree 0 Strongly disagree 0
Miscellaneous Results and Analysis
Boot to Disk Default – SUSE Linux "What just happened?" "I don't know what I'm supposed to
do." Press F2 for Details – SUSE Linux
"Am I supposed to press F2?" 3 of 6 participants pressed F2 even
though it wasn't necessary.
Miscellaneous Results and Analysis
Warning! – SUSE Linux "Why is it warning me if everything's
okay?" Windows had very few problems; it
took longer to install, but only because it's a heavier OS.
Quotes
"Windows took longer to install, but it didn't seem as long. There was always some kind of interaction. That wasn't the case with the Linux."
--Participant 6 "Windows is really efficient, but it's a little creepy too.
It's like it's trying to be my friend." --Participant 5
"I kept waiting for something to happen during the Linux part. I'd read what was on the screen and then just sit and wait. The timing was really bad."
--Participant 2
Conclusions--Software
Despite the fact that Windows XP takes longer to install, participants still demonstrated a preference for it.
Interactivity of Windows XP makes the waiting easier to endure.
In order for SUSE Linux to compete in the market place, it needs more than a "superior" product; it needs a more refined and user-friendly installation program
Conclusions--Study
Need to include a question about aesthetics in the post-test questionnaire. Example: "I like the appearance of
[software name]." with Likert scale Rephrase "…use most frequently?"
question in pre-test. Allot more time between users. Barely
had time to uninstall OS.