Working title: Back Up Those Files! - Usability Report
Report Author: Scott Simpson
Date: 2009.08.04

Brief Profile of Users

The users surveyed were of varying backgrounds in regards to computer proficiency. They are familiar with how to use the internet to find information, but not all were comfortable with the idea of setting up a data backup without guidance.

Think Aloud Task

Please tell me what you think as you use this site to learn about how to create a data backup.

Summary of Think Aloud

The users followed largely the same process in interacting with the site. They seemed to all follow the same left-to-right sequence of clicking through the site, and read the content in the order it was presented. All but one user clicked on the terms on the right side of the site. Users tended to click on the links under "So I Have A Mac..." and "So I Have A PC..." to visit the linked sites.

Summary of Post-Test

Two users mentioned that they felt that the "A Backup Isn't" and "A Backup Is" sections should be reversed in the navigation bar, to provide an example before a counterexample. It was noted that the "A Backup Is" section did not explicitly say what a backup was, but just listed some characteristics. All respondents appreciated the humor and tone of the example text and narrative. Users noted that they felt that a description of hardware needed to do a backup should be listed on both the Mac and PC pages. Two users noted that they felt the links to external pages should open a new window, not continue in the same browser window. One user mentioned that he thought there should be steps to follow for each product. One respondent noted that perhaps "Concept Links" should be changed to "Terms" or something similar.

Findings to be Implemented

• Links to external sites will open in new windows rather than in the same window.
• The "A Backup Isn't" and "A Backup Is" links will be reversed in the links bar.
• A description of the hardware necessary for a backup will be included on pages for both platforms.

Findings that will not be Implemented

• Steps for each kind of backup will not be added, becasue doing so would duplicate content on the linked sites, possibly infringing copyrights.