HTML 2.0 appeared in 1995. At that time, I was working in usability of forms – and I still am. But I didn’t have email or an internet connection. So I think it was remarkably nice of the authors to includeContinue reading… The piece of HTML created just for me: Reset
Author: Caroline Jarrett
Designing comparative evaluations
It was one of those calls that is simultaneously good news and bad news. “We’d like you to do an evaluation for us. We have two designs here and we want to know which one is better”. The good news:Continue reading… Designing comparative evaluations
Don’t get bitten by JAWS – it deserves respect
A question came up recently on a usability list: how best to test a web application for accessibility. The questioner was new to the field and asked about various points, but the one that resonated with me was this: ‘Finally,Continue reading… Don’t get bitten by JAWS – it deserves respect
A farewell to pop-ups
Comment added in 2022: These days we use the term ‘modal’ instead of ‘pop-up’ and I don’t see as much discussion of pop-up blockers. Otherwise, I think this is still accurate. CJ. Do you remember the olden days onContinue reading… A farewell to pop-ups
The joys of labelling – an orderly portable lab for £24.99
If you read my headline as “a portable lab for £24.99”, don’t get too excited. I still don’t know a way of getting a portable usability lab for under 25 quid other than reverting to good old paper and pencilContinue reading… The joys of labelling – an orderly portable lab for £24.99
Negative plans for positive results
Wading through yet another complicated methodology the other day, my mind started to wander. Why are some of these documents so hard to understand? Why so repetitive? Process complexity happens by accident And I knew the answer really: the thingContinue reading… Negative plans for positive results
How to obtain maximum insight by cross-referring site statistics, San Francisco, 2002
Slides from a presentation to the IIR/IMRO Symposium “Web-based surveys and usability testing”, San Francisco, California, US. The presentation describes a project at the UK’s Open University, which wanted to explore how students make course choice decisions. The students’ motivation,Continue reading… How to obtain maximum insight by cross-referring site statistics, San Francisco, 2002
Should I use a drop-down? Four steps for choosing form elements on the web
No. Don’t use a drop-down. Updated in 2023. Back in 2001, Sarah Allen and I wrote this paper, and I delivered it at the 48th Society for Technical Communication Conference in Chicago, Illinois. We had done plenty of testing ofContinue reading… Should I use a drop-down? Four steps for choosing form elements on the web
Why users don’t complain about bad forms
Originally written in response to the Florida vote controversy in the US 2000 presidential election, here are plenty of reasons why you may never know that users are struggling with your form. This article first appeared in January 2001 in UserContinue reading… Why users don’t complain about bad forms
Designing usable forms: the three-layer model of the form
A version of this paper was first delivered at the 47th Society for Technical Communication Conference in Florida. Most people do not enjoy filling in a form If you want to create a usable form, the first step is to understandContinue reading… Designing usable forms: the three-layer model of the form