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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 Stubbe Advanced Usability INF 385G Dr. Randolph Bias. Content. Introduction Methodology Results and Analysis Conclusions. Introduction. Origin of the Project Evolution of the Project

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Analysis of Windows XP and SUSE Linux 9.1 Operating Systems—A Usability Study

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  1. Analysis of Windows XP and SUSE Linux 9.1 Operating Systems—A Usability Study John Stubbe Advanced Usability INF 385G Dr. Randolph Bias

  2. Content • Introduction • Methodology • Results and Analysis • Conclusions

  3. Introduction • Origin of the Project • Evolution of the Project • Goals of the Project

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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

  7. Results and Analysis • About the Participants (Pre-test) • About the Software (Post-test) • Miscellaneous (Observations)

  8. 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

  9. Computer Use Every day 2 3-5 days/week 4 Most frequently used operating system Windows 4 Mac OS 1 Both 1 About the Participants

  10. Installed Windows OS? Yes 2 No 4 Installed Linux OS? Yes 0 No 6* *2 participants had never heard of Linux About the Participants

  11. Windows XP Avg. Install Time: 1 hour, 21.33 mins. (81.33 mins) SUSE Linux Avg. Install Time: 57.66 mins About the Software

  12. About the Software "I found Windows XP easy to install." • Strongly agree 2 • Somewhat agree 2 • Undecided 2 • Somewhat disagree 0 • Strongly disagree 0

  13. About the Software "I found SUSE Linux easy to install." • Strongly agree 0 • Somewhat agree 3 • Undecided 2 • Somewhat disagree 1 • Strongly disagree 0

  14. 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

  15. 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

  16. 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

  17. 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

  18. 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.

  19. 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.

  20. 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

  21. 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

  22. 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.

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