Videotape Analysis of a CAD (Computer Aided Design) System User Interface: A Case Study

摘要

The report analyzes the user interface for the Chrysler Designer Workstation, a wire-frame CAD program that runs on an Evans and Sutherland PS 350 workstation connected to a CDC Cyber 825 mainframe. The data for the recommendations came from time-stamped videotapes of a person learning to use the software. The time for each mouse pick, each typing action, and other actions was obtained from those tapes to determine how the user spent his time, which errors occurred (and when), and how often the user shifted between menus. The report suggests about a dozen modifications/enhancements to the user interface to make the software easier to use. The report also describes several tools that are required to support usability analysis.