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Joanna McGrenere Ph. D. University of Toronto |
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General computer software applications such as word processors have become increasingly complex as advances in technology permit substantially more functionality to be provided to the user. This phenomenon has resulted in today's heavily-featured software often being described as "bloated" in both the technical literature and the popular press. Yet, the impact of this complexity on the user has received little attention in the research community. We describe research that addresses that problem.
Our first study was a comprehensive investigation of the experience of 53 members of the general population using a popular word processor, Microsoft Word. In particular we looked at the concept of bloat which is seldom defined, but often used as a catch-all phrase to suggest that software is filled with unnecessary features. Results from this study showed that there are substantial individual differences with respect to the perception of complex software and that while many users would like to have unused functions "tucked away", most users are uncomfortable with the complete removal of unused functions. These findings enabled us to further specify the term bloat identifying an objective and subjective dimension.
The discovery of the subjective dimension of bloat opened the design space in interesting new ways and pointed to the potential of personalization and multiple interfaces as a promising way forward. In a second study we evaluated a simple two-interfaces prototype for Microsoft Word which included: (1) a user-adaptable personal interface, and (2) a full interface containing all the standard functionality. A single button click was all that was required for switching between the interfaces. Our field study included 20 participants and tested the effects of different interface designs on users' satisfaction and their perceived ability to navigate, control, and learn the software. There were two conditions: Microsoft Word with adaptive menus, and our user-adaptable multiple-interfaces prototype. Results showed that participants were better able to navigate through the menus and toolbars and were better able to learn with our multiple-interfaces prototype. There were also significant differences in satisfaction and control with the new design.
Joanna received her BSc in Computer Science from The University of Western Ontario in 1993, her MSc in Computer Science from The University of British Columbia in 1996, and she expects to receive her PhD in Computer Science from the University of Toronto in January 2002.
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