Heuristics Evaluation of Linux and Windows using Nielsen’s heuristics for UI Design
Heuristics Evaluation of Linux and Windows using Nielsen’s heuristics for UI Design
Heuristics Evaluation is an important aspect when it comes to testing of a system’s design, and how easily users can engage with it as well as how they find value through interaction with it. It has to be conducted against a set of predetermined principles, referred to as Heuristics. For purposes of this evaluation, heuristics developed by “Jacob Nielsen” in 1995 are used. The heuristics he developed are popularly known as Heuristics for User Interface Design.
[Advantages of Heuristics Evaluation]
1. Designs can be critiqued at little or no cost.
2. Designs can be corrected early in the design stage.
3. It can be used incrementally before usability testing to generate better results.
[Jacob Nielsen’s Heuristics for User Interface (UI) Design]
For purposes of this article, Linux-based OSes/Distributions and Microsoft Windows OS were chosen and taken “head-to-head” based on the 10 Jacob Nielsen’s Heuristics. Below is an example of their Heuristics Evaluation Report;
1. Visibility of system status – the status of system processes should be displayed on the screen.
a. Linux-based Distributions – has ‘System Monitor’ where the status of all running and suspended processes appear. In here, one can also view disks, memory and processor usage.
b. Microsoft Windows – has ‘Task Manager’ which also has the status of all running and suspended processes appear. In here, one can also view disks, memory and processor usage, as well as Startup tasks and running Services.
2. Match between system and the real world – systems should be designed to include users’ language and concepts for ease of use.
a. Linux-based Distributions – has real world related implementations, for instance the mouse/touchpad that mimics touch, accessibility features and is presented in the English language.
b. Microsoft Windows – like Linux-based OSes, it also has real world related implementations, for instance the mouse/touchpad that mimics touch, accessibility features and is also presented in the English language.
3. User control and freedom – users should be able to reverse and/or redo their actions.
a. Linux-based Distributions – Has the Undo and Redo feature accessible by ‘Ctrl + Z‘ and ‘Ctrl + Shift + Z‘ respectively.
b. Microsoft Windows – Also has the Undo and Redo features, accessible via ‘Ctrl + Z‘ and ‘Ctrl + Y‘ respectively.
4. Consistency and Standards – Both textual and graphical elements should be maintained across similar advancements.
a. Linux-based Distributions – The look and feel on Linux-based OSes varies depending on the Linux distribution, and in those distributions, the look and feel keeps on changing as more desktop environments get developed.
b. Microsoft Windows – The look and feel on Windows machines as well keep on changing especially with major version changes.
5. Error Prevention – Minimization of likelihood of mistakes by flagging or preventing actions that may result in errors.
a. Linux-based Distributions – Prevents deletions of files by a warning popup or authentication dialog. Unprivileged users have to use the ‘sudo‘ command followed by a password to grant permissions. It is however easy to cause much harm without knowing when using commands on Terminal.
b. Microsoft Windows – Also prevents deletions of files by a warning popup or authentication dialog. Sensitive files cannot be easily deleted as even administrator accounts are denied access to, for instance, system files.
6. Recognition rather than Recall – Relevant information should remain within the user interface even as they explore other areas.
a. Linux-based Distributions – Maintains user tasks in the task bar and behind the view when a user switches windows.
b. Microsoft Windows – Also maintains user tasks in the task bar and behind the view when a user switches windows.
7. Flexibility and Efficiency of use – The system should accommodate both novice and experienced users.
a. Linux-based Distributions – Not very user friendly to novice users, but very flexible in terms of customization and use of commands for experienced users. Customizations can be made even in the kernel.
b. Microsoft Windows – Very friendly to novice users, but limited in terms of flexibility (customization). Kernel and other features cannot be modified due to software being proprietary.
8. Aesthetic and Minimalist design – Reduction of unnecessary clutter and information that might limit user’s productivity, but maintaining a way to access all necessary and relevant tasks.
a. Linux-based Distributions – Has a minimalist view in its design and all tasks can be switched back and forth as needed.
b. Microsoft Windows – Has an averagely minimalist view by default in comparison to Linux, but has a lot of clutter when adding/installing programs by default, especially in the desktop.
9. Help users recognize, diagnose and recover from errors – Error messages should be understandable and guiding to an effective solution.
a. Linux-based Distributions – Automatically recovers from errors even in abrupt shutdowns that causes errors. However, in case the operating system crashes, recovering needs much expertise.
b. Microsoft Windows – Minor errors can cause the popular blue screen and black screen of death, or even total OS crashes and need a recovery. However, error codes that can help in recovery are clearly provided whether the OS has crashed or not.
10. Help and Documentation – Help resources should be rich and readily available in documentation.
a. Linux-based Distributions – Due to the open-source nature of the OS, errors that occur in programs/applications in Linux, which are also open-source (applications), have to depend on the documentation from the various developers, and thus documentation is not very harmonized. Errors might take time to get resolved due to the comparatively smaller community.
b. Microsoft Windows – Due to the closed-source/proprietary nature of the OS, the developers develop detailed and harmonized documentation in-house. Also due to the wide user base, many errors that are encountered can be fixed using solutions in the many available community forums.
Heuristics Evaluation of Linux and Windows using Nielsen’s heuristics for UI Design
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