IT Usability: Bridging the Gap Between Machines and People

by Carolyn Snyder

For decades the field of human-computer interaction (HCI) has studied the relationships between computers and the people who use them. But HCI isn't limited to just ivory tower researchers. The real-world decisions made by IT professionals have an impact on the effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction of users across the organization. Yet while it's easy enough to understand what usability might mean for a task like creating a spreadsheet, changes in the IT landscape (the advent of Web 2.0, the proliferation of data on corporate intranets, growing security threats, even the aging of the user population) pose new challenges and thrust usability issues once again to the forefront in IT.

In this issue of Cutter IT Journal, we'll investigate these new usability challenges. You'll hear how Web 2.0 is raising expectations for corporate intranets -- and what you can do to meet those expectations. You'll discover a three-part strategy for ending the security versus usability "standoff." And you'll learn how designing solutions with an aging population in mind can make your applications more user-friendly for everyone.

Don't leave your users gnashing their teeth and rending their garments. Join us and become part of the usability solution!